Tourist tips for those going to Jordan: Petra is indeed impressive but the price is exorbitant and you might end up feeling it's not worth it. CouchSurf or make friends with some of the bedouin in the area and they can bring you in the back way where you don't have to pay. If you take a day trip in from Israel it's even more expensive than if you are staying in Jordan.
Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities I've ever seen. Umm Qais up north is nice, too. Both are *way* cheaper than visiting Petra, and in my opinion Jerash is better.
Wadi Rum does indeed look surreal and extraterrestrial. Very similar to the landscape in Northeast Saudi Arabia.
The Dead Sea can be visited from both the Jordanian and Israeli sides. The Jordanian side is cheaper and less crowded. The Israeli side is nicer.
Nah. With this one you are paying for the international celebrity of the place and they are price-gouging. I mean, I'm sure that upkeep and security costs of Petra is not literally 8x as much as Jerash. But that's how much more the ticket price is.
I see that the ticket price has indeed rocketed since I was there in 2004 but even at today's prices it has to be worth it. If you are visiting Jordan, you surely have to go to Petra. Wadi Rum is also stunning
Can we accept "houmous" as well as "hummus" please?
Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities I've ever seen. Umm Qais up north is nice, too. Both are *way* cheaper than visiting Petra, and in my opinion Jerash is better.
Wadi Rum does indeed look surreal and extraterrestrial. Very similar to the landscape in Northeast Saudi Arabia.
The Dead Sea can be visited from both the Jordanian and Israeli sides. The Jordanian side is cheaper and less crowded. The Israeli side is nicer.
Aqaba is beautiful, too.