Israel or jordan

[L0uby1]

Has,anyone been to one or both? I'm fascinated by this part of the world.

We had one booked in 2020 that covered both.......

Looking again for this year, but all I can find involves 1 night in a tent.
Bugger that !

Been to both. Loved them. Felt travelling around was easier in Israel.

Been to Israel but not Jordan. What would you like to know

Ive heard that getting to Petra is a real trek from Amman, but I suppose worth it once you are there. Personally I'd prefer Israel as I've been to so many Arab countries it would be nice to try something with a different cultural vibe. But I hear Jordan is great.

I've been to Israel a few times. Great food, cranky customer service, some amazing desert landscapes and more incredible archeology than you can shake a stick at.

The ruined city of Avdat and national park around it is especially good We liked it a bit more than Gamla, which is a more famous ancient city.

Jaffa and the mystic city of Tzvat are particularly worth visiting.

Israel is being exceptionally strict on not letting people in due to COVID however - a friend has not even been able to get there to see his parents who live out there, and my son's school who always did a trip at the end of Y6 is having to cancel again this year as they just couldn't be sure Israel would get any less strict. So do check rules.

I'd love to go to Jordan one day!

Jordan is amazing but the driving is something else... We went on an organised trip (small group, private bus with guide) from Amman to Dead Sea and Petra via a couple of other places then back up to Amman and to Jerash. Didn't go too far north for proximity to Syria. Didn't make it as far as Wadi Rum or down to the Red Sea but I'd love to go back and get further south.

Beautiful country, amazing food, friendly people, desperate reliance on tourism because there are no natural resources and enormous numbers of refugees being managed (officially in camps and loads informally with extended family, esp from Lebanon and Syria).

But I wouldn't hire a car and drive for anything. Taxis / tour or Uber all preferable!

The advantage of Israel is that it's so small, you can get from place to place easily and there's so much to see. Jordan is much bigger, harder to get around and many things you can do in Petra you can do from Israel's side. However Petra is a must see place and you can't do that from Israel!

Been to both, prefer Jordan. If you go then I'd recommend hiring a car if possible, as like a PP mentioned there's quite a distance between Petra and Amman. Petra is a must visit! I'd also highly recommend the Hotel Kempinski at the Dead Sea if you want a few days of relaxing in luxury

Been to both. Liked both but they were different holidays.
I think I marginally preferred the Israel one as it was so packed with things to do. Jordan has lots too but not as compact so more travelling needed.

Jordan is amazing - don't eat ANYTHING from the buffet restaurant in Petra

Dumbest thing I ever did 😂

I’ve been to both, Israel we stayed in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Jerusalem. Fascinating, easy to get around but lots of things closed on Shabbat (although I believe public buses are now available, they weren’t when we went - Christmas 2017) Tel Aviv felt more European than I expected.

In Jordan we went to Amman, Petra, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, we had an amazing time there. Very expensive for alcohol( except Aqaba) , lots of restaurants were dry. Food great, amazing experiences, lovely people. I would do both if you can but do Jordan first, many people have very negative feelings against Israel, referring to it as Occupied Palestine. You do need to be aware that women need to cover shoulders and knees, when out on streets etc. Of the 2, on reflection Jordan offered more.

You can do the Dead Sea from Israel. And I'm oretty sure you can do a trip to Petra and the Wadi Rum from Israel too.
I don't work for the Israel Travel Board. Haha. I just think for a first visit, Israel offers more and is just plain easier to get round. But if you did choose Jordan, you'd have a great time too. (I might have a little bias because I found it hard to see how animals such as horses and donkeys were treated in Jordan. )

Only been to Jordan. Beautiful country - very safe, great food and lots to do. Flew into Amman and spent a few days seeing the sights there before getting picked up by a driver which we hired for a week. We went to Jeresh, Mount Nebo, Bethany, wadi rum, Petra and finished at the Dead Sea for some spa time.

I went to Jordan alone and had an amazing time. I stayed in Madaba rather than Aman, the place I stayed organised a taxi driver to take me where I wanted to go. To get from there to Petra was about £90 with some stops on the way down, although it was a number of years ago that I went.
I would like to go to Israel but I think Jordan is more interesting of the two if you haven't been to either, mainly due to Petra (although I would like to go to Masada). So much to do in a small county. Wadi Rum is fantastic, the dead sea, fab Roman ruins at Jerash, Kerak castle, .....an amazing country to visit.

Been to Israel but hoping to visit Jordan in September. Really loved Tel Aviv and found it easy to navigate, people are friendly and there was so much to do in the city that I cancelled our day trip Jerusalem and spent more time in Tel Aviv.

Jordan is amazing. Pre Covid we booked a tour and private driver with a local company. We went to Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Amman and Dead Sea in 6 nights but I wish we had another night or two.

We went to Israel and loved it. Feels like you're in the bible. We stayed in Eilat and did all the trips from there. Amazing diving. Would very much recommend.

Israel remains one of the best holidays I have ever been on. Beautiful and fascinating country. I'm liking the sound of Jordan though...thank you pp's 🤣

Thanks for all the replies. Lots to think about. We are veering towards Jordan atm, but that might change. I hadn't really considered that Israel might be still restrictiong tourists next year!
If we did israel, I think we would just stick to Tel Aviv this time. Is a week enough? Same for Jordan.?
Also, what is the best time of year to go Don't want it to be too hot, and who have you all booked flights with?

We went end of July - were tied to school holidays. Was hot (mid 30s) but I love hot so mostly it was wonderful.

The only one I'd caution is Petra - we stayed the night before nearby and entered the city at dawn (it was chilly - desert nights). When we came out at 1pm it was 41 degrees. I did not envy the tourists making their way in at that point....

I would go for longer than 1 week to Jordan. You will miss a lot in 1 week due to travelling. I would say 10 days if you can.

@BedsorestoaSloth

We went end of July - were tied to school holidays. Was hot (mid 30s) but I love hot so mostly it was wonderful.

The only one I'd caution is Petra - we stayed the night before nearby and entered the city at dawn (it was chilly - desert nights). When we came out at 1pm it was 41 degrees. I did not envy the tourists making their way in at that point....

Thanks. We're thinking September or october. Not tied to school holidays. Who did you book your flights with please?

Both, subject to the new restrictions now, of course. You could start in Aqaba and the Red Sea, hire a driver for a few days (sounds grand but the public transport is dire and it is well priced). They are used to designing itineraries but they would typically include Wadi Rum, Petra, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea. There is a gorgeous Templar castle ruin with few health and safety barriers which was interesting with young boys.
Amman is okay, not much to see. You can then do a separate trip into Jerusalem

@Flingingmelon

Jordan is amazing - don't eat ANYTHING from the buffet restaurant in Petra

Dumbest thing I ever did 😂

Eww Yes. Flies galore. Our driver knew we never wanted to do it but was instructed to take us there anyway by the boss. He felt so guilty that the next day, he took us to his daughters home for lunch where we were served a wonderful mansaf and came away with the best memories.

Finally, you could stay overnight in a 'luxury' bubble tent in the Wadi Rum (red desert) but a good experience is also available as a day/evening guest. We went in December and the weather was perfect.