Trip to Jordan. Feedback requested.
Apr 30, 2018, 1:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Trip to Jordan. Feedback requested.
I will be traveling with my wife for 7 days in Jordan. I am looking for some feedback on what else to do and feedback on the current plan. Neither one of us has been to the middle east so I definitely want to take in the different life style. Is old town Amman worth spending some time in? We will be in Amman on a Tuesday. Are there any souqs open that day worth doing?
I am also looking for some ideas what to do during day 6. We will be staying the night before inside Wadi Rum in one of those bubble tents. I assume the next morning we will head out right after breakfast and should be in Aqaba later in the morning. Any good recommendation what to do in Aqaba. I will be diving the next day, so I am also looking for a good dive center recommendation.
Day 1: Arrive Monday night at 9 PM at AMM. Pick up rental. Head to IC Amman call it a night.
Day 2: Amman: Visit a souq, if one is open, Citadel, Roman Amphitheater, dinner at Fakhreldin Restaurant. Any other must see items? Old town?
Day 3: Leave Amman early, drive to Mount Nebo, then Wadi Mujib to hike the siq (morning), then back track to the Kempinski Dead Sea
Day 4: Drive to Petra in the morning. Vist Petra. Stay at Crown Plaza Petra. Considering the Petra night show, not sure it is worth it.
Day 5: Drive to Wadi Rum. Do 4x4 / camel rides at Camp.
Day 6: Drive to Aqaba. Is there anything else to see / do on the way?
Day 7: 2-tank boat dive. Any dive center recommendations?
Day 8: Drop off rental, leave AQJ at 9:00 AM.
I am also looking for some ideas what to do during day 6. We will be staying the night before inside Wadi Rum in one of those bubble tents. I assume the next morning we will head out right after breakfast and should be in Aqaba later in the morning. Any good recommendation what to do in Aqaba. I will be diving the next day, so I am also looking for a good dive center recommendation.
Day 1: Arrive Monday night at 9 PM at AMM. Pick up rental. Head to IC Amman call it a night.
Day 2: Amman: Visit a souq, if one is open, Citadel, Roman Amphitheater, dinner at Fakhreldin Restaurant. Any other must see items? Old town?
Day 3: Leave Amman early, drive to Mount Nebo, then Wadi Mujib to hike the siq (morning), then back track to the Kempinski Dead Sea
Day 4: Drive to Petra in the morning. Vist Petra. Stay at Crown Plaza Petra. Considering the Petra night show, not sure it is worth it.
Day 5: Drive to Wadi Rum. Do 4x4 / camel rides at Camp.
Day 6: Drive to Aqaba. Is there anything else to see / do on the way?
Day 7: 2-tank boat dive. Any dive center recommendations?
Day 8: Drop off rental, leave AQJ at 9:00 AM.
May 3, 2018, 3:33 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 109
What time of year is your trip? I don't know what your timeline is for getting to the Dead Sea on Day 3, but here's one thing to just think about or look into...
The second time I visited Jordan, we only had one night at the Dead Sea. We were told that the beach was open until "sunset." This was in the winter, so perhaps sunset is earlier, but we had a late lunch after check-in and then got to the beach in late afternoon. To me, it was certainly not sunset yet...it was late afternoon but the sun was still shining. We were told we couldn't swim (well, float) in the Dead Sea because the beach was closed for the night!! The beach didn't open until 9 or 10 the next morning, but we were leaving the hotel by 9, so we couldn't swim the next day. We had to beg...almost in tears....before the lifeguards said we could get in the water, but only for a couple minutes and only right at the edge. It wasn't that enjoyable with people breathing down your neck to hurry up.
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!
The second time I visited Jordan, we only had one night at the Dead Sea. We were told that the beach was open until "sunset." This was in the winter, so perhaps sunset is earlier, but we had a late lunch after check-in and then got to the beach in late afternoon. To me, it was certainly not sunset yet...it was late afternoon but the sun was still shining. We were told we couldn't swim (well, float) in the Dead Sea because the beach was closed for the night!! The beach didn't open until 9 or 10 the next morning, but we were leaving the hotel by 9, so we couldn't swim the next day. We had to beg...almost in tears....before the lifeguards said we could get in the water, but only for a couple minutes and only right at the edge. It wasn't that enjoyable with people breathing down your neck to hurry up.
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!
May 4, 2018, 9:17 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
...
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!
May 5, 2018, 8:37 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,232
You can definitely to into the Dead Sea any time you want to. However, if you want to get there via a hotel beach, you are subject to the hotel's regulations as to the times that beach can be used for that purpose.
May 10, 2018, 12:24 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 109
That was our situation...we were at a hotel and trying to use their beach. We had no transportation to try to find a public area.
May 10, 2018, 1:27 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
Have fun.
May 10, 2018, 8:01 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,232
May 10, 2018, 5:38 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
May 11, 2018, 2:37 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
Have fun planning. I love planning a trip.
May 11, 2018, 11:55 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
I haven't been to Jordan in about 6 years now. Did they finally got the street names and GPS working? When I was living there it was a nightmare to navigate.
All the directions were based on 'round-about' - Go to the 7th Circle and make 5th right, then few more streets until you see mosque...
I can't imagine driving in Amman. Jordan is probably in top 3 countries with very bad drivers and very bad driving habits.
Driving outside of the city is ok, just watch for unmarked speed bumps on the highway!!! That's another idiotic idea that they have. Freaking gray speed bumps on a gray asphalt highway.
Watch for police pulling you over for nothing. Driver cannot smoke, drink or eat anything while driving. Outside of the city, police will have make shift control check point, and they will look at the cars 1km away with binoculars. If they think that driver is doing one of the 3 things above, you will get "cash" ticket.
Other than that, Jordan is very nice country with very friendly people. Only in the northern part of Jordan local people hate Americans. Basically if you cross highway 10 above Irbid or Mafraq you can expect that there will be "no soup for you!". Of course, there are exceptions like the town Ramtha. Some people would be very nice to us, some people would kick us out from their restaurants.
Have fun in Jordan!
All the directions were based on 'round-about' - Go to the 7th Circle and make 5th right, then few more streets until you see mosque...
I can't imagine driving in Amman. Jordan is probably in top 3 countries with very bad drivers and very bad driving habits.
Driving outside of the city is ok, just watch for unmarked speed bumps on the highway!!! That's another idiotic idea that they have. Freaking gray speed bumps on a gray asphalt highway.
Watch for police pulling you over for nothing. Driver cannot smoke, drink or eat anything while driving. Outside of the city, police will have make shift control check point, and they will look at the cars 1km away with binoculars. If they think that driver is doing one of the 3 things above, you will get "cash" ticket.
Other than that, Jordan is very nice country with very friendly people. Only in the northern part of Jordan local people hate Americans. Basically if you cross highway 10 above Irbid or Mafraq you can expect that there will be "no soup for you!". Of course, there are exceptions like the town Ramtha. Some people would be very nice to us, some people would kick us out from their restaurants.
Have fun in Jordan!
Aug 5, 2018, 12:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH
Posts: 414
Hi all
I would be interested to hear your views on our planned 10 days itinerary (late October):
1 Amman
2 Jerash, Ajloun, As-Salt
3 Dead Sea
4 Dead Sea
5 Petra
6 Petra
7 Wadi Rum
8 Red Sea
9 Red Sea
10 Red Sea
We fly into AMM and out of Eilat/Ovda
Out plan is to self-drive.
Thanks for any advice.
I would be interested to hear your views on our planned 10 days itinerary (late October):
1 Amman
2 Jerash, Ajloun, As-Salt
3 Dead Sea
4 Dead Sea
5 Petra
6 Petra
7 Wadi Rum
8 Red Sea
9 Red Sea
10 Red Sea
We fly into AMM and out of Eilat/Ovda
Out plan is to self-drive.
Thanks for any advice.
Aug 7, 2018, 9:07 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SJO - MAN - LAX
Programs: MileagePlus Gold, Avis PP, National EE, Lifemiles Silver, ConnectMiles Gold
Posts: 532
Hi all
I would be interested to hear your views on our planned 10 days itinerary (late October):
1 Amman
2 Jerash, Ajloun, As-Salt
3 Dead Sea
4 Dead Sea
5 Petra
6 Petra
7 Wadi Rum
8 Red Sea
9 Red Sea
10 Red Sea
We fly into AMM and out of Eilat/Ovda
Out plan is to self-drive.
Thanks for any advice.
I would be interested to hear your views on our planned 10 days itinerary (late October):
1 Amman
2 Jerash, Ajloun, As-Salt
3 Dead Sea
4 Dead Sea
5 Petra
6 Petra
7 Wadi Rum
8 Red Sea
9 Red Sea
10 Red Sea
We fly into AMM and out of Eilat/Ovda
Out plan is to self-drive.
Thanks for any advice.
Oct 3, 2018, 7:59 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Finland
Programs: Marriott Gold, IHG Plat AMB, HH Diamond, Delta Silver, Finnair Plat
Posts: 48
What time of year is your trip? I don't know what your timeline is for getting to the Dead Sea on Day 3, but here's one thing to just think about or look into...
The second time I visited Jordan, we only had one night at the Dead Sea. We were told that the beach was open until "sunset." This was in the winter, so perhaps sunset is earlier, but we had a late lunch after check-in and then got to the beach in late afternoon. To me, it was certainly not sunset yet...it was late afternoon but the sun was still shining. We were told we couldn't swim (well, float) in the Dead Sea because the beach was closed for the night!! The beach didn't open until 9 or 10 the next morning, but we were leaving the hotel by 9, so we couldn't swim the next day. We had to beg...almost in tears....before the lifeguards said we could get in the water, but only for a couple minutes and only right at the edge. It wasn't that enjoyable with people breathing down your neck to hurry up.
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!
The second time I visited Jordan, we only had one night at the Dead Sea. We were told that the beach was open until "sunset." This was in the winter, so perhaps sunset is earlier, but we had a late lunch after check-in and then got to the beach in late afternoon. To me, it was certainly not sunset yet...it was late afternoon but the sun was still shining. We were told we couldn't swim (well, float) in the Dead Sea because the beach was closed for the night!! The beach didn't open until 9 or 10 the next morning, but we were leaving the hotel by 9, so we couldn't swim the next day. We had to beg...almost in tears....before the lifeguards said we could get in the water, but only for a couple minutes and only right at the edge. It wasn't that enjoyable with people breathing down your neck to hurry up.
If you were wanting to get in the Dead Sea, I would maybe ask your hotel about their beach policies for the time of year you'll be there so you can make sure to get there in time after your hike. It could be a huge disappointment not to even be allowed into the Dead Sea!!