caitg

Hello

I am reasonably inexperienced as a traveller (my husband has done more) and have a 4 year old son. We want to go to Jordan and were planning to use a package from a local travel agent. Reading posts on the forum, I am wondering if it is feasible to be a bit more independent or whether we should just play it safe. Suggestions?

Elizabeth_S

Hi caitg - what do you mean by use a package - be on a tour with others in a bus? Or some packages are more independent - flights/cars/hotels?

We had a guide and driver in Jordan - easily could have rented a car and driven ourselves - roads are good, well marked, drivers are good - but we had a lot of fun with the driver.

We booked via Desert Horizons - an Amman based travel agency - highly recommend them including the driver Bashar Herzallah - here's a website

http://deserthorizon.net/tour_operator.html

caitg

Hi Liz

The package is one of those all inclusive things so I doubt there will be much opportuntity to be independent .. not our preference but I am very new to planning travel and am not sure how our 4 year old will take to it.

Thanks
Cait

sandi

Whether you contact Desert Horizon or another tour operator that handles Jordan, suggest you design your own itinerary with a guide/driver/vehicle.

Granted the roads in Jordan are good (there really aren't many... north/south, a few east/west), marked in English), and you can probably do a trip on your own, but having a guide/driver is helpful, educational and as Elizabeth mentions... can fun! Especially so if you have a little one.

Do verify the availability of child seats and seat belts, whether you rent on your own or using a tour operator's vehicle.

For some interesting "off-the-beaten-path" sites, the current issue of Conde Nast Travel (with Queen Rania at Jerash on the cover... great Elie Saab gown ) has article of these area, eco-lodges, nature reserves, walking, donkey travel... something that might be interesting and different.

I wouldn't suggest going with a group. Best to set your own schedule - where, how long, type of lodging; besides not everyone is thrilled to have a child (regardless the age) though I'm sure yours is wonderful!

Elizabeth_S

sandi - thanks for the heads up on CNT - I definitely want to read that article!

caitg

sandi - good thought about groups and children (I know what it is like to have other people's children around) and seat belts and thanks for the article suggestion.

katatonia - will have a look at your suggested tour operator as well.

Thank you

Momliz

The most important thing is your own comfort level - since you are inexperienced, the trip will be full of new and exciting things no matter what. Do a search here to get suggestions for good travel ops, and make sure you go with a smaller agency who will listen to you. And, do your research beforehand, so you have an idea of what is there, and what would be of interest to YOU, not someone else. When we were in Botswana, I was enthralled by the insects and the plants - the big 5 - Meh... Luckily our guide was happy to point out cool plants and bugs.

if you do go with a group, make sure it's small, but Sandi is right, as usual.

And, make sure you have A LOT of down time daily built in for your son - a couple of hours at least worked for me. He needs to chill. Stay in just a few places, a few nights each, so he (and you) are not subjected to a constant change of where to sleep.

And, have fun!!

thursdaysd

caitg - katatonia appears to be a shill for said tour operator, and the post has been removed. Suggest you give preference to Elizabeth's recommendation instead.

I'm going to Jordan independently, but I'm traveling solo. With a small child you might look into driving yourself.

caitg

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I am going to take your suggestions and do some much more thorough research on what we want to do and then look at how to do.

Thanks

Elizabeth_S

caitg - here is a link to our blog - lots of photos to give you an idea of the various sights to see

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l..._adv/d_jordan/

caitg

Flights booked .. Desert Horizons booked .. cannot wait until the 28th October when we arrive in Amman!

Thanks to all.