Frequently asked questions

Here is a list of the most common questions we are asked... We'll continue to update this list.

1. Who will be guiding us?
You will have the services of a tour manager who will be with you throughout your stay in Jordan. In addition, local guides will accompany each excursion. Tailor Made holidays however do not have the services of a tour manager.

2. Are there any difficult parts of the journey?
At times you may be walking over rough terrain, and at Petra if you wish to visit the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice, this involves a steep climb.

3. How long is the flight?
Direct flights are 5 hours from London. Jordan is 2 hours ahead of the UK in Winter and 3 hours ahead in Summer.

4. What is the currency?
The currency in Jordan is the Dinar, with 1 Dinar being worth approximately 80p. You can buy your currency before you travel from banks and Bureaux de Change outlets, and I have found it useful to take some small denominations for tipping and small purchases. Sterling and dollars and be easily exchanged, and cash machines are available in Amman, Petra and Aqaba, although not at Amman Airport. Finally if you take travellers cheques, it is recommended to take Sterling travellers cheques.

5. Is it possible to drink alcohol?
Yes. Most hotels and restaurants serve alcohol and there are many bars in Amman.

6. Can we drink the tap water?
No. Bottled water is recommended and is readily available. In some hotels the ice is made from purified water and is perfectly safe. You are provided with complimentary bottled water in the vehicle.

7. What to Wear?
Although Jordan has a very westernised outlook, its still best to wear skimpy clothes only in hotel complexes and on the beach. Otherwise cotton for the day and a jacket or coat for the cooler evenings. The hotels do not have a strict dress code for dinner.

8. Do we need electrical adaptors?
The electrical current is 220 Volts, hence a 2-pin plug is useful. Please note that many hotels now allow you to use standard UK plugs.

9. When is the best time to go?
There is little rain throughout the year. It is hottest towards the end of June to early September. During Ramadan (21 August - 19 September in 2009) it is best not to eat or drink in public during daylight hours, however within hotels and restaurants it is perfectly fine as these hotels will remain fully operational.

10. Do we need injections?
There are no special requirements for Jordan, but whenever travelling abroad it is useful to be immunised against typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis, polio and tetanus. If you feel unwell at any stage of your holiday, just speak to one of the guides who will offer assistance and arrange for any medical attention that might be necessary.

11. Is there much crime?
The incidence of crimes against tourists in Jordan is relatively low, and the majority of people are genuinely friendly and helpful. The advice is the same as for anywhere in the world - take minimum valuables, use the hotel safe, keep travellers cheque numbers separate and keep an eye on your luggage at the airport.

12. What do I do in an emergency?
Your final documents will contain emergency telephone numbers both for Jordan and in the UK. There is also a 24 hour emergency mob