My husband and I have been traveling for 6 months (since August 2021). We have 2 weeks between a week guided tour in Israel at the end of March and Rick Steves Tour of Turkey in mid April. We have to choose a non-schengen country for those two weeks. I've heard wonderful things about Jordan, but would feel more comfortable with a tour or tour guide to get around the country and make the most of our time in Jordan. Suggestions? Our other options for non-Schengen are the UK or Romania. We are hesitant about UK because of Covid.....but maybe by early April it will be better (wishful thinking?). Croatia is off the list of non-schengen also because we will have used up all 90 days we can stay in Croatia during a 180 day period.
Thanks!
Posted by
Inlet Beach, FL
130 posts
Lucky you! Have you had any issues getting COVID tests for entry into countries?
You will find some good info on Jordan on another thread that is fairly recent. We used Jordan Select Tours. I would recommend them. Visiting Petra was one of the highlights of my 40 years of travel and I really liked Jordan. We crossed into Jordan from Israel by getting a shuttle (sherut) from an alley behind the Golden Walls hotel across from the Damascus Gate. Purchase a Jordan Pass and it will include the VISA (from Jordan Select Tours). The whole thing sounded complicated to me, but wasn't that way. The shared taxi (sherut) takes you to the border, you get on another bus and go through security and then your tour driver from Jordan Select will meet you. I was a wreck (needlessly) about missing him but they are well aware of the time it may take to get there and get through security. When we return one day, I'd include Aqaba.
Posted by
TX, USA
4048 posts
This was my thread asking for thoughts on a week in Jordan. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/jordan-in-a-week
My situation is a little different in that my dates aren’t flexible so I was NOT looking for a tour. I had originally intended to go in Feb but for reasons (having nothing to do with Jordan) I am now scheduled for the last part of April and I will be there 8 nights and found that 9 or 10 would have been more relaxed but interesting.
Basically what I decided is to plan my own trip, make my own lodging arrangements, and hire a driver. I have had offers from several of my hotels and will either hire one for the whole trip or piecemeal it together if that seems better. I don’t feel like the latter will be a problem - and the first option just sounds easier.
You have other issues like the 48 hr testing in order to join the RS tour, if that will still be required. And I feel like you probably have insurance for the eventuality that you test positive in Jordan and have to miss your RS tour.
I arrive late afternoon and will stay: 2 nights near Dead Sea; 1 night Wadi Rum (2 would have been nicer); 2 nights Petra; 3 nights Amman ( with the drive from Petra, and a day trip to Jerash 4 would have been nice).
Posted by
Texas
59 posts
Egypt and Beyond Travel put together a beautiful itinerary for me. Jordan is a very special trip. There is no way to describe Petra. You must go!!
Posted by
OP
port orange, fl, usa
16 posts
Thanks for your comments and suggestions for Tour Guides. I am becoming more excited about a visit to Jordan. I definitely want to visit Petra for 2 days and stay 2 nights in Wadi Rum.
Kathy W: You asked about getting Covid tests while traveling. So far, we've only had to get a test one time and that was traveling from the Republic of Ireland to Portugal (that was in September 2021). We have been traveling from one EU country to another and our Covid Vaccination passport was all we needed. There seem to be quite a few places to get tests in most larger cities. We check requirements going into countries frequently, especially as we are preparing to leave one country and go into another because the situation and requirements can change quickly from country to country and region to region within a country. A good app that is updated often is Re-Open EU.