DAY 02: JERASH / AJLOUN / DINNER WITH A LOCAL FAMILY / AMMAN
After breakfast at the hotel we head north of Amman for a 45mn drive to the city of Jerash, the best preserved example of Roman civilization. Jerash, part of the Decapolis (the ten big Roman cities of the East) has been called the Pompeii of the East for its unique state of preservation. The city features theaters, churches, temples (Zeus and Artemis), a Nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. After our visit, we proceed to the Saracen castle at Ajlun. This 12th century castle was built by Saladin in his successful campaign to drive the Crusaders from Jordan in 1189 and represents an outstanding example of Arab/Islamic military architecture. Lunch will be served in Jerash at the Lebanese House Restaurant. After lunch, we drive back to Amman to get ready for our dinner with a local Jordanian family. Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Hotel (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 03: AMMAN / DEAD SEA
After breakfast, we start our city tour of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Often referred to as the "White City" due to the white stone material used to build houses, Amman offers a contrast between oriental and cosmopolitan. Highlights of our tour include the museums, the Citadel, the amphitheater, the souks and the modern part of town. The tour will also feature a visit to DARAT Al-Funun Art Gallery. Darat al Funun is a home for the Arts and the artists of Jordan and the Arab world. Also included is a visit to Zalatimo sweets shop where we will have a chance to experience the taste of the original Arabic sweets. Our City Tour ends with a visit to Wild Jordan Café for lunch. Wild Jordan Café is an attempt from the ATICO group to create a food outlet that offers a unique product in conjunction with communal and charity work. It is a partnership with the Royal society for the Conservation of Nature RSCN. After lunch, we will proceed to the Dead Sea for a swim in the salty waters of this lowest spot on earth. Free afternoon at the Dead Sea for swimming and relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Dead Sea Movenpick Hotel (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 04: DEAD SEA / MADABA / Mt.NEBO / KERAK / PETRA
Today we will leave the Dead Sea to Petra via the Kings' Road. En route, we visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of Saint George's Church. Madaba, or Medeba in antiquity, features many famous mosaics that exist in public and private buildings. The trip to Madaba will also include a visit to Madaba Mosaic School envisioned by the Franciscan Father Michele Piccirillo and established in 1991 with the Jordanian, American, Italian, and Canadian governments' technical and financial support. The modern Mosaic School aims to perpetuate an ancient tradition of workmanship peculiar to the town of Madaba. In Art History books the "School of Madaba" is known for producing magnificent mosaics during the Byzantine Period (5th-7th cent. A.D.). The new Mosaic School of Madaba already had given its contribution to the restoration of many ancient mosaics and is renown because of the quality of its accomplishments. Lunch will be served at the Haret Jdoudna Restaurant in Madaba. We then take a short drive to Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Here Franciscans have built a structure that protects a 4th and 6th Century Byzantine church. After visiting this site, we will continue on via the scenic canyons of Wadi Mujib (Arnon's Valley in the Bible) to reach the Crusader castle at Kerak. This 12th Century hill top fortress features galleries, towers, chapels and ramparts that recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. Then we head to Petra for check in and dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Petra Movenpick Hotel. (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 05: FULL DAY TOUR OF PETRA
After breakfast, we depart for a full day tour of Petra, the soul-stirring and rose-red city, a Jordanian national treasure designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Petra was an ancient Nabataean capital and was settled by Arab traders more than 2,000 years ago. Petra's unique location enabled the Nabataeans to dominate the ancient Arabian trade routes, and the city became wealthy from the tolls it levied on the caravans that sheltered there with their precious cargoes of spices, silks, ivory and animal hides. In the ancient world, Petra was renowned for its refined culture, massive architecture, and ingenuous system of dams and water channels. In the years following the Emperor Trajan's annexation of Petra, the city declined and slipped into obscurity until it was "discovered" in 1812 by a Swiss traveler. Excavations that revealed the astounding workmanship and the incredible ruins at Petra did not begin until 1924, and continue to reveal more information about the Nabataean Kingdom. Petra still forms part of the domain of the Bedouin, and you will see them with their horses and camels as you begin your unforgettable trip into this cultural landmark. After passing tombs outside the city, we come to the "Siq", an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone almost one half mile long. This winding fissure separates overhanging cliffs that appear to meet 300 feet overhead. Near the end of the passage, the Siq makes one last turn with great style, and out of the gloom Petra's most impressive monument Al Khazneh (The Treasury) appears in the towering brightness. One of the most elegant remains of antiquity, out of the, Al Khazneh is nearly 140 feet high and was carved from the mountain's solid rock in the First Century B.C. Originally used as a Namataean king's tomb, scholars believe Al Khazneh was later used as Nabataean temple. Film buffs will recognize it from its starring role in the final scenes of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Beyond el Khazneh you are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's curved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a curved Roman theater (seating 3,000), large and small houses, burial chambers, banquet halls, water channels and reservoirs, bathes, monumental staircases, cultic installations, markets, arched gates, public buildings and paved streets. Lunch will be served at the Basin Restaurant inside Petra. After lunch, transfer back to the hotel in Petra. Tonight's dinner will be at the Petra Kitchen where we will have a chance to learn Arabic cooking accompanied by our chef. The evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. This opportunity gives you an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant. Overnight in Petra.
Accommodation: Petra Movenpick Hotel. (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 06: PETRA / WADI RUM / AMMAN
In the morning we depart to the magical desert of Wadi Rum, home of "Lawrence of Arabia". Upon arrival, we will enjoy a mint tea at the Rest house before we ride our jeeps for a trip to the moon-like landscaped desert. There, we take a long walk in the desert accompanied by our local English speaking Bedouin guide who will share the history of Wadi Rum. Lunch will be served at the Dissi Camp in Wadi Rum. We then return back via the Desert Highway to Amman. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Hotel. (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 07: AMMAN FREE DAY
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. Your guide will suggest a few activities.

DAY 08: AMMAN / QUEEN ALIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Afer breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back home. Assistance with all boarding formalities.(B)