For the 2009 year end we looked for destination where we could enjoy sea, mountains and historical sights, daytime temperatures at least around 20°C and where we don't have to go through any painful visa procedure. Jordan clearly won the contest.
We rented a car for 1 week and visited Madaba, Amman, Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea, Aqaba and the Red Sea Coast, Petra, Wadi Rum Desert, Karak Castle and Desert Castles in the Eastern Desert.

Countries visited: Jordan
Travelperiod: 12/2009 - 01/2010
Costs (2 people):
980 EUR (air tickets), 750 EUR (expenses in Jordan), 210 EUR (car rental / 1 week)

Mosque in Madaba

The Holy Land

We spent the very first day in a nice small town Madaba and only next day we paid a visit to Amman, did some sightseeing and most importantly rented a car for the next week.

Dead Sea - Amman Beach

on the Desert Highway

Finally having a car, we made a trip to the Dead Sea.

view towards south from the Rajif Junction

houses in Petra

Following day we left Madaba and made quite a move to the south of Jordan - via the Desert Highway we drove to the Red Sea. In Aqaba we anchored in a nice lodge close to the so called South Beach. The weather should be somewhat cloudier and colder today, so we put full day trip to Petra on the agenda. Leaving Aqaba early in the morning and after 2 hours of driving we are in front of the entrance to Petra.

The Monastery (El Deir)

Tala Bay resort seen from Royal Diving Club

We pay the entrance fee 21 JOD (that's steep, but the visit is worth the money) and start exploring the site. First we walk-up long way to Monastery (El Deir) and only on the way back we stop at all the other interesting places as the Royal Tombs or the Treasury (Al Kazneh).
It's the last day of the year and forecast says sunny weather and 25C. So we drive southwards to the border with Saudi Arabia and end up on a private beach belonging to one of the resorts. Snorkeling (wonderful coral reefs) and relaxing.

view from the top of the Red Sand Dune

Rock Bridge seen from the Rock Bridge

On the very first day of the new year we head to Wadi Rum. We wanted to climb the highest mountain in Jordan - Jebel Um Adaami (1832m) at the border with Saudi Arabia, but it needs a full day. So together with a French couple we book one of the organised tours - Red Sand Dune, ancient Anfaishyya rock inscriptions, Lawrence's House (named after Lawrence of Arabia) and last but not least the Um Fruth Rock Bridge. Follows a nice ride through Barrah Canyon back to the visitor centre and we yet can enjoy a wonderful evening view of the rock formation called Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

the Um Fruth Rock Bridge

last sunrays hit the Seven Pillars of the Wisdom

We pack all our stuff next day morning and drive back to the north of Jordan. Approximately in the middle of the Desert Highway we turn westwards to Karak, where stands one of the more preserved crusader castles in the Middle East. From Karak we continue driving towards the Dead Sea, where we arrive by dusk. Follows a drive along the coastline and then steep road up to Mount Nebo and Madaba, which we set as a base for the rest of our trip.

Camels on the road

view towards West from Karak

On our last day we head to the Eastern Desert, where we want to see some of the Desert Castles, namely Qasr Kharana, Qasr Amra and Qasr Azraq.

road to Iraq

Qasr Amra

Back to Amman we took the northern road via Zarqa, but it was in a bad shape and the drive took longer than expected. Moreover we again made one wrong turn in Amman, which resulted in more than an hour long action drive through the city. At 3PM we are finally arriving to King Abdullah Gardens and returning our car. Then back to Madaba, pack everything and after midnight we take a cab to the airport. The trip is over.