Jordan is a unique country in the Middle East region. Repeatedly mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, its land keeps, according to various estimates, from 16 to 20 thousand monuments of history and culture of past eras. Jesus Christ was baptized here, Moses saw the Promised Land here, he died and was buried here, numerous prophets lived here, and dozens and hundreds of events sacred to believers of many denominations took place. Waves of many peoples passed through this land, leaving their mark both in the architecture and in the culture of modern Jordan. The waters of the warm Red and healing Dead Seas splash here. And, finally, it is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the Arab world.
Jordan is a country with exceptional biological diversity. From pine-covered mountains, lush valleys, swampy lowlands and oases to the breathtaking landscapes of the Wadi Rum desert and the underwater world of the Red Sea, this is a land that has it all.
8 reasons to visit Jordan:
1) Swim in two seas: Red and Dead.
2) Visit the land where three world religions originated: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
3) Visit the original place where Jesus was baptized.
4) Visit the stunning Madaba, the "city of mosaics".
5) Climb Mount Nebo - the place from where God showed Moses the Promised Land.
6) Walk along Petra and visit the ancient city, located right inside the rock.
7) Enjoy the mystical "lunar landscape" of the Wadi Rum desert.
8) Jordan is the safest country in the Arab world.
Sightseeing tours to Jordan impress with the abundance of the rarest historical monuments and traditional hospitality. We recommend supplementing a tour to Jordan with a vacation at the world-famous resorts of the Dead and Red Seas.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra is the most amazing place in the Middle East and the pearl of Jordan. It is located 262 km south of Amman. The city is carved into pink rocks and has about 800 monuments.
Jerash , one of the best preserved provincial Roman cities, where you can see the temple of Zeus, the temple of Artemis, the Arch of Hadrian, numerous baths, three theaters, temples, a hippodrome, squares, fountains, walk along the centuries-old streets. Every year in July, the Jerash Festival of Culture and Art is held here.
Mount Nebo is mentioned in the Old Testament. It was from here that the prophet Moses saw the Promised Land. It is believed that he died and was buried here. A temple was erected over his burial, around which a monastery was later built. Unfortunately, the temple was not preserved, but the mosaics remained untouched by time. Mount Nebo is the highest point in the area, from where on a clear day you can see the Jordan Valley, the Judean Mountains, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem.
The Wadi Rum desert is an absolutely stunning place. Among the sand dunes, red-brown mountains rise, changing their color depending on the position of the sun. David Lean's film Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here. Climbers and safari lovers come here to take a jeep ride through the area, reminiscent of the world from children's fairy tales.
And, of course, you must visit Amman , the capital of Jordan, which is a unique mixture of old and new and is located in an ideal location - between the desert and the fertile parts of the Jordan Valley.
Official name : Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Capital: Amman.
Time: during most of the year it coincides with Belarusian. From April to October, the country switches to summer time - during this period, due to a mismatch in the dates of the transition, a short delay can be 1 hour.
Language : Arabic. In tourist areas, many people speak English, even people who speak Russian come across.
Climate : subtropical Mediterranean, dry. In the southern and central regions, deserts, semi-deserts and mountainous areas predominate, in which small oases are found. Average temperatures in January are from +8o C to +14o C, in July from +24o C to +30o C. Precipitation ranges from 100 to 700 mm. in year.
Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD), equal to 100 piastres and 1,000 fils. In circulation are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars and coins of 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 25 and 100 dinars. Fils are almost out of use, but 5, 10, 25, 100, 250 and 500 fils coins still have limited circulation. Banks are open from 08.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to 17.30 from Saturday to Thursday (the ticket office usually closes at 12.30). During Ramadan, most banks are open only from 08.30 to 10.00, although some large banks are open in the afternoon. Payment for goods and services usually takes place in dinars, foreign currency is almost never accepted for payment. Money can be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks and specialized exchange offices. Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted only in major tourist centers, hotels, ticket offices and large stores (the most common are American Express and Visa - accepted almost everywhere, Dinners Club is less widespread, cashing MasterCard cards is also often difficult, so it is better not to use them). In the interior of the country, it is almost impossible to pay with credit cards.
TransportA: Taxi is the most convenient way to get around. A white taxi is private, not very expensive, but be prepared for the fact that the driver will only speak Arabic, and other passengers will be added to your car along the way. Taxi yellow - official. It is also quite inexpensive, but much more reliable. You will be the only passenger. We recommend that you agree on the price in advance. You can also rent a car. Right-hand traffic, like ours. Road signs are written in Arabic and English. A driver's license valid in your country of permanent residence, obtained at least one year ago, is accepted. When driving, you must observe the speed limit. If you violate the rules of the road, you must unquestioningly obey the orders of the police to stop. It is not recommended to engage in polemics with police representatives. The fine is usually issued on the spot. Attempts to negotiate a reduction in the amount of the fine can have dire consequences.
Shops, shopping : wicker rugs from Madaba, bottles of multi-colored sand from Petra, olive wood crafts, ceramics and copper utensils, jewelry, Bedouin black silver jewelry and much more are usually brought from Jordan as souvenirs. You can buy cosmetics based on products from the Dead Sea, although you can also "pick up" it yourself on the shores of the Dead Sea. Shops are usually open from 09:30 to 13:30, then reopen at 15:30 and stay open until 18:00. Large stores (usually supermarkets) are open without interruption from 08:00 to 20:00. During Ramadan, most shops close early.
Cuisine, restaurants : mezze - a wide variety of snacks, which are quite enough to properly refresh yourself. Generally Jordanian cuisineis an integral part of the Arabic culinary tradition, while having many of its own characteristics. Local cuisine is not as spicy and spicy as it is commonly believed. Everywhere, mint, various greens and herbs, lemons in all forms, onions, pickled olives, pine nuts, etc. are added to food. Food in restaurants and cafes is inexpensive and is not fraught with intestinal infections. Alcoholic drinks of local and foreign production can be purchased at any time, except for Ramadan - the month of Muslim fasting. Very popular is locally produced Amstel beer, as well as wines from Jordan, Israel and other neighboring countries. We advise you to try arak - Arabic grape vodka diluted with water, as a result of which it acquires a thick milky color. Alcoholic drinks are sold in most city restaurants and bars all year round, except during Ramadan (although hotels sell alcohol during this period as well). In addition to bars and restaurants, alcoholic drinks are sold here in supermarkets and some shops.
Safety: Jordan is the most stable and secure Arab country in the Middle East. There is almost no crime, police patrols are often found on the streets of cities, but due to the great influence of tribal traditions, the Jordanians themselves maintain order in their village, so there are usually no difficulties in this matter. But still, you should be careful - do not leave things unattended and store valuables in the hotel safe. There are no restrictions on movement within the country. If you have a visa, no additional permits are required to move around the country. When traveling around the country, it is recommended that you always have your passport with you in case of a possible verification of documents. This is especially true of the areas bordering Israel with the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley and the Arava. Photographing people is allowed only with their consent, and strategic facilities (border points and airports) are prohibited. Photographic services and film are quite expensive, so it is better to bring the necessary stock of film with you.
While swimming in the Dead Sea, you need to protect your eyes: it is best to wear goggles for swimming in the pool, in extreme cases, sun protection will do - they will protect your eyes from accidental splashes. Water in Jordan is a valuable resource and tourists are asked to treat it with care. Hotels with three stars and above have their own filter systems and the water is considered drinkable. You can always buy bottled drinking water anywhere else. Tipping in Jordan is optional, but will always be greatly appreciated. In hotels and restaurants, you can simply add approximately 10% to the total bill.
Communications : The telephone country code is 962. Phones that start with 079 and 077 are mobile. When calling them, the caller is charged as for a long-distance call. In some hotels, a call to a mobile phone may be billed as a call abroad. In addition, most hotels charge for at least 3 minutes, which can be inconvenient if you need less time to talk, or if, for example, the person you called had an answering machine. Ambulance - 199. Police - 191. Rescue Service - 190.