Petra and Desert Fortresses (10 Days) 

     Arrive Amman and transfer to our hotel.

     The remains of a Hellenistic palace at Qasr al-Abd; then on to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, with a salt content of 33% - trying to swim here is a unique experience, and highly recommended at least once - but keep your mouth closed.

     Two Decapolis cities: Umm Qais (Gadara) on the edge of the Jordan River valley, from where there are views over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Jerash, best-preserved Roman city in the East, with its graceful and unique oval plaza, and very fine Classical architecture.

     Early citadel and museum of Amman; south down the King's Highway to the church at Mount Nebo. 6th century Madaba mosaic map. This schematic depiction of the Holy Land, with Jerusalem at the centre, has all sorts of lively detail indicating what life in town and country beside the River Jordan would have looked like then.

     The dramatic basalt city at Umm al-Jimal - even the doors are made of huge black slabs, and some of them still operate! The desert castles: Qasr Kharaneh and Azraq, with far-reaching views over the surrounding empty landscape; the hunting lodge at Amra which has remarkable painted baths.

     The mightly ruins of the Kerak crusader castle; the church of St Lot at Deir ‘Ain Abata, discovered following a search based on the Madaba map. The church was constructed in front of a natural cave which was believed to have been where Lot lived after his flight from Sodom and Gomorrah.

     All day in Petra. We recommend walking into the site, both for the sense of discovery and because there are so many interesting monuments in the Siq. The city and its tombs cover a huge area, all built into the richly coloured rock - it is called the ‘rose red city’ for good reason. There are two (optional) steepish climbs to the Nabatean ‘High Places’, which afford incredible views over the surrounding terrain.

     Another full day in Petra - take as long as you like - our hotel is very close to the entrance.

     The Neolithic site of Beidha, where prehistoric houses and the remains of one of the earliest religious sanctuaries can still be seen. Drive to Wadi Rum, where we take 4x4s through spectacular desert scenery, made famous by "Lawrence of Arabia". There are also several very fine rock art sites to be explored here, with carvings from very early times to the fairly recent past - this was how nomadic peoples left messages for each other.

     Return to Amman for flight home.