Want to go to Jordan but not sure where to start the research
 

All

We would like to go to Jordan in the Fall assuming the security/political situation is stable. Not sure where to start researching this trip. We are independent travelers and so I don't think a tour makes sense for us. I have combed through the forum posts on Jordan. Where else should I go? What book or books should I read?

Thanks so much
Taitai

Taitai,
We were in Jordan in April and I have been blogging about our trip. You may find some of the posts helpful. We had a week in Jordan after two weeks in Syria and Lebanon. The tripadvisor forum has lots of information and if well worth checking out. We rented a car and found this a great way to get around, it allows you to take the route you want to, for example there are no buses from the Dead Sea to Petra, though it's doable on public transport if you go back via Amman. We planned the entire trip ourselves booking the car and hotel directly.

I'm happy to answer questions about any of the places we visited; Petra, Dead Sea, Madaba and Jerash. We enjoyed our trip and would recommend three nights in Petra if you're keen on history, walking or ruins. Hopefully you'll find some of the blog posts helpful, or at least evocative of what you can expect from Jordan.

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/search/label/Jordan

I wrote a brief trip report on Fodors too.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...nd-lebanon.cfm

Hope this helps.

Have been a good guide like fodors.com others

your best place to Start.

travel.state.gov for a heads up on safety

Did not rent cars in dodgy countries expensive risky

Went with local driver guides from $50/half da

Worked well for me Pertra and the wadis/Bedouin stay

was the high point of my visit.

insuremytrip.com wise Otel.com best hotel values

afforabletours.com tucantravel.com good budget tours

not a bad way to go for newbies avoid "soft" targets

like bus train tourist cafes when traveling there...

Wonderful country though especially around Petra

RoseRed City Halfway Lost in Time my fav...

Happy Travels,

Thank you for the advice. I will start by checking out the blog. I believe I already read your report in my first pass of this forum.

I am very excited to plan this trip

taitai

I'd recommend the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet guidebooks. I wound up taking a tour, with a couple of days on my own in Madaba and Amman, but if you're willing to drive I think that would be the way to go. Public transport didn't look that useful, although public transport supplemented by taxis would be possible. (Click on my name for my TR.)

I recommend looking through the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet books also. I arranged my trip through Lady Egypt which then subcontracted it through Desert Horizon. They did a good job, but in hindsight, I think I could've easily arranged the Jerash, Mabada, and Petra portions myself, which would have been the way I preferred to travel.

Check out the Jordan Jubilee website for more helpful information.