“Embark on a Tasting Adventure” In Jordan
with Co-Leaders Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae

October 31 to November 8, 2019
​$2,950 US -  Per Person Double Occupancy; $500 US - Single Supplement
A deposit of $500 per person is required upon booking. Final payment due 45 days prior to departure.

​Join us in getting to the heart of the culture through an exploration of Jordan's tantalizing cuisine. Sample the most authentic regional cuisine in homes, neighborhood eateries, and elegant gourmet restaurants. Delve into the secrets of Jordanian dishes by participating in a cooking class. And enjoy talks on culinary topics and visits to bustling markets to learn about the herbs, spices, and condiments that are prevalent in Jordanian cookery. 

​We will also see major tourist sights, including the Dead Sea, Petra, and Wadi Rum, yet still have time to shop and relax along the way. You’ll come away with a knowledge of the culinary traditions of Jordan and a deep appreciation of the magnitude of history and culture that this ancient land possesses. 

Itinerary

Photos courtesy of the Jordan Tourism Board and Ginkgo Press.
October 31: Depart for Amman

November 1: Amman Airport – Amman Hotel
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by our representative, who will help you obtain  your entry visa. Afterwards you will drive (about 45 minutes) to your hotel for some free time until 4PM when we will gather in a group and attend a wine tasting with appetizers at JR Winery, Amman. Return to Amman hotel.

November 2: Amman Hotel – Umm Quais – Jerash – Amman Hotel (B, L, D)
We will begin our journey early and drive two hours from Amman to Gadara (Umm Qais), which belonged to the famous Decapolis, a union of 10 cities, founded by Alexander the Great. There is an overwhelming view over the north Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. After lunch at Umm Quais Rest House we will leave for Jerash, the best example of a Roman provincial city in the whole Middle East. We will see the spectacular Forum, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis. Dinner at Tawaheen Al Hawa. Return to hotel Amman hotel.


November 3: Town of Salt – Amman Tour - Amman Hotel (B, L, D)
The day will begin with a 45 minute drive to the town Salt. We will walk along Hammam Street to see the highlights of 19th century architecture—houses with long-arched windows in picturesque narrow streets. Well known is the Abu Jabermansion, built between 1892 and 1906, reputed to be the finest example of a 19th century merchant house in the region. The building now houses the Historic Old Salt Museum recounting the golden age of salt, which lasted from the end of the 19th century until the thirties of the 20th century.

We will return for a city tour of Jordan's capital, Amman, already mentioned in the Bible as Rabbath Ammon. It is a bustling modern city. The historical places are located downtown, where following lunch at Hashem Restaurant and kanafeh from Habibah Sweets, we will visit the Citadel with remains from the Roman to the early Islamic period, and a small Archaeological Museum. We will see the Roman Theatre (built in the 2nd century) with 6000 seats. In the heart of downtown we will explore the markets (Souqs), and spice and herb shops.

We will complete our day with a cooking class and dinner at Beit Sitti in Amman. Return to Amman hotel.


November 4: Amman Hotel – King’s Way - Mt Nebo – Madaba – Kerak Castle – Petra Hotel (B, L)
After breakfast, we will drive to Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses gazed at the Promised Land before he died. We will see the old monastery, and overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and parts of the Holy Land. We will then proceed to Madaba, for lunch at Haret Jdourdna Restaurant, and the famous 6th century mosaic map of Palestine in St. George’s church. Driving along the famous ancient caravan route, the King's Way, we will have a short stop in Wadi Al-Mujib, a great wide valley with a magnificent geological formation. In Kerak we will visit the famous Crusader Castle built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem.

We will then continue to the Dead Sea where we will have leisure time to float on salty waters or to try a mineral rich mud bath on its shores before Continuing to Petra. We will check into our hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner will be on your own.


November 5: Petra visit – Petra Hotel – Little Petra (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will walk to the red rose city of Petra, the biggest attraction of Jordan. Petra was first established around the 6th century B.C. by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe that settled in the area and laid the foundation of a commercial empire that extended into Syria. With the guide we will go through the canyon, the so called Siq, to see the most beautiful monument: the Treasury. We will continue walking via the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. The guide says farewell to us at the restaurant area and we will have free time to explore Petra on our own (for example, climb the 800 stairs to the Monastery El Deir) and return the same way to the entrance gate. After our Petra visit, we will have lunch at Grand City Restaurant.

​We will go to a Bedouin camp for a demonstration of Zarb, Bedouin barbecue - meat and vegetables cooked underground - before returning to the hotel to rest. Then we will return to the Bedouin camp for Zarb dinner. Return to Petra hotel.


November 6: Petra Hotel – Wadi Rum 3 hours LandCruiser Ride – Aqaba Hotel (B, L, D)
We will begin our day with a 1.5 hour drive southwards to the protected area of Wadi Rum, one of the most impressive desert landscapes in the world. Here Bedouins still live in the traditional way. Touring in 4x4 LandCruisers we will discover canyons, sand dunes, and Nabatean rock inscriptions. We will enjoy a lunch of homemade shishbarak at Rum Village. We will then drive one hour to our hotel in Aqaba. Dinner will be at Ali Baba Restaurant.

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November 7: Aqaba (B, L, D)
Today we will enjoy a glass boat bottom boat ride with lunch. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore, followed by our Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Aqaba hotel.


November 8: Aqaba – Aqaba or Amman Airport (B)
After breakfast at the hotel we will depart for Aqaba airport to connect with our international flights.