Jordan, an Arab nation on the east bank of the Jordan River, is defined by ancient monuments, nature reserves and seaside resorts.
It’s home to the famed archaeological site of Petra, the Nabatean capital dating to around 300 B.C. Set in a narrow valley with tombs, temples and monuments carved into the surrounding pink sandstone cliffs, Petra earns its nickname, the "Rose City."
9:00am6:00pm : Marrakech
10:00am-11:30pm : Royal Automobile Museum
Reflecting on the life and times of the late King Hussein, Royal Automobile Museum houses his personal collection of cars and motorcycles, along with numerous historical vehicles. The museum preserves the king's vast collection of over 70 20th-century vehicles, including some of the first royal motor cars used in the Middle East. Presenting Jordanian history through the lens of its vehicles, the gallery displays Cadillacs, Buicks, Harley-Davidsons, and replicas of some of the world's first car models. As of 2015, the museum also houses a model of the Mars rover, gifted to them by the makers of the film "The Martian," filmed largely in Jordan. Check the website for the museum's opening days and hours.
12:00pm-1:00pm : Rainbow Street
A vibrant thoroughfare running through the historic district of the city, Rainbow Street lets you eat, drink, and shop at your own pace. Known for its slow-moving traffic, this area is ideal for leisurely tours on foot. During the day, indulge in souvenir shopping at numerous stores and the occasional artisan market. At night, find bars and upscale music venues in which to while away the hours.
1:30pm-3:30pm : The Citadel
Dating back to the Neolithic period, The Citadel shows archaeological evidence of use and occupation by numerous fallen empires. Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad ruins dot the site, located in the middle of downtown Amman. Highlights include a temple to Hercules, with remains of a massive statue of the god and a domed Umayyad palace. Visit the museum on premises to learn more about the site's history, and take photos to your heart's content among the varied and imposing ruins.
4:00pm-6:00pm : Roman Amphitheater
Dating back to the second century, Roman Amphitheater speaks to the period of Roman rule over Amman, when the city was known as Philadelphia. The construction of the 6,000-seat amphitheater into the hillside at a steep angle kept the sun off spectators and created excellent acoustics, which enabled audience members even at the top seat to hear people in the arena. Today the space, which is located in the heart of downtown, is open to the public and hosts large cultural festivals. Visit the small museum on premises for more information on the site's construction and history
10:00am-11:30am : Madaba Mosaic Map, Madaba
The oldest known depiction of the Holy Land, Madaba Mosaic Map lets you see sacred lands from Egypt to Lebanon from a centuries-old perspective. Housed within an early Byzantine church, the map dates back to the 6th century and provides the earliest accurate depiction of the Middle East, focusing on Jerusalem. Look over this carefully excavated mosaic, with millions of colorful stones depicting an ancient landscape of Biblical locations, events, and regions that predate modern cartography. Drop by the gift shop to pick up a few mementos of your visit.
1:00am-1:30pm : North Theatre,
2:00pm-5:00pm : Jerash Ruins,
Continuously occupied for more than 6,500 years, Jerash Ruins presents one of the best examples of ancient Roman provincial town planning. Neolithic remains found on site indicate millennia of inhabitants even before General Pompey captured the city in 63 BCE and initiated the development of a Roman city. The ruins are well-preserved because the city was buried under sand for centuries before their rediscovery in 1806. Be prepared with water and comfortable shoes to spend a lot of time walking in order to see the ruins of the theater, forum, temples, and bathhouses, among many other structures.
5:00pm-5:30pm : Arch of Hadrian, Jerash
The Arch of Hadrian (Greek: Αψίδα του ΑδριανοÏ, romanized: Apsida tou Adrianou), most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian's Gate (Greek: ΠÏλη του ΑδριανοÏ, romanized: Pyli tou Adrianou), is a monumental gateway resembling – in some respects – a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, Greece, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It has been proposed that the arch was built to celebrate the adventus (arrival) of the Roman emperor Hadrian and to honour him for his many benefactions to the city, on the occasion of the dedication of the nearby temple complex in 131 or 132 AD. It is not certain who commissioned the arch, although it is probable that the citizens of Athens. There were two inscriptions on the arch, facing in opposite directions, naming both Theseus and Hadrian as founders of Athens. While it is clear that the inscriptions honour Hadrian, it is uncertain whether they refer to the city as a whole or to the city in two parts: one old and one new. The early idea, however, that the arch marked the line of the ancient city wall, and thus the division between the old and the new regions of the city, has been shown to be false by further excavation. The arch is located 325m Southeast of the Acropolis.
6:00pm-8:00pm : Sweimah
10:00am-2:00am : Dead Sea,
One of the world's more unusual bodies of water, Dead Sea sits at one of the lowest elevations on Earth. Rich in salt and in history, the lake is nearly ten times saltier than any ocean. Feel the peculiar sensation of floating in water some 428 m (1,404 ft) below sea level, just as Queen Cleopatra did in the 1st century BCE. Surrounded by dozens of resorts with both private and public beaches, the sea remains a favorite destination for taking dips in the mineral-rich waters, framed by the Judean desert and mountains.
3:00pm-4:00pm : Mount Nebo
Join thousands of religious pilgrims and curious visitors at Mount Nebo, a 1,000 m (3,300 ft) ascent from which many believe the prophet Moses first saw the "Promised Land." Because of its mention in the Hebrew Bible, a chapel was built there in the 4th century CE and later expanded into a basilica. Today, the Franciscan order oversees the mountain, where they operate a monastery and archaeological center. While there, tour the memorial church devoted to Moses and the ancient Byzantine mosaics unearthed and preserved there.
6:00pm-9:30pm : Wadi Musa
9:30am-2:30pm : Petra
Originally built over 2,000 years ago by the Arab Nabataeans, Petra serves as a representative example of ancient rock-cut architecture and water collection techniques. Visitors know the fortress and important post on Middle Eastern trade routes for its reddish color. Approach the ancient site by hiking an easy 1 km (0.6 mi) path through steep rock cliffs. Upon arrival, you'll find hundreds of surviving tombs carved in relief out of the rock, as well as a Roman-style amphitheater, a Nabataean monastery, and an intricately detailed treasury. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat to protect your head from the sun, and carry plenty of drinking water.
2:30pm-3:00pm : The Great Temple
3:30pm-4:30am : Al-Beidha - Little Petra
One of Petra's World Heritage Sites, Al-Beidha - Little Petra stands as a remnant of Nabataean trade and living quarters, nestled deep within the canyon landscape. Carved into sandstone in the 1st century CE, the site was a popular camel stop, trade center, and temporary lodgings for traders traveling along the Silk Road. Enter through the discreet yet majestic entrance, then wind your way through meeting halls, lodgings, and remnants of hand-carved irrigation systems. Revealed to the public in 2010, the "Painted House" dining hall houses some of the best-preserved examples of Hellenistic ceiling frescoes and figurative Nabataean paintings in the world.
5:00pm-5:30pm : Djinn Blocks
5:30pm-6:00pm : Silk Tomb
6:00pm-8:00pm : Wadi Rum
10:00am-3:30pm : Wadi Rum Protected Area
A vast natural valley dotted with sandstone and granite cliffs, Wadi Rum Protected Area presents a dramatic picture of desert beauty, accessible to visitors for tours and activities. The area is inhabited by Bedouin tribes, some of which still sleep in traditional goat-hair tents. The natives also run much of the local eco-tourism economy--research ahead to book a hiking, camelback, or jeep tour with them. Experienced climbers may also be interested in checking out rock-climbing options in the wadi.
12:30pm-2:30pm : Prague
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