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JORDANIAN NIGHTS


June 2022 Travel News A Jam-Packed Journey through Jordan


Experience the beautiful Country of Jordan with NI Travel News’ Chelsea Cousins who explored the country’s biblical history and ancient ruins with Nebo Tours and Turkish Airlines. ..


Bring your walking Shoes.. Looking back on this trip, we saw a small portion


of what Jordan has to offer but seen enough to give me a little taste of what is still to come when I return. Following a personalised itinerary constructed by Nebo Tours, the group visited the ‘must see sights’ when visiting.


We started strong with a visit to Jerash - Around


50 minutes outside of Amman lies The Graco Roman City. During this portion of the tour the group explored the site where Hadrian’s Arch lies, the 11m high triple arched gateway led us down the path of the Cities History, showing us the Jerash Hippodrome where we imagined gladiators swing swords, to chariots racing through the Oval Plaza from one side of the city to the other. Surrounded by 56 columns in Oval Plaza, the memorising site of the Temple of Zeus towered above us. Our local tour guide providing information with depth and enthusiasm, the group wondered towards the sound of music in the South Theatre. Greeted by a Local Jourdain Scottish Pipe band, the group snapped the joy that was no doubt felt by many generations before us.


Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan F


OR most people, like myself, Jordan, and all that the country is well known for is a ‘Bucket List’ destination. We associate these kinds of destinations with phrases like ‘once in a lifetime’ and ‘if I get lucky enough’ and for me, I was lucky enough. Never did I imagine I would get the chance to visit this amazing culturally enriched country with history that is built into its roots, BUT I did, and Nebo Tours and Turkish Airlines made that possible.


Pre-holiday preparation checklist: • Complete Destination


• Travel Insurance • Check Passport Validity • Put aside £10/40 dinar for Visa • All advice can be found here - https:// www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jordan/ entry-requirements.


and print QR Code


Who are Nebo Tours? Nebo Tours is a family run business in


operation since the 1930’s, based in Jordan. This company prides itself on enriching their customers’ experience and showcasing the gem that is Jordan and for me, they delivered, above and beyond. The company provides an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience in creating tailor made itineraries for tourists looking to explore Jordan.


Thank you for flying Turkish Airlines… For this trip, Turkish Airlines provided the FULL VIP treatment and wow wow wow! It is in fact true what they say, once you fly business class, flying will never be the same again. On Behalf of Turkish Airlines, Onur Gul, the airlines Marketing Executive, took care of myself and the group of Irish Travel Media that went on this trip. From the moment my feet hit the tiles in Dublin Airport we received a 5* service from Turkish Airlines.


With preferential check – in, we beat the crowds and hit the lounge. Getting the chance to meet the group properly and exchange our thoughts and excitement, the media group, Tony Flynn, Business Development Manager for Nebo Tours and Onur from Turkish Airlines enjoyed a glass of champagne to truly kickstart the trip. Flying business class for this trip, Priority check-in and Lounge access was included in the flight ticket, what a treat!


After a quick group picture, the bright-eyed group boarded the plane to experience business class with Turkish Airlines flying from Dublin to Istanbul – for me this was my first time flying in anything other than economy and I was blown away. This service is beyond what you can imagine with so many features to make use of - there just isn’t any other way to fly! The group was privileged enough to be offered business class on every flight during this trip, all courtesy of Turkish Airlines. Business class with Turkish Airlines provides maximum comfort with a service that is 5* restaurant standard. Let me tell you, you haven’t felt comfort until you are flying above the clouds with your feet up enjoying


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a glass of champers. During the flight I made good use of the comfortable reclining seating with massage option and enough leg room for the very tall folk and the award winning catering that provided a little taste of Turkey thanks to the amazing flying chefs, along with catching up on the new released movies, charging my laptop to read the latest NI Travel News Edition and making my way down the drinks menu tasting an alcoholic beverage or 2, all part of the offering with business class. Around 2 and a half hours later, we touched down in Istanbul and again WOW. Newly opened and freshly completed, Istanbul Airport is what can only be described as a small town. The shining star of this airport is the Turkish Airlines Lounge, access to this came with the BC tickets but you can pay for access at the desks. Once in the lounge EVERYTHING is included (all food and beverage offerings), comfy seating is ready and waiting for you to enjoy at every turn, free Wi-Fi is available on a secure network, freshly made Turkish food is plentiful with fresh breads made and lots of drinks to enjoy.


Before we knew it our layover came and went, and


it was time to make the final leg on the trip- Istanbul to Amman. Again, full VIP treatment, I felt like royalty! Around 4 hours took us to Queen Alia International Airport. The 5* treatment from Nebo Tours started here… and can I just say, I felt incredibly lucky to have met and enjoyed this trip with the Nebo Tours team, who became good friends and joined us for the journey because in my opinion, they made the ENTIRE trip for me.


Why fly Turkish Airlines… Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft,


Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 370 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 325 worldwide destinations as 275 international and 50 domestic, in 127 countries. A Round trip economy class


starting price from Dublin to Amman and returning from Aqaba from €528 only (incl taxes). Return business class tickets for the same route, starting €1369 only (incl taxes), see turkishairlines. c om< ht t p: /


/


turkishairlines.com/>, or call: (01) 525-1849. Baggage allowance:


Economy class, 30kg + 8kg hand luggage; Business class 40kg + 16 kg for hand luggage in total with the airline that flies to more countries than any other airline. More information about Turkish Airlines can be


found on its official website www.turkishairlines. com


The Citadel in Amman concluded our sightseeing for day 1. Within the city walls The Citadel rests, on this site The Roman Temple of Hercules and the Islamic Umayyad Palace stand proud. With roots beginning in the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, The Amman Citadel is an archaeological site that is amongst the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. Stopping to see the remains of what used to be a 12m high statue of Hercules and Another building of pure astonishment, the Islamic Umayyad Palace. The group got a glimpse of life in the Umayyad period. It is largely destroyed but the domed entrance chamber (Kiosk or Monumental Gateway) has been restored and promotes a beautiful sight. Visiting one of the most famous sites for healing was a surreal experience. The Dead Sea, known by many around the world for its health properties, is the world’s saltiest body of water. In the area sits a site that is considered the place of the spiritual birth of Jesus Christ - Al-Maghtas. On this occasion I didn’t have the chance to visit but next time it is on my list.


With my swimming suit on and towel in hand, I enjoyed a float in the water, bobbing along, as light as a feather I couldn’t help but think- what a start to the day. A little top tip from me - The order of optimal Dead Sea healing is as follow – a 10 minute drip, get all salty and relaxed, hop out and drown yourself in mud, let it dry for around 15 minutes, wash it of to be left with the softest skin you will ever have and then take another quick dip. Gorgeous. Feeling every small, tiny cut on my body burning but all silky soft, Mount Nebo called. This landmark boasted breath- taking views and the history of being Moses’ final destination to view the promised land. A visit to St George’s Church in Madaba took us all by surprise with Byzantine era Mosaics, all handmade dating back to the 4th Century.


Petra, Petra, Petra – you have my whole heart. The UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven


The Dead Sea, Ishtar


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