Jordan & the Holy Sites: Mosaics, Mount Nebo & the Baptism Site

Today you explore the magnificent Roman city of Jerash and the highlights of Amman. You journey north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, walking its colonnaded Cardo, standing in its vast oval forum, and exploring its grand temples, theatres and arches, vividly imagining Roman life. Returning to Amman, you explore the highlights of the capital, the ancient Citadel atop a hill, with its Roman Temple of Hercules, Umayyad palace and sweeping views, the magnificent Roman theatre, and the bustling downtown souks. You might also visit the charming Ottoman town of As-Salt nearby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The combination of magnificent Roman ruins and living capital is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour Amman's excellent food and warm atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you follow the biblical sites to the Dead Sea.

Today you follow the biblical heritage of Jordan to the Dead Sea. You visit Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', seeing the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church and its other beautiful mosaics. You ascend Mount Nebo, where Moses gazed upon the Promised Land, taking in the sweeping view over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, and the beautiful memorial church. You descend to Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, revered as the site of Jesus's baptism, walking through the peaceful site to the ancient baptism pools and the river Jordan, a deeply moving experience. As the day ends, you settle into your Dead Sea resort, having followed profound biblical sites. Relax this evening by the Dead Sea, perhaps with a first float in the mineral-rich water and a spectacular sunset, reflecting on the moving sites of the day. Rest well amid the stark beauty of the desert shore.

Today you enjoy the Dead Sea and its biblical surroundings. You might visit Machaerus (Mukawir), the dramatic hilltop fortress of Herod, where, according to tradition, John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded, with sweeping views over the Dead Sea and desert, or Lot's Cave, associated with the biblical story of Lot. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your beautiful Dead Sea resort, floating effortlessly in the warm, mineral-rich water, coating yourself in the famous therapeutic black mud, indulging in the mineral spa, and soaking up the sun and the stark beauty of the desert shore, whose healing waters have drawn people since biblical times. The combination of biblical history and blissful relaxation is lovely. As the sun sets over the Dead Sea, you savour the beautiful setting. Relax this evening by the sea. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to rose-red Petra.

Today you journey to Petra along the ancient, scenic King's Highway. You travel through beautiful landscapes, perhaps stopping at the great Crusader castle of Kerak, dramatically set on a hilltop with its dungeons and halls, and taking in the dramatic Wadi Mujib gorge, the 'Grand Canyon of Jordan', and beautiful desert vistas along the ancient road. You arrive at Petra in the afternoon, settling into your hotel near the ancient city. This evening, if it is a Petra by Night evening, you might experience the magical candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury, an enchanting experience. As the day ends, you rest near the rose-red city, filled with anticipation of exploring one of the wonders of the world tomorrow. Relax this evening near Petra, savouring the beauty of the ancient landscapes and the anticipation of Petra. Rest well, ready to enter the rose-red city.

Today you explore the extraordinary ancient city of Petra, one of the wonders of the world. You enter through the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge over a kilometre long, which opens dramatically upon the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra's most famous monument, its magnificent facade carved into rose-red sandstone, an unforgettable first sight. You explore the vast ancient Nabatean city, the Street of Facades, the Roman theatre, the Royal Tombs, the colonnaded street and temples, and, for the energetic, climb to the great Monastery (Ad-Deir) or the High Place of Sacrifice, with breathtaking views. The scale, artistry and mystery of Petra are overwhelming, a spectacular counterpoint to the biblical sites, and your guide brings its history vividly to life. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, awed by the rose-red city. This evening, savour a final dinner near Petra, reflecting on your moving journey through Jordan. Rest well ahead of your departure.

After a final morning near Petra, you journey to the airport for your onward international departure (via Amman's Queen Alia Airport, or nearby Aqaba). You leave having followed the profound biblical and ancient heritage of Jordan, the mosaics of Madaba and Mount Nebo where Moses gazed upon the Promised Land, the baptism site on the river Jordan, magnificent Jerash, the float in the Dead Sea, and the rose-red city of Petra, all warmed by legendary Jordanian hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the ancient mosaic map, the sweeping view from Mount Nebo, the peaceful baptism site, and the Treasury glowing at the end of the Siq. Jordan offers profound biblical significance, extraordinary ancient sites and genuine warmth in abundance, and you depart deeply moved, already reflecting on a moving and rewarding journey through the holy and ancient heart of Jordan.