"Married to a Bedouin"--9 days/8 nights

This special edition of our World Heritage Tour gives you not only the very best of Jordan, but also the chance to share the experiences of Marguerite van Geldermalsen, the New Zealander who married and raised a family in the caves of Petra.  You can read Marguerite's story in Married to a Bedouin, and then accompany her on a very special journey through Petra. 

 

Want more?  Check out the terrific 3-night Sensation Amplification options outlined below.

 

Booking is simple--choose your hotel category, choose your add-ons and then head for our Reservation Form.  We'll get right back to you with your confirmation. 

 

Be sure and check out our Booking Terms and Conditions before signing up!

 

• Friday --Meet/assist at Queen Alia airport, Amman.  Transfer to Amman hotel for overnight.

• Saturday --Visit Um al Jimal, a haunting caravan outpost with impressive architectural features such as its iconic archways and the remains of some 14 Byzantine churches.  Drive on to Azraq, the oasis whose Roman fortress was later re-used as a winter headquarters by T. E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt of the early 20th Century.  Visit the Azraq Wetlands Reserve managed by the RSCN (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature)--a vital reclamation project which has begun to attract hundreds of migratory bird species back to their ancient migratory routes between Africa and Asia or Europe.  Stop for lunch at the RSCN's Azraq Lodge, a restored British Army hospital.  After lunch visit two of Jordan's famed "Desert Castles."  These structures scattered throughout Jordan were in fact Omayyad hunting lodges built during the 8th Century.  Qasr Amra, one of Jordan's World Heritage Sites, has a frescoed vault roof and bathhouse.  Qasr Kharanah, a more formidable structure, displays the "hidden within the walls" structural style well suited to the heart of the desert.  Return to Amman for overnight.  [BL] 

• Sunday--Drive to Jerash for a tour of the world's best-preserved Roman provincial city.  In the Jerash Hippodrome, see the exciting RACE (Roman Army and Chariot Experience) show.  Descend to the Dead Sea, lowest point on the Earth's surface, for a swim in the buoyant mineral-rich waters of the world's oldest spa.  Lunch at the Dead Sea hotel, and then drive south to Petra for overnight.  This evening you'll meet Marguerite van Geldermalsen, whose slide show "The Life and the Love in the Ancient City of Petra" gives you a fascinating preview of things to come.  [BL]

• Monday--Full day touring in Petra, including horseback entry, visits to the Treasury, Theater, Colonnaded Street and ad-Deir, Petra's largest carved facade.  Ready for more?  Join the "Petra by Night" tour from the Petra Visitors' Center for a romantic candle light stroll through the Siq to the Treasury.   [BL]

• Tuesday--Return to Petra with Marguerite as your special guide.  She'll share her experiences living as one of the Petra Bedouins while pointing out the cave where she and her husband lived, the clinic she operated for the area Bedouins and the spot where she had a traditional Bedouin wedding in 1978.  In the evening, join the fun at the Petra Kitchen as you learn to cook a traditional local meal.  Overnight Petra.   [BLD]

• Wednesday--Final visit to Petra by the "secret road" route.  Visit the High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasa and the Royal Tombs.  In the afternoon, drive to Wadi Rum for a jeep tour of the moonscape terrain.  Dinner and overnight camping in the heart of the desert.   [BD]

• Thursday--Breakfast at campsite.  Drive to Um ar-Risas, Jordan's newest World Heritage Site, to tour this fascinating site which includes one of Jordan's most spectacular mosaics in the St. Stephen Church as well as a Stylite Tower, one of those iconic landmarks which once housed an early Christian hermit/preacher.  Visit Mt. Nebo, the site from which Moses viewed the Promised Land.  Arrive to Madaba for dinner at the renowned Haret Jdoudna restaurant, and overnight in Madaba.  [BLD] 

• Friday--Spend the day exploring Madaba, an archbishopric during the Byzantine era and home to the world's largest collection of ancient mosaics.  You'll visit the Madaba Archaeological Park, St. George Church, Madaba Museum and Apostles' Church.  You may even find time to sit and drink a friendly glass of sweet tea as you bargain with one of the town's rug merchants.  Overnight Madaba.  [B] 

• Saturday--Transfer to Queen Alia airport for your departure flight.  [B] Or customize your program by adding on one or more of the "Sensation Amplification" extensions outlined below!

 

 

Departure dates:  25 September 2009.   5 March 2010.  (Fall 2010 program will be announced shortly!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-night/4-day "Sensation Amplification" options

• Red Sea Amplifier--Add three nights in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba after your journey to Wadi Rum.

• Dead Sea Amplifier--Indulge your senses with three nights at a 5* resort hotel on the Dead Sea. 

• Damascus Amplifier--Spend three nights (Friday-Sunday)  in Damascus, arguably the world's oldest city and unquestionably one of the most fascinating.  You'll travel from Madaba to Damascus after your Madaba tour on Friday.  The trip includes a full-day guided tour of Damascus including the Omayyad Mosque, National Museum, Straight Street, Ananias Church, the Azem Palace and the Hammadieh Souk.  You'll also try an authentic Turkish Bath, and may choose to sign up for an excursion to Palmyra or Krak des Chevaliers.  On Sunday, you'll visit the ancient city of Bosra before returning to Jordan and a final night in Madaba. 

• Jerusalem Amplifier--(Saturday-Tuesday)  Following your tour, cross the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem early Saturday for three nights just outside the walls of the Old City.  You'll have a free day (Saturday) to explore the narrow cobbled streets on your own, and then you'll join a guided coach tours  to visit to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, as well as another guided coach tour to visit Nazareth, Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes and the Sea of Galilee (Sunday and Monday).  Tuesday morning, back to Jordan for your departure connection (mid-day departure of later), or book a final night in Madaba or Amman before your departure.

 

Detailed itineraries and prices for each of these options can be found on the Sensation Amplification page.