Middle East - My Road trips

Enlightening 8-Days Road Trip to Israel 🇮🇱

Iva Bowker on December 7, 2023

The decision to go on a road trip to Israel arose while searching for an easily accessible and COVID-regulation-free country in 2022. Our road trip was purely tourist-oriented; it doesn’t adhere to the footsteps of any specific religion. As a result, there may be places we miss that hold significance for certain people. I am pleased that we managed to explore this culturally unique country and I am very hopeful that travel will be possible again shortly.

Practical Insights:

As usual, I checked the visa requirements and found that we do not need to worry. However, it depends on the country of your origin and the passport you hold.

Arrival to Israel:

Upon presenting our passports, we received a printed card instead of a stamp. This card is crucial to keep, as we needed it when checking in at the accommodation and when leaving the country.

Currency:

The currency is the Israeli New Shekel, with an exchange rate of about 1 USD = 3.7 ILS (Dec 2023). ATMs are easily accessible, I recommended to keep some cash. We used it f.e. to pay for parking outside Tel Aviv. But in the majority of the places I paid with my card.

Driving:

Driving around Israel is not difficult; the roads are in good condition, and drivers generally obey the rules. In big towns, drivers can be slightly more aggressive, and honking is a “cultural” habit. It’s recommended to use Waze navigation, which displays speed limits. As always, my recommendation is to drive defensively and let the locals pass by. It is your holiday at the end.

Petrol Stations:

Finding a petrol station is easy. The challenge is that there are often “fuelmats”, and you can get fuel only by working with the machine, which preauthorizes your card and manages the payment after you finish. It is an easy process until the moment all instructions are written in Hebrew. Fortunately, I have always found someone to assist.

Parking:

Parking in Israel can be difficult, especially in big cities like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. There are paid parking areas, but it will cost you. I really recommend everyone to choose accommodation with private and guaranteed parking space. Many hotels will offer parking but they have only limited amount of spots. Therefore I always check customer reviews related to parking when choosing accomodation.

Shabbat:

The Israeli Day of Rest starts on Friday afternoon and continues until Saturday evening. Tel Aviv’s Shabbat differs from Jerusalem; shops are closed in Tel Aviv on Saturday, but the Jaffa beachfront remains lively. Jerusalem is more conservative, with more closed businesses. However, the Arab community’s businesses in Jerusalem remain open. It’s better to be prepared and assume that Saturday is a quiet day.

Mobile Data:

For mobile data, I recommend using the Airalo app, which allows you to download a data e-SIM card for countries worldwide. It’s easy and hassle-free. I activate the data e-SIM in my phone settings upon arrival and I have instant access to the internet.

Day 1: Tel Aviv – Jaffa

Upon our early morning arrival in Tel Aviv and completion of immigration procedures, we took a taxi to our hotel. I selected the Embassy Hotel Tel Aviv, with 24-hour reception located in very close proximity to the beach. After we woke up, our day started with a walk along the 7km beach promenade, extending all the way to Old Jaffa. It is a favorite among both locals and tourists, providing a great place to enjoy beach activities.

Beach promenade, road trip to Israel — Tel Aviv-Yafo beach promenade

Beach in Tel Aviv - Yafo — Tel Aviv-Yafo beach promenade

Old Jaffa:

Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years. It is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Bible. Stepping into Old Jaffa takes you to a different era compared to modern Tel Aviv. We walked past ancient houses, passing by galleries, and small shops. The main square is dominated by the Clock Tower. There were seven Clock Towers constructed in Ottoman Palestine. The additional towers are placed in Safed, Acre, Nazareth, Haifa, and Nablus. The one in Jerusalem was destroyed.

Following our exploration of Old Jaffa, we walked back to the beach promenade, continuing towards Neve Tzedek—the initial Jewish neighborhood established outside Jaffa. Navigating through the town, we eventually returned to our hotel.

Old Jaffa, Clock Tower in the background — Old Jaffa, Clock Tower

Stairs in Old Jaffa, Israel — Old Jaffa, Clock Tower

The Beach

The rest of the day we spent on the beach, where the rental of beach chairs and umbrellas was well organized. We approached a vending machine, chose the desired quantity of chairs and umbrellas, completed the payment via card, and received a printed receipt. We then handed the receipt over the the beach attendant to get settled at our beach spot.

Day 2: Tel Aviv – Akko – Haifa

Tel Aviv-Yafo – Acre (Akko): 114km, 1,5 hour

It was time to hit the road the next day. I rented a car from Hertz and picked it up from their city office, just about a 10-minute walk from our hotel.
We loaded our suitcases and started to drive. I put on the Waze navigation and the funny thing happened – it started to speak Hebrew 😀. The lesson learned: adjust your navigation settings before hitting the road. Navigating out of Tel Aviv and onto the highway, my daughters took charge of my phone and resolved the language issue.
The navigation directed us to a parking area situated right behind the walls of the Old City. The parking was free of charge.

Akko is the local Hebrew name for Acre. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on Earth. It played a crucial role during the Crusader’s times. The most important place to see is the Knights Hall.

The Knights Hall
This Fortress and the nearest buildings functioned as a hospice and a hospital for the many pilgrims who came to the Holy Land during the Crusaders period in the 12th and 13th centuries.
It was awarded a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

As we were visiting after the Covid pandemic, I didn’t organize tickets to enter the upfront. We arrived and bought it on the spot. It is, nevertheless, something that I would consider looking into if I planned the trip again.

We obtained the headphones and explored the fortress at our own pace while listening to the history of this awesome place.

The Knights Halls, Akko, Israel — The Knights Halls

Acre, The Knights Halls — The Knights Halls

After visiting The Knights Halls, we walked through the Old Town and found a great street food place to enjoy the local food.

The Turkish Bath House:

Our visit transported us back in time to when this place served as the social center of the city. The citizens used to gather here to exchange the latest gossip.

The Templars Tunnel:

This is a must-see attraction. The 150-meter-long tunnel extends from the Templars fortress in the west to the city’s port in the east. There was great sea view once we reached the end of the tunnel

After exploring Old Akko, we set off to reach our accommodation in Haifa.

Day 3: Haifa

The reason I chose to stay in Haifa for a day was to explore a few landmarks in the city and enjoy some time on the beach. Haifa, the third-largest city in Israel, stretches from the Mediterranean up the north slope of Mount Carmel.

Our day began with a ride on the Haifa Cable Car, ascending Mount Carmel to visit the Stella Maris Monastery.

Stella Maris Monastry, Haifa, Israel — Cable Car

From the mountain’s peak, we decided to walk down towards the middle of the Baha’i Gardens, assuming there was an entrance. It turned out to be quite a walk. Disappointment struck when we discovered that the gardens were closed to the public on Monday, contrary to information provided on various websites. Perhaps the opening hours were adjusted during the Covid time, but this information was not reflected on the official websites.

As, we couldn’t explore the gardens, we decided to experience at least the Carmelit, the underground funicular railway. After a bit of a struggle to locate the nearest station and some walking, we finally reached Golomb station and took the ride to the center of town.
Upon returning to our accommodation, we packed up and spent the rest of the afternoon at Bat Galim Beach.

Golomb station, Carmelit, Haifa — Golomb Station

Carmelit in Haifa, Israel — Golomb Station

Day 4: Nazareth – Gan HaShlosha National Park – Jerusalem

Nazareth

Haifa – Nazareth: 45km, about 40min

It was time to pack up in the morning, leave Haifa behind, and continue on our journey. The first destination of the day was Nazareth, the town of Galilee and the home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as mentioned in Luke’s Gospel.

The city center of Nazareth is situated in a flat area, but the town extends to the hillside. Due to traffic conditions, or another reason, Waze navigation directed us to the hillside before guiding us to the city center. The inclines were steep, streets very narrow with numerous curves and blind spots, making the drive down a true adventure itself.

The house of Mary foundations in the Basilika of the Annuciation, Nazareth — The house of Mary

We parked in one of the private lots close to the main attraction, the Church of the Annunciation. This church is one of two contenders for the site of the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel is believed to have appeared to the Virgin Mary, announcing the birth of Jesus. The church is believed to be where the house of the Virgin Mary originally stood.

Inside the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth — Nazareth

Gan HaShlosha National Park

Nazareth – Gan HaShlosha park: 35km, 40min

Around lunchtime, we found ourselves at a crossroads, needing to decide our next destination. We had two options: continue towards the Galilee Lake or explore Gan HaShlosha National Park with its naturally warm water lakes. While I would assume that the majority of tourists would choose option 1, we opted for option 2.
The lakes at Gan HaShlosha were amazing. We had a picnic lunch under the trees, swam in the lakes, and enjoyed the sun. It became evident that this is a destination not frequented by many tourists, as the majority of visitors were local.

Lakes at Gan Hashlosha Park, Israel — Gan HaShlosha National park

Gan Hashlosha Nationa park, Israel — Gan HaShlosha National park

Gan HaShlosha National Park – Jerusalem: 155km, 2h 15min

The final destination for the day was Jerusalem. I set up the navigation, and we hit the road, anticipating a journey of about 1.5 hours. However, reality proved a bit more complex. After driving for approximately 20 minutes, we reached the West Bank border. It was then that I realized the remainder of the trip would continue through West Bank territory. This didn’t seem like the right option, not only for security reasons (considering it was me with my two daughters in the car) but also because of concerns about the validity of the rental car insurance in the West Bank.

I made the decision to turn around, facing the challenge that both Waze and Google Maps insisted on the West Bank route. To outsmart the navigations, I input Haifa as our destination and, after about 30 minutes of driving, switched it to Jerusalem. This strategy worked, as the navigation found a route via the Yitzhak Rabin Highway (Route 6), and late that evening, we finally arrived in Jerusalem.

The most crucial aspect of planning our stay in Jerusalem was securing accommodation with guaranteed private parking. I dedicated a substantial amount of time to this search, and it proved to be a worthwhile investment.

Given the busy nature of Jerusalem, I couldn’t imagine arriving in the evening and attempting to find parking—it would be a “mission impossible” task. During my search, I also took into account reviews from other people. While I came across places offering private parking, the reviews often discouraged me, with many indicating that the parking was tight and difficult.
I consider myself fortunate to have found The Haneviim Court – Isrentals apartments. The building had a spacious, easily accessible underground garage, making parking hassle-free. Additionally, the apartment was located approximately a 10-minute walk from the Jerusalem Old City—a perfect and convenient place to stay.

Day 5-6: Exploring Old Jerusalem

The moment we stepped into Old Jerusalem, we felt like we had entered a different world. The city is divided into four quarters: The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. Each quarter is unique

The Christian Quarter:

With the Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus took, compelled by Roman soldiers, on his way to crucifixion. We met numerous prayer groups walking from one station to another along this path. The journey concludes at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, considered the holiest site for Christians worldwide, housing Jesus’s empty tomb, where he was buried and resurrected.

Jesus Tomb, Jerusalem — Jesus Christ Tomb

Via Dolorosa, one of the stops, Jerusalem — Jesus Christ Tomb

The Jewish Quarter:

This quarter represents calmness, characterized by houses of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families leading their everyday lives.

The Western Wall Plaza, home to the famous Western Wall, is situated here. The areas for men and women are segregated, to approach the wall, one must choose the appropriate area.

Unfortunately, we missed the Western Wall Tunnels as tickets for the days we were in Jerusalem were sold out.

Western Wall Plaza, Jerusalem — Western Wall Plaza

Street in Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem — Western Wall Plaza

The Muslim Quarter:

It is characterized by bustling streets and vendors offering a variety of products. As the largest and most populous of the four quarters, it stretches from the Lions’ Gate in the east, along the northern wall of the Temple Mount in the south, to the Damascus Gate—Western Wall route in the west.

The Temple Mount:

As the third holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina, it’s a must-see place. Access is limited to certain days and hours. While we couldn’t make it on our first day, we woke up early on the second day for an amazing experience. Walking through the empty streets of Old Jerusalem around 7 am, we reached the Temple Mount as some of the first visitors. This allowed us to experience and absorb the unique vibe of this place.

Temple Mount area, Jerusalem — Temple Mount

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem — Temple Mount

The Armenian Quarter:

A town area in which Armenians formed a self-sustaining community. The enclave includes churches, schools, public and social institutions, residences, and historical monuments. Central to it is the St. James Armenian Convent and the Armenian Patriarchate.

Armenian Quarter, street sign — Street sign

Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem — Street sign

Walls of Jerusalem

To see Jerusalem from a different perspective, we did a walk around the Walls of Jerusalem. There are 2 sections, so we did one, had a coffee break, and then did the other one. We really enjoyed it as it offered views of the entire city.

Day 7: Jerusalem – Masada Fortress – Dead Sea – Jerusalem

Masada

Jerusalem – Masada: 99km, 1,5hour

Visiting Masada and the Dead Sea makes for a perfect day trip from Jerusalem, and key recommendations are: arrive at Masada early in the morning, it does get hot there. Don’t forget to take water with you. And book entry tickets in advance.

We visited Israel just after the Covid crisis, I didn’t feel the need to book tickets. Luckily, as we were among the first visitors, we managed to buy tickets on the spot. But we were asked if we had an online reservation.

Parking at the lot below the main entrance hall, we chose the cable car ride to reach the Masada fortress over the voluntary walk that some tourists undertake.

Masada is a fortress in the Judaean Desert, offering beautiful view of the Dead Sea. Originally built as a palace complex during the early Roman Empire by King Herod the Great, it stands as a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel. Masada recounts the story of its violent destruction and the heroic last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 A.D.

Cable Car to the Masada fortress — Cable Car to Masada

Fortress Masada in Israel — Cable Car to Masada

Ein Bokek, Dead Sea

Masada – Ein Bokek: 19km, 20min

We completed our exploration of Masada around 10:30 am, and the heat was already intense. We had a cool drink at the entrance coffee shop and then continued to the Dead Sea.

I studied the Dead Sea beaches a lot. It is not always easy to grasp where to go. Many resorts have private beaches but those are for their clients only. Anyway, the place for the half-day Dead Sea experience is Ein Bokek public beach. It is equipped with facilities like toilets, beach showers, chair rentals, and beach guards. The only drawback is that Dead Sea mud isn’t freely available; you can purchase it at a local shop near the beach.

We parked at the paid parking space opposite the Dead Sea Mall. Note that there are park meters, and cash was required during our visit—perhaps they’ve upgraded to card payment machines by now.

Floating in the Dead Sea is truly amazing, and we spent a delightful afternoon savoring the experience.

Ein Bokek Beach — Ein Bokek public beach

View of Ein Bokek, Israel — Ein Bokek public beach

View of the Dead Sea in Israel — Dead Sea

Day 8: Jerusalem – Tel Aviv – return to Prague from our road trip to Israel

On the final day of our road trip, we packed up in Jerusalem to enjoy a half-day at the Tel Aviv beach before catching our flight back to Prague. Returning the car was convenient, thanks to the Hertz rental office right at the airport terminals.

The road trip to Israel was truly amazing, and I hope tourists will be back soon to this beautiful, culturally rich country.

Tel Aviv Beachfront, Israel — Tel Aviv Beachfront

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Enchanting 9-Day Road Trip to Jordan 🇯🇴, the home of Petra

Iva Bowker on December 3, 2023

As October comes to a close, Europe experiences a drop in temperature, prompting many to seek warmer destinations to extend the summer vibes. Following visits to Dubai and Israel during this period, the road trip to Jordan emerged as the ideal choice.

Practical insights for the road trip to Jordan

Jordan Visa and Travel Essentials:

Before booking our flight, I checked the Jordan visa requirements. This time, an e-visa was necessary, and I applied through the official page of the Jordan Ministry of Interior: Jordan E-Visa.

Jordan Pass:

Consider the Jordan Pass for seamless entry to tourist landmarks. It offers numerous advantages, saving time and eliminating the need for individual entry tickets. Our e-visa was complimentary by entering the Jordan Pass number in the visa application. For more information, visit Jordan Pass.

Mobile Data:

Discovering Airalo was a game-changer, especially for phones with e-SIM functionality. Download it to avoid the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards. Airalo allows easy purchase of e-SIM cards for almost every country, including regional options like Europe or Africa. I opted for the Jordan 30-day, 3GB data plan for USD18.

Local Currency:

The official currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Cash was essential, especially for accommodation payments, as many places required it. ATMs were available for cash withdrawals, and cards were accepted at shops, restaurants, and petrol stations.

Taxi:

In Amman, we relied on Uber for safe and efficient city travel.

Car Rental:

Choosing Monte Carlo Car Rental was a wise decision. They delivered the car to our hotel, and the process was seamless, with paperwork and payment done by card. Returning the car at their office near Amman airport was convenient, and the company provided excellent service, including full insurance and no surcharge for a second driver. Check out my Google review.

Driving in Jordan:

Driving in Jordan was a straightforward experience. Departing from Amman on a Sunday likely contributed to an easier exit from the city, avoiding major urban rush hours. The main Jordan Desert Highway was smooth, while some other roads demanded heightened awareness due to the presence of potholes.

Dress code

Modest dress is advisable. I have definately avoided shorts and tank tops in the cities and historic areas. I wore t-shirts and skirts covering the knees and felt comfortable doing so. On the other hand I felt comfortable wearing t-shirts and little longer shorts around Dead Sea, in Wadi Rum desert or in Aquaba.

Day 1: Discovering Amman

We arrived in Amman during the early morning hours, taking a taxi to reach our hotel. Finding an accommodation with a 24-hour reception ensured a seamless check-in process. We stayed in Shams Alweibdeh Hotel Apartments. After few hours of sleep, we started our exploration of Amman. Given the city’s size, we decided to use Uber for our first destination – the Amman Citadel.

The Amman Citadel

Located on the highest hill in Amman, the Citadel is a place to see artifacts spanning the Bronze and Iron Ages, along with remnants from the Roman, Umayyad, and Byzantine periods. Presenting our Jordan Pass at the entrance, we proceed to explore the area.

Roman Theater:

Our journey continued with a walk from the Amman Citadel to our next destination, the Roman Theater. The history of the place dates back to 2 AD. It seated up 6000 people.
Making use of our Jordan pass we entered the site. It is impressive. Climbing all the way up the stairs, sit there for a bit and observe the city was absolutely worth it.

Rainbow street

After visiting the Roman Theather, our journey led us to the Grand Husseini Mosque. Unfortunately, ongoing construction and renovations spoiled our view of the mosque. Up next was the Rainbow street. We had walk uphill to reach the street. Rainbow streets is a plesant place with coffeshops and shops. We set down in one of the restaurants to have some lunch.

The Amman Citadel, Jordan — The Amman Citadel

The Roman Theather, Jordan — The Roman Theather

Our exploration of Amman continued through the busy Downtown streets as we wanted to see The Duke’s Diwan house, which served as the city’s first post office. I must admit that we nearly missed the house in the busy street. After taking a picture we concluded our afternoon program, catching Uber back to our hotel.

Day 2: Amman – Jerash – Dead Sea

Jerash

Our journey started with the convenient delivery of our rental car by Monte Carlo Car Rental to our hotel.
Our first destination was Jerash, situated approximately 52 kilometers away from Amman, a drive that took us around 55 minutes. Upon arrival, we parked at the Jerash Visitor Free parking area, right in front of the landmark entrance. Making use of our Jordan Pass, we entered the area to explore the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa.

Walking around Jerash, we looked at:

Hadrian’s Arch

It was built in 129 AD and was erected to honor and celebrate the visit of the Emperor Hadrian.

Hippodrome:

It dates back to the Roman period, reflecting the city’s historical significance during the Roman Empire. The hippodrome in ancient times was a large stadium or arena primarily used for chariot races and other public spectacles.

The Cardo Maximus

It was likely constructed in the 1st century AD and expanded during the 2nd century AD. The columns are topped with Corinthian capitals, adding to the grandeur of the street. The street itself is paved with large stones, and the remnants of a drainage system can still be seen.

Hadrians Arch, Jerash, Jordan — The Hadrian’s Arch

The Hippodrom, Jerash, Jordan — The Hadrian’s Arch

South Theather

A classic Roman-style theater with a semi-circular orchestra and a tiered seating area. It can accommodate a large number of spectators. The theater is known for its impressive acoustics, allowing performances to be heard by the entire audience.

Nymphaeum

The Nymphaeum, finished in 191 AD, is a substantial fountain situated on the Cardo. Its primary function was to enhance the numerous small public fountains already present along the Cardo by serving as a central water source.

Artemis Temple

The temple is dedicated to Artemis, who was a significant deity in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Artemis was often associated with the hunt, wilderness, and nature.

South Theather, Jerash, Jordan — South Theather

The North Gate is an impressive structure featuring a monumental entrance arch, columns, and other architectural elements characteristic of Roman city gates. Such gates served as both functional entrances and symbolic markers of the city.

Dead Sea

After touring the ruins of Jerash, we set off for our drive to the Dead Sea, covering approximately 95 kilometers in about 1.5 hours. Our accommodation was booked in one of the apartments at Samarah Dead Sea Resort. We proceeded through the resort’s front gate, where our host awaited us and guided us to the private parking lot.
After stopping at Samarah Mall for lunch, we later checked into our accommodation. We spent the afternoon floating in the Dead Sea, applying to rejuvenate Dead Sea mud as well as enjoying the resort swimming pools.

Dead Sea, Jordan — Samarah Dead Sea resort

Day 3: Dead Sea – Kerak Castle – Wadi Musa

The following day, we resumed our journey, sticking to the route along the Dead Sea and making our way to Wadi Mujib. We were eager to explore one of their adventure trails, but unfortunately, we discovered that the trails were restricted to adults aged 18 and above, and we had our teenage daughters with us. While this was fairly disappointing, I quickly came up with an alternative plan: a visit to Kerak Castle.

The drive from Samarah Dead Sea Resort to Kerak took approximately 1.5 hours. The journey was pretty interesting as the city sits at an elevation of about 1000 meters above sea level, while Samarah Dead Sea Resort is situated at -390 meters below sea level.

We parked our car in the Kerak Castle car park, which isn’t the official parking area you might expect at the castle entrance. It’s a private space where parking comes at a cost unless you opt to dine at the owner’s restaurant. Given the owner’s hospitality, we chose to visit the restaurant and enjoy the local meal after the castle visit.

Kerak Castle

We accessed the castle by showing our Jordan Pass.

The castle sits on a hilltop, providing great views of the surrounding area.
Originating in the 12th century, the castle underwent continuous expansion and fortification by various rulers, such as the Crusaders and the Mamluks. Its strategic positioning along the historic trade routes connecting Egypt and Syria played a pivotal role in the medieval conflicts between Crusaders and Muslims in the region.

Ruins of Kerak Castle in Jordan — Kerak Castle

View of Kerak Castle ruins — Kerak Castle

Wadi Musa

Following lunch, we started our drive to Wadi Musa, the town next to the ancient city of Petra. Our route from Kerak led us to the Desert Highway (Highway 15), the primary thoroughfare linking the north and south of Jordan. The drive covered approximately 180 kilometers and took around 2.5 hours.

There are many places to stay in Wadi Musa, from expensive hotels right next to the entrance of Petra to different private apartments scattered around the town. We booked our accomodation with Stay Classy Apartments. The parking was available right in front of the house and the Petra visitors parking was about 5min drive.

Day 4: Ancient City of Petra

Petra is the ancient Nabataean caravan city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. It was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Phoenicia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Petra is sometimes called the ‘Lost City’, as it was completely lost to the Western world until the Swiss traveler, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812.

To avoid crowds and the heat, it’s good to arrive in Petra early in the morning.

We parked our car at the free parking area located in front of the visitor center.

As you enter the area, you’ll see the ticket office. Even if you have your Jordan Pass, it’s necessary to proceed there. Upon presenting the pass, they will issue tickets for entry into Petra town. Since we were unaware of this process, we had to backtrack from the entry point.

What did we explore in Petra:

After entering Petra, we walked on a dirt road toward the main city. On the way, we passed by the first of many beautiful sights, The Obelisk Tomb, the burial place the Nabateans built around 40-70AD, and Bab as-Siq Triclinium. The triclinium is a dining room with three benches on which the guests reclined while feasting.

The Siq

After a short walk, we arrived at the Siq, a breathtaking gorge marking the main entrance to Petra. Local vendors near the entrance provided services such as horse rides, but we opted not to take advantage of these offers and continued into the gorge. I must admit, the experience was truly breathtaking. The towering walls of the Siq shielded us from the sun, providing a cool environment not just in the morning but also as we exited in the early afternoon when concluding our visit to Petra.

The Treasury

At the end of The Siq Gorge is the iconic place that comes to mind when you mention Petra: The Treasury. The images of this site are widely recognized, and for good reason—it’s truly amazing.

The Treasury, known as Al-Khazneh in Arabic, is a rock-cut tomb constructed as a mausoleum and crypt at the start of the 1st century AD. According to local legend, there is a suggestion that “ancient pharaonic treasures” were concealed in the urn positioned right at the top of the tomb.

The Streets of Facades

It serve as the primary thoroughfare extending from the Treasury into the ancient city. Along this route, numerous tombs and remnants of ancient Nabatean houses can be found. We were amused by the entrepreneurial spirit of the local Bedouins with one particular highlight – the Starbucks cave,
To manage expectations—don’t anticipate a traditional Starbucks cappuccino experience here. They only offers coffee from the Starbucks coffee pods 😀.

Petra, the Street of Facades — The Streed of Facades

Starbucks cave in ancient city of Petra — The Streed of Facades

The Theater

It was constructed in the first century AD. A big part of the theater was carved out of solid rock. The theater’s auditorium consists of three horizontal sections of seats separated by passageways and seven stairways to ascend. The theater could accommodate approximately 8500 people

The Royal Tombs
Opposite the Theather is the cliff where the Royal Toms were carved into. Reaching the Royal Toms takes a bit of climbing but it is definitely worth it. The tombs served as the final resting places for Nabataean kings over 2,300 years ago.
Exploring the interiors of these tombs offers a unique experience, allowing one to feel the vibe of those places.

The Palace Tomb, ancient city of Petra — Urn Tomb

While there’s plenty more to explore in Petra, I must confess that after approximately six hours under the sun in this stunning ancient city, we gave it a rain check and started returning back to the parking place while cooling down in the Siq gorge on the way.

Day 5: Wadi Rum

The drive from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum, the famous desert in Jordan, takes about 2 hours. While planning our itinerary, I contemplated spending two nights in the desert. Eventually, I decided to reduce it to just one night, a choice I believe was correct.

Based on our experience, I would recommend the ideal way to visit Wadi Rum is to arrive after lunch and take the afternoon 4-hour drive. Our drive commenced at 3 pm, and judging by the presence of people and cars from other camps, it seems that they all start around that time. We arrived a bit early to Wadi Rum, settled in the camp, but, honestly, there isn’t much to do except wait for the drive.
We stayed at Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp. However, with numerous camps scattered throughout the desert, there’s a wide variety to cater to individual preferences.

It is not permitted to drive in the Wadi Rum desert independently. The individual from the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp coordinated to meet us in the village. Before reaching the village, we had to go through the Wadi Rum visitor center, situated near the village on the main road. At the gate, we were halted and directed to their visitor office to showcase our Jordan passes.
Upon meeting our local guide in Wadi Rum, he drove us in a 4×4 truck to the camp, leaving our car securely parked on their premises.

Wadi Rum Beduin camp, Jordan road trip — Wadi Rum Beduin Camp

View from the Wadi Rum Beduin camp — Wadi Rum Beduin Camp

Our afternoon drive through the desert was incredible. It blended the thrill of driving with on-foot exploration, finished by watching sunset while drinking a cup of Bedouin tea.

Day 6: Aqaba – Tala Bay Aqaba

We explored numerous cultural and natural landmarks during the earlier days of our journey, so on day 6, it was time to head to Aqaba for some beach relaxation.

Departing from Wadi Rum in the morning after enjoying breakfast at the camp, the drive to Aqaba via the Desert Highway took approximately 1 hour.
Upon arrival in Aqaba, we left the car at the Free City Center parking near the beachfront. We wanted to explore Aqaba before heading to our final destination, Tala Bay Resort.

Walking along the Al-Ghandour Beach promenade, we made our way to Aqaba Castle. This Mamluk and Ottoman fortified caravanserai, situated on the pilgrimage route to Mecca and Medina, has preserved its current form primarily from the 16th century.

After exploring Aqaba, we drove to Tala Bay Resort, our final destination on this road trip to Jordan.

Al -Ghandour Beach in Aqaba — Al-Ghandour Beach

Days 7-8: Tala Bay Resort

Why did I choose the Tala Bay Resort over the stay in Aqaba?

Tala Bay, located about 20km from Aqaba, offers a comprehensive resort experience with beaches, restaurants, swimming pools, and shops. After we explored Aqaba, I was pleased with our decision to stay at Tala Bay. Unlike Aqaba, where public beaches are used by locals and might not be suitable for standard beach activities, Tala Bay provides a more resort-like atmosphere.
During our accommodation research in Aqaba, we noticed that many hotels offer transfers to the Berenice Beach Club, a paid private club located approximately 10km from Aqaba in the direction of Tala Bay.

We rented an apartment with one of the many swimming pools just steps away, while the beach was conveniently down the road. It was a delight to soak in the sun before returning to the onset of the European winter.

Swimming pool in Tala Bay resort, Jordan — Pool, Tala Bay resort

Evening on the beach in Tala Bay — Pool, Tala Bay resort

Day 9: Amman – traveling home from our road trip to Jordan

Our final day was a travel day. Covering approximately 320 km on the Desert Highway, the journey back to Amman took around 4 hours. We returned our rental car to the Monte Carlo Car Rental office, conveniently situated just a 5-minute drive from the Airport Departure terminal. After completing the paperwork, we were transported to the airport (no need to wait for a shuttle bus).

Another fantastic trip. And I have already planned a trip to our next destination.