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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

1. Welcome to Jordan, ... "Ahlan Wa Sahlan"

Jordan, the land of ancient civilisation and modern glory, welcomes you and wishes you a pleasant stay.
Jordan is situated at the cross-roads of the continents and is easily accessible from all parts of the world. Your stay in Jordan will be stimulating and rewarding. Relive the past amongst the ancient monuments and relics of the great Greek, Roman and Islamic civilisations.
Jordan´s people are friendly, warm and hospitable. You will find yourself amazed by fascinating natural surroundings under bright blue skies. Memories of the beaches of Aqaba and the ruins of Petra will never be forgotten.
The cultural heritage is enriched by outdoor activities that can be explored in Jordan's varied natural terrain. The sandy, rocky and basalt volcanic desert and steppe-lands build highland plateau that paint the landscape with pastels, offset by the contrast of the evergreen mountain forests of Ajlun and Dibbin. The tropical Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, and the therapeutic experience of the Dead Sea. The Jordan Valley will be the pathway to this sub-sea level location. Here we will drench ourselves in thermal hot springs while enjoying the ever-changing paintings of pink and salmon-coloured Nubian sand-stones of Petra and witness the moonscape of Wadi Rum.
For the visitors from abroad, the splendour of nature and the legacy of mankind are further complemented by several activities designed to quench the human quest for adventure.
Imagine ... camel and four-wheel-drive safaris through the desert, horseback treks along the ancient spice and incense routes or through the hills of the biblical kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom, hiking through the soaring cliffs of the pink and purple mountains of Wadi Rum and Petra, scuba diving and snorkelling in the tropical Gulf of Aqaba with their fabulous corals and marine life.
Ride a W.W.I.-vintage steam train through the desert. Enjoy monumental banquets, grand and ancient castles; and more bathing and soaking in the warm, soothing waters of the Dead Sea en route.

2. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

You have chosen a destination dense with history, a well-travelled bridge between sea and desert, East and West. Above the layers of antiquity lies a land of mesmerising beauty and contrast. Here, too are monuments from every age of humanity and UNESCO preserved World Heritage Sites. Come and see for yourself and experience the incredible hospitality of the Arab people. "Ahlan wa Sahlan" - Welcome!

2.1. Geography, Climate and Borders

The Hashemite Kingdom covers about 90,100 square-kilometres. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south and Palestine and Israel on the west. Jordan has only a short coastline around Aqaba in the south. Aqaba Port is Jordan's only access to the Red Sea.
The River Jordan, the Dead Sea (392 m. below sea level) and the Wadi Araba are all parts of the great north-south rift valley called El Ghor. The sides of the rift rise steeply through broken hill country to cover 1,000 meters; on the east the old Hejaz railway and the modern highway through Ramtha, Amman and Ma'an mark the start of the desert plateau which stretches into the neighbouring countries.
For a country composed of 80 % desert land Jordan is fascinatingly diverse. A country of contrast, the climate in Amman and most of the populated area is tempered by altitude. The summer is dry and warm, reaching 35° C but cooling noticeably at night. Rainfall is very unevenly distributed. The fertile hill country receives an average of 600 millimetres of rain a year and parts of the desert and the south receive as little as 25 millimetres. The average annual rainfall for the entire country is under 100 millimetres. The rain and thunder storms occur generally between November and March. Snow sometimes falls at the higher elevations.
The climate of Jordan varies as much as the countryside with Mediterranean areas (warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters) and desert type areas (hot, dry summers and mild winters). Spring and autumn are both extremely pleasant with spring particularly very picturesque with wild flowers carpeting the countryside.
In areas below sea level temperatures in summer rise to 50° Celsius while the climate in the mountains is still pleasant. During the winter snow is common in the mountains, but Aqaba, the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley are ideal winter resorts, with mild and warm temperatures between November and April.

2.2. Entry and Departure Procedures

Visa Formalities: All non-Arab visitors to Jordan need a visa which may be obtained upon arrival (this concerns only western European countries and U.S. citizens; all other nationalities should ask at the Jordanian consulates abroad.) For group arrivals through Allenby Bridge from Palestine we must apply for "entry permission" beforehand. We will arrange this permission. Be prepared to provide your passport information approximately 10 days before arrival. However groups staying less than 4 nights in Jordan and individual travellers must hold a visa in their passports.
Holders of passports containing valid or expired visas for Israel were previously denied entry, however since the peace settlement was signed between Israel and Jordan this rule does not apply any longer.
Upon arrival the passports should be valid for another 6 months.
The Jordanian visa - which is obtained upon arrival - costs for most of the nationalities (Western Europe and the United States) 10 JD = 15 $. Visa fees payable at Jordanian borders normally are cheaper than in the consulates abroad, however the visa price is subject to change without further notice.

Health Regulations: Only visitors from infected areas are expected to have cholera and smallpox vaccination certificates.

Custom Regulations: There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency brought into Jordan. Personal baggage, including items such as cameras and typewriters will be free of duty. Duty may be charged on luxury items such as tape recorders, unless the owner can prove they are for his own use. Visitors are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars and one bottle of spirits and one bottle of perfume for personal use.

Border Crossing and Fees: The policy concerning border crossing between Israel and Jordan (Arava Checkpoint in the south and Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the north) has not been finalised. We hope that one day the borders will remain open 24 hours a day but at the present time you should consider the borders to be open as follows:

Arava between Eilat and Aqaba in the south and Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the north:
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday
7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday to Thursday

Allenby Bridge between Palestine and Jordan:
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Friday and Saturday
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday to Thursday

Departure and Departure Fees: All departing passengers pay a departure tax: Airport tax for non-Jordanians charged at the airport in Aqaba or Amman is 5 JD. Departure tax to Syria, Israel and Palestine is 5 JD and to Egypt by ship you will pay 5 JD.

Reconfirmation of Tickets and Departure by Plane: Tickets have to be reconfirmed 72 hours before departure.
We at International Ashtar Tours offer this service free of charge. We can reconfirm groups without further details however individuals should contact us with details of their flight reservations.
Passengers of international flights are requested to meet at the airport 2 hours before departure, domestic flights 1 hour only.

2.3. Population

The patterns of the rainfall directly correlate with the geographical locations of the populations. This results in a concentration of the people in the north-west corner of the country. Rainfall is also responsible for the division of the country into desert and sown areas. Nomads inhabit the desert and the steppe-country leading to the highlands. The settled population falls into two categories, rural and urban.

The most fertile land is concentrated in the north-west surrounding the capital Amman. The population of Jordan has been estimated at 3,8 million of which 80 % live in and around the capital Amman that is not taken into consideration the increase of 250,0000 to 300,0000 Jordanians working abroad who returned to Jordan as a result of the Gulf crisis.

More than 60 % of the population is Palestinian, 4 % are Bedouins.
Islam is the official religion. The majority is Sunni Muslim and Christians are a minority of about 7 % of the population

The official language is Arabic but most of those in government, tourism and business also speak English.

2.4. Currency

The monetary unit is the Jordan Dinar (called "JD".) It is divided into 1,000 fils or 100 piasters and is worth about $ 1,50. The dinar is fixed to the U.S. Dollar. If the dollar drops the dinar will loose value. Strong foreign currencies (such as U.S. Dollar, German Mark, Swiss Franc, English Pound, French Francs etc.,) traveller-cheques and credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Master Card) are accepted by most banks, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops.

2.5. History

Above all, Jordan is a land of history. New details of its ancient civilisation are coming to light every year. Teams of archaeologists probe Jordanian earth in search of the past. One of the most recent archaeological work indicates that nomadic Stone Age inhabitants of Jordan lived along ancient river beds and former lakes as far back as half a million years ago and by 8,000 BC permanent villages of stone and mud-brick houses started to appear on the scene. In the Early Bronze Age, about 3,200 BC, the start of true urban life is recorded in a series of small walled "cities" that appear throughout Jordan.
Situated as it was between the great civilisations of Egypt to the west and Mesopotamia to the east, Jordan was destined to be a busy cross-roads. The first Millennium BC brought about the Iron Age, and several small kingdoms prevailed in the area. The Edomites ruled southern Jordan, the Moabites settled in the centre of the country, and the Amorites had their capital at Hisban, south of Amman. The Ammonites controlled the area around Amman, and the Kingdom of Gilead reigned in the northern region around the Zerqa River. At the end of the 1st Millennium BC the Arab Nabataeans established their Kingdom in southern Jordan. They had a secure capital at Petra, but finally succumbed to Roman control in the early 2nd Century AD .
The Romans ruled Jordan for several centuries, until the Byzantine Empire, with its capital at Constantinople, brought Christianity to the area for some 400 years.
In the 7th Century AD, the armies of Islam came out of Arabia and established the Umayyad Caliphate at Damascus, and Jordan has been Islamic land ever since.
In 1916, the Sharif Hussein of the Hijaz launched the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans, and by the early 1920s the Emirate of Transjordan was established under the rule of the Emir Abdallah, grandfather of the late King Hussein. Jordan became fully independent from Great Britain in 1946, and has developed without interruption as the independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ever since.
In 1947 the United Nations recommended the partition of Palestine. The Arab-Israeli war followed. In 1950 Transjordan and Central Palestine combined into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In 1951 King Abdallah passed on and was succeeded by his son King Talal. King Talal was succeeded by his son Hussein I (1953-1999.) After the June War with Israel in 1967 the U.N. called for withdrawal of Israel from the occupied west shore of the River Jordan. A peace treaty between Israel and Jordan was signed in 1994.
After the death of King Hussein in January 1999, the eldest son, Prince Abdullah, became the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

2.6. Government

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. Its constitution was promulgated on January 8, 1952, and has been amended several times to meet the changing needs of the Kingdom. Legislative powers rest with the Senate. These members are appointed by the King and the House Of Deputies whose members are chosen by direct election by all men and women over eighteen years of age. The Prime Minister is appointed by the King and does not serve a fixed term.
The country is divided into eight governorates, each headed by a governor and composed of districts, sub-districts, and countries. At local government level there are 152 municipalities, including Greater Amman, and 340 village councils. Local affairs are managed by city or village councils. These councils are under the supervision of the Ministry Of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

2.7. Economy

Growing in population, paved streets and busier traffic are, however, only a surface indication of a nation's progress. To gauge the true quality and extent of development that has occurred in Jordan, one must look at all sections of its life. From the combined achievements of its government and its people, the evidence abounds; in the new schools, the hospitals, the rapidly expanding economy, business, industry and agriculture, the modern transportation and communication networks that web the country, and in the obviously enriched cultural life of its society.
Jordan is not an oil producing country. It must import most of its basic requirements. Therefore all of Jordan's development plans have been aimed at reducing the trade deficit and increasing economic self-sufficiency. Recent studies of the economy point to two main areas of productive potential. One is the full utilisation of the Jordan Valley water resources for irrigation. The other is the exploitation of mineral deposits, particularly of phosphates, potash, copper and limestone. With recent projects to utilise these mineral reserves Jordan will soon be in a position to operate sizeable and sophisticated fertiliser and chemical industries.
Greater utilisation of Jordan's natural and human resources, however, would not only accelerate the development of the other sectors of the economy and improve the well-being of its citizens, it would also bring the country fiscal self-reliance once and for all. That would further contribute to the prosperity and progress of the Arab world as a whole.
Agriculture is still an important feature of the economy. It engages about one-fifth of the working population and contributes about one-tenth of the Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.). In the industrial sector the rate of development has been no less impressive. The share of mining and manufacturing in G.D.P. in current prices increased. Two large cement factories, a petroleum refinery, a number of foundries, a tannery, several marble factories and phosphate-mining plants are already in operation. Other industrial activities include milling, oil pressing, textiles, bottling, brewing, tobacco products, footwear, metal products, furniture, detergents, food products, batteries, glass, printing and publishing.
In July 1965, the Industrial Development Bank was established. The bank aims to hasten industrial development by offering medium and long-term loans and providing technical assistance and advice.
Extensive geological surveys led to the discovery of large deposits of phosphates which has been exploited for three decades. Several surveys show the existence of minerals such as iron, lead sulphide, tin, granite, pyrite, molybdenum, decorative marble rocks and gypsum. Detailed studies on their characteristics are now under way. Besides this, other studies have been made on oil exploration including seismic, gravity and magnetic surveys as an integrated program for development of energy. This will prevent Jordan from being entirely dependent on imported crude oil. They have proven that there is existence of large quantities of oil shale and further studies are being made to evaluate their economic viability.
The tourist industry has gone through phenomenal expansion in recent years. In 1995 the annual number of tourists visiting Jordan had exceeded the three million mark with an income of 488 million JD which is about 10 % of the G.D.P.
The number of modern hotels was increased and roads connecting the various religious and archaeological sites have been constructed to make them more accessible to visitors.
Great progress has been made in education, public health and social services. The number of private and government hospitals and clinics increased appreciably during the same period, and the standard of medical services improved consistently. Trade and commerce, transport and communications were given special attention.

3. Jordan, where Adventure awaits you

Welcome to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a young country, rich in history, a well travelled bridge between sea and desert, East and West. Above the layers of antiquity lies a land of mesmerising beauty and contrast. The Jordan Valley is fertile, ever changing, and has remote desert canyons, immense and still.
Here are splendid castles and hunting lodges, the haunting wilderness of Wadi Rum, where you may follow the tracks of the legendary 'Lawrence Of Arabia' on camel back. In the Red Sea you will find stunning coral reefs and the corals of Aqaba; also restful spas at the Dead Sea and hot springs of Zarqa Ma´in.
Here, too, are monuments from every age of humanity, crowned by the rock-carved city of Petra, a World Heritage Site.
For the past 10,000 years, people from all through the Middle East and the rest of the world have travelled these historic trade routes that cross Jordan. There is marvel at the varied glory of God´s nature. Today visitors come to Jordan to see its great natural beauty and to see the Kingdom´s historical and archaeological wealth. As the centuries-old tradition of visiting Jordan continues, your hosts, the Jordanians, are wonderfully gracious and welcoming, and most will surprise you with their excellent English. "Ahlan Wa Salahn" - ... Welcome!

3.1. Amman, the Dynamic Capital City

Begin your stay in the capital, Amman - safe, friendly and modern. No more than five hours drive from anywhere in the country, it is a convenient place to use as a base for our tour.
Amman is the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, formerly the Ammonite capital city of Rabbath-Ammon, and later the Graeco-Roman city called Philadelphia. Originally spread over seven hills like Rome, Amman now covers at least nineteen hills. It is a city of contrasts, it has a diverse mixture of ancient and the modern.
Often referred to as "the white city", the homes of Amman are built on many hillsides and form a great canvas of overlapping beige, ochre and white. The outstanding brilliant white scenario is the result of the white stones of the country used in construction. They are rough - hewn, smooth or lightly veined, and even polished white marble.
The city, with its population of over one million, is crowned by the Citadel, a hill with the ruins of the Temple of Hercules, and a museum with artifacts dating back to the earliest settlement in this region some 700,00 years ago. At the foot of the Citadel is the 5,000 seat Roman theatre.
Still rapidly growing, Amman is a busy commercial and administrative centre with many fine hotels, night clubs and discos. It boasts very modern facilities for sporting events, conventions and conferences. There is a wide spectrum of restaurants to meet every taste. We will select delicacies from a variety of food ranging from Arabic as well as other international specialities and fast food.

3.2. The Kings´ Highway

To see more of all that this ancient land really has to offer requires a journey out of the city and down some of the well trodden roads and trading routes of history, following in the footsteps of the ancients back into time. The Kings' Highway is one such road, one of the oldest trading routes in the world. It ran from Egypt to Babylon through the western hills and plains of Jordan. It has been in continuous use for more than 5,000 years by traders and caravans, armies and conquerors, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and the Armies of Islam.
The name itself comes from a Biblical story in Genesis 14 which tells of an alliance between four kings who used this route to march against the five kings of south-west Jordan.
The road now is well paved and passes through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the Middle East. It snakes through a rich and almost spiritual terrain of ancient remains in the biblical Kingdom of Ammon, Moab and Edom.
Just an hour drive from the capital between the mountains of Moab and Gilhead you can reach the lowest area on the earth´s surface, the Dead Sea.

Madaba: After the Dead Sea a favourite stop is Madaba, "City of Mosaics", thirty kilometres south of Amman. It contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaic in the world. A Moabite town, known as Medeba in the Old Testament, has throughout history been a strong Christian influence in the area. Of great historical importance is the large sixth century mosaic map of Palestine and Egypt, representing the oldest map of the Holy Land in existence.

Mount Nebo: Fifteen driving-minutes from Madaba lies Mount Nebo, sacred to the Moslems, the Jews and the Christians. This is where Moses is said to have seen the Holy Land of Palestine which he would never enter, for he died and was buried at Mt. Nebo. The site is eternally dramatic and moving and excavations are still revealing new facts about a spot that has been revered a holy group for the last 1600 years. A truly unique experience is to have refreshment or an evening meal at Mount Nebo with a remarkable view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. With a little luck, on a clear day the spires of Jerusalem are visible in the distance where the sun sets over the hills.

Mukawir: To the south of Madaba is Mukawir with its spectacular panoramic view over the Dead Sea. This is the site of the remains of King Herod's palace where Salome danced the dance of the seven veils and John The Baptist was beheaded.

Wadi Mujib: In Southern Jordan, Karak and Shaubak command your attention. Approaching Karak on the Kings´ Highway, you pass first through Wadi Mujib a precipitous canyon 1000 meters deep, guaranteed to set the mood for your visit.

Karak and Shobak: The Crusaders were in Jordan for nearly 200 years, leaving two especially spectacular remains at strategic points along the King's Highway - the massive 11th Century forts at Kerak and Shobak. Both are defensive walled fortresses encompassing tiered vaults, galleries, chapels, cathedrals, living quarters, wells, and fortification walls pierced by narrow arrow slits with virtually everything still intact.
Kerak and Shobak are ideal places for a stop on the road to Petra. With some advanced planning they can be used for sumptuous banquets in the vaulted stone chambers that were once home to Crusader knights, until the castles were captured and taken over by the medieval Islamic troops who evicted the Crusaders from south Jordan.
No journey down the Kings´ Highway would be complete without a visit to Petra, the ancient metropolis of the Nabateans.

3.3. Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City

The 2000 year old Nabatean capital of Petra has been known throughout the world, from its creation, for its architectural splendour.
Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. From a hidden staging post, they dominated the trade routes of ancient Arabia, levying tolls and sheltering caravans laden with Indian spices and silks, African ivory, and animal hides.
The Nabatean Kingdom endures for centuries, and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture, and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. Ultimately, however, the Roman Emperor Trajan annexed the kingdom, and myriad rulers followed in his wake.
By the sixteenth century, Petra was completely lost, and so it remained for almost 300 years. Then in 1812, a Swiss adventurer named Johann Burckhardt persuaded his guide to take him to the site of the rumoured lost city. Secretly making notes and sketches, he wrote, "it seems very probably that the ruins at Wadi Musa are those of ancient Petra".
Today Petra is famous for housing one of the most spectacular tourist sites in the world. Carved out of the pink and cinnamon-coloured sandstone of the mountains, Petra contains over 800 monuments. The interplay between the serene beauty of the surrounding nature and the masterful carvings of the Nabateans is truly remarkable and always breath-taking.
The city comprises a complete urban infrastructure which includes temples, baths, private houses, high places, paved streets, public buildings, markets, a theatre, reservoirs and cisterns. Its entrance, a one-kilometre-long fissure through the towering cliffs, the "Siq", provides a dramatic approach and induction to the city. The narrow winding path through the canyon dramatically opens up to expose the awesome facade of the el Khazneh, the "Treasury". This monument, used in the final sequence of the film "Indiana Jones and the last Crusade", is Petra´s most famous building.
To reach the city the visitor travels on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage through the awesome "Siq". Since 1995 horse riding is only possible between the Tourist Centre and the entrance of the "Siq".

3.4. The Cities of Dekapolis

The Dekapolis was an association of at least ten Greco-Roman cities that flourished along the ancient trade routes that passed through Jordan. Five of them are now located in Jordan area. The most impressive one is without any doubt Gerasa, today Jerash. In addition to Jerash you can visit remarkable Roman remains in Amman, Umm El-Jimal, Umm Qeis and Tabaqat Fahil.

Pella (Tabaqat Fahil): Nestled in the lush and tropical foot-hills of the Jordan Valley is the city of Pella, warm and welcoming throughout the year. Excavations have revealed at least three thousand years of human activity at Pella, from the Old Testament days to the medieval Islamic era.
Pella was already an important city in the 19th century BC and came under Greek influence in the 3rd and 4th century BC .The Romans made Pella member of the Dekapolis in the 2nd century AD. In the 5th and 6th century AD it became a Christian centre and stayed important in the times of Islam. In the year 746 BC an earthquake destroyed Pella.
Excavations are still taking place and visitors today can admire its Roman theatre, Byzantine churches, Islamic mosque and housing quarters and other remains scattered amongst gently rolling green hills watered by a perennial stream.

Gadara (Umm Qeis) and Abila: Umm Qeis, the New Testament's Gadara, scene of the miracle of the Gadarene swines, was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. Gadara was first mentioned in the 3rd century BC and most of the buildings are dating from the 2nd century BC There are archaeological remains such as an impressive colonnaded terrace and the ruins of three theatres. In 1991 a restaurant built in this antique site was opened where one may dine on the terrace with a breathtaking view of three countries. Most interesting about it is the magnificent view across the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights to the north and down the Jordan valley to the south.
To north-east of Gadara lies ancient Abila, more rural than Jerash and Umm Qeis, where Roman temples, Byzantine churches and early mosaics lie amidst olive groves and wheat fields. Excavations indicate that the site was inhabited 5,000 years ago in the Early Bronze Age, and appears to have been continually used by man since then.

Philadelphia (Amman): Excavations on the northern border of the city, in Ain Ghazal, brought settlements of artfully built houses from the time of 7000 - 4000 BC to daylight. Tombs were found that prove that people lived in Amman in the Bronze Age (3200 - 1500 BC) as well. During the Iron Age (1200 - 1500 BC) Amman had been the capital of the Kingdom of the Ammonites, named "Rabbath Ammon". In the 3rd century BC it was called Philadelphia. Before the Roman invasion Amman belonged to the Nabatean Kingdom and at Roman times it was the most important city of the Dekapolis. The Citadel , the Roman Theatre and the regal columns of a Roman temple are witnesses of these times. On Amman's citadel hill the elegant capitals of a Byzantine church and the inventive carvings of the Umayyad Palace tell further stories of the past.

Gerasa (Jerash): There were settlements at the site of Jerash long before it became a major city. Found tools prove that Neolithic man lived here at around 6,000 BC and later Bronze Age and Iron Age villages were constructed. It's emergence as a major city took place in the second century BC, when is was founded by the Romans and became one of the cities of the Dekapolis. Jerash still is a complete Greco-Roman city with three finely carved stone theatres, monumental places, two major hilltop temples, a hippodrome, public fountains, city walls and gates, and colonnaded streets. From the centuries after Rome, Jerash retains a dozen Byzantine churches with their original floor mosaic and some early Islamic buildings.
Only 40 minutes by car from Amman, this best preserved Roman town in the Middle East should not be missed.
In July the Jerash Festival takes place, an international cultural event celebrating Jordanian Hand Crafts and the Performing Arts.

Umm el-Jimal: At the eastern margins of the Dekapolis (but not being a member of it) lies Umm el-Jimal, "Black gem of the desert", a city built of black basalt. It was settled by the Nabateans, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Umayyads. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century AD and now is an interesting archaeological site with some of it's lovely black basalt mansions and towers still standing.

3.5. Following in the Footsteps of 'Lawrence of Arabia'

Vast, echoing and God-like, these are the words of T.E. Lawrence in describing Wadi Rum. It is the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. While it was a most difficult, almost impossible operation for Lawrence to take Aqaba, it takes about half an hour by car today.
In the northern part of Jordan, east of Amman, Lawrence had his headquarters at a castle in the Azraq Oasis. From here he started to free Damascus of the Turkish.

a) The Desert Castles
Within an easy day´s drive from Amman on a well maintained highway to Azraq which leads out into the eastern desert of Jordan are the remains of beautiful, often lavish and still mysterious buildings dating from the early Islamic era. In the 7th and 8th centuries AD, the Umayyad dynasty´s caliphs built a series of structures known as the "desert castles".
Assumed to have been luxurious hunting lodges, baths and pleasure places, their secret remains to this day. What prompted these rulers from Damascus to build out here in such arid land? How did they survive the long rainless summers and why did they suddenly appear only to be abandoned just as mysteriously less than 100 years later.
There are four pure Omayyad sites at Qasr Amra, Kharanah, Tuba and Mushatta (so large it was never completed) and the black basalt Roman/Medieval Islamic fort at Azraq.

Qasr Azraq: In the arid, extensive desert lies Azraq Oasis, the only permanent body of water in 12,000 square miles and a migratory path for hundreds of species of birds. Amid the many pools is Qasr Azraq, the black basalt fort that was used by T.E. Lawrence as his headquarters during the Arab Revolt. It was originally built by Roman legionnaires in the 3rd century AD.

Qasr Amra: Qasr Amra, built in the early 8th century AD is a triple-vaulted bathhouse and hunting lodge with frescoed walls and ceilings and fragments of mosaics. The lively frescos show hunting-scenes, musicians, dancers and female acts.

Qasr Kharaneh: The large, ominous fortress of Qasr Kharaneh, built in 711 AD, was probably used as a caravansary where caravans could take refuge from fighting Bedouins. It is a square building with towers on each corner and the rooms on the first story are artfully decorated.

b) Wadi Rum
The road south from Petra leads to Wadi Rum, another of nature's wonderlands that has attracted human beings for thousand of years. Wadi Rum is an unusual desert terrain that resembles a pastel pink lunar landscape, with towering limestone and granite cliffs shooting out of the sandy desert floor.
Here both the legend and the film of "Lawrence of Arabia" were made.
Wadi Rum is a beautiful sight to enjoy and an adventure ground to conquer. Serious trekkers will be drawn to Wadi Rum, with challenging climbs some 1750 meters high, but casual hikers can also enjoy an easy course through the colourful hills and canyons. Tourists with a high sense of adventure will want to try a hot air ballooning over Rum. Those with a calm disposition will choose a camel ride or use four-wheel-drive vehicles to explore Rum's vast interior.
Everywhere there are signs of people who have lived or passed through Wadi Rum in ancient times - dams, water channels, benches near springs, Nabatean temples, rock art with pictures of warriors, human hands and feet, stickmen and desert animals.
Naturalists are drawn to the desert in springtime, when rain brings about the greening of the hills and an explosion of wildflowers. Much of the rugged terrain is an ideal habitat for wildlife. Sinai rose finches, desert larks, and redstarts can be sighted in Rum.
In the Wadi Rum is a Resthouse which has a camping ground with it but even more amazing is a Bedouin evening under the open sky, complete with traditional food, singing and dancing, followed by a night in a Bedouin tent. It will offer a spectacular night view of the southern sky as clear as only visible in the desert.

3.6. Aqaba, Jordan´s Year-Round Red Sea Resort

After the exhilaration of Petra and Wadi Rum, one will be ready for the relaxing sun-and-sand attractions of Aqaba, Jordan's Red Sea resort. With it's subtropical climate it has summer all throughout the year, pleasantly warm even in winter with water temperatures of 20° Celsius, and refreshing with cool sea breezes in the heat of the summer.
Aqaba is a little tropical paradise, ringed by mountains that change colours every few hours, fringed by thousands of palm trees and lapped by the warm waters of the Red Sea. Just steps off the beach lies a spectacular underwater world of corals and exotic fish, indigo-coloured water bringing kaleidoscopic marine life within easy reach, accessible to beginner snorkelers as well as to experienced scuba divers. Aqaba boasts some of the world's best scuba diving by day or night, and the Royal Diving Centre, a new and modern diving base on the southern shore, where the most beautiful coral reefs are. Many of the modern hotels on the northern beach offer water sports such as snorkelling, fishing, wind surfing, water-skiing, sailing or glass bottom-boat rides and, of course, sunbathing.
With several first-rate hotels, restaurants for every sort of taste, bars, night-clubs, shops and boutiques Aqaba caters for variation on the evenings and candle lit dinner cruises can be booked as well.
The Aqaba area also offers archaeological sites that tell history. In biblical times it was called Ezion-Geber, a prosperous town where King Solomon's ships set sail with their store of copper. Worth visiting are the old harbour, the island crusader fortress and a recently discovered 7th century Islamic walled town that is still being excavated and a regional antiquities museum.

3.7. The Dead Sea and Thermal Spas

Jordan offers places of great natural healing powers that have been helping people for thousands of years. Today less than an hour's drive from Amman modern spa centres help to relax and forget about the stress of modern life..

a) The Healing Power of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea has a historical and spiritual legacy of it's own. It is believed to be the site of five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorra, Admah, Zeboin and Zoar. Today it's eastern shore is sparsely populated and serenely quiet. With much of the landscape virtually unchanged since biblical times, it is a favourite spot for relaxing and letting nature's power work.
For thousands of years the healing powers of the water and the climate are known and sought for. The Egyptians used to make cosmetic products of the minerals and the Romans treated their wounded soldiers there.
The Dead Sea lies 392 meters below sea level in the Jordan Valley between Israel and Jordan. The temperatures in winter are around 20° C and 60° C in high summer.
The natural pleasant therapy consisting of sun, water, air and rest clears the skin lesions for longer remission periods and avoids the serious side effects caused by other therapeutic regimes.
The intense salinity of the Dead Sea originates in it's extreme content of salts and minerals which actually are the highest of all seas in the world. Especially high concentrations of Magnesium, Calcium (anti-allergic effect), Bromine (relaxing effect), Potassium and of Bitumen which make the skin more photosensitive and also have an anti-inflammatory effect. The Dead Sea salts and minerals concentration reaches 27-30%. There is an unique content of highly oxygenous air which is caused by the high rate of evaporation of the water due to high temperatures all year round, low humidity and high atmospheric pressure. These climate conditions create a special atmospheric layer that filters the majority of the harmful UVB rays through the atmospheric layer creating a favourable UVA/UVB ratio.
The dark peloid mud found on the shores of the Dead Sea is suitable for therapeutic purposes as well.

Indications and Treatment:
Medical care in Salt Land Village Dead Sea Spa is provided by German and English speaking dermatologists with vast experience of climatological treatment of skin diseases such as: Psoriasis vulgaris, Psoriasis with arthrititis, localised pustular psoriasis, parapsoriasis group, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, ichthyosis vulgaris, acne conglubata, acne indurata and arthritis.
(Contraindications: Acute infectious and chronic diseases, recurring thrombophlebitis, pronounced varicosis, postthrombotic syndrome, ulcus cruris, marcumar therapy, epilepsy).
The average duration for treatment is four weeks and is not advisable for patients suffering from sun- hypersensitivity. Patients on cortisone should consult their physician to stop medication four weeks before treatment begins.
The preferred treatment period for patients suffering from heart and circulatory decompensation is between September and April, because the climate affects the body least during this period.
Medical care consists of: Extensive specialist examination; explanation of individual therapeutic measures; several specialist controls and doctor´s report; use of private solarium, facilities for massages, gymnastics and mud packs.

b) The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma'in
2000 years ago the natural healing powers of the Dead Sea and its surrounding hot springs were already well known as "Callirhoe" (beauty bath). The same thermal waters that once eased the aches and pains of Herod the Great some 2,000 years ago are being tapped again, in full force and grand style, for therapeutic benefit of today´s health retreat enthusiasts. Open since 1988 and receiving visitors from near and far, the Ma´in Spa Village is Jordan´s hospitable answer to anyone seeking not only a physical cure but also a healing escape from the enervating pressures of urban life: The Ma´in Spa Village, a modern resort centre nestled in a quiet valley, away from it all, amid a remarkable abundance of hot mineral springs.
Rising with pressured force from a molten depth of 1,200 meters beneath the earth´s surface, the Zarqa Ma´in hot waters spring forth at 59 different outlets, some in a gentle bubble, others in cascading streams. The biggest and most spectacular is Esh-Shallal ("waterfall" in Arabic), nature´s own centrepiece and focal attraction in the valley; it tumbles down over the water-worn boulders for several meters before merging with the cold river below.
The springs are extremely hot, reaching a temperature of 64°C - far above the accepted spa minimum of 35°C. They also hold a very high concentration of mineral salts, accumulated from the rich and many-layered properties of Ma´in´s rocky depths. According to accepted standards, a spring is rated as mineral if the total portion of its dissolved salts is not less than 1,000 per million. Those at Zarqa Ma´in tested at 2,000 per million.

Indications and Treatment:
A chemical analyses, undertaken in the seventies by the Institute Fresenius of Wiesbaden, Germany, classified the water as sodium calcium chloride therm, making it of therapeutic value for rheumatism, arthritis and other joint pains, chest and respiratory tract ailments, skin disease, and as a diuretic. It also has potassium to stimulate blood circulation and fluorine to prevent tooth decay, as well as a host of other trace minerals beneficial to the body. The waters are used externally and only in small doses internally. Treatment is given in various forms, among them bathing in a pool cooled to a tepid 38°C, sauna sessions at 60°C, inhalations, swaddling, physical therapy and massage.
For the visitor who has come for a water cure, the hotel offers its own health clinic, consisting of separate baths for men and women, inhalation units, thermal treatment and physiotherapy rooms, as well as an outdoor terrace for relaxation and sunbathing. On hand at all times to provide the necessary medical supervision is a full staff of doctors, nurses and therapists specialising in hydrotherapy.

3.9. Biblical Sites in Jordan

With the closing of the Second Millennium, Jordan is an ideal place for Christians from all corners of the globe to visit and relive the stories of the Bible.
In this small Kingdom there are innumerable biblical associations ranging from the age of Abraham and Moses, through the time of Jesus' ministry, and into the early Christian era which started spreading to Jordan since the time of the Apostles.
Sites are being continually discovered which enhance knowledge of these times, such as the recent finding of the oldest known Christian church at Aqaba and the placing of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John at Bethabar on the east bank of the Jordan River.
The most important biblical sites will be described in the following.

3.9.1.The Biblical Sites from North to South

A journey from north to south of the country would cover approximately 41kilometers and would offer the traveller the opportunity of visiting numberous interesting and intriguing locations, mostly with specific associations with Bible stories.

Gadara: The farthest point of interest in the north is the country of Gadara, known as Umm Qais, and formerly one of the flourishing cities of the Greek Dekapolis. Jesus, while visiting this town, healed the two madmen, and the unclean spirits fled from them and entered a herd of swine, which then drowned in the nearby Sea of Galilee.

Anjara: At Anjara you can visit an important shrine that consists of a large church hall especially built to accommodate pilgrims who come to venerate a life-size wooden statue of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. The statue is located within a newly built dry stone "grotto". The grotto symbolises the belief that Jesus and his disciples, including his mother Mary and other women, passed through Anjara once and rested in a cave during a journey between Jerusalem and Galilee.

Pella: A short distance south of Umm Qais, in the Jordan Valley is another important town of the Dekapolis called Pella, now known as Tabaqat Fahel. It was one of the strategic trading cities of the time and then became an important sought as a refuge by Christians fleeing the Holy City just before it is 70 AD anticipated destruction, as prophesied by Jesus in Mathew 24. They fled the city with their bishop Simon and camped in and around Pella.

Bethany: Further south and 2 kilometres east of the Jordan River, John the Baptist´s settlement "Bethany beyond the Jordan" where he lived, preached and baptised has been discovered. Here, modern archaeologists located the ruins of Byzantine monastery with a church built in the time of the Emperor Anastasius. This is believed to be the ruins of a church commemorating John the Baptist and is being excavated and renovated.
According to the biblical text in John's Gospel, John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus, and then baptised Him in the waters of the Jordan. The New Testament, in Mark (9:9-11), describes how, as Jesus emerged from the water He immediately saw the Heavens open, the Spirit descending on Him like a dove, and a voice coming from heaven saying, "You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased".

Machaerus: John the Baptist started his mission in the land of modern Jordan, and also ended his life there.
He was arrested by Herod Antipas, imprisoned in the fortress at Machaerus (modern Mukawir) 65 kilometres south west of Amman.
The castle is known biblically as the palace in which Salome, as instructed by her mother, danced for King Herod in exchange for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. (Mark 6:21-29).

Madaba: Twenty kilometres north east of Machaerus lies Madaba, once Medaba, a Moab town which developed into a Byzantine capital.
It was at Medaba that Arab tribes such as the Tanoukh and Soleih became Christians. They provided the great mosaic artists like Salamos who created the famous map of Palestine around 570 AD. Much of the map still exists in the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Madaba and includes about 150 biblical sites known in Byzantine times on both banks of the River Jordan. It originally measured a staggering 25 by 5 meters and was made of more than two million mosaic stones. The map principally relates the story of salvation as narrated in the Bible. It is centred in Jerusalem with the Holy Sepulchre as its main Building. It was intended as a pilgrim map rather than as a precise geographical one.

Mount Nebo: A nine kilometre trip west of Madaba brings you to Mount Nebo, known also as Siyagha, the site of Moses' view of the Holy Land, which he never entered. It is here that the Book of Deuteronomy (34:2-6) comes alive:" Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Gilead as far as Dan. All Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manssah, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea". In these verses Moses is told "I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there".
The same spectacular view can be enjoyed by any visitor or Christian pilgrim who visits Siyagha. On a clear day, one can recognise the spires of Jerusalem.
Nearby, to the east of this vantage point with its breathtaking view, is the church built to commemorate Moses. It has seen several stages of construction going back to the 4th century AD. You can explore wonderful mosaics, made by local Christians artists, that date back to different periods in the 6th century. The mosaics have inscriptions recording the dates of completion and the names of the craftsmen who created them together with the names of the bishops of Madaba.
Franciscan monks have carried out excavation and restorations on this site, at intervals, since 1933. A large number of mosaics have been renovated and the church itself looks suitably graceful and peaceful.
Although, according to the book of Deuteronomy, Moses died in the land of Moab, the Bible points out that, "no one knows his grave to this day". Yet a slightly raised platform built in honour of Moses stands at one end of the church and has been claimed by some to be the place where he was buried by angels.
Outside the church a metal sculpture of a bronze snake on a cross represents the Bible verses (John 3:14-15) shown under it:" Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the son of Man be lifted up, in order that every one who believes in Him may not perish but has eternal life".
The site of Mount Nebo marks the last stage of Moses' journey from Egypt with the Israelites, using the Kings' Highway, and passing by Wadi Musa (Petra) where he struck the rock and natural springs gushed out. Mount Nebo is another place where Moses created springs for his people in the same way.

The Kings´ Highway: The Kings´ Highway, the world´s oldest continuously used communication route, was first mentioned in Genesis 14 and 20. Moses´ request to the king of Edom to "travel along the Kings´ Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory" was turned down, but visitors today are welcome to make the journey along the scenic road as it winds, dips, twists and rambles through the heart of Jordan from Ammon to Moab to Edom, or today from Amman via Mt. Nebo to Petra!

Wadi Musa: The Valley of Moses, is the modern name given to the Village near the archaeological site of Petra. The Bible reports that Moses and the Israelites passed by the Edomite Kingdom to the east because the Edomite king did not allow them to pass through his kingdom on the Kings' Highway. Here also flows the natural spring, mentioned above, believed to go back to Moses.
During the 4th century, the canyon was inhabited by the Arab Nabateans and was called Sella, meaning "the Rock". It was mentioned in the Bible as Sella Edom, which means "the red rock".
Nearby is the Aron´s Tomb. Aron, the brother of Moses and Miriam, died in the land of Jordan and was buried at Mount Hor, now known as Jabal Haroon. (Exodus 4:14, 7:1, Micha 6:4).

Sodom and Gomorra, today Bab ed-Dra´ and Numeira, lies in Wadi Araba between the Dead Sea and Aqaba.
Arriving there from Egypt, Abraham and Lot separated their herds and people and went their own ways (Genesis 13:1-13). After Lot´s wife disobeyed God´s order, looked back at burning Sodom, and was turned into a pillar of salt, Lot and his daughters survived and reportedly lived for many years in a nearby cave (Genesis 19). In the 7th Century AD, a Byzantine church and monastery dedicated to Saint Lot were built over the cave there. The complex has been excavated and can be easily visited.

Aqaba/Ayla: The port of Aqaba lies on the southernmost tip of Jordan on the Red Sea. It was a central point on the ancient trade route between Arabia and the Middle East.
Biblically known as Zinon Geber, its port was used by King Solomon (972-933 BC), who kept his vessels there.
Excavations in Aqaba or Ayla, its Islamic name, have revealed a Roman city under the sand going back to the 1st century BC.
The most exciting of recent discoveries was made in the middle of the modern town of Aqaba. Archaeologists believe they have uncovered the oldest church on earth. The remains could prove to date from the late third century which would make it the oldest known purpose built church. This mud-brick building of 2 Meters by 16 meters, would be slightly more ancient than the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem.

3.9. Nature Reserves in Jordan

The RSCN (Royal Society for the conservation of Nature) already was founded in 1966. Today we have 6 nature reserves in Jordan: Wadi Rum, Dana, Azraq, Shaumari, Wadi Mujib and Zubia.

In Wadi Rum still live Arabian Oryx and gazelles. With its awesome stretches of reddish sand, Wadi Rum is a vast, silent place that is both romantic and starkly beautiful. Massive mountains and rocks, in strange shapes and colours, seem to come out of nowhere everywhere you look. Engravings on the rocks and inside the natural caves indicate that the area was inhabited since the earliest known time (see also chapter 3.5.)
Dana also belongs to the most dazzling sites and nature reserves in Jordan. Dana lies north west of Wadi Rum and stretches from the Sharaa mountains, with peaks 1800 meters above sea level, in the east, to Wadi Araba in the west.

Dana was successively inhabited by the Edomites, Assyrians, Romans, and many other civilisations.
Modernisation has not crept to the area yet, and its houses still retain the simple, traditional stile of long times past. The area´s beautiful forests have trees as old as 3,000 years. It is roamed by mountain gazelles, red foxes, badgers and many other mammals. Nearly 600 species of plants, 200 reptiles and mammals, and more than 150 species of birds have been identified in Dana. The area is also rich in water springs and semi-precious stones.
Dana is certainly a refuge for nature-lovers. A camp site has been set up in the area, hiking trails opened and field guides are available.
Further north, the impact of the sight of Wadi Mujib, known as Arnon in the Old Testament, is unforgettable. Here the Kings' Highway suddenly twists and winds its way down 900 meters of this gash across the plateau. The wadi, or canyon, runs from east to west and the river in it flows into the eastern coast of the Dead Sea.
Wadi Mujib is the home of ibexes, gazelles and leopards.

Zubia Forest Reserve is a beautiful pine tree forest and the Azraq Wetland Reserve is an oasis in the desert with pools of water used by migrating birds. The marshes, approximately 10 km South of Azraq, have been made into a national wildlife preserve, called Shaumari Reserve. There native species such as oryx, gazelle and ostrich are being reintroduced into the desert.
The RSCN soon will add five other natural reserves: Dibbeen Forest close to Jerash, the Yarmouk River Gorge near Umm Qeis, Burqu north east of Jordan and Feifa south east of the Dead Sea and as well the Jordan River Gorge.

4. The Tourist Facilities in Jordan

The tourist industry has gone through phenomenal expansion in recent years.
The number of modern hotels was increased in the last few years and roads connecting the various religious and archaeological sites have been constructed to make them more accessible to visitors.

4.1. Transportation

a) Flight Connections
There are two international airports in Jordan: Amman and Aqaba. Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is located 32 km south of Amman and is served by taxi and bus transport. Another small airport is at Marqa, one of the old areas of Amman. The national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airways, supplies direct passenger and freight service and links Amman with most capitals throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America and the Middle East.
Other airlines serving Jordan from Europe for example are: Air France, KLM, Austrian Airways, Lufthansa, Egypt Air, Alitalia, Tarom, CSA, Turkish Airlines and charter flights.
Early in 1996 a private Jordanian airline, "Arab Wings", started operating between Amman and Aqaba several times a day. The price for a one-way ticket is 25 JD for Jordanians and 30 JD for tourists. There are daily connections with Arab Wings between Amman and Tel Aviv ($ 77 one-way and $ 144 return).
Arab Wings departs from the airport in Marqa.
The latest project of Arab Wings is a helicopter charter service. Their fleet increased by 2 helicopters that offer 20 seats for passengers.

b) Tourist Buses
For many years JETT (Jordan Express Travel & Tourism) Bus Company had had the monopoly for tourist transport in Jordan. However a few years ago two new bus companies, "Alpha bus" and "Petra Bus", were established. These new companies offer new luxurious buses and forced JETT Company to improve its service.
Unfortunately these new companies had some difficulties in competing with JETT Company. In the beginning of 1998 the 3 bus companies were reunited under the management of JETT Company. A new kind of monopoly started and the rates drastically increased.

c) Bus, Train and Ferry Connections
JETT Company offers regular bus connections to Damascus, Cairo, Iraq, Aqaba, Petra, Zarqa Ma'in and to Allenby Bridge.
Taxis: Yellow taxis, with meters, are relatively inexpensive and a convenient way to move around. White service taxis set routes with standard fares, stopping on request.
Amman is connected with the neighbouring countries by following lines:

Amman-Damascus: Twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) by train and twice a day by JETT bus. Service taxis are serving this destination as well.

Amman-Allenby Bridge: Every day, with the exception when the bridge is closed, JETT bus is operating early in the morning. You can use service taxis as well.

Egypt (Nuweiba & Cairo): There is a ferry boat and a speed boat operating between Aqaba and Nuweiba . The departure of the ferry is at 12.00h and 18.00h and the speed boat leaves at 12.00h; the tickets of the ferry cost $ 21 and the speed boat $ 28.
JETT Company is offering twice per week (Saturday/Tuesday) a trip from Amman to Cairo.

Amman-Baghdad: There are several daily bus connections and service taxis between Amman and Baghdad.

Domestic connections: Unfortunately not all tourist sites in Jordan can be reached by public transportation. JETT bus only is operating four times a day between Amman and Aqaba, once a day from Amman to Petra and once a day to the hot springs in Zarqa Ma'in. The line between Aqaba and Petra has been cancelled. From Aqaba Petra can only be reached by taxi or service taxi, which is mainly only used by Jordanians. You can also rent a car or you can visit Petra with an organised tour.

e) Car Rental and Driving in Jordan
Amman and the main towns and villages in Jordan are linked by good roads and most of the tourist sites can also be reached by car. Roads are marked by Arabic and English international road signs. Vehicles drive on the right. A license valid in the holder´s country of origin is usually acceptable if it has been held for at least one year.
Car rental in Jordan is rather expensive as taxes for imported cars are incredibly high.
Those rented cars arranged by Ashtar Tours are fully insured. In case of an accident, the customer shall inform the nearest police station within 24 hours and shall obtain a police report of the accident. Personal Liability in case of an accident will be 200 JD. Even if the accident was not your fault you might be charged: the other person might not be insured and may have no financial resources. Or in case you don´t obtain a police report.
Personal liability of 200 JD can be avoided if you book a special insurance.

4.2. Communication

Courier services are available in Amman through Arames International, D.H.L. Worldwide Express, T.N.T. Express Worldwide and Z.W.A. Aviation and International Trading.
Fax and e-mail facilities are available in all major hotels. Telegrams can be sent from Amman post offices, and telexes from various telephone offices in the city.
Postal services are available at the central post office in downtown Amman and in branches throughout the city. Most four and five star hotels also offer services. Hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer and 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter.
There is international direct dialling between Jordan and most of the major countries in the world. In most of the hotels there are direct dial telephones in each room. Amman and main towns in Jordan are connected by automatic dialling, Jordan is linked by telstar to Europe and North/South America. For directory assistance call 121 or 640444.
Since 1995 Jordan has implemented a network for mobile telephones however just since 1997 European G.S.M. cards do work in the net.
The "Jordan Times", a Jordanian newspaper published in English, and the international TV and radio station will inform visitors to Jordan about the latest events. The news in TV and radio are broadcasted in English and French. The major hotels offer satellite TV reception.

4.3. Sports

Jordan has extensive indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities which can be used throughout the year, such as go-carting, shooting, archery, bowling, basketball, volleyball, squash, swimming-pools, tennis and even roller-skating. "Al Hussein Sport City" is a modern and huge sports centre in Amman however for members only. Tourists have good access to sports facilities offered by the hotels.
Aqaba offers a wide variety of water sports such as water-skiing, diving, surfing, horseback riding and boat rental.

a) Aquatic Sports and Diving
There are no public swimming-pools in Jordan, except of the indoor and outdoor swimming-pools at "Al Hussein Sport City", however admission is for members only. Therefore some hotels allow access to their swimming pools by paying an entrance fee.
Public beaches you only can use at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba. You will find relaxation in the mineral waters of the hot springs at Hemma and Zarqa Ma'in.
The public beach at the Dead Sea offers showers, dressing rooms, a children's playground and a restaurant. Since July 1990 the hotel management of the new spa hotel "Salt Land Village" has allowed access to their beach by paying entrance fees.
The best area for swimming and aquatic sports is the beach of Aqaba. Almost all classified tourist hotels in Aqaba have a private swimming pool however only few hotels are beach hotels.
In the south of Aqaba, on the southern shore near the Royal Diving Centre, you will find a public beach with showers.
Aqaba with its amazing fish and coral gardens, make the place a haven for divers and underwater photographers. Common species are branch coral, fungia, and montipora, and the rare archelia, a black, tree-like specimen found at great depths and first discovered by His Late Majesty King Hussein himself. Darting through the reef are clownfish, Picasso triggerfish, goby, sea anemone, parrotfish, pipefish, and countless others. Two of the most intriguing are the harmless, plankton-eating whale shark, the largest fish in the world, and the willowy garden eel, almost invisible in the sea grass.
You will find fourteen fascinating diving grounds and the special attraction is the old wreck which was especially sunk for divers some years ago.
Diving courses (C.M.A.S. and Padi) can be arranged at Aquamarina Hotel Club where you can also rent all kinds of boats, surf boards, water skiing, as well as diving and snorkelling equipment. Another diving club you will find at the Alcazar Hotel (B.S.A.C. and Padi).
The best diving club in the Middle East is called "Royal Diving Centre" (C.M.A.S., B.S.A.C. and Padi) and is located at the southern beach, where you will find the best corral reefs for snorkelling and diving.
The hospital in Aqaba is well equipped in case of diving-accidents.
For those who prefer their marine life at arms´ length, Aqaba offers many of glass-bottomed boats.

b) Horseback Riding and Camel Trips
Horses can be rented in Amman, Aqaba and Petra. Riding clubs and the Jordan army offer riding lessons. It is possible to see the Royal Stalls, but not to rent horses there. Camels for Safaris can be hired in Petra and in Wadi Rum.
We organise overnight camel safaris for small groups (individuals can ride, too, but it is a little expensive) in Wadi Rum, in Petra or from Petra to Wadi Rum. Camels for these safaris can be hired in Petra and Wadi Rum. Camel trips are also offered from Mt. Nebo to the Dead Sea.

c) Ballooning
On the occasion of King Hussein's birthday in 1993 a ballooning competition was held. Ever since that day balloon rides have been offered. At first only in Wadi Rum, but later over Petra. Rides at the present are cancelled. There used to be two rides a day: at sunrise and at sunset, and not in summer and winter. There is space for eight people per ride. In 1995 the price for one hour was 110 JD, 65 JD for twenty minutes. The balloon used was a "Lindstrand 240" hot air balloon. At present it is not known when the balloon rides might start again.

d) Climbing and Hang-gliding
Jordan's countryside is beautiful and most suitable for trekking and climbing, but these sports are not yet very common. Especially the mountains of Wadi Rum are inviting for climbing and hang-gliding, but the equipment is not available in Jordan and has to be taken by the visitor himself.
Climbing in Petra is not recommended, as the historical sites and tombs are in danger of being damaged.

e) Golfing
Jordan´s golf course is located on the airport highway, behind the National Park. The 9 hole "brown" course offers caddie services, equipment rentals and training by professionals.

4.4. Culture and Entertainment

Jordanians are convinced that there is not much entertainment in this country however visitors to Jordan will never feel bored. There are a lot of historical sites, museums and galleries ... more than you ever can visit during your holidays in Jordan.

a) Museums and Galleries
As a country with such an old history Jordan possesses several interesting museums, most of them in Amman. The Jordan Archaeological Museum contains antiquities of Jordan dating from prehistoric times to the 15th century (Citadel Hill, Amman). The Jordan National Gallery has an excellent collection of contemporary Jordanian fine art as well as one of the largest collections of contemporary works by artists from other Middle Eastern and Moslem countries. Other museums in Amman are: the Abdel Hamid Shoman Gallery, the Jordan Folklore Museum, Jordan Popular Museum of Costumes and Jewelry and the Martyrs Memorial. Some additional small museums you will find in Madaba, Karak, Umm Qeis and Petra.

b) Festivals & Events
Two major festivals are celebrated every year in Jordan. The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts takes place in the 2000 year old Roman city during a two week period every August and includes daily performances by Jordanian, Arab and international folklore groups and performing artists. The other annual festival of interest to visitors is the Aqaba water sports festival that takes place every year in mid-November, and which includes international-class competition in water skiing and other aquatic sports.
An "Opera Gala" at the Roman Theatre of Amman in conjunction with a commemoration of King Hussein was celebrated for the first time on "9/9/99", the ONLY date of the past century to contain five 9´s. Nine was the lucky number of the late King Hussein, and played an important role in his life. Starting "9/9/99", a concert will be held in the Roman theatre of Amman on September, 9th every year. An additional concert with highlights of famous musical- and film melodies is held at the Roman Theatre of Petra on September, 7th.
Her Highness Princess Muna Al Hussein, the mother of His Majesty King Abdullah II, is the honorary patron of this very special Music Event. The organiser of the concerts at the Roman Theatres of Petra and Amman is Ashtar Tours International .
In May 2002 a new event will be presented by Ashtar Tours International: "The Lawrence Festival"!
May 2002 will be 40 years to the shooting of the famous film "Lawrence of Arabia"!

c) Other Entertainment
There are a few cinemas showing English and American movies in the original version. The Jordan TV and radio station offers an English-speaking program. The English newspaper "Jordan Times" gives information about events, for examples concerts and camel races.
Shows, exhibitions, concerts and balls are taking place in the cultural centres of Amman (Goethe Institute, American Centre) and in bigger hotels. Most of these hotels have night-clubs, however only a few hotels have discotheques.

4.5. The Restaurants

Jordan offers a large number of fine restaurants. About 20 % of them are located in hotels. In the streets you can find plenty of little snack bars, where mostly locals eat traditional food.
International cuisine is available in hotels and in a wide range of restaurants. Beside Arabic food you can indulge in Italian, Chinese, Mexican, American, Swiss, Indian, and Turkish cuisine. However not all restaurants serve alcohol. An alcohol license is needed and only restaurants that are classified at least with three stars (the highest classification is five stars) will obtain this permission.
There are many fine Arabic restaurants and hotels that serve a mixed menu of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
A very unique restaurant is the "Kan Zeman Village" south of Amman. It is an antique caravansary turned into a luxury Arabic restaurant.
Very enjoyable within gardens and Bedouin-tents, is the "Reem al Bawadi Restaurant" in Amman.
Other beautiful Arabic restaurants are Haret Jdoutna in Madaba, Kan Karak Zeman in Karak and Green Valley Restaurant in Jerash.
Recommended fish restaurants in Aqaba are Mena House, a floating restaurant, Ali Baba Restaurant and the new Beach Restaurant of Mövenpick Hotel and Captain´s Restaurant which is situated close to Golden Tulip Hotel in the centre of Aqaba.

4.6. Shopping and Souvenirs

Jordanian handicrafts represent a tradition of skilled workmanship and folk art that dates back many thousands of years. The most common Jordanian handmade items are Madaba rugs, carved olive wood, mother-of-pearl, cross-stitch embroidery, Palestine pottery, Hebron glass, silver jewellery, carved stone animals, Bedouin jewellery and artifacts, old sword and turn-of-the-century rifles, sheepskin and leather goods and Aqaba's coloured sand bottles. A walk through a downtown souq will bring you in touch with hundreds of small everyday items that you may wish to take home as a souvenir of your visit to Jordan.
Souvenir shops can be found in most hotels and at tourist attractions. There are no export restrictions when leaving Jordan except for antiques (items more than 100 years old). Shopkeepers can often post your purchases to the United States, Europe and other destinations.

4.7. Tourist Guides

Guides in Jordan are mostly freelancers, tour operators contract them for services when required. The languages spoken are Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. All guides have to be licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Groups are not allowed to travel through the country without a licensed guide. In certain cases special permissions could be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism.
For individual travellers English speaking local guides can be hired in Petra and Jerash.

4.8. Accommodation

In 1950, Jordan had only 8 hotels and 4 boarding houses with a total of only 562 beds. By the end of 1995 there were 148 classified and 146 unclassified hotels with altogether more than 20,000 beds in Jordan. Most of these hotels (about 200 hotels with about 13,500 beds) are concentrated in the capital Amman.
As Jordan is quite a small country most of the tourist sites in the north can be explored on a day-trip from Amman. Only a few hotels can be found at other major tourist attractions outside Amman, Aqaba and Petra.
Aqaba, the water sports metropolis had 27 classified hotels with more than 3,000 beds and 9 unclassified hotels with less than 500 beds in 1995.
Early in 1996 only 8 hotels with a capacity of 1,348 beds and 11 unclassified hotels with a total of 563 beds existed in Petra, however there are new ones opening every day. The new five-star hotels Taybet Zaman, Petra Plaza (soon Marriott Hotel), Mövenpick Hotel and the Mövenpick Nabatean Castle were inaugurated in the last few years and Beit Zaman just started operation late in 2000. The four-star hotels Kings Way Inn, Grand View Hotel and Panorama Hotel started operation. Quality middle class hotels are also available.
It is estimated that Petra now has about 3,000 beds and the problems of over-bookings and shortage in rooms has been solved.
In 1988 the first spa hotel opened in Jordan in the mountains of Zarqa Ma´in. This location is at the hot springs and close to the Dead Sea. There is a shortage of hotels at the Dead Sea. Beside the spa hotels there only is the Government-owned Dead Sea Resthouse which urgently needs to be refurbished.
Over-bookings occur during high season, especially at Easter and more hotels at the Dead Sea urgently are needed.
In 1990 the first spa hotel at the Dead Sea - Salt Land Village Dead Sea Spa - started operation, followed by Mövenpick Hotel early in 1999. Soon Marriott Hotel will open at the Dead Sea and Mövenpick Hotel started the constructions on the land between Mövenpick Hotel and Salt Land Village Dead Sea Spa to extend the capacity of their rooms.

Enclosed you will find our selection of recommended hotels. Of course we can confirm your reservations as well in any other hotels.
For your information: hotels classified with three stars can usually obtain a license to serve alcohol. If there are any exceptions it will be mentioned in our following descriptions.

a) Hotels in Amman

Hotel Grand Hyatt *****
Situated in Amman´s business and diplomatic district, Grand Hyatt is one of the city´s most stylish addresses.
All 316 rooms are beautifully furnished with spacious bathrooms. Standard features include air-conditioning, mini bar, radio and television.
The hotel has several restaurants, bars, a discotheque, shops, a health club, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna.

Hotel Le Méridien *****
The former Forte Grand Hotel now part of Le Méridien´s international collection of luxury hotels, which provides the highest standards of comfort, service and cuisine. The hotel is situated in the heart of Jordan's capital city, Amman.
The 271 bedrooms all offer modern facilities expected of a world class hotel. Each spacious and beautifully furnished room has an Italian marble bathroom. Standard features include air-conditioning, separate lounge and dressing area, mini bar and television.
The hotel's several bars, conference and banquet facilities, restaurants and coffee shop include Oriental, Arabic, or European cuisine and live entertainment at the night club.
Leisure facilities include the hotel's outdoor swimming pool and a health club equipped with a fitness centre, sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi. A tennis club with three floodlight courts is also available.

Radisson SAS Hotel *****
The hotel is centrally located in the heart of the diplomatic and government area, only a 4 minutes drive from the city centre and 40 minutes drive from Queen Alia International Airport. All 210 air-conditioned spacious guest rooms, most of them newly renovated, are equipped with every modern facilities such as direct dial telephones, satellite colour television, video channel, radio, mini-bar and private bathroom. The executive floor is equipped with hair dryers.
Additional services include: 24 hours room service and dining room service, same day laundry and dry cleaning services, a secretarial and business centre service, free safety deposit boxes, free private safe in suites..
The hotel has several restaurants, conference and banquet facilities, coffee shop, bars, a health centre and outdoor swimming pool. Daily live entertainment is available in the lobby.

Marriott Hotel *****
Situated near the financial and business centres in Shmeisani and Jabal Al-Hussein, close to the Sports City and the Royal Cultural Centre, five minutes drive from city centre.
All 296 fully air-conditioned guest rooms and suites have private bathrooms, direct-dial telephones, radio, TV, colour in-house movies, mini-bar, 24-hour room service, laundry and valet. Leisure facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 2 tennis courts and a health club. The hotel has several restaurants, coffee shops, conference and banquet facilities, and bars.
Additional facilities include shopping, an arcade, a tourist and travel office, car rental and taxi service, business services, beauty salon/barber, gift shop, Antique Gallery and parking.

Holiday Inn *****
This new hotel was opened in 1999 in Western Amman´s famous new shopping area.
The 240 modern guest rooms, including 18 suites are comfortably equipped with direct-dial telephones, radio, TV (multiple satellite channels), mini-bar and air-conditioning. Facilities for disabled are available.
The hotel has 3 restaurants, the Lobby Café, a summer terrace with pool-bar, shops, hairdresser & beauty salon, barber´s shop, meeting facilities, an outdoor swimming-pool and a fitness centre including sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

Jordan Intercontinental *****
Situated in the heart of the diplomatic, governmental and residential area, a few minutes drive from city centre. All 400 guest rooms and suites have air-conditioning, private bathroom, direct-dial telephone, radio, colour TV, in-house movies, mini-bar, 24-hour room-service, laundry and valet. Leisure facilities include outdoor swimming pool, children's pool and tennis-courts. The hotel has several restaurants, conference and banquet facilities, and coffee shop, bars and a discotheque.
Additional facilities: Shopping arcade, travel agency, airline office, secretarial services, souvenir shop, pharmacy, car rental, taxi service and parking. Ashtar Tours office is situated just across the street.

Amra Forum Hotel ****
Situated in Amman's main residential area, near the airport highway (25 minutes by taxi to the Queen Alia International Airport) and 10 minutes from the city centre. All 283 guest rooms and suites have air-conditioning, private bathroom, direct-dial telephone, radio, colour TV, in-house movies, mini-bar, 24-hour room service, laundry and valet. Leisure facilities include outdoor swimming pool, health club and tennis courts.
The restaurants and coffee shop serve international cuisine and for entertainment there are bars and the discotheque.
Additional facilities: Shopping arcade, travel desk, car rental, taxi service, business service, conference and banquet facilities and parking.

Safir Imperial Palace Hotel ****
This beautiful new first class hotel is situated in the heart of the diplomatic, governmental and residential area, only a few minutes drive from city centre.
The elegant and luxurious guest-rooms portray the intimacy and style of the hotel. All rooms and suites have air-conditioning, private bathroom with hair dryer, direct-dial telephone, radio, colour TV, in-house movies, mini-bar, 24-hour room service, laundry and valet. Leisure facilities include outdoor swimming pool, health club with jacuzzi, massages and beauty and wellness centre.
The main restaurants and terrace restaurant serve international cuisine.
Additional facilities: Bar in the impressing main lobby, shopping arcade, business service, car rental, 4 stories of free parking, conference and banquet facilities.

Ammon Hotel ****
Previously a 3-star hotel, the Ammon Hotel received its 4th star as a result of its recent renovations. Located in a quiet diplomatic area at the centre of Jabal Amman, a few minutes from downtown, all 62 luxurious rooms combine the ultimate in comfort with tasteful style and elegance. Each room comes equipped with a mini-bar, safety deposit box, TV, telephone, air-conditioning and private bathroom. In addition, this superior middle class hotel has a bar, conference and banquet facilities and coffee shop. At the pool-side is a cosy and inviting outdoor terrace restaurant. A variety of activities are available including swimming pool and tennis.

Toledo Hotel ***(*)
Toledo Hotel, a superior middle class hotel, is situated in the heart of Amman and celebrated its Grand Opening in 1998. The hotel is not yet finally classified and it is expected to receive 4 stars. It offers an enchanting, fairy-tale-like atmosphere reminiscent of "Arabian Nights."
Each one of the 92 guest rooms and suites are provided with all amenities for your comfort. They are very tastefully furnished, air conditioned, with bathrooms, TV, mini-bar, en-suite kitchenette and telephones. The honeymoon suites are especially romantic, perfect for the newlywed couple, or those desiring to re-kindle those honeymoon feelings! The hotel has a beautiful Arabic style restaurant, a juice bar and a coffee shop (the hotel does not yet offer alcohol; alcohol can be taken to the rooms; early in 2001 the alcohol licence is expected to be ready) and conference and banquet facilities,. Also available at the hotel are a big health spa equipped with all kinds of Ketteler medical instruments for fitness and body building, sauna, jacuzzi and massage.

Abjar Hotel ***
This hotel opened in 1997 and is one of the leading middle class hotels in Amman, ideally located close to the centre.
The hotel doesn't serve alcohol. However the management doesn´t mind if you bring in alcohol from outside. A shop which sells alcohol is next door!
The 64 rooms are comfortably equipped with bathroom, TV, air-conditioning, mini-bar and telephone.
The lobby has a cosy and comfortable atmosphere, the restaurant and coffee shop provide casual Mediterranean and international cuisine and you can relax with a cool dip in the swimming pool.

San Rock Hotel ***
This superior middle class hotel with 100 elegant guest-rooms and suites has recently been renovated and became one of the leading middle class hotels in Amman. The rooms are fully air-conditioned with private bath, TV, telephone and mini-bar. The hotel also provides international and local cuisine, bar, coffee-shop, restaurant, night club and shopping arcade with hairdresser, gift shop and taxi office.

Carlton Hotel ***
This nice middle class hotel opened in 1995 and is located opposite the Jordan Intercontinental Hotel and close to International Ashtar Tours office, in one of the best areas of Amman.
The rooms are comfortably equipped with bathroom, T.V., air-conditioning, mini-bar and telephone. The lobby has a cosy and comfortable atmosphere and the hotel offers four-star-services however it doesn´t have a swimming pool. The restaurant and the Terrace Café serve international cuisine.

Commodore Hotel ***
The Commodore Hotel is beautifully located in the residential area of Amman over-looking the "Hussein Sport City" and close to the commercial centre.
A very beautiful 3-star hotel with 96 guest-rooms and suites that are fully air-conditioned with private bath, radio, TV, telephone and mini-bar. The hotel also provides international and local cuisine, bar, coffee-shop, restaurant, night club, discotheque and shopping arcade with hairdresser, gift shop and taxi office.
The hotel has been recently renovated. The new rooms are very beautiful.

Middle East Hotel ***
The Middle East Hotel is beautifully located in the residential area of Amman, twenty miles from the airport and close to the commercial centre. A 3-star hotel with 100 guest rooms and suites that offers modern comfort. The hotel rooms are fully air-conditioned with, private bath, radio, TV, telephone and mini-bar.
The restaurant offers international and local cuisine. For entertainment there is a bar and discotheque.
Additional facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, shopping arcade which includes hairdresser and barber shop, gift shop, taxi office and an underground garage offers space for 100 cars.
The hotel has been recently refurbished. "Talk in Town", one of Amman´s favoured discotheques belongs to the Middle East Hotel.

Mirage Hotel ***
The Mirage Hotel is beautifully located in centre of Amman next to King Abdullah Mosque and JETT Bus Station.
This new middle class hotel still in operation with 52 guest rooms will close 1 floor early in 2001. Half of the guest rooms will be turned into offices.
The rooms are fully air-conditioned with private bath, TV, telephone and mini-bar. The hotel also provides international and local cuisine and a bar.
The hotel only requested to be classified with 2 stars but it offers three star services.

Arab Wings Hotel ***
This new hotel was opened end of 1998 and is located close to the centre of Amman. The hotel has 178 suites that have one or two bedrooms, a sitting room with TV and kitchenette, telephone, air conditioning and bathroom.
The hotel has a restaurant and a coffee shop.

b) Hotels in Petra

Taybet Zaman Hotel ***** and Beit Zaman Hotel *****
9 km from the rose-red city of Petra, with a spectacular view of the ancient site and surrounding mountains, lies the most beautiful and fantastic hotel Petra has ever seen. Taybet Zaman is an old existing village, renovated in the old Jordanian architecture of the time, that mediates the spirit of Arabian Nights.
Taybet Zaman has 105 small houses and aims at offering its clients an experience of the way of life in a typical Jordanian village. The Arts and Crafts Centre displays traditional handmade products. One can enjoy an afternoon in the town square, sipping freshly-made cardamon coffee, mint tea, smoking a water-pipe, and indulging in a variety of pastries or Arabic sweets while watching the daily entertainment show in warm weather. The main attractions of the village are the other features including several small restaurants serving Arabic food, a pastry shop, a garden bar, conference and banquet facilities, a museum and a spice and vegetable shop.
All public areas are accessible to the physically-disabled, as well as 3 fully-equipped guest rooms. Taybet Zaman is the first environment-friendly establishment of its kinds in the region.
All rooms are fully air-conditioned, with floor-heating, mini-bar, satellite antenna, direct dialling, and fax on request. Every room has a sofa, its own bathroom with basin and shower.
In November 2000 the shareholders of Taybet Zaman Hotel have opened a similar hotel - Beit Zaman - in Wadi Musa/Petra. The facilities are the same like in Taybet Zaman, but the swimming pool is an indoor one.

Mövenpick Hotel *****
This new deluxe hotel is ideally located at the entrance of Petra.
Its 183 elegant guest rooms are comfortably equipped with bathroom, telephone, TV, mini-bar and air-conditioning.
The hotel has several restaurants, conference and banquet facilities, a bar, an outdoor pool, a health club with steam rooms, a billiard room and a roof garden.

Mövenpick Nabatean Castle *****
This new hotel was built in Islamic Architectural style that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The hotel is situated on a scenic road overlooking the rocky mountains of Petra.
The elegant guest-rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, TV, telephone, mini-bar and bathroom.
The hotel has 2 restaurants, 3 bars, conference and banquet facilities, an indoor swimming pool with adjoining sun terrace, a tennis court and a volley-ball court.

Marriott Hotel *****
This new first class hotel was called Petra Plaza Hotel and was opened in January 1996. Early in 2001 it will join the Marriott hotel chain.
It is located on the Panorama Road and offers an incomparable view of Petra. The 100 elegant rooms are comfortably equipped with bathroom, telephone, TV, mini-bar and air-conditioning. The hotel, including restaurant, coffee-shop, bar and disco, health centre and swimming pool has been built in Arabic architecture.

Forum Hotel ***** and Forum Resthouse ****
The Forum Hotel used to be the only first class hotel in Petra. It is situated very close to the entrance of Petra.
The rooms are comfortably equipped and all have bathroom, TV, mini-bar, telephone and air-conditioning. The restaurants offer Arabic and international cuisine. Additional facilities are the bar and swimming pool.
Since 1996 the new wing of Petra Resthouse (situated directly at the entrance of Petra) is part of Forum´s international collection of first class hotels. The nice and friendly rooms are equipped with bathroom, hairdryer, air-conditioning, TV, telephone and mini-bar.
The restaurant offers Arabian and international cuisine. Additional facilities are the terrace café and the romantic bar which has been built into a Nabatean cave.
The old wing of the Resthouse which used to be the first 3-star hotel in Petra is closed and it is planned to be renovated and refurbished soon.
After renovations the Forum main building recently was classified with 5 stars and was re-named "Forum Crowne Plaza".

Grand View Hotel ****
A new first class hotel located on the mountain peak with a cliff-top view of mystical and magical Petra. The hotel has 150 spacious fully air-conditioned rooms all with private bathroom, hairdryer, TV, telephone and mini-bar. Beside the imposing lobby there are various leisure facilities: restaurant, coffee shop, pool tables, bar and a large swimming pool.

Panorama Hotel ****
This new hotel is ideally located overlooking the rocky mountains of Petra. The 130 guest rooms are comfortably equipped with air-conditioning, TV, telephone, mini-bar and bathroom with hairdryer.
The facilities of the hotel include outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and souvenir shops.

Kings´ Way Inn ****
The Kings´ Way Inn, opened in October 1994, is situated opposite the famous Moses Spring and offers 55 twin and 20 single rooms, all comfortably equipped with T.V., mini-bar, telephone, private bathroom and are fully air-conditioned.
The restaurant offers Oriental and continental food. Additional facilities are the bar and discotheque and the swimming pool with sun terrace.

Petra Palace Hotel ***
Without any doubt Petra Palace is the leading middle class hotel in Petra. It is located close to the entrance of Petra
The tastefully furnished guest rooms are equipped with bathroom, TV, air conditioning and mini-bar. The restaurant provides Arabic and international cuisine.
Other facilities: Swimming pool and sun terrace with pool bar, gift shops and a cosy bar.

Silk Road Hotel ***
The Silk Road Hotel was opened a few years ago as one of Petra´s leading middle class hotels.
The spacious rooms are equipped with bathroom, TV, air conditioning and mini-bar. The restaurant provides Arabic and international cuisine.
Other facilities: Shopping arcade and "hamman" (Turkish bath). The hotel is located close to the entrance of Petra.

Petra Inn ***
This middle class hotel was opened in 1996. All the 53 rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, telephone, T.V. and bathroom. The restaurant serves Arabic and international cuisine.
The hotel is situated near the entrance of Petra.

Candles Hotel ***
Candles Hotel, a rather new small hotel has been refurbished and has opened its new wing in Summer 1998 and was re-classified and obtained 3 stars. Candles Hotel is ideally located close to the entrance of Petra.
All the rooms have a private bathroom, telephone, TV, mini bar, air conditioning or fan.
Like in all other family run middle class hotels Candles Hotel also has small bathrooms.
The Panorama Restaurant provides Arabic and international cuisine. A new bar and disco were recently opened.

c) Hotels in Aqaba

Mövenpick Hotel *****
This beautiful hotel was opened close to the beach in April 2000 and is Aqaba´s leading hotel.
The main hotel building is on the Cornishe Street, linked to the beach side by a two-story bridge, hosting a lap pool, café, health club and shops.
The hotel has several bars and restaurants (buffet restaurant, speciality restaurant, beach restaurant, pool bar, lobby bar, fun pub), conference and banquet facilities, a health club, 3 swimming pools, water sports and a sandy beach with jetty..
The 214 fine appointed rooms are equipped with bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar, radio and TV.

Radisson SAS Hotel ****
The old wing (former Holiday Inn Hotel) of this beach hotel has 173 spacious air-conditioned rooms and suites overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, all with two queen size beds or large double beds, private bathroom, radio-clock, TV, mini-bar and direct-dial telephone. All the rooms have been beautifully renovated.
The rooms in the new wing have a balcony and offer sea view or mountain view. For sea view the hotel charges supplement.
The hotel recreational facilities boast the fresh water swimming pool, a variety of water sports such as water skiing, surf riding, jet skiing, snorkelling and a 16 foot private yacht for pleasure trips or fishing.
The restaurant and coffee shop serve continental and Oriental cuisine. Additional facilities are the night club and the beach bar.

Golden Tulip Hotel ****
This beautiful new first class hotel opened early in the year 2000 and is ideally situated in the city centre within walking distance to the sea.
The comfortable rooms are equipped with bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar and TV. Other facilities are coffee-shop, restaurant, bar in the impressing lobby and a swimming pool on the roof terrace with a beautiful view across the Gulf of Aqaba..
Many Shops and other restaurants are nearby.

Crystal Hotel ***
Situated very close to the sea and only few walking minutes from the city centre, this hotel was opened in 1996. The rooms are comfortably equipped with bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar and TV.
Additional facilities: restaurant, coffee shop, and bar. The project of a swimming-pool on the roof-terrace could not yet been realised. As soon as the swimming pool opens Crystal Hotel might be upgraded to a 4 star hotel.

Petra International *** & Aquamarina Hotel Club ***
The hotel club consists of 4 hotels: The beach hotel Aquamarina I, Aquamarina II close to the city centre and about 10 walking minutes to the beach hotel, the 1991 inaugurated Petra International and the Aquamarina III which opened in 1994 next to Petra International Hotel, just a 10 minute walk from the city centre and on top of the hill overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba.
Leisure facilities include diving-club, water-skiing, fishing, wind-surfing and snorkelling, boat rental, squash, sauna, massage and swimming-pool in each of the hotels.
The guest rooms and suites are air-conditioned and have private bathroom, telephone, mini-bar and TV. The rooms of the Petra International are particularly spacious. There are small bungalows belonging to Petra International Hotel, actually suites with sitting-room and kitchenette.
Each Hotel has its own bar, coffee shop and restaurant which offers international and local cuisine. Aquamarina I and Aquamarina II have their own discotheque and Petra International has a night club and a health club including sauna.
The hotels do offer a free shuttle bus transfer to the beach hotel. The beach at Aquamarina I however is not very large.

Miramar Hotel ***
Situated close to the Red Sea, two minutes from city centre and next door to the new deluxe Mövenpick Hotel.
All 140 air-conditioned guest-rooms (which need to be refurbished) have private bathroom, telephone, radio, colour TV, mini-bar, 12 hour room service, laundry, and valet.
Leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and a health club. The restaurant offers international and Oriental cuisine. Additional facilities are coffee shop, bar and night club, as well as parking.

Shwaki Hotel **
A nice 2-star-hotel close to the city centre. The rooms of this little family-run hotel are spacious and comfortably equipped with bathroom, air conditioning, telephone, TV, and mini-bar. The restaurant does not serve alcohol.

d) The Spa Hotels

Salt Land Village Dead Sea Spa Hotel ****
The Salt Land Village is situated in the "Basement of the world" 400 meters below sea level. The village consists of a main building "The Dead Sea Spa Hotel", bungalows and the Medical Centre. The Village is designed as a wide and open area with a free view of the sea and the impressive surrounding landscape.
The hotel offers good middle class accommodations: Centrally air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant with terrace, coffee shop, bar, shop, leisure room and a private beach. All rooms have a private bath, telephone, central channel music and TV. The bungalows also have central A/C and have the same facilities as the hotel rooms.
Additional facilities: 2 tennis courts, squash court and two outdoor swimming pools. The new health centre with a "Dead Sea Water" indoor-swimming pool, and a new clinic.
For indications and treatment, please refer to chapter 3.7.

Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort Hotel *****
Directly at the beach front the new Dead Sea Resort & Spa was opened early in 1999. The main building and the bungalows are built on a large plot of land. The landscape includes a man made fresh water river eventually meeting up with the main swimming pool.
The 231 rooms and suites are comfortably equipped with all the amenities of a 5 star hotel.
In the midst of the village square, the guests can take their time in deciding to which one of the four restaurants and beverage outlets they should pay a visit. At the open air amphitheatre guests can enjoy enchanting concerts.
The Resort is complemented by a state of the art spa including different body treatment rooms, hydro-therapy mud suite, fitness studio, different indoor and outdoor pools and medical facilities as well as various sport attractions and conference and banquet facilities.

Mercure Hotel at Zarqa Ma'in Hot Springs ****
For centuries, 60 sources of hot sulfurous mineral water (70°C) springing from a depth of 1500 m have been used for regeneration. The village comprises of several facilities among which the former Ashtar Hotel, now Mercure Hotel, offers first class accommodations and several food and beverage outlets with naturally hot pools and fresh water swimming pool as well as full clinic. Also, private chalets and caravans, super market, public pool and hot baths, a children's playground and a tennis court.
The hotel offers first class accommodation: Centrally air-conditioned, central 4 channel music, TV, in-house video, alarm clock, telephone, mini-bar, large vanity and bath.
Additional facilities: several restaurants and lounges, private pool for hotel guests, junior suites and apartments. Direct access to the clinic from the guest rooms.
The hotel has three restaurants offering daily specialities, special diets, deluxe cuisine, and a coffee shop with a large terrace. All outlets overlook the waterfall. Sallama disco club, a bar lounge, the terrace roof bar, a bridge room and a billiard room. An in-house guest relations department entertains with a variety of programs.
The clinic specialises in rheumatism, arthritis, sinusitis, digestive diseases etc. For further information, please, refer to chapter 3.7.
The village offers chalets and caravans for rent, a convenience store for your needs with a coffee terrace centrally located as well as tennis, waterfall splash, a guided walk, morning fitness, backgammon.

d) Other Hotels

Olive Branch Hotel in Jerash ***
A new family run hotel which is situated in a beautiful olive tree garden outside the town of Jerash. The 30 rooms are equipped with bathroom, telephone and air conditioning. The hotel has a restaurant and a coffee shop. Other facilities include bar, conference room, game room, swimming-pool and a camping site complete with B.B.Q. pits, showers, picnic tables and tents.

Karak Resthouse ***
The former government-run Resthouse now is under private management. The hotel is situated close to the Crusaders´ castle of Karak.
All the rooms are equipped with private bathroom, TV, mini-bar, telephone and air-conditioning. The hotel is located next to the Crusader-castle and offers a beautiful view from its restaurant. Karak Resthouse is a very small and simple hotel, not suitable for big groups.

The Dead Sea Resthouse ***
This hotel was opened in 1995 and is situated on the beach. All rooms (need to be refurbished!) are in small bungalows which are equipped with one or two bedrooms, private bathroom, air conditioning, telephone, TV and small sitting-room including kitchenette with fridge.
Additional facilities are beach with outdoor-showers, swimming-pool and restaurant.
Dead Sea Resthouse is a favourite hotel for locals who enjoy spending the weekends (Thursday/Friday) at the Dead Sea.
Camping is accepted in the garden of the resthouse. To use the facilities a fee has to be paid.

e) Camping

Jordan has only few camping sites. A large but always empty camping area is situated at Aqaba´s south beach, close to the Royal Diving Center.
Camping is offered at Olive Branch Hotel in Jerash and Al Anbad Hotel in Petra.
Some traditional Bedouin camps can be found in Wadi Rum next to the Resthouse and in the middle of the fascinating desert. A very nice standard with toilet and shower facilities is offered at Captain´s Camp.
The National Park of Danaa offers small huts for rent, toilet facilities, kitchen and an area for barbecue...

5. Incentive Travel

More and more incentive planners are discovering that Jordan is an ideal destination with its wealth of natural attractions, its top-class facilities and its unique historic and religious heritage.
Every day in Jordan can be a five star fantasy. Imagine a candle-lit dinner in a 7th century castle on the edge of the expansive eastern desert.
Picture yourself an honoured guest at a medieval banquet of roast lamb in vaulted galleries of an 11th century Crusader castle, or have a lavish breakfast on a helicopter over the mountains of Wadi Rum.

5.1. Incentive Special Events

All these activities and many others can be arranged for your groups as small as a dozen and as large as 1001.
Enclosed you find a menu of our recommended itineraries from which you can pin point your initial preferences.
Once that is done, we ask you to let us know, let us dream out your expectations and we will make them come true.

a) The Historical Train Ride
Let´s follow the footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia" and take a journey in time on an authentic steam train that still runs on historical Hijaz Railway which dates back to the beginning of the last century.
Once out in the open desert, and after the outskirts of Amman, a mob of Bedouins on horseback will attack the train, forcing it to stop where they will pretend to kidnap some of the passengers or rob their clothes.
Of course we are well prepared with "survival bags" in which the group will find some Arabic Dresses such as Dishtash, Abayeh and Kofieh.

b) Fun Rally
If friendly competition is your style, let us organise a "treasure hunt" in the beautiful landscape of Wadi Rum. We will trek deeply inside the desert with jeeps, clues, pit stops, judges and - of course - a gala awards banquet under the starry sky in a Bedouin camp.

c) A day at the Races
You have never seen a camel race? Here´s your chance to enjoy "the Sport of the Sheikhs" in the comforts of a specially-prepared Trackside Tent. No tout sheets, but plenty of free advice.

d) Night in a Bedouin Tent
Step into one of the most scenic deserts in the world. Upon arrival at Wadi Rum we will trek in local Bedouins´ four-wheel-drive vehicles deeply inside the enchanting landscape. After sunset we will rest at our desert camp, stunning in natural beauty and celebrate a traditional party with Bedouins and enjoy not a 5-star, but a "500,000-star" desert barbecue under the starry desert sky. This night we will sleep in a very traditional way alone in the desert in Bedouin tents.

e) Command Performances
We bring the Roman Theatres scattered throughout Jordan to life again with modern musical or classical music or dancing performances.

f) Medieval Banquet
Experience the tastes and treats of a romantic era in the splendid setting of a real Crusader´s Castle. Recline on sumptuous cushions as you are served an exotic banquet. Enjoy an authentic Medieval feast along with music and story-telling which accompanied every proper Crusader´s dinner.

g) Dine Fine at the Caravan Stop in "Little Petra"
In Beida which is called "Little Petra" among the local people, we invite you to dine with us in one of the ancient caves.
The entrance is lit by torches to lead you to the 2,000 years old caves where a folklore group is welcoming us and dancing the Jordanian traditional dance "Dabkah".
A BBQ dinner, demonstrations of the traditional methods of weaving, tattooing, herb-lore, Arabic calligraphy, the "caravan souk" the care and feeding of camels... A very Jordanian experience!

h) The Umayyad Dinner
We will dine fine at the ancient Umayyad Palace on the Citadel with a spectacular view of the Roman Theatre and "Amman by Night". The meal is served on elegant tables to the sound of classical music. The entire event will be lit by thousands of candles, surrounded by hundreds of historical monuments and landmarks. We are certain you will enjoy this rich celebration of culture, history, and passing of Father Time.

6. Helpful Facts about Jordan

We would like to give some important information regarding Jordan. If there are any further questions, please, do not hesitate to call us.

6.1. Best Time To Travel

Climate: The climate in Jordan is very balanced and moderate which enables you to travel to Jordan all year long in comfort. The best time for a round-trip vacation is in the Spring. During this season the country is lush green and the desert blossoms are beautiful. Autumn is also a recommended time to travel to Jordan.
In high season, especially Easter and Christmas a lot of the hotels charge supplements.
During the winter you will find that it sometimes snows at higher grounds, however in the summer you will find very moderate climate (here the temperature does not exceed 35° Celsius).You will find summers in the south and in the Jordan Valley of Aqaba hot, but a nice breeze from the ocean makes the climate tolerable.
Safety: Jordan is one of the safest tourism countries. Robberies are rare; violent crime more or less does not exist

6.2. Tipping (Bakshish)

"Bakshish" seems to be one of the most important words in Arabic language. But you should know the average income per month is only about 200 JD. Most people who work in tourism depend on tips.
Restaurants and hotels mostly include a service charge in their bill, however additional tips are still expected. If a service charge is not included, a ten percent tip is recommended. Taxi drivers who drive without meters do not expect tips if the price of the fare is agreed upon before entering the taxi. If the meter is working an additional tip of about ten percent should be added to the fare.
For groups travelling to Jordan we suggest the following regulations: Tips for the guide per day by each tourist usually are 1.5 JD, for the bus driver 0,750 JD. For example a group of 20 persons will tip the guide at the end of a one-week-trip through Jordan with altogether (8 days x 20 persons x 1 JD) and 240 JD would be given as a tip which the whole group presents in only one envelope.
The employees of the hotels also expect some tips: Per day and person groups should collect 1-2 JD which you divide between restaurant, porters and reception. Once again the tips are presented in one envelope by the whole group. Porters for each handling expect to be tipped per person with 0.500 JD.
If you want to ride a horse in Petra your horse guide expects 2 JD - however do not pay before you will reach Wadi Musa. Don´t enter into discussions about the amount of the tip, they never will be satisfied with the "bakshish"
Assistance at the airport upon arrival and departure usually is tipped with about 2 JD from individual travellers, groups pay 4-8 JD altogether, depending on the size of the group.

6.3. Holidays, Ramadan and Business Hours

a) Religious Holidays
The Moslem calendar (Hegira) is a lunar one; the first year corresponds to the year that prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina (622 A.D.). The Moslem year is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar and therefore its holidays vary from year to year. It is difficult to know precisely on which day in the Gregorian calendar a Moslem feast will fall. Eid el Fitr, a three-day feast, celebrates the end of Ramadan. Eid el Adha celebrates the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muharram 1st is the Moslem New year, the first day of the Islamic calendar is the birthday of the prophet. Rajab 27th is the Feast of Al-Miaraj, commemorating the prophet Mohammed's nocturnal visit to heaven.

b) Other Holidays
Friday and since 2000 also Saturday are the official weekly days off in Jordan. Most shops are closed on Fridays although many Christian shopkeepers close on Sunday instead.

National holidays include:
New Year: January, 1st
King Abdullah's Birthday: January, 30th
Labor Day: May, 1st
Independence Day: May, 25th
King Abdullah´s Ascension to the Throne: June, 9th
Army Day: June, 10th
Al Mawlid Al Nabawi: June, 14th
King Hussein's Birthday: November, 14th
Al Isra´wal Mi´ray: October, 24th
Christmas: December, 25th

Islamic holidays are observed, but their actual dates vary by approximately two weeks every year due to the Islamic lunar calendar that determines the precise times of religious holidays.

c) Business Hours
Friday and Saturday are the weekly holidays in which banks, government offices, and most businesses are closed.
Banks open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and some reopen in the afternoon from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Business offices are open from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Government offices are open from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Shopping hours are flexible. Some shops are open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Others may be open long hours, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Earlier closings are in effect during the month of Ramadan.

d) Ramadan
A stranger visiting Jordan during the Holy Month of Ramadan might be puzzled about the closure of restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food stands. It may be surprising to find out that no one is allowed to eat, drink or smoke in public.
During Ramadan discos and night clubs are closed and most of the hotels do not serve alcoholic drinks. Only 4 star and 5 star hotels are serving alcohol.
During Ramadan business life is a little mixed up and business and government offices often reduce the number of hours they are open during Holy Month of Ramadan.
During the day restaurants are empty but food is served. This is considered the fasting month of Ramadan.
The fasting month in 2001 will start approximately on November, 16th. Beginning and ending of the Ramadan depend on the moon.

6.4. Local Customs - How to Dress?

The people of Jordan are courteous and hospitable. They are also law-abiding; for instance, holiday visitors are told they may safely camp anywhere. Visitors to Muslim Holy places are expected to show proper respect, and in the fasting month of Ramadan it is forbidden to smoke in public places.
Jordan is a very open minded country. In the hotels and beaches mini skirts and shorts can be seen everywhere. We would advise more modest attire in the centre of the city and in the countryside.
Be prepared for all seasons, particularly in winter. Light clothing is necessary for the summer, preferably of natural fibres. Comfortable shoes are very useful.

6.5. Electricity and Water Supply, Local Time, Weight and Measures

The electric current is 220 volts with 50 cycles. Adapters, if necessary, are available in most of the hotels.

Water is scarce and the tourist is requested to help to save water. Tap water does not taste very good but will not cause any health problems.

Time:
+ 2 hours GMT, UK
+ 7 hours Eastern Standard, USA

Weights and measures are metric.

3.	Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you
3.2	Amman, the Dynamic Capital City
3.2.	The Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak)
3.3.	Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City
3.4.	The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal)
3.5..	Following the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; (Desert Castles: Azraq, Amra, Kharanah; Wadi Rum)
3.6.	Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort
3.7.	The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in
3.8.	Biblical Sites in Jordan
3.8.1.	The Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla
3.9.	Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari

1.	Welcome to Jordan
2..	The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
2.1.	Geography, Climate and Borders
2.2.	Entry and Departure Procedures
2.3	Population
2.4.	Currency
2.5.	History
2.6.	Government
2.7.	Economy

4.	The Tourist Facilities in Jordan
4.1.	Transportation; Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan
4.2.	Communication
4.3.	Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding
4.4.	Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments
4.5.	Restaurants
4.6.	Shopping and Souvenirs
4.7.	Tourist Guides
4.8.	Accommodation; Hotels in Amman, Petra, Aqaba, Spa-Hotels, Other Hotels, Camping

6.	Helpful Facts about Jordan
6.1.	Best Time to Travel and Safty
6.2.	Tipping (Bakshish)
6.3.	Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours
6.4.	Local Customs - How to Dress?
6.5.	Electric Current, Water Supply