Jordan holidays

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• Overview
• Country info
• Holiday ideas
• Holiday offers

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Destinations » Middle East holidays » Jordan holidays

"Nowhere more than in Jordan have I felt a sense that this is where the world began. " Edward Heath, 1977

Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.

Jordan holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Jordan holiday, personal to you.

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Jordan tailor-made holiday highlights

Petra
Cultural jewel and one of the great wonders of the Middle-Eastern world, set in a spectacular deep and narrow desert gorge. Founded by the Nabatean Arabs and added to by the Romans, this fascinating complex was lost to the world for 400 years, until being rediscovered in 1812. Enter through the siq, a chasm created by a prehistoric quake, at the end of which stands the most famous monument, the Treasury, or Khazneh, a towering facade carved out of the rock. In recent times, the Treasury appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Beyond, explore the numerous other rock reliefs, tombs, halls, a monastery and a dramatic 3,000-seat amphitheatre.

Wadi Rum
Described by T.E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like," this unspoilt desert landscape is popular among climbers and hikers. Less active sorts can take camel rides or sleep under the stars in a traditional Bedouin tent. In springtime the desert blooms with green.

Dead Sea
Float freely in the salt-laden waters of this large lake, which marks the lowest point on Earth's landmass. Alternatively, loll in the mud, amid this eerie, dry landscape.

Ammam
Often referred to as the 'white city', this modern capital is home to one-third of the country's population. High above the city stands the ancient Citadel, with historic remains from Roman, Greek and Ottoman Turk eras. Ammam also has some charming souks and coffee shops where locals play backgammon.

Jerash
It has been occupied continuously for 6,500 years. The ancient ruined city was one of the great Roman centres and includes theatres, baths and temples.

Karak
Ancient Crusader stronghold, which today dominates the modern town. It was a place of legend in the battles between the Crusaders and the Islamic armies.

People & place

Jordan facts

Capital: Amman
Language: Arabic.

People: Arab (98%).
Religion: Sunni Muslim, Christian and Shi'a Muslim minorities.
Size (sq km): 92,300.
Population: 6,053,193.
Population density/sq km: 65.5.

Etiquette

Jordan is a Muslim state and visitors should exercise discretion in dress and behaviour to avoid causing any offence. Jordanians are proud of their Arab culture and hospitality, and visitors are always made to feel very welcome. They are often happy to act as hosts and guides, and keen to inform tourists about their country. Arabic coffee will normally be served continuously during social occasions. To signal that no more is wanted, slightly tilt the cup when handing it back, otherwise it will be refilled. It is polite to ask permission to take photographs of people and livestock, and in some places photography is forbidden.

Shopping

Every town has a souk. Look for Hebron glass, mother-of-pearl boxes, pottery, backgammon sets, embroidered tablecloths and caftans embroidered with gold and silver thread.

Food & drink

Middle Eastern in style, with meze to start, followed by kebabs or specialities such as mensaf (stewed lamb in a yoghurt sauce) or musakhan (chicken in olive oil and onion sauce served on Arab bread). Sweets include baklava (pastry filled with nuts or honey). Restrictions on alcohol during Ramadan.

International Airports

Amman - Queen Alia International (AMM) 32 km from Amman.

Internal travel

Domestic flights between Amman and Aqaba. JETT bus company, as well as private buses and mini-buses connect most places. No railway. Taxis and car hire available in main towns.

Red tape

Visas

Required.

Vaccinations

Hep. A, Hep. B, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.

Driving requirements

National driving licences accepted if issued at least one year before travel. However, an International Driving Permit is also recommended.

Reps in UK/US

UK: 6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, London W8 7HA, tel (020) 7937 3685, fax (020) 7937 8795, email info@jordanembassyuk.org. US: 3504 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 966 2664, fax (202) 966 3110, email HKJEmbassyDC@jordanembassyus.org.

UK/US reps in Jordan

UK: PO Box 87, Abdoun, Amman 11118, tel (6) 590 9200, fax (6) 590 9279, email info@britain.org.jo. US: PO Box 354, Amman 11118, tel (6) 590 6000, fax (6) 592 0121, email ResponseAmman@state.gov.

Currency

Dinar (JD) = 100 Piastres or 1,000 fils.

Finance

American Express, Mastercard and Visa accepted in large shops, hotels and restaurants. Traveller's cheques accepted.

Business hours

0900-1800 Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Safe.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 76.04, F 81.22.

Useful websites for travel

www.jordanembassyuk.org, www.see-jordan.com, http://amman.usembassy.gov/. www.jordanembassyus.org, www.seejordan.org.

Local media

The Jordan Times (daily), The Star (weekly) are printed in English.

Tourist boards

UK: Kennedy House, 1st Floor, 115 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QH, tel (020) 7371 6496. US: 6867 Elm Street, Suite 102, Mclean, VA 22101, tel (703) 243 7404, fax (703) 243 7406 email contactus@visitjordan.com.

Jordan tailor-made holiday ideas

Petra
Cultural jewel and one of the great wonders of the Middle-Eastern world, set in a spectacular deep and narrow desert gorge. Founded by the Nabatean Arabs and added to by the Romans, this fascinating complex was lost to the world for 400 years, until being rediscovered in 1812. Enter through the siq, a chasm created by a prehistoric quake, at the end of which stands the most famous monument, the Treasury, or Khazneh, a towering facade carved out of the rock. In recent times, the Treasury appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Beyond, explore the numerous other rock reliefs, tombs, halls, a monastery and a dramatic 3,000-seat amphitheatre.

Wadi Rum
Described by T.E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like," this unspoilt desert landscape is popular among climbers and hikers. Less active sorts can take camel rides or sleep under the stars in a traditional Bedouin tent. In springtime the desert blooms with green.

Dead Sea
Float freely in the salt-laden waters of this large lake, which marks the lowest point on Earth's landmass. Alternatively, loll in the mud, amid this eerie, dry landscape.

Ammam
Often referred to as the 'white city', this modern capital is home to one-third of the country's population. High above the city stands the ancient Citadel, with historic remains from Roman, Greek and Ottoman Turk eras. Ammam also has some charming souks and coffee shops where locals play backgammon.

Jerash
It has been occupied continuously for 6,500 years. The ancient ruined city was one of the great Roman centres and includes theatres, baths and temples.

Karak
Ancient Crusader stronghold, which today dominates the modern town. It was a place of legend in the battles between the Crusaders and the Islamic armies.

Evason Ma’In Hot Springs, Jordan

Evason Ma’In Hot Springs is a stunning oasis spa in the Jordanian desert situated in a dramatic rocky terrain beside a thermal waterfall, with views over the Dead Sea. Treatments at the Six Senses Spa focus on the therapeutic properties of the mineral-ri...

Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.

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Jordan Uncovered

For many, the spectacular ‘lost city’ of Petra, carved into the red canyon walls by the ancient Nabateans, simply is Jordan, but there is plenty more to this gem of a country - from the culturally diverse capital, Amman, northern Jordan with its an...

Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.

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