Journeying through Jordan

Abdallah was brilliant. He made the trip, from sharing his wealth of knowledge about Jordan to getting us into places that tourists aren't usually allowed in. 

This was my first group tour, and found it much easier compared to backpacking, because everything is handled for you, from getting picked up at the airport to following pre-planned itineraries. It meant I could focus on the destination rather than battling the logistics. 

Abdallah also trains other tour leaders, so he really knows his stuff. I'm not surprised that he was named as Explore's Tour Leader of the Year 2023. 

The trip is described as having a full-on pace, which I'd say is accurate. While we spent two full days (three nights) in Petra, we spent the rest of the trip in a different destination each day. Over the course of nine days, we went snorkelling in Aqaba, explored ancient sites (like the citadel in Jerash), relaxed at a traditional Hammam spa and floated in the Dead Sea. 

In Wadi Rum, we rode in an open-top 4x4 vehicle that took us around the desert to see ancient inscriptions and beautiful viewpoints. In our free time, we visited cave bars, made the most of the hotel's rooftop pool (in Aqaba) and went shopping for souvenirs and street food. 

The food in Jordan was incredible. I'm vegetarian but there was enough variety of things to eat, including lots of falafel and hummus. We mostly tucked into buffet-style meals, with lots of mezze options including salads, fresh bread, meats, grains, vegetables and rice. 

I particularly loved the falafel from the street food stalls in downtown Amman. The smells, sights and sounds of this area all came together to create a vibrant atmosphere. 

One thing I will say is that Jordan is a safe country to visit. Everyone was very friendly and, as a solo female traveller, I felt safe exploring by myself, particularly in downtown Amman. 

I learned that Jordan views itself as something like the "Switzerland of the Middle East", as they want to stay neutral with the dreadful conflict happening around the area at the moment.

1. Falafel: Lose yourself in the bustling souks of downtown Amman, where you'll easily be tempted by numerous falafel stands. 
2. Zarb: Zarb is a traditional Bedouin cooking style, where meat (usually chicken or goat) is barbecued in an underground pit. In Wadi Rum, it was cooked beneath the desert sand.
3. Mezze: Mezze is a popular eating style in Jordan. Jordanian mezze consists of hot and cold dishes and usually accompany a main dish. 
4. Baklava: Tuck into honey-soaked layers of pastry which are typically filled with pistachio or almonds. This traditional sweet food plays an important role in celebrations, such as Eid.
5. Seafood: In the southern port city of Aqaba, you can enjoy freshly caught fish (grilled or fried).