2 Best Sights in Side Trips from Amman, Jordan

The most important mosaic to see in Madaba is housed here, also called the Church of the Map. Spread across part of the church floor, the mosaic, which dates from about the sixth century AD is a map of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, the mountains of Moab, Palestine, Jerusalem, Bethlem, Egypt, and the Nile that dates from the time of Justinian. Most of the places on the map are important cities and the sites of events from the Old Testament. The tiles are in shades of red, green, blue, brown, violet, and yellow, set against a backdrop of white limestone.

This Hippodrome experience is not to be missed. It might sound cheesy but the presentation, in which about 25 men dressed in full gladiator regalia explain how and why gladiators fought is entertaining, educational, and interactive—much more than just a reenactment. The small museum at Jerash is informative, too, with good English signage; admission is included.