pattyroth

We will be meeting up with a tour group in Amman but need to arrive a day or two earlier than the group. Any recommendations for hotel, dinner, and what to do for a day or two. (The group will go to Petra before Israel.)

trapsma

pattyroth: I took my grandson to Jordan last year on a General Tours trip. We stayed at the Golden Tulip Hotel the first few nights. We were very satisfied with it. Once you're at a hotel, and there are many many of them, you'll get all the help you'll need for places to eat and things to do. Actually, you can probably find out everything right on the internet, including a good hotel.

We went off on our own to do some shopping when we had a break and found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. One place on our tour was the ancient city of Philadelphia. Also, there are museums and the old shopping area.

The airport is a madhouse; I was glad we bought a meet-and-greet since we were exhausted from the very long trip. We had to use Jordanian dinars - only - for our Visas. Other than that, we would not have had to change money.

We also went to Petra as well as quite a few other places, including a swim in the Dead Sea. We had a great time as I'm sure you will.

kiwi_rob

A day trip to Jerash is worthwhile. Your tour may very well be going there though.

Elizabeth_S

I'd make a point of arriving two nights early and staying at the Dead Sea (less than an hour drive from the airport) - most especially at the Kempinski Ishtar Hotel - a drop dead gorgeous hotel (with a spa if you like that sort of thing). From there I'd arrange a driver/guide and visit Jerash (if not on your tour) and Bethany Beyond the Jordan (where Jesus was baptized - good for all religions or no religions).

Pics of the hotel here on our blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ea-bethan.html

southeastern

"We had to use Jordanian dinars - only - for our Visas. Other than that, we would not have had to change money."
Are you saying that in Jordan they will take U.S. dollars or that you used credit cards? Please explain as we will be heading to Jordan in Dec. Thanks!

Elizabeth_S

southeastern - when we arrived in Amman in January we used US dollars for our visa........

Kavey

Would second reco for a visit to Jerash if not already on your itinerary. We loved that!

Otherwise there are a number of "desert castles" that could be visited on a day trip from Amman. Interesting but not as interesting as Jerash or Petra.

Amman itself we found rather dull, I'm afraid.

trapsma

We had to use dinars for our Visas, but not for anything else in Jordan. In fact, I was sorry I bought any before we left the U.S., except for the Visas. There was an exchange machine right next to the Visa area. Perhaps U.S. dollars would have been accepted, but I was led to believe otherwise, and I saw no one using anything other than Jordanian currency at the Visa location.

The hotels at the Dead Sea are, indeed, quite elaborate. Our trip included Um Qais, Pella, Jurash, Madaba, Kerak, Mount Nebo, Petra, Wadi Rum, and a few out-of-the-way places.

southeastern

Ok, let me get this clear in my mind. Forget about the Visa and the type of money to get one. In Jordan, do they take US dollars at food, tourtist places and shops? Thanks!