Middle East - Anthony Ham [336]
INSURANCE
All car rentals come with some kind of insurance, but you should find out how much your excess is (ie the maximum you will have to pay in case of an accident), which may be as high as JD400. For JD5 to JD10 extra per day, you can buy Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which takes your deductible down to JD100 or even to zero.
ROAD RULES
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road in Jordan, at least in theory: more often, they loiter in the middle. The general speed limit inside built-up areas is 50km/h or 70km/h on multilane highways in Amman, and 90km/h to 110km/h on the highways. Note that indicators are seldom used, rules are only occasionally obeyed, the ubiquitous horn is a useful warning signal and pedestrians must take their chances. Wearing a seat belt is now compulsory.
Keep your passport, driver’s licence, rental agreement and registration papers handy, especially along the Dead Sea Hwy where there are quite a few police check posts.
Hitching
In Wadi Rum and along the King’s and Dead Sea highways, you may need to wave down a ride; it’s customary to give a few dinars to the driver. For general information on hitching, Click here.
Local Transport
BUS
Local city buses are generally packed, routes are confusing and the chances of being pickpocketed are higher. Take a service taxi instead.
TAXI
Private taxis are quite cheap in the cities. Note that metered fares are displayed in fils not dinars, and if you proffer the fare in dinars by mistake, the driver is unlikely to correct you.
White servees are a little more expensive than minibuses and don’t cover as many routes, but they are generally faster and take less time to fill up (there are generally only four seats). Inside cities like Amman, service taxis offer extensive coverage and are a good alternative to walking or taking private taxis. For more details on taxis in Jordan, Click here.
Tours
The Cliff (Click here), Farah (Click here) and Palace (Click here) hotels in Amman offer useful day trips from the capital. The most popular ones run to the desert castles; to Jerash, Ajloun and Umm Qais; and along the King’s Hwy to Petra, via Madaba, Mt Nebo, Mujib Gorge, Karak and Shobak (JD15 to JD25 per person). We’ve received varying reports about the quality of such tours, so it’s worth asking other travellers before deciding. The tours are really just transport, so don’t expect much from the guide.
One option that has been recommended by readers is the tour that leaves Amman at 8.30am and travels to Petra (9½ hours) via Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak and Dana, with time spent at each of the various sites. The Mariam Hotel (Click here) in Madaba can arrange a similar itinerary.
There are a few tour companies with a good reputation for comprehensive (but more expensive) tours around Jordan; try International Traders(Map; 06-5607075) in Shmeisani (Amman) and Aqaba, or call Petra Moon( 03-2156665; www.petramoon.com) in Wadi Musa.
The Palace Hotel also runs a day trip from Amman to Damascus for around JD20 to JD25 per person. Note that for most nationalities, Syria does not issue visas at the border, so make arrangements from home if you’re planning a trip to Damascus (Click here).
Lebanon
* * *
CLIMATE & WHEN TO GO
HISTORY
THE CULTURE
RELIGION
ARTS
ENVIRONMENT
FOOD & DRINK
BEIRUT
HISTORY
ORIENTATION
INFORMATION
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
BEIRUT FOR CHILDREN
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
SLEEPING
EATING
DRINKING
ENTERTAINMENT
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
AROUND BEIRUT
BEIT MERY & BRUMMANA
JEITA GROTTO
JOUNIEH
NORTH OF BEIRUT
BYBLOS (JBAIL)
TRIPOLI (TRABLOUS)
BCHARRÉ & THE QADISHA VALLEY
THE CEDARS
SOUTH OF BEIRUT
SIDON (SAIDA)
TEMPLE OF ECHMOUN
TYRE (SOUR)
CHOUF MOUNTAINS
BEKAA VALLEY
ZAHLÉ
BAALBEK
AANJAR
LEBANON DIRECTORY