Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say, but one of the main reasons we chose this trip was because of the two days allocated to Petra, and this proved to have been absolutely right. Petra is vast, and tiring to explore - even in winter - so to get the most out of it, 2 days is essential. It is, of course quite superb. Ibrahim's pace in Petra allowed the group to see the highlights of Petra comfortably.
We also enjoyed the unique experience of floating in the Dead Sea whilst staying in the very comfortable Holiday Inn resort. It was also interesting to see at first hand the geographical relationship with Israel and to explore important Biblical sites.
I also particularly enjoyed seeing Jerash, a major Roman City.
Finally, I'd make a strong recommendation for the Jordanian Museum, which we saw on the last day. It houses some Dead Sea scrolls and the oldest figurines every found. It is particularly well laid out and in our view was a fitting end to an excellent trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ibrahim was an excellent ambassador for both Jordan and Exodus. We particularly liked his affable temperament and helpfulness. His organisational skills were good, and we enjoyed his restaurant recommendations. His historical knowledge was good without being overpowering - to get the most out of this trip it is highly desirable to have a good guide book to supplement the leader's knowledge, as he should not be regarded as an expert in the various civilisations that Jordan has hosted.
We found Jordanian people to be exceptionally pleasant, and you should not expect to be harassed in any way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Keep hydrated and watch personal hygiene as it is easy to pick up a traveller tummy upset. Do some homework before you travel as the history of Jordan is complex and you will see many very different sites.
In winter, take warm clothing - there can be a significant windchill. It snowed in Petra while we were in Jordan. To get the most out of Petra you should be comfortable hiking for several miles, and the optional view points involve climbing hundreds of steps.
If you drink alcohol, it is better to take some duty free as it can be hard to find while travelling (also very expensive).
