skupina 9.3. - Za krásami Jordánska

While this Arab kingdom in Western Asia typically conjures up images of vast sprawling deserts, it is, in fact, a remarkably diverse destination offering ancient churches and castles, spectacular mountain scenery, and stunning beaches, as well as some famously friendly local inhabitants. Itinerary highlights include: the incredible Dead Sea; the 2000-year-old ‘lost city’ of Petra; and the famous Lawrence of Arabia trail, which takes visitors from the ruins of his fort at Azraq to the picturesque deserts of Wadi Rum. While Jordan’s long and fascinating history provides travellers with a host of intriguing historical and biblical sites, the country is certainly not stuck in the past. With its slew of modern luxury hotels, trendy restaurants and lively bars, the city serves as a great base to explore the many ancient sites. For a captivating destination full of natural, historical and cultural wonders, look no further than the enchanting nation of Jordan.

Currency

Dinar (JOD; symbol JD) = 100 piastres or qirsh, or 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of JD1, 1/2 and 1/4; 10, 5, 2 and 1/2 piastres; and 1 and 1/2 qirsh.

Banking

Banking hours: Saturday-Thursday 08h30-15h00. Hours during Ramadan are 08h30-10h00, although some banks open in the afternoon.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and bureaux de change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.

American Express, Visa, Diners Club and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops.

ATMs can be found in most of the larger towns and throughout Amman. Jordan is a cash society. In most places (other than top-end hotels and restaurants) the only acceptable method of payment is cash dinars. Dollars and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted.

Travellers cheques issued by UK banks in sterling, euros or US dollars are accepted by licensed banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Royal Jordanian (www.rj.com) operates frequent flights between Amman and Aqaba. This is the only domestic air route in the country, and is something of a luxury – the road journey between the two cities is only around 4 hours. The flight from Amman to Aqaba takes less than 45 minutes. However, fares are not excessive, and the views out over the desert are an added enticement.

It’s easy to move around Jordan by road. Signage is generally good (and bilingual, in Arabic and English) and road quality is mostly high. Jordan is also small - few journeys between points of interest take longer than 2 hours.

Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road in Jordan. Speed limits are 60kph (38mph) or less in built-up areas, 80kph (50mph) on country roads and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. Mobile radar speed-traps are common. Roadside ID checks have been withdrawn everywhere, but it’s still a good idea to keep your passport with you at all times. The minimum driving age is 18 years. The wearing of seatbelts for all car passengers is mandatory. National driving licences are accepted if they have been issued at least one year before travel. However, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Visitors are not allowed to drive a vehicle with normal Jordanian plates unless they have a Jordanian driving licence.

You should always carry bottled drinking water with you in your vehicle, in case you are stranded in the daytime heat. Be prepared in winter (December to February) for heavy rain, fog and/or snowfall to block roads or hinder progress, especially in high-altitude areas around Ajloun, Tafila, Petra and Ras Al Naqab, as well as in the elevated western suburbs of Amman.

The highways are reasonable but the local driving style can be erratic. For most visitors, in most situations, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is not needed. If you intend to drive off-road in the deserts, in Jordan’s east and south, you are best advised to make contact with a local guide or driver in advance.

Major international car hire companies and a number of local companiesoperate services in the main towns, including Amman and Aqaba; car hire is also available from hotels and travel agents. Drivers are available for the day.

In Amman all taxis operate a meter and can be hired for the day. A shared-taxi service to many towns on fixed routes is also available and can be hired for private use. Tips of around 10% are appreciated but not obligatory. Note that taxis often display the fare in fils rather than dinars and if you overpay by mistaking one for the other, no one is likely to correct you.

Buses are the main means of inter-city transport in Jordan – mostly small 15-seater minibuses, which ply between neighbouring towns as well as to/from Amman.

Jordan’s tap water is generally safe to drink in the towns and cities – it is heavily chlorinated, so may taste bad, but it will not do you harm. Nonetheless, if you can, it is advisable to stick to bottled water and pasteurised milk. Avoid dairy products made from unboiled milk. Be careful with food and water in rural areas: ensure meat and fish are well cooked and avoid raw vegetables and ready-peeled fruit.

Jordanian cuisine shares many of the characteristics of Middle Eastern cooking, but the inclusion of freshly made, local yoghurt and cheese adds a twist to the menu.

Aubergines, chickpeas, lentils and beans turn up in many of the dishes and rice and khoubs (flat Arabic bread) are staples used to scoop up spreads and dips, such as hummus and labneh (a yoghurt-like cream cheese).

Alcohol is served in most restaurants and bars, except during the fasting month of Ramadan (non-Muslim nationals can drink alcohol only in hotels during Ramadan). Black tea is the default drink and is usually served with a spoonful of sugar, though herbal blends are also common.

Generally, a 10% service charge is added to the bill in hotels and upmarket restaurants; extra tips are discretionary.

Jordan is a year-round destination. Even in high summer (June-August), Amman and most areas around the country are not excessively hot, chiefly due to the moderating influence of altitude – Amman stands around 850m (2800ft) above sea level. Similarly, Petra enjoys an elevated position – around 1,100m (3600ft) above sea level, so here, too, although days in summer can be hot, nights are often rather chilly. For Petra, as well as decent walking shoes – the only way in and out of the ruins is by a moderately testing walk over stony ground – also bring something warm for the evenings, even in summer. In winter, Petra can be very cold, with rain and even snow.

The Jordan Valley and the Red Sea coast around Aqaba is warm during winter (December-February) – a pleasant relief from the chill elsewhere – but extremely hot in summer (June-August). In the Eastern Desert, the winter can be bitterly cold and dry and the summer intensely hot. Some high-altitude areas, such as Ajloun, Dana and Petra, can receive snowfall in winter. Rain falls in many areas across the country on higher ground between October and March.

Lightweight clothes are advised between May and September. Thick winter clothes are essential for winter and a warm layer is necessary for cool summer evenings. Rainwear is advisable from November to March.

For the most part, electrical sockets in Jordan are one of three types: the "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug, the "Type G" British BS-1363 or the "Type D" Indian 5 amp BS-546. It's just anybody's guess as to which of the three types will be installed at any given specific location. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.

Electrical sockets in Jordan usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.