2 Nights
Amman
Amman is one of the best cities to enjoy a really diverse Middle East experience before exploring the rest of Jordan. The best way to explore this fascinating city is on foot. Nestled at the bottom of the city’s many hills and the majestic Citadel, Downtown Amman is a must-see. It features a spectacular Roman theater, an international museum of contemporary art and a number of mosques, architecture, souqs (typical markets) and vibrant coffee houses that are central to Jordanian life. The backstreets of the city are filled with colorful local food markets and tiny shops selling different kinds of handmade crafts. You could also step out and explore the creative mosaic street art of Rainbow Street and stop by its bustling cafes and restaurants. The western part of Amman has leafy residential districts, cafes, bars, modern malls and art galleries, while in the east of the city, you can delve deeper into the capital’s rich traditions and history.
Included activities
Personalized City Tour of Amman
Discover Amman, Jordan’s alluring capital, a modern city that maintains its Middle Eastern flair. Drive downtown, which is dominated by the ancient Roman Theater with a 6,000-person capacity. View the flight of steps leading to the stage and learn about the theater’s excellent acoustics. Your guide will point out the three seating areas clearly marked for royalty, military and commoners. Next, visit the Folklore Museum that exhibits traditional attire, jewelry and mosaics. There is also a Bedouin goat-hair tent, with displays of weapons, tools, musical instruments and coffee grinders. Afterward, ascend Jabal al-Qala’a or ‘Citadel Hill’, the site of the Umayyad Palace. Enter the complex through a domed hall, decorated with stucco colonnettes and Persian-style geometric patterns. Beyond, the colonnaded street leads to the administrative and residential quarters of the Governor of Amman. Finally, stop by the Nymphaeum, an elaborate public fountain built in AD 191, before the tour winds up. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please note that the afternoon tour can be combined with the Amman by night tour)
Personalized Amman by Night Tour
Experience Amman’s nightlife on this guided tour. This experience can be tweaked to suit your interests. You could drive past the ‘Circles of Amman’, a series of eight roundabouts that run along the downtown area. From the Roman Nymphaeum in the historic center, visit the Souk Al-Sukar. Here, you will find numerous shops selling fresh produce, dry fruits, perfumes, gold ornaments and brightly colored garments. Continue onward to Jabal Amman, one of the seven hills that originally made up the metropolis and has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. You may hear the muezzin’s beautiful call to prayer, as you proceed toward Rainbow Street. Explore this bohemian area that is lined with art galleries, cafes and boutiques. Then visit the legendary Hashem Restaurant, an Amman institution. Try classic Jordanian street food specialties including falafel, hummus, ful medames and moutabel before the tour wraps up. (Duration: 2-3 hrs; Time: 1700 hrs or later; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: traditional snacks and non-alcoholic beverages; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please note that this tour can be combined with an afternoon city tour)
Personalized Jerash and Ajloun Castle Tour
Explore Jordan’s archaeological treasures on this day trip. Journey north of Amman to Jerash, a Roman city, also known as the ‘Pompeii of the East’. Set in the bowl of a valley, the expansive site of Jerash is reached by crossing a bridge over the River Zarqa. Enter through the South Gate and follow your guide over 2,000-year-old cobblestone paths that lead to Hadrian’s Arch, Oval Plaza and South Theater. Vantage points along the way offer bird’s eye-views of the surrounding eucalyptus and olive groves. Visit the temples of Zeus and Artemis, and the Hippodrome that could seat 15,000 spectators. Pause at the Forum, an oval-shaped plaza encircled by 56 unfluted Ionic columns, which served as a marketplace. Next, drive to Ajloun Castle that boasts a strategic hilltop location. A fine example of Islamic military architecture, it was built as a fortification against invading Crusaders. In the warren of chambers and galleries, learn about this iconic landmark’s history through interactive displays, before heading back. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch at local restaurant; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)
Personalized Cooking Class at Beit Sitti
Learn to prepare an Arabic feast at Beit Sitti, an estate in Amman’s trendy Jabal Al-Weibdeh neighborhood. This family business keeps alive their ancestral culinary legacy. Upon arrival at the villa, your host will introduce themselves and offer you a refreshing beverage. Then, put on your apron, wash your hands and get ready for your class to begin. Under your instructor’s guidance you will make a salad, side dish, main course and dessert, which is easy to replicate at home. Begin by chopping vegetables and crushing garlic. Taste an array of spices and other ingredients, while learning to make local dishes. Finally, head to the terrace to dine al fresco, surrounded by scenic city views. Gain insight into Jordanian culture as you dig into your delicious meal. (Duration: half day; Time: 1000/1500 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch/dinner; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)
