Trips & Tours: Jordan Mosaic Workshop

Meet/assist at Queen Alia Airport Amman and transfer to Madaba, home to the world’s largest collection of ancient mosaics, for our first night in the desert kingdom.

In the morning we will begin our lessons in the ancient craft of mosaics under the expert tutelage of acknowledged masters of the craft. In the afternoon we visit Mt. Nebo, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. Take in the view of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho and (if it's clear) the distant spires and domes of the Mount of Olives. Visit the contemporary church with its display of mosaics from the succession of pilgrimage churches on this venerated spot, perfect for creative inspiration. Continue to Wadi Mukhayet to visit the Church of St Lot & Procopius, and view the wonderful mosaic inside.

Morning in the mosaic workshop. In the afternoon explore Madaba’s fine mosaics on view at the Madaba Archaeological Park, Apostle’s Church, Museum and St George Church.

Continue our creative work in the Mosaic workshop in the morning. In the afternoon visit Um ar-Rasas, one of Jordan’s World Heritage sites, to see the dramatic mosaic floor in the St. Stephen Church, with its medallions commemorating all the pilgrimage stops between Constantinople and the Sinai, as well as one of the region’s earliest stylite towers.

This morning is the final morning our mosaic workshop, a perfect opportunity to see exactly what we’ve learned. In the afternoon we descend to the Dead Sea, lowest point on the earth's surface. Tour the newly-excavated Bethany Baptismal Site. Biblical archaeologists, working from clues supplied by the Madaba mosaic map, believe this to be the spot where John the Baptist lived and worked, and where Jesus was baptised in the waters of the Jordan River. The extensive water channels, cisterns and baptismal fonts, as well as the impressive size of the very early (3rd-4th Century) pilgrimage churches on this site, certainly suggest that this is where the earliest Christian pilgrims believed the Baptism took place. The walk past "Elijah's Well" to the St. John Church on the banks of the Jordan is a pleasure in itself, as we follow the winding trail through marshes of high reeds and tamarisk trees. In the evening we will be taken to Haret Jdoudna for a gala dinner with our mosaic workshop colleagues, before saying goodbye.

Transfer to Petra for a full day’s guided tour of the wonderful Rose Red City where we'll see the famous Treasury after our walk through the Siq. The whole of Petra's ancient city is laid before us as we walk through the winding canyon to the amphitheatre and beyond. The red and yellows of the rock are amzing as are the famous tombs that line the canyon walls - Petra is truly amazing.

In the evening enjoy a unique evening at Petra Kitchen, where we will learn how to cook traditional local cuisine, and of course taste our creation afterwards at dinner. Each evening’s dinner menu at the famous Petra Kitchen consists of a soup, salads, cold and hot mezza dishes and a main course - all typical local dishes and all prepared by you! Assistance is given by an expert local chef who supervises and gives advice whilst local women assist the participants with the tasks. The number of participants each evening may vary, so the number of dishes cooked would vary as well. At the end of the evening sit down to enjoy your meal - all non-alcoholic beverages are included and you'll leave with printed recipes for all dishes prepared.

Today we enjoy a second day of exploration as we enter by al Madras and make visits to the High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasa, Great Temple and Royal Tombs.

Our tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to Queen Alia Amman Airport