Jordan Was NOT What We Expected! #petra #deadsea

Think you need two weeks off work to see Jordan's Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea? Well this is us doing it all in just five days with just three days off work. But here's the twist, we had to cancel everything and start from scratch. Plus we'll share the one thing that saved our trip but meant we had to rebook everything. Arriving in Oman is most likely your first step to an unforgettable adventure in Jordan. It's also the first point you can really save on time and money. Before you depart on your trip to Jordan, make sure to explore the Jordan Pass. If you're staying in Jordan for two consecutive nights, and let's face it you probably are, this will waive the visa fee and include entrance to over 40 sites in Jordan, including Petra. Between the visa cost and Petra entrance for one day alone, you've already saved money and that's without any of the extra amazing sites we're about to show you. Having the Jordan Pass pre-booked before you arrive is essential. It speeds you through a quicker line at immigration and straight into arrivals. Once through you can grab a taxi into the city, but we'd strongly recommend booking a private driver for your trip. It's the best way to maximise your time exploring and minimise the time spent travelling, which is exactly how you want to spend your hard-earned time off. Another major perk of having a private driver is their local knowledge. They'll take you to the best food spots, hidden viewpoints and off-the-beaten-path gems. Even tiny local coffee stands where someone walks right up to your car with a fresh brew, something we'd never have discovered on our own. It takes the stress out of navigating and gives you a brilliant window into local culture. If you arrive in good time, try to catch a great spot for sunset. You'll quickly learn in Jordan that planning where you'll be when the sun goes down is essential, because sunsets here truly hit different. Amman, known as the City of Seven Hills, is a breathtaking site. A sea of white limestone buildings cascades across the rolling hills that give the city its name. There's plenty to explore, but one of the standout spots is the Amman Citadel. Sitting on the highest hill in the city, it almost gives off an ancient Greek acropolis feel, with the remains of the Temple of Hercules as its star attraction. What's fascinating is that the site holds layers of ruins from different periods of history, making it an incredibly worthwhile stop. The panoramic views over Amman are spectacular, and if you're looking for a perfect sunset location, this is definitely one to consider. It's also worth visiting early in the day. With limited shade and its elevation, it can get very hot. Luckily, there's a small on-site museum where you can cool off and dive deeper into the history. From the top of the Citadel, you'll also get our next must-see, the Roman Theatre. Built nearly 2,000 years ago during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, this impressive stone amphitheatre was carved directly into the hillside, showcasing the advanced construction and acoustic techniques of the time. You can climb to the top, but be warned, the steps are very steep. And remember, the way up is also the way back down, and it looks even steeper from above. A little tip, it's much easier to descend by stepping sideways and using the seats for balance after all. You wouldn't want to climb down a ladder facing forward. Another great stop in Oman is the more recently built Blue Mosque. Constructed between 1982 and 1989, the King Abdullah I Mosque is instantly recognisable thanks to its striking blue dome. Even if you're not religious, it's well worth a visit. The architecture and mosaic work are truly remarkable. Once you've wrapped up in Oman, it's time to begin the journey to Petra. It's roughly a three-hour drive along the desert highway to the town of Wadi Musa. Along the way, you can take the 30-minute detour to Madaba and the biblical site of Mount Nebo. With incredible views stretching out towards the Dead Sea and Israel, this is a spot where Moses is said to have glimpsed the Promised Land. The nearby town of Madaba is also home to St George's Orthodox Church and the famous Madaba map, the oldest surviving biblical map in the world. Once you arrive in Wadi Musa, check into your hotel and get ready for an early start in the If you're looking for a unique spot to eat or grab a drink, head to the cave bar at Petra Guesthouse, a bar and restaurant set inside a 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb. Day three is the big one. If you've already set an early alarm, chances are you'll be awake before it out of pure excitement. Getting to Petra early is essential. It's the only way to beat any crowds and enjoy a rare moment of having a wonder of the world almost to yourself. What most people don't realise is there's actually a good kilometre walk before you even reach the iconic Siq, the gateway into the ancient city. And while Petra can be explored without a guide, why travel all this way and not fully understand what you're seeing? We booked a private tour and it was easily one of our best decisions, bringing the history, culture and the people who built this incredible city thousands of years ago to life. So, when you're walking along the Siq here in Petra, and then all of a sudden Ishmael distracts you, you turn around and then you see this. Once you reach the treasury, it's impossible not to feel overwhelmed. The sheer scale and intricate detail of its remarkably preserved facade is nothing short of iconic. It absolutely lives up to its reputation. There are plenty of viewpoints to experience the treasury from, quite literally starting at ground level and climbing from there. Some are just a couple of minutes away, while others require from a 10-minute scramble to a three-hour hike. Make sure you plan ahead for the view or after. What many people don't realise when planning a visit to Petra is that it's not just the treasury. While some visitors walk through the Siq, snap their photo and head back, there's an entire ancient city waiting beyond it. The largest and most distant site is that of the monastery, perched 800 metres up in the sandstone mountains. With 850 steps standing between you and the top, it's an uphill challenge, but the reward is absolutely worth it. If you're visiting Petra on a multi-day group tour, make sure to check how much free time you actually have to explore. The hike up to the monastery takes about an hour, with around 40 minutes to come back down, and that's without spending any time at the top. Ensure you've got enough time to soak it all in, enjoy a drink at the summit, or browse the small vendors along the way. Once you're done at the top, thankfully the walk back down is much easier. One huge tip if you plan to tackle the monastery hike, make sure to wear some decent walking shoes, as the pavement can be often unsteady and very slippery. Once you've finished exploring Petra, we'd highly recommend making the two-hour drive down to the desert for a magical night under the stars in Wadi Rum. Before heading to your camp, first you'll need to stop at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre to pick up your tickets. These are covered by the Jordan Pass, so you're saving money yet again. If you're loving this journey, subscribe so you don't miss our next adventure. When staying in Wadi Rum, most camps will offer breakfast and dinner as part of the package, but some camps offer a little bit more luxury too. If you reach your camp in good time, roughly around 4pm, make sure to book a sunset jeep safari. Bouncing across the desert in a 4x4, stopping at famous viewpoints and ancient petroglyphs, is an incredible way to soak in this otherworldly, almost Martian landscape. And it all leads up to a dramatic desert sunset that's guaranteed to take your breath away. A moment truly like no other. A quick tip for any jeep safari through the desert, make sure to wear decent wraparound sunglasses as that sand flies everywhere. The jeep safaris are only the beginning of what Wadi Rum has to offer. Most camps also include a stargazing experience and it's something we'd highly recommend. Wadi Rum is a designated dark site. One of the few places on earth dedicated to preserving crystal clear views of deep space. It's so pristine that you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Relaxing in the hot tub at the bubble was the perfect way to end the day. Lux Hotel Bubble Camp has another bonus. It's only a 2km walk from the French Fortress. This old movie set fortress makes for a perfect pre-breakfast hike and a great way to work up an appetite. Remember when we mentioned booking Iyad as our driver and the hidden gems he showed us? Our next stop is a perfect example. Who knew Jordan even had pink lakes? These striking lakes appeared a few years ago thanks to a special type of algae that thrives in salty water giving them their vivid pink hue. They're quickly becoming as popular as the Dead Sea. Without Iyad we would have just driven straight past them. When planning a night at the Dead Sea make sure to check how you'll access the water. We stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort which offers full access to a private section complete with floating and mud spa experiences. It's an unforgettable experience floating in warm water at the lowest point on earth. Relaxing at the Dead Sea is a perfect counterpoint to hiking through Petra and exploring the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum. It's a chance to let tired feet rest and your body soak in the mineral-rich waters. An afternoon is plenty of time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed especially since it's recommended to float for only around 15 minutes at a time due to the high salinity. One tip, wear an old swimsuit as the mud can leave stubborn stains. Travelling through Jordan often feels like a pursuit of sunsets and the Dead Sea is no exception. Spending the night here gives you yet another unforgettable moment as the light fades across the water. On day five you'll likely have two options. If you're catching an early flight you'll head from the Dead Sea back to Oman about an hour's drive but if your flight is later we've got another often overlooked gem for you. Just 30 miles north of the capital lies the ancient Roman city of Jerash. Frequently hailed as the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy this hidden treasure offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman life with theatres, temples, intact streets and striking columns to explore. Spending a few hours here transports you back thousands of years and provides a stunning contrast to the Nabataean architecture of Petra. You can either hire a guide upon arrival or explore Jerash on your own. Guidebooks often suggest spending three hours to half a day but it is possible to complete the main loop in just over two hours if you're on a tighter schedule. While exploring Jordan, chat with the super friendly locals. They'll help you discover far more than any guidebook. It's incredible to think that despite how well preserved Jerash is it receives far fewer visitors than Petra. Walking around the ruins it truly feels as if you have the ancient city all to yourself. Once you finish exploring Jerash there's a few souvenir shops on the way out to pick up any last minute gifts before heading back the hour's drive to the Oman airport. The biggest tip we can give you We initially booked most of our trip ourselves only to cancel and re-plan everything around his recommendations and it completely transformed our adventure. Without his guidance we wouldn't have discovered half of the incredible sights and history Jordan has to offer. We're helping nine to five travellers turn part-time trips into full-time memories. Want the complete Jordan guide? Check out our full playlist on screen now. Subscribe and hit the bell our next adventure drops Saturday.