On a recent trip to Jordan I decided to hire a professional driver before I left home. On a previous visit to Jordan I have had an organised group day bus trip to Petra from Aqaba, which was great, though I felt some time pressures during the day and didn’t feel I got the most out of my Petra visit. The next time I visited Jordan I chose an tourist company in Amman and did set itinerary day trips. This was wonderful, my driver (now friend) was amazing, bringing the whole experience more personal. So on this last trip I arranged for the same driver for the whole of my trip. Best decision and well worth the money.
The freedom and flexibility of hiring a professional private driver brought the whole trip into the realms of amazing. When you visit Jordan there are some mainstay antiquities to visit. When you have limited time, hitting each of these antiquities systematically is the way to go. With a professional driver you can achieve them at a more leisurely pace.
For me I wanted off the beaten path. I even left a few days with nothing planned just to see where the wind would take me. It can be a little nerve racking to tell a driver just take me anywhere. It all worked out. I had antiquities on my list that the average visitor doesn’t go to, as well as I grouped antiquities in geographical locations so I could hit up to five in one day. This too was a bit nerve racking for a driver who is used to the main tourist trail. After Day One, consisting of an airport pick up and two antiquities (Qasr Al-Mushatta and Umm Ar-Rasas) before the hotel drop off, Ali realized I was no ordinary visitor.
From that point on, if I wanted to see it, Ali would make every effort to make it happen. Visit five antiquities in one day, not possible, yes it is. Even with the variation in road conditions we hit Qasr Al-Jimal, Qasr Al-Halabat, Qasr Al-Kharrana, Qasr Al-Azraq and Quseir Amra in one day. Anything is possible with an open heart, open mind and good company.
On the days I spent in Amman I did not need a driver, I walked to the Jordan Museum, through the Souks, to the Roman Amphitheater and the Citadel. Other days I took day trips from Amman to the north or to the west. My northern itinerary was very standard with a planned visit to Ajloun Castle, Pella and Umm Qais, though I threw in Tal Mar Elias just because it was so close to Ajloun, which was my twist. My visit up north also allowed me to go the back roads through the Jordan Valley via North Shuna to Umm Qais.
When I started to travel in the south having Ali as my professional driver made the whole experience my best Jordan trip to date. From making contact with local Bedouin for the Wadi Rum visit, exploring Aqaba with a native Arabic speaker brought the city a new dimension, giving me flexibility to explore around Petra going to Shoback and Dana village and time freedom climb to Lots Cave and up Makawa, having the private driver was the best decision of the trip.
Jordan needs tourist visitors. Jordan is safe. Jordan is a destination back in time with some modern amenities. Everyone should visit Jordan at least once in their life time. Plan your trip now, the world is a changing place.
