DESERT CASTLES FROM AMMAN IN PRIVATE

After pickup from your Amman hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle, you'll relax as you head out of the city and into the desert plains of eastern Jordan.

Together with your guide, you will experience the fascinating Castles of the Desert. The region is dotted with 7th and 8th century castles, many within a 15-minute drive of each other, which were originally built by the caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty as country retreats and hunting lodges. You'll hear stories about this powerful dynasty, the first Muslim rulers of the Arab kingdom, including fascinating bits about their extravagance and debauchery.

After about 1 hour on the way, you will stop at Qasr Amra, listed by UNESCO as one of the most famous castles in eastern Jordan. Once an Umayyad hunting palace, this lavishly restored building is adorned with 8th-century frescoes depicting decadent scenes of nude women, wine, and parties. You will continue to Qasr Al -Kharana, an imperious 2-level fortress that stands on a large plain. Believed to have been built on Roman foundations, this evocative castle exudes intrigue and displays a rich variety of Mesopotamian, Arabian and Greek architectural influences. Finally, you will head to Qasr Al-Azraq, originally an Umayyad hunting lodge and once used as the headquarters of T.E. Lawrence, the 20th century British soldier and leader of the Arab revolt, perhaps better known as Lawrence of Arabia. You'll wander through the sun-polished courtyards, towers and mosque and discover how Lawrence based his operations here during 1917-1918.

After exploring the castles you will enjoy the drive back to Amman, where this experience ends with drop-off at the hotel.

Greca Tip: Feel free to tell your driver if there is a castle you want to see more, or another castle you would like to visit, at your own expense. The tour is private, so the itinerary can be tailored to your interests.