quote:

Originally posted by Fleet Foot:
Chech,
We only had two full days in Amman. On the first day we did a city tour that included the hilltop Citadel, Roman Theater, and Archaeological Museums. We then visited the Dead Sea. Floating in the Dead Sea was a different experience. If your not careful the salt water will really burn your eyes. Our second full day we took an optional excursion to Jerash and Ajun Castle. The Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash were much better than we expected. I highly recommend visiting Jerash.

Only drink, brush your teeth, ect. with bottled water. Amman seemed like a modern city. we felt very safe in Jordan at all times.

Ohai!

The tour with Insight includes Jerash! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to it. We do it enroute to Petra, with a stop at Mt. Nebo and Madaba as well. On our return day, we get a city tour.

So, that leaves the Dead Sea which would be ideal since it's likely to be dark by the time we get there on the Israel portion of the tour. Some of the reviews of the Jordan half-day trip to the Dead Sea did not have a high opinion of the lunch stop or the condition of the beach and change rooms. Did you find that as well?

Thanks!!

quote:

Originally posted by Chech:

Ohai!

The tour with Insight includes Jerash! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to it. We do it enroute to Petra, with a stop at Mt. Nebo and Madaba as well. On our return day, we get a city tour.

So, that leaves the Dead Sea which would be ideal since it's likely to be dark by the time we get there on the Israel portion of the tour. Some of the reviews of the Jordan half-day trip to the Dead Sea did not have a high opinion of the lunch stop or the condition of the beach and change rooms. Did you find that as well?

Thanks!!

Chech,
I don't think most tour companies spend more than a day to sight see Amman. It's more of a jumping point to get to Jerash and Petra. We also unexpectedly visited Wadi Rum which is very worth while.

For us the Dead Sea was just ok but was interesting because we could float with no effort. The area is kind of desolate. It's not a place where you would swim. They advise you not to be in the water very long (not sure if it was about 15, or 20 minutes). This is not your typical beach resort. There are no boats in the water. It is a very dead body of water. We weren't on an Insight Tour so we may have stopped at a different resort. The resort we stopped at was nice and had a nice pool and change rooms. The only real reason to go to the Dead Sea is to experience floating without any effort.

quote:

Originally posted by Fleet Foot:
Chech,
I don't think most tour companies spend more than a day to sight see Amman. It's more of a jumping point to get to Jerash and Petra. We also unexpectedly visited Wadi Rum which is very worth while.

For us the Dead Sea was just ok but was interesting because we could float with no effort. The area is kind of desolate. It's not a place where you would swim. They advise you not to be in the water very long (not sure if it was about 15, or 20 minutes). This is not your typical beach resort. There are no boats in the water. It is a very dead body of water. We weren't on an Insight Tour so we may have stopped at a different resort. The resort we stopped at was nice and had a nice pool and change rooms. The only real reason to go to the Dead Sea is to experience floating without any effort.

Yeah. In Israel, we stay one night at a resort at the other end of the Dead Sea, but arrive late. Even if we get time for a dip then, I think I'll still go for the half day Dead Sea visit from Amman. That would only leave me with a few hours to occupy on my free day in Amman and since the hotel is downtown, I should be able to do some walking too.

Thanks!! The information has been very helpful!!

HAH Brenda! Yes it's been many years since we were at Chichen Itza and at that time you could still climb the pyramid. I knew that was no longer the case. Too bad too, because the view from the top was awesome!

My favorite country is australia. Although I am born in Australia and have travelled to many countries, I still love Australia as I love the way of life here and the open spaces. I love the beaches,the ocean, the great barrier reef, the hills,the farms,the clean air,the availability of jobs and the friendly people.I also love how safe it is,the lack of pickpockets and the multiculturalism.Its great that I have the choice of restaurants from all ethnicity and how all the races live peacefully in this country

fifi

It is a dream of mine, possibly never to be realized, to go to your gorgeous country.

fifi,

Australia and New Zealand are at the top of our bucket list after we complete our trip to India.

Going to Australia and New Zealand is a dream of mine too! Hopefully realized sooner rather than later!

It will be nice to have all of you visit us in Australia. You are always welcome to visit us. Spring is a good time for Teseelar Tulip Farm in Silvan Victoria (normally from September to mid October) or for wildflowers in Western Australia.Summer is a good time for swimming,going to the beach in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria,doing a bush walk across Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, going to movies under the stars, Autumn is a good time to visit Victoria with the multicoloured leaves, falling leaves, long lunches in wineries,italian meals in Lygon st,vietnamese meals in victoria st, richmond,Winter is a good time for exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne,visiting Cairns,Darwin and the Gold Coast, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and visiting Kakadu National Park and Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory.Please feel free to ask any questions

Picking one country is not easy.

Egypt - spectacular history of an ancient civilisation
Italy - the food, the people, Rome's ancient forum, Venice, Florence, Pompeii
New Zealand - incredible natural beauty
Hong Kong - sultry & exotic
China - East meets west with millions of people
USA - the vastness of LA and the compactness of Manhattan
Canada - the splendour of Niagara
Bali - steamy & aromatic; exotic
England - orderly and proper
Spain - nice people & laid back
France - everything about Paris, Cote d'Azur, Provence, Avignon, Bordeaux, the food
Singapore - cleanliness
Malaysia - equatorial Asia at its best
Monaco - dripping in wealth
Vatican City - treasures of the museum, Sistine Chapel, St Peters
Australia - my country, so vast with natural wonders that a liftime isn't long enough to take it all in

I'd have to make this a 3-way tie between Egypt, France & Italy.

Oz_Traveller, that is a very comprehensive description of so many countries. I will have to add that in France you see so many beautiful Chateaux, as well as the magestic Pyrenees mountains and I love France.

USA is also the Grand Canyon, the beautiful New England state and Disneyland too of course

England has its castles and stately homes but there is no place better than Australia,and the incredible Great Barrier Reef and the great outback !!

Have to agree. Australia has so much to offer:
Snorkelling amongst the fish on the Great Barrier Reef (guys were throwning fish food over me, attracting hundreds of fish).
Penguin Parade at Phillip Island
Seeing the Aurora Australis (southern lights) south of Tasmania
Holding a Quokka at Rottnest Island
The 12 Apostles at Port Campbell
Going on a horse drawn tram at Victor Harbour SA
The serenity of fishing at Mallacoota
Horse riding at the Great Aussie Resort, Albury
Taking a spa at Daylesford
The Gold Coast hinterland
The Sunshine Coast
Daintree Rainforest
Seeing the blackest sky and the brightest stars hundreds of kilometres from civilisation

Yes, this is God's own earth.

Haven't seen the Grand Canyon but will do one day. Disneyland California was great, as was Unoversal Studios.

I should have added Fiji to my list of destinations - a magnificent paradise.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Traveller:
Seeing the blackest sky and the brightest stars hundreds of kilometres from civilisation

Yes, this is God's own earth.

Growing up in the bush, this I totally agree with

Seems you've been everywhere man Don't forget the uniquness of Coober Pedy, and those underground houses !!

Haven't quite been everywhere really. Coober Pedy is on the list for a trip sometime. I've seen photos of those underground dwellings and they are quite amazing.

Next year we're touring Europe (Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, France). Then a brief stay in Korea on the way home. Once the travel bug hits, it really takes over!

I guess the most favourite country is `home`! Because we all keep returning there !