Amman, Jerash & the North: Roman Cities, Castles & Desert Palaces

Today you explore the highlights of welcoming Amman. You visit the ancient Citadel atop a hill in the heart of the city, with its Roman Temple of Hercules, Umayyad palace, Byzantine church and sweeping views over the white stone hills of Amman, and the excellent Jordan Archaeological Museum. You explore the magnificent Roman theatre, carved into the hillside and still used for events, and the bustling downtown, with its souks, spice and gold markets, cafes and lively street life. You take in the warm, welcoming atmosphere and excellent food of this underrated capital, perhaps sampling the famous kunafa dessert. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored the ancient and modern layers of Amman. This evening, savour Amman's excellent food scene and warm atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to magnificent Jerash and the castle of Ajloun.

Today you explore the magnificent Roman city of Jerash and the castle of Ajloun. 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, passing beneath Hadrian's Arch, and exploring its grand temples of Zeus and Artemis and its theatres, marvelling at the scale and preservation of this ancient city and vividly imagining Roman life. You then visit the impressive Islamic castle of Ajloun, built by the forces of Saladin to guard against the Crusaders, exploring its towers and halls and taking in sweeping views over the green hills and the Jordan Valley. The combination of magnificent Roman city and historic castle is captivating. As the day ends, you return to Amman, having explored Jerash and Ajloun. This evening, savour Amman's warm atmosphere and food. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to Umm Qais and the north.

Today you explore the far north of Jordan, with its dramatic ruins and sweeping views. You journey to Umm Qais (ancient Gadara), a Greco-Roman city set on a high plateau in the green north, exploring its colonnaded streets, theatre, basilica and ruins, and taking in the remarkable views over the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Yarmouk gorge, three countries at once, a breathtaking vantage. You take in the beautiful green landscapes of the northern hills, with their olive groves and villages, so different from the desert south. You might also visit the Jordan Valley or other sites of the north. The dramatic ruins, sweeping views and green landscapes are captivating. As the day ends, you return to Amman, having explored the beautiful far north. This evening, savour Amman's warm hospitality. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the intriguing desert palaces.

Today you explore the intriguing desert palaces and the mosaics of Madaba. In the morning you journey east into the desert to explore the fascinating 'desert castles' of the Umayyads, early Islamic palaces and bathhouses including Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its remarkable frescoes, Qasr Kharana, and Qasr Azraq, associated with Lawrence of Arabia, gaining a rare glimpse into early Islamic art and life. In the afternoon you travel south to Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', seeing the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church, and ascend nearby Mount Nebo, where Moses gazed upon the Promised Land, with sweeping views. The combination of desert palaces, mosaics and biblical sites is fascinating. As the day ends, you return to Amman, having explored the desert palaces, mosaics and Mount Nebo. This evening, savour a final dinner in Amman, reflecting on your rich journey through northern Jordan. Rest well ahead of your departure.

After a final morning in Amman, perhaps a last exploration of the souks or a final excellent Jordanian breakfast, you are transferred to Queen Alia Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having explored the rich ancient cities, castles and landscapes of northern Jordan, welcoming Amman with its Citadel and Roman theatre, magnificent Jerash, the castle of Ajloun and the dramatic ruins of Umm Qais overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the intriguing desert palaces, and the mosaics of Madaba and Mount Nebo. The images stay vivid long after you land, the colonnades of Jerash, the sweeping view from Umm Qais, the frescoes of the desert palaces, and the ancient mosaic map of Madaba. Northern Jordan offers magnificent Roman cities, historic castles, intriguing desert palaces and warm hospitality in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this rich and welcoming land, perhaps next time to discover Petra and the desert of the south.