Jordan had been on my list for years—Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea—all those places you see in movies and travel magazines. But no amount of planning could have prepared me for what I actually experienced. This wasn’t just a country with breathtaking landscapes and ancient ruins. It was a place that pulled me in with its warmth, history, and, occasionally, a bit of unexpected chaos.
To make it even more special, my family and I arrived just days before the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein. The entire country was in celebration mode—Jordanian flags lined the roads, buildings were draped in banners of the prince and his bride, and there was an electric sense of national pride everywhere. It felt like I had stepped into something bigger than just my trip, and I was lucky to witness it.
Hitting the Road with a Private Driver
Rather than renting a car or relying on public transport, we decided to hire a private driver for our time in Jordan. Best decision ever. Not only did it save us the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads, but it also gave us a built-in guide—someone who knew all the hidden spots, could recommend the best off-the-beaten-path stops, and, most importantly, could handle the Jordanian traffic with the ease of a pro.
Our driver, Khalid, was friendly, professional, and completely unfazed by my kids’ constant snack requests(he even humored the kids by sharing in the snacking and trying new ‘American’ treats. He whisked us from one destination to the next with the kind of efficiency that made the whole trip feel effortless.
Madaba & Mount Nebo: A Step Back in Time
Our first stop outside Amman was Madaba, a small town known for its ancient mosaics. The highlight was St. George’s Church, home to the famous Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land. With over two million tiny colored stones pieced together, it was a masterpiece. Seeing something so detailed and well-preserved from centuries ago was mind-blowing—especially knowing that travelers had once relied on this very map to navigate the region.
A short drive from Madaba took us to Mount Nebo, where, according to tradition, Moses stood and looked out over the Promised Land. Standing at the summit, I could see across the Jordan Valley, with Israel and the West Bank in the distance. It was surreal—one of those moments where history doesn’t just feel like something in a book but something you can actually see and feel.
Petra: As Incredible As They Say
Waking up early to visit Petra was the best decision we made. Khalid dropped us at the entrance, gave us a few tips, and sent us on our way. Walking through the Siq, a narrow sandstone canyon, I could feel the anticipation building just by seeing glimpses of the ancient water system and random carved stairs for the Nabataeans to escape flash floods. And then—there it was. The Treasury. Even after seeing a thousand photos of it, nothing could prepare me for the real thing. The way the sun hit the intricate carvings, the sheer scale of it—it was absolutely stunning.
But Petra isn’t just about the Treasury. We spent the day hiking through ancient tombs, exploring places that felt untouched by time, and attempting to make the climb to the Monastery. Not only was it HOT, but the last stretch to the monastery was rumored to be very challenging, and the kids just weren’t up for it. Despite that, there was plenty to explore including hundreds of makeshift shops set up by the bedouins (Nomadic Arabs) along the main traffic areas. Every turn revealed something incredible, and by the time the sun started to set, we were completely exhausted—but in the best way.
Wadi Rum: Straight Out of a Sci-Fi Movie
If Petra was a trip through history, Wadi Rum was a trip to another planet. This vast desert, nicknamed the Valley of the Moon, has been a backdrop for movies like The Martian and Dune—and for good reason.
We hopped into a jeep (which is really just a truck with benches bolted in the bed) and spent the day riding over massive sand dunes, climbing rock formations, and drinking sweet Bedouin tea in the shade of a canyon. But the real magic happened at sunset. As the sky turned pink and orange, casting long shadows over the red sand, I just sat there, taking it all in.
That night, we stayed in a Bedouin camp, with nothing but the stars overhead. It was quiet in a way I had never experienced before—no city noise, no cars, just the occasional crackle of the campfire. One of those moments where you feel incredibly small but also completely at peace.
We partook in a traditional Bedouin barbecue where they dig a hole in the ground add coal, add the barbeque rack full of meat and veggies, cover in more coal, and then cover in dirt. It was delicious! It was here that I also discovered my love for labneh (a middle eastern cheese made from strained yogurt). Before bed, Brett and I ended the evening with a traditional hookah and more star gazing.
Floating (and Flailing) in the Dead Sea
After days of hiking and exploring, a stop at the Dead Sea felt like the perfect way to end our time in Jordan. The moment I stepped into the water, I felt the strangest sensation—floating completely effortlessly. It was surreal, like I had lost control over my own body.
Of course, I also made the classic mistake of getting Dead Sea water in my eyes. (If you’ve ever done this, you know the pain.) Lesson learned: keep your face far away from the water.
After covering myself in the famous mineral-rich mud—which made me look like a swamp creature—I sat on the shore and watched the sun set over the stillest water I’d ever seen. It was the perfect ending to our Jordan adventure.
A Not-So-Perfect Flight to Egypt
But the adventure wasn’t quite over yet. The next stop was Egypt, and the short flight from Amman to Cairo should have been uneventful. It was not.
Midway through the flight, my son got sick. And when I say sick, I mean full-on, mid-air disaster. He was in the middle seat, my daughter was pressed against the window, and I was on the aisle, doing my best to help without actually touching puke.
To make things even more chaotic, we were on a plane full of Egyptians and Jordanians who didn’t speak English. Passengers around us gave sympathetic looks but had no idea what I was asking for. So there I was, scrambling through my bag for wipes, while my daughter tried to make herself as small as possible against the window and my son looked utterly miserable.
By the time we landed in Cairo, I was exhausted, slightly traumatized, and desperately in need of a shower. But hey—what’s travel without a little chaos?
Looking Back on Jordan
Hiring a private driver had made all the difference in Jordan—it gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace while also getting local insights along the way. From Khalid’s roadside coffee stops to his endless patience with our kids, he wasn’t just our driver; he was part of our Jordan experience.
Jordan had been everything I hoped for and more. The history, the landscapes, the people—it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But first, I had to survive Cairo.
