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Jordan History &...
 

Jordan History & Culture: Amman, Petra & the Dead Sea

10 days |  14 days with Dubai extension
10 days |  14 days with Dubai extension
Group size1222 travelers
Physical activity
New
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsHotels, flights & FAQ

Currently, COVID-19 vaccination is required to participate in this tour.

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Jordan’s got dramatic scenery, rich history, and warm hospitality in spades.

Chances are, the most difficult thing about visiting Jordan will be deciding what has wowed you more: exploring the country’s otherworldly scenery (we’re looking at you, Wadi Rum), visiting its iconic historic sites (hello, Petra), experiencing its deeply meaningful cultural traditions (calligraphy lesson, anyone?), or receiving its locals’ warmth and welcoming spirit. Enjoy it all in equal measure as you explore the Middle Eastern country alongside a small handful of fellow travelers. You’ll not only take in Jordan’s jaw-dropping beauty, but you’ll also make a lasting, positive impact when you visit organizations dedicated to bettering Jordanians’ lives and protecting the country’s precious natural environment. To experience a decidedly glamorous side of the Middle East, extend your stay and explore Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Your tour package includes

  • 7 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 7 breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 4 dinners
  • 3 tastings
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Included highlights

  • Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative
  • Amman Citadel
  • King Abdullah Mosque
  • Roman ruins of Jerash
  • Calligraphy lesson in Aljoun
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Amman today.

Amman3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Amman
Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Jordan! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner on your own.

Day 3: Iraq Al Amir women’s cooperative & sightseeing tour of Amman
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch, Tasting

Head outside of Amman to visit the Iraq Al Amir women’s cooperative, an organization whose aim is to reverse high rates of unemployment among local women.

  • Learn how working at the cooperative empowers women to achieve financial independence and raise their standard of living
  • Watch the employees make soap from olive oil and greeting cards from recycled paper
  • Try your hand at making paper or pottery during an interactive workshop
  • Get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers during a welcome lunch prepared by the women at the collective

Travel back to Amman this afternoon for a guided tour of Jordan’s capital, a modern, hilly city that’s home to Roman ruins and more than 2 million people.

  • Stroll through bustling local markets as you make your way to the ruins of the Citadel—the Bronze Age complex sits on the city’s highest hill, which is known as Jebel Al Qala’a—and the second-century Roman theater, the city’s most famous archaeological attraction
  • Step inside King Abdullah Mosque, a beautiful landmark that’s dedicated to Jordan’s first king and houses some of his personal items
  • Walk through the Old City, where you’ll stop for a traditional Jordanian coffee—a beverage whose enjoyment here is deeply rooted in hospitality

Please note: Travelers are required to remove shoes when entering the King Abdullah Mosque. Women must cover their hair, arms, and legs. Men must cover their legs.

Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Jerash, Souf & calligraphy lesson
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Lunch

Make your way from Amman to the ancient Roman city of Jerash, which is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Spend the day exploring historic ruins and getting to know Jordanian people and culture.

  • Explore some of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman ruins, including the forum, the amphitheater, and the second-century Temple of Artemis, the latter of which is dedicated to the goddess of hunting and fertility (and the daughter of Zeus and Leto) and is flanked by elaborately carved Corinthian columns
  • Travel to Beit Khairat Souf, a multi-faceted social enterprise and vital community hub that comprises a restaurant and a food product store
  • Meet with some of Beit Khairat Souf’s female owners and managers to hear how they help strengthen local women’s leadership skills by providing jobs and training
  • Sample some of the collective’s delicious homemade jams, pickles, and olive oils sourced for local families, then sit down for an included lunch at the cafe
  • Depart Beit Khairat and travel to the House of Calligraphy in Aljoun, where you’ll learn about the history of Arabic calligraphy and how it’s closely connected with Islamic culture
  • Grab a traditional dried reed pen and learn how to write your name in your favorite calligraphy style
  • Enjoy time to shop for souvenirs, such as personalized designs or greeting cards, the purchase of which directly benefits local women

Return to Amman and spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.

Jordanian Cooking Class & Dinner

From $75 per person

Petra2 nights
Day 5: Petra via Madaba & Mount Nebo
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, further explore the history and culture of Jordan on guided tours before continuing on to Petra.

  • Tour Madaba, a market town known for its collection of Byzantine-era mosaics
  • Visit St. George’s Church and view the sixth-century mosaic Madaba Map displayed there; discovered by builders at the St. George’s church construction site in the 1880s, the Byzantine-era map is the oldest surviving mosaic map of Palestine and is said to have originally comprised more than two million pieces
  • Stop at Mount Nebo—Moses’ burial site and the spot from where it’s said he saw the Promised Land
  • Enter a mosaic factory and enjoy a hands-on demonstration, during which you’ll learn the art of crafting mosaics
  • Head to the Bani Hamida Women’s Cooperative, a weaving center whose traditional handicrafts include carpets and baskets made by local women
  • Learn about the cooperative’s mission, meet some of the women it supports, and enjoy time to shop for gifts and souvenirs

Continue to Petra and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Petra
Included meal: Breakfast

Head to the city of Petra, which was carved into the soft, red rocks of Mount Hor in the third century BC by members of an Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans. Explore the sandstone city alongside your Tour Director.

  • Learn about Petra’s unique architecture—one of the reasons it was named to the list of modern world wonders
  • Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site to the famous Al-Khazneh, or Treasury, which served as a tomb and features one of the most famous facades in the world
  • Take in the intricately carved pillars and columns of the Palace Tomb, whose facade towers fives stories above the ground
  • Stroll through the winding, high-walled gorge known as the Siq and learn how tectonic forces formed the giant crack in the rock

Please note: In order to enter Petra, customers should be able to walk two miles round-trip in hot weather over uneven terrain. Other modes of transportation may be available for you to book upon your arrival at an additional cost.

Spend a free evening in Petra or add an excursion.

Petra by Night

From $49 per person

Wadi Rum1 night
Day 7: Wadi Rum desert safari, Zarb dinner & stargazing
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner, Lunch

Drive to Wadi Rum, an area in southern Jordan that’s known as the Valley of the Moon thanks to its varied desert landscape of natural arches, narrow gorges, towering cliffs, massive landslides, and other features. It’s also home to thousands of petroglyphs and archaeological remains. Today, explore it all on a desert safari alongside a local Bedouin guide.

  • Sit down for a buffet lunch at an air-conditioned, desert bubble camp
  • Take a Jeep ride to a red sand dune, and set off on an optional walk to view ancient rock carvings
  • Stop at a Bedouin tent to learn about the traditions of this ethnic group, largely regarded as Jordan’s first inhabitants, and enjoy Arabic coffee

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bedouin Zarb dinner that’s cooked in a pot underground. Afterwards, meet up with a professional astronomer in a desert observatory, where you’ll get a chance to explore the night sky and view constellations, galaxies, nebulae, planets, and moons.

Dead Sea 1 night
Day 8: Transfer to the Dead Sea
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell dinner

Drive north along the Jordan Valley, stopping in the small town of Gawr al-Mazraah at the Al Numeira Environmental Association.

  • Learn about Al Numeira, a Jordanian nonprofit working to educate Jordanians on water conservation practices, rural development, and sustainable tourism
  • Meet with an Al Numeira representative to learn about the organization’s work and its mission
  • Enjoy an included traditional Jordanian lunch prepared by Al Numeira staff

Then, travel to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea and celebrate your trip with your fellow group members at tonight’s farewell dinner.

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 9: Free day at the Dead Sea & transfer to Amman
Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, float in the famously salty waters of the Dead Sea, located at the lowest point on Earth. Enjoy free time to relax on the beach and swim.

Then, relax in a dayroom before transferring to Amman for your early morning flight home.

Please note: Return flights home depart during the early morning, typically between 1am and 6am on day 10.

Arrive Home
Day 10: Travel day

Arrive home today.

Extension to Dubai
Dubai may be known as a playground for the world’s rich and famous, but this buzzy city in the United Arab Emirates has plenty of historical charm and traditions to offer, too. Get to know both sides of the city, from its sleek and sparkling skyscrapers to its bustling, nothing-you-can’t-buy-there souk. With Dubai as your base, take a day trip to neighboring Abu Dhabi for a peek inside an ancient sporting tradition and to soak up the Emirate’s irresistibly modern energy.
Dubai4 nights
Day 9: Transfer to Amman & flight to Dubai
Included meal: Breakfast

Travel back to Amman before boarding your flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Dubai
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend the day getting to know both the traditional and ultramodern sides of Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. Join a local guide for a tour of the city, which is known for its glittering skyscrapers, lavish creature comforts, and sun-kissed beaches.

  • Walk through the Dubai souk, a traditional marketplace whose vendors sell everything from jewelry to textiles
  • Hop aboard an abra, a traditional water taxi, for a cruise along Dubai Creek—the city’s historic commercial hub
  • Get a taste of Emirati cuisine during lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
  • Drive down Sheikh Zayed Road to New Dubai and admire the 163-story Burj Khalifa—a mixed-use skyscraper and the world’s tallest building
  • Travel along the coast, stopping to snap photos of the iconic, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel and the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah

Enjoy a free evening in Dubai or add an excursion.

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck & Dinner

From $149 per person

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Abu Dhabi
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day in Abu Dhabi, the largest of seven emirates and the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Made up of 200 islands, Abu Dhabi features a variety of landscapes, ranging from coastal islands to vast desert.

  • Stop at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital to learn about falcon rehabilitation efforts and to enjoy a demonstration of the ancient hunting technique of falconry
  • Pass by Saadiyat Island cultural district—home to cultural and architectural gems such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi—on a sightseeing tour with a local guide
  • Pass the Emirates Palace and the Corniche, a five-mile waterfront walkway offering incredible views of the Persian Gulf
  • Enter the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and marvel at its detailed marble work and magnificent interiors

Return to Dubai and enjoy a free evening.

Day 12: Free day in Dubai
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Enjoy a free day in Dubai or add an excursion.

Tonight, celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner served with beer or wine.

A Day in Oman

From $219 per person

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast

Relax in a dayroom before boarding your flight home late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Please note: Return flights home typically depart between 11:30pm on day 13 and 4am on day 14.

Arrive Home
Day 14: Travel day

Arrive home today.

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
W Amman
W Amman

This bold hotel is located in the Al-Abdali district of Amman, Jordan. Guests enjoy yoga on the sun terrace, an outdoor pool, and a spa. Nearby you’ll...

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The Old Village Hotel & Resort
The Old Village Hotel & Resort

This unique, rustic-chic hotel is located in the town of Wadi Musa, Jordan. Guests enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, and bar. Nearby, you’ll f...

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Mazayen Luxury Camp
Mazayen Luxury Camp

This luxury property is located in the heart of the desert outside of the Old Village of Wadi Rum, Jordan. Guests enjoy their own private tents—perfec...

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Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa
Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa

This luxurious hotel is located on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, fitness center, and restaurant options. Nearby, y...

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Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District
Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District

This modern hotel is located in the Wasl District of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and pool. Nearby you’ll f...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
  • Find out more about flights

FAQ

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Passport, visa & entry requirements
  • In order to enter Jordan (and the United Arab Emirates on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
  • We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
  • U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Jordan. You can purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for approximately $56 USD using either cash or a credit card.
  • On the tour extension, there is no visa required for U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter the United Arab Emirates. For travelers who sign up for the A Day in Oman optional excursion, the Omani visa is included in the price of the excursion.
  • If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JRD.
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Tour pacing & mobility
  • You will walk for at least three hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and dirt paths, with some steep hills.
  • Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
  • You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
  • Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys an immersive and informative journey, and they cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
  • If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
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Tour Director
  • You will have a different Tour Director in the United Arab Emirates on the tour extension.
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Transportation & arrival information
  • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Amman, Jordan. (For travelers on the extension, return flights will depart from Dubai.) A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
  • Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
  • A flight from Amman to Dubai is included in the cost of the tour extension.
  • All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
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Baggage allowance
  • Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
  • Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
  • Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
  • Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
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Clothing & packing tips
  • We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
  • A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
  • A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor activities.
  • A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
  • You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
  • It is preferable not to visit churches, temples, mosques, or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
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Health
  • At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
  • Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you’re visiting.
  • Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, antidiarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications, in your carry-on bag.
  • If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
  • On the tour extension, temperatures in this region often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), especially during the summer months. Drinking plenty of water, limiting your alcohol intake, and using proper sun protection is extremely important in order to prevent the effects of dehydration and heat stroke.
  • Be sure to take proper care for sun exposure by regularly applying sunscreen or covering up with long, loose-fitting layers.
  • There are inherent risks associated with water activities, particularly for those with preexisting medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
  • If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JRD.
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Cuisine
  • Jordanian cuisine resembles that of much of the Middle East. Olives, hummus, sesame seeds, and herbs are typical in many meals. Falafel is the main street food, and many meals are served with rice. Hummus and salad are also popular and available at many restaurants. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to sip mint tea or Turkish coffee.
  • On the tour extension, the United Arab Emirates reflects its diverse history in its cuisine. Asian, Moroccan, and Levantine influences feature heavily, as do spices brought through the country by trade routes. Saffron, cardamom, and turmeric flavor many meals.
  • Fresh seafood and one-pot dishes, like fareeth, a stew made with vegetables and bread, and al harees, a porridge of barley and meat, are popular recipes.
  • Consumption of alcohol is strictly regulated throughout the United Arab Emirates. Alcoholic beverages may only be served to non-Muslim visitors at certain licensed hotels and restaurants.
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Electricity & air conditioning
  • Jordan operates on 220 volts and uses Type C or G plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
  • The United Arab Emirates (on the tour extension) operates on the European standard 220–240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three pins.
  • We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
  • The strength of the air conditioning in Middle Eastern hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
  • Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
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Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
  • There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
  • Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
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Time zones
  • Jordan is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
  • The United Arab Emirates (on the tour extension) is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
  • When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Jordan, and 8pm in the United Arab Emirates.
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Currency
  • You will use the Jordanian dinar in Jordan (plus the United Arab Emirates dirham in Dubai and Abu Dhabi).
  • Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
  • We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
  • You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
  • Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
  • International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
  • You may find it useful to have a supply of U.S. currency in small denominations when bargaining for everything from taxi rides to souvenirs.
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Tipping
  • At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
  • We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director, $1USD per person per day for the bus helper, and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
  • If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
  • Tips can only be paid in cash.
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Purchasing excursions on tour
  • Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
  • Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
  • Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
  • Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
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Local laws
  • Oman, on the tour extension, is an Islamic country that follows Sharia law. While both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are considered more liberal than some neighboring cities, it’s important to note that very conservative laws governing public behavior are strictly enforced.
  • Among these laws are prohibitions against public displays of affection. Hand-holding is permissible, but kissing and other affectionate displays are expressly forbidden, even between married couples.
  • Obscenity laws are also upheld throughout the country. Offenses for using foul language and making indecent gestures are punishable by jail time.
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