Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Why Go?
You might expect that the far north of Jordan, with its exceptional Roman ruins, biblical
associations, lively cities and complex terrain, would feature as a standard part of any vis-
itor's trip to the country. This, however, is not the case and the region receives relatively
few visitors compared with Petra and the south. For those in the know, this is excellent
news as it means that it is quite possible to enjoy epic sites like Jerash without the epic
crowds normally associated with a world-class destination.
Although many of the sites can be covered in a day trip from Amman, this ancient and
populous region, dotted with olive groves and pine forests and liberally strewn with the
ruins of Rome's great Decapolis cities, repays a longer visit. The availability of public
transport and friendly accommodation facilitate this and if the springtime flowers happen
to be blooming, it will prove to be a hard region to leave.
When to Go
The natural time to visit the northern part of Jordan is in spring (March to mid-May) when
the black iris, the country's national flower, puts in a shy appearance along roadsides and
a profusion of knee-high wildflowers spill across the semiarid hillsides.
For culture vultures, the hot summer months of July and August bring music and poetry
to the Roman ruins in the Jerash Festival of Culture & the Arts.
From early November to January, while the region's hill towns shiver through winter,
sub-tropical fruits ripen in the Jordan Valley.
Best Places to Stay
»
»Hadrian Gate Hotel (
Click here
)
»
»Olive Branch Resort (
Click here
)
