Historically, Jordan has held a very important position, being located near the merging landscape of 3 major continents—Africa, Asia and Europe. Undertaking Jordan Day Trips is an excellent way to understand how varying cultural influences have become a part of Jordan’s remarkable history. Following are some noteworthy suggestions for planning Jordan day trips:

Visiting Mount Nebo

Unlike some of the mountain peaks popular for their altitude or scenic beauty, Mount Nebo is renowned for its religious significance. It is visited by thousands of people from the surrounding countries of the Middle East. Mount Nebo is actually a ridge located in the western part of Jordan. While some people say that Mount Nebo is the site where Moses first had a glimpse of the Promised Land, some believe that Moses was buried beneath this ridge. The mount offers a unique view of the Holy Land, making it a pilgrimage-like site for many people. The summit of the ridge offers a combined view of the cities of Jerusalem and Jericho. The view might be a bit hazy on some days. This is why visiting Mount Nebo around the noon is recommended. Some parts of the River Jordan valley can also be seen on clear days. Another site worth noting here is the serpentine sculpture at the summit that was carved by an Italian artist. This is why Mount Nebo is often called the Serpent Mountain.

• Directions: 10 km from Madaba. Mount Nebo is best traveled from the small town of Madaba where local taxis can be hired for a day trip.

Visiting Qusayr Amra

Qusayr Amra is among the most scared of Jordan’s castles. The castle is remarkably well-preserved considering it was built in the 8th century. The external facades might suggest that the castle has begun to deteriorate but the insides, particularly the exotic frescoes on the ceilings, don’t appear to have aged. The castle serves as an excellent resource to understand the early, Persian architectural styles and some typical Roman influences. The castle consists of a massive bath-house that is bordered by unending halls on either side. The castle showcases varying influences in its drawings, particularly those of the caliphs who ruled over Jordan. Certain sections of the wall have a religious significance since they depict the advent of Islam in this part of the world.

• Directions: Reaching Qusayr Amra is easy since it is a national landmark. Local taxis can be hired for a trip to the castle. It is located about 30 km from the city of Azraq, along Highway 40.

Visiting the Roman Army and Chariot Show

To showcase the cultural influence of the Roman Empire across Jordan, an international show is frequently arranged in the city of Jerash. The entire show is dedicated to the Roman tradition of holding gladiator shows. This show has attained global fame and has become an integral part of most Jordan travel packages. The gladiators are adorned with heavy armors and the fight depictions are amazingly realistic.

• Directions: This show is held at the Jerash Hippodrome, in Jerash. This facility was recently renovated and some people still call it the Circus Gerasa. The Hippodrome can be easily accessed from the capital city of Amman by taxi or a bus-ride.
• Hours: There are 2 shows in a day, during the daytime only. Saturday to Thursday: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There is only 1 show on Friday at 10 a.m. No shows are held on Tuesdays.