ESCORTED TOUR THE KINGDOM OF

W I T H NICOLA HOWARD & WARWICK BALL

13 – 23 MARCH 2020

The Treasury, Petra

THE ULTIMATE COMPANY ESCORTED TOURS

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN WITH NICOLA HOWARD & WARWICK BALL 13 – 23 MARCH 2020

CONTACT Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant DIRECT LINE 020 7386 4682 TELEPHONE 020 7386 4620 EMAIL [email protected]

NICOLA HOWARD Nicola has a degree in History of Art and a background in fine art and photography. Having lived in Paris, Barcelona and Rome, she speaks fluent French, Spanish and Italian and has specialised in these countries, as well as in Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East.

WARWICK BALL Warwick is a Near Eastern archaeologist and author who spent over twenty-five years carrying out excavations, architectural studies and monumental restoration throughout the Middle East and adjacent regions, having lived, worked and travelled in most countries between the Mediterranean and China. He excavated in , Libya, Ethiopia, , and Jordan, where he worked on architectural conservation and restoration at Jerash. He is author of many books and articles on the history and archaeology of the region, including the award-winning Rome in the East: The Transformation of an Empire (2nd edition 2016).

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 2

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

QUALITY OF SERVICE We like to think that our success has been built on a simple formula - to deliver a high standard of service before, during and after each , a duty of care and commitment to you, and value for money. We aim to be totally flexible in our approach, as this allows us to create the holiday that you want and one that is easy and enjoyable to plan.

However, if you feel that there are areas in which we could improve our service to you, please do not hesitate to contact either our Managing Director Nick Van Gruisen, or Executive Director Rowan Paterson, on 020 7386 4646. You can also email them: [email protected] [email protected]

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 3

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

DETAILED ITINERARY

Few countries are as richly blessed as the small desert kingdom of Jordan, with its magnificent archaeological remains and breath-taking desert and mountain scenery. Guided by Warwick Ball, this illuminating tour examines the country’s fascinating history and explores its greatest ancient sites.

The tour begins in the finely preserved Roman city of Jerash, and Amman, a fantastic blend of ancient and modern. We continue to Madaba with its Byzantine churches and exquisite mosaics, followed by Mount Nebo from where Moses surveyed the Promised Land. We then follow the ancient King’s Highway south to the great Crusader Castle at Kerak before reaching Petra. Here we visit one of the most spectacular sites in the Middle East – the rock-hewn ‘rose red’ city of Petra. We spend a night in the awe-inspiring desert and rock landscape of Wadi Rum, before ending our journey with a relaxing day by the Dead Sea.

Hadrian’s Arch Temple, Jerash Mosaic in St George’s Church, Madaba

DAY 1: FRIDAY, 13 MARCH LONDON / AMMAN

Suggested flight (not included in the cost of the tour) British Airways flight departing London Heathrow at 15.05hrs arriving in Amman at 22.15hrs. On arrival private transfer to the centrally located Intercontinental , where four nights are spent. Light snacks will be provided on arrival.

DAY 2: SATURDAY, 14 MARCH AMMAN & JERASH

Morning tour of Amman, visiting some of the city’s ancient ruins and buildings, such as on Citadel Hill – one of the seven jabals (hills) that originally made up Amman – the Temple of Hercules Temple and the Umayyad Palace. Visit the Roman theatre and museum in the lower part of Amman. Continue to visit the Jordan Museum hosting the country’s most important archaeological findings. Time permitting, visit the

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 4

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

Darat Al Funun, a cultural centre for arts and artists from the Arab World. Transfer north to Jerash, one of the best examples in the Middle East of a Roman provincial city which is remarkably well-preserved.

Lunch at the Lebanese House . This afternoon walk through original temples, theatres, plazas, and colonnaded streets, all enclosed within the remaining city walls. Return to Amman. Dinner at Jafra Café and Restaurant.

DAY 3: SUNDAY, 15 MARCH AMMAN, MADABA, MT NEBO & BETHANY

This morning drive south to Mount Nebo, mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land, and climb to the very top to take in its spectacular views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Continue to Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics, famous for its large Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land on the floor of St. George’s Church, depicting all the major biblical sites of the Middle East.

Lunch at Haret Jdoduna restaurant, serving traditional Jordanian home-made dishes. Return to Amman for an afternoon at leisure. Dinner at Fakhr el Din, one of the best in Amman.

St. George’s Church, Madaba Qasr Amra

DAY 4: MONDAY, 16 MARCH AMMAN & QASR AL-HALLABAT

Drive east to visit three desert castles. Heading north-east we come to Qasr al-Hallabat, originally a Roman Fortress, constructed under Emperor Caracalla to protect its inhabitants from Bedouin tribes. The site dates to the second and third century AD, although there is evidence of Nabatean presence. Continue to Hamman as-Srah.

Lastly, we visit Qasr Amra, considered to be one of the most important examples of early Islamic art and architecture; this desert castle was built early in the 8th century, sometime between 723 and 743 by Wallid Ibn Yazid, the future Umayyad Caliph Walid II.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 5

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner in the hotel’s well-known Burj Al Hamam restaurant.

DAY 5: TUESDAY, 17 MARCH AMMAN / KERAK / SHOBAK / PETRA

Drive (with luggage) south to the Wadi Mujib, the biblical Arnon Stream, a dramatic river canyon in Jordan which enters the Dead Sea approximately 420 metres below sea level. Continue to Kerak to visit the magnificent 12th century Crusader fortress built by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem in AD 1142 and featured in legendary battles between the Crusaders and the Islamic armies of Saladin.

Lunch in Kerak, before continuing to the ruins of the early 12th century Shobak Castle, formally known as ‘Mons Regalis,’ named in honour of the king’s own contribution to its construction. Continue along the Desert Highway to Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check into the Mövenpick Petra, where three nights are spent. This hotel is located next to the entrance to Petra. Dinner in the hotel.

The Crusader Fortress of Kerak Temple in Little Petra, Siq al Barid

DAY 6: WEDNESDAY, 18 MARCH PETRA

Full day’s sightseeing at Petra. Hewn from towering rust-coloured rock in the valleys of the Shara Mountains, Petra is testament to the prosperity of the Nabataeans. Walk or horse ride through this narrow, winding 1.2km-long fissure with walls towering up to 200 metres overhead. At the end lies the unforgettable sight of the ‘rose-red’ Treasury, ‘Khazneh’ with its stunning 40-metre high façade.

Lunch at Basin Restaurant. Ride by donkey up to the Deir Monastery (800 steps) and walk back down to the treasury. Return to the site entrance by horse and carriage. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 7: THURSDAY, 19 MARCH PETRA

Drive to Little Petra, a magical spot with its own miniature version of the Siq. It is believed Little Petra was an important suburb of Petra, the entry and exit point for the trade routes to the north and north-west. As in Petra, the buildings were carved into the sandstone, used as residences, storages and tombs, with water

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 6

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

channels and cisterns. In one of the cave buildings, you can find the remains of painted frescoes with birds, grapes and flowers, dating from the 1st century AD. Lunch at Al-Qantarah restaurant. Return to Petra. Cooking demonstration followed by dinner at Petra Kitchen.

DAY 8: FRIDAY, 20 MARCH PETRA / WADI RUM

Drive (with luggage) south east to Wadi Rum – forever now associated with T. E. Lawrence – a spectacular desert landscape broken by 800-metre high mountains – rust-coloured jebels – capped with sandstone rising sheer from the wide sandy valley floor. Desert in 4x4 jeeps seeing the rock bridges of Jebel Burdah and Umm Fruth and the Khazali canyon.

Lunch in the desert before checking into the Wadi Rum Night luxury camp. Traditional desert dinner in the camp.

Wadi Rum The Dead Sea

DAY 9: SATURDAY, 21 MARCH WADI RUM / UMM AR RASAS / MACHAERUS / DEAD SEA

Drive (with luggage) north to Umm ar Rasas to see the mosaics in St. Stephen’s Church, one of four churches in the original village of Umm ar Rasas. Look at its magnificent mosaic floor dating back to about AD 785. Continue to the spectacular 700 metre -high hilltop fortress of Machaerus, the castle of Herod the Great, which offers spectacular views over the surrounding landscape and Dead Sea. The hill was first fortified in about 100 BC and expanded by Herod the Great in 30 BC. It is renowned as the place where John the Baptist was beheaded by King Antipas, the successor to Herod the Great. Also, of interest are the remains of a Roman siege ramp on the western side of the hill dating from when the Romans took the fort from Jewish rebels in AD 72.

Lunch at the Panorama Dead Sea Restaurant. Drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, sitting at 400 metres below sea level. Check into the Kempinski Hotel. The Resort has excellent amenities including

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 7

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

a beach, several swimming pools and spa and treatment centre, which offers a range of restorative treatments (payable locally). Dinner under own arrangements.

DAY 10: SUNDAY, 22 MARCH DEAD SEA

Free day at leisure. Lunch under own arrangements. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

DAY 11: MONDAY, 23 MARCH DEAD SEA / AMMAN / LONDON

Early morning transfer (with luggage) to Amman for a suggested flight (not included in the cost of the tour) British Airways flight departing Amman at 08.15hrs, arriving London Heathrow at 12.10hrs in the afternoon.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 8

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 9

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

TOUR PRICE

COST £4,980

Single Supplement £840 Please note we have not included the cost of the flights in the tour price. Please contact us for prices should you wish to book them through us.

PRICE INCLUDES • accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • breakfast daily; 8 lunches; 8 dinners • snack on arrival, day 1 • one soft drink, bottled water and coffee/tea with included meals • one glass of wine with farewell dinner, day 10 • all visits and as per the itinerary • all transportation as detailed in the itinerary • all entrance fees • local English-speaking guide/s • group visa • gratuities in restaurants; gratuities to driver/s; gratuities to guide/s; porterage • the services of your tour leader and lecturer throughout

PRICE EXCLUDES • International flights • • items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.) • government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 21/05/19

AIRLINE TICKETS As a we have access to special airfares. While they offer good value, they do carry certain restrictions applied by the airline. Please ask us for details.

Note: If you are thinking about using air miles to upgrade to a premium cabin on the flights, please check with us first as fare restrictions might not permit this.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 10

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

AIRLINE SEATING The rules governing the pre-booking of seats vary from airline to airline. Some allow us to pre-book seats immediately and without charge, some only once the tickets are issued but with charge, and others only when you check in either on line or at the airport.

We will clarify the rules for your specific carrier(s) with our confirmation documents. In the event that seating cannot be arranged until tickets are issued (normally six weeks prior to departure) and you prefer not to wait, we can issue your tickets earlier provided you are happy to pay in advance for the flight costs in addition to the required deposit for the holiday.

However, please be mindful that the majority of our discounted fare tickets, once issued, are non-refundable and will attract fees should you wish to make any date changes. Nor will you be allowed to change the actual flight routing.

PEACE OF MIND You will probably be aware of the difficulties many travellers faced with obtaining refunds when their holidays were disrupted or cancelled as a result of such events as ash cloud, strike, snow and political unrest. By booking both your flights and land arrangements with us, not only are you guaranteed the peace of mind that comes with full financial protection but also all the round the clock assistance we are able to offer, should the need arise.

CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY Please note, that certain elements of this itinerary, and/or the order of events, may well be subject to alteration due to circumstances beyond our control.

FITNESS TO TRAVEL Whilst we do not impose any age limitations on joining a tour, participants must be reasonably fit. The very nature of the sightseeing involved in our tours (and the difficulties of direct access by coach in various places) means that a considerable amount of walking and standing is unavoidable on almost all tours. We regret that our tours are not suitable for people who have difficulty in walking, may require wheelchair assistance at any time, or are unable to keep pace with the group. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a tour, please make this known to us before you book, and we will advise you accordingly. The Ultimate Travel Company reserves the right to decline a reservation without necessarily giving a reason. Your tour leader may also refuse to take participants on particular excursions if they feel that the rest of the group will be held up.

ACCOMMODATION are chosen on the basis of category, character and location. The majority will be at least 4 star, otherwise the best available. The projected size of the group will often rule out the use of luxury boutique hotels. Sometimes the style of hotel will mean that not all rooms are of the same size or have the same outlook.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 11

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Jordan. No inoculations are compulsory except for Yellow Fever but ONLY if you have recently visited an infected area. Diphtheria and TB, hepatitis A and B, polio, tetanus and typhoid are all suggested in certain cases. Standards of hygiene in Jordan are very high so you should not have too many problems, but we do suggest taking medicine with you in case of a stomach upset. For further information or advice, you should consult your GP.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION Passengers should hold a full . Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

British Nationals require visas for Jordan. A group visa will be arranged, and this is included in the tour price.

FCO ADVICE We recommend that you periodically review the travel advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, which relates to all aspects of your destination, at www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 12

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

WHY CHOOSE US?

We have been organising bespoke, tailor-made holidays and escorted group tours around the world since the early 1990s. The opportunity that we identified then was for a travel company with the knowledge and enthusiasm of a smaller specialist, but with the range and buying power of a much larger organisation, and we like to think that we have maintained this balance over the years.

More importantly, we try to be an easy and friendly company to deal with, and because most of us have had the good fortune to work abroad, we are able to approach travel in a sensitive and intelligent way.

WHAT WE OFFER? First-hand knowledge and personal service is at the core of what we offer. Our consultants travel to all the destinations that we feature on a very regular basis, so that the advice you receive is accurate and up-to- date. They will also look after you from the outset and assume full responsibility for ensuring that your travel plans are designed and delivered as requested.

Planning a holiday should be an enjoyable and effortless experience, and we will do all that we can to ensure that this is the case.

OUR REPUTATION We have grown largely through personal recommendation and repeat business, and so we treat our reputation with care. The directors and owners of the company, led by Nick Van Gruisen, are very much ‘hands on’ so immediate decisions can be taken to ensure the standard of service that our clients have come to expect is maintained.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION Equally crucial is the quality of our local associates and suppliers. It is they who look after you on holiday and it is their guides, vehicles and general support service that will determine your enjoyment of it. We therefore take great care to ensure that our ground handlers have the requisite expertise, efficiency and creativity, and also the ability to deal sensitively and swiftly with any situation that might arise. The fact that we have worked together for many years and know each other well is a further bonus.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL As a company with a passion for travel, we understand the vital support that can provide to communities and fragile habitats throughout the world. At the same time, we are aware that tourism can have a negative impact and are committed to doing what we can to minimise this risk.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 13

Escorted Tour The Kingdom of Jordan

In 2007, an independent body completed an Environmental Audit on all aspects of The Ultimate Travel Company. This covered not only our own practices but those of our worldwide suppliers, thereby ensuring that we all met the necessary environmental and employment criteria.

The audit also measured the carbon footprint produced by our London office and by our international travel, and we now offset this with an annual donation to Social Change and Development, a small but dynamic tree planting initiative in India.

Further initiatives include a ‘charity donation’ scheme, whereby we ask clients for a voluntary contribution of £10 which we then match. As a result of this initiative, a handful of small overseas charities, and the healthcare, environmental and educational projects that they run, now share an annual donation of more than $100,000.

If you want further details of these initiatives, please ring Nick Van Gruisen on 02073864646.

EXTRA VALUE It can be difficult at times to recognise the extra value promised by travel companies. Generally speaking, we all offer the same flight, the same hotel, the same , the same sunset, and at similar prices….indeed in many ways, the same holiday experience!

Here, at The Ultimate Travel Company, we strive to go further. While we believe that the diversity of destination, intimate product knowledge and personal service we offer already sets us apart, we supply all our clients with detailed information on all aspects of their forthcoming journey, a 10% discount voucher at Daunt Books (described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘the most beautiful bookshop in London – designed for travellers who like reading’) and a welcome home ‘surprise’.

Honeymooners can also look forward to a wedding gift on arrival at their chosen destination.

Moreover, we continually monitor your movements while you are away so that we can offer any assistance that might be required, effectively and without delay. And if genuine problems do arise as a result of any error on our part (few as these may be!), we will not shy away from our own responsibilities and our commitment to you.

Contact Louisa Thompson – Escorted Tours Consultant Direct Line 020 7386 4682 Telephone 020 7386 4620 Email [email protected] 14