What to recommend in Jordan

[Anonymous]

I'm heading out that way in April. Are there any Roman sites that people here have visited and would recommend? Or any good watering holes... <p></p><i></i>

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

i think that this is the official link of Jordan:<br>
<br>
[url=http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/tourism.html" target="top]www.kinghussein.gov.jo/tourism.html[/url]<br>
<br>
it has lots of interesting info regarding touristic sites.<br>
<p>-------------------------------------------------------<br>
A great flame follows a little spark.<br>
Dante Alighieri,The Divine Comedy<br>
</p><i></i>

[Niedel]

Have never been, but friends have been to Petra, and said it's as spectacular as on film, but a little crowded with tourists (that was a few years back, though, with the whole middle East problems, it might be less crowded these days). As to watering holes, I'd recommend traveling to Belgium, Ireland or Germany instead ;-) <p></p><i></i>

[mcbishop]

I hope you have a hire car lined up ;-)<br>
<br>
Number one absolute must-see is Kasr Bshir, but it's a bit off the beaten track:<br>
<br>
www.mcbishop.co.uk/oculus/vbshir1.htm<br>
<br>
It's Late Roman, but hey what the heck, you have to lower your standards occasionally.<br>
<br>
I would also strongly recommend Kasr Azraq and Kasr el Hallabat, whilst Lejjun (late legionary base) is pretty impressive... and also rather out of the way. A trip to the late Roman/Byzantine city of Umm el Jimal is rather spooky as it looks like the aftermath of a nuclear war. It also has a Roman fort embedded within it.<br>
<br>
Petra is frankly a bit so-so (you have to see it, but expect to be disappointed) and highly touristy. Jerash on the other hand is very luscious, carpeted in potsherds, and one of my favourite places (Dave Kennedy, Derrick Riley and I once slept in the car park there, DLK pretending to be asleep when a policeman came to move us on and leaving Derrick and I to do the ignorant Englishmen bit). A trip up the valley to the crusader-period castle of Ajlun is worth it.<br>
<br>
Talking of other periods, if you want a break from Roman stuff take in Kerak, home of the obnoxious Reynald de Chatillon, and Shobak, a castle at the top of an intriguing spiral road. I met a Jordanian Air Force Hawker Hunter mechanic at the latter who insisted on climbing up the outside of the keep. Yikes!<br>
<br>
A brief picture essay on Jordan can be found here:<br>
<br>
www.mcbishop.co.uk/jordan.htm<br>
<br>
Mike Bishop <p></p><i></i>

[Caius Fabius]

The Roman Army in Jordan book by David Kennedy has maps, drawings photos and loads of good information (no I will not tell the wife I peeked into my Christmas present!) You might be able to get it at this link and send a portion of the profits to RAT! I can't find a Amazon.Uk link, however.<br>
ISBN 0-9539102-1-0 for the paperback version.<br>
<br>
<br>
The mapping is not a detailed as you might want, but it is better than any others I have found so far. You might find some old / used defense / military maps if you check ebay. I got an aeronautical map of the area that way. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=caiusfabius>Caius Fabius</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ROMANISROMANORVM/files/C%20Fabius%201988b.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 12/10/04 11:20 pm<br></i>

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mike - very helpful as ever. I'll see what I can fit in. I suspect, though, that my hosts will have prepared something of an itinery. Sounds like you had a great time there. <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Looked at your pics. Bshir seems to be the very spot I need for the setting of the next book. <p></p><i></i>