Textiles and the Wonders of Jordan with Mandy Shaw

10 - 19 March 2023

10 days from £2,675pp

Join us for nine nights in the captivating country of Jordan and enjoy a variety of stitching workshops and explore the famous archaeological site of Petra and the Jordan River.

Visit to the Jordan River Foundation and free time in Al Swaifyeh
Visit to Madurai and drive through the area of Mt. Nebo
Explore the famous archaeological site of Petra
Two-hour jeep tour of Wadi Rum
Five half-day workshops with Mandy Shaw
Guided tour of Amman with visits to the Archaeological Museum, Folklore Museum and local craft & fabric shops

Join Mandy Shaw on this fantastic holiday and discover the wonders of Jordan. Experience the history and culture of the Jordanian capital, visit Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Enjoy a jeep safari and Bedouin feast amidst the desert landscape of Wadi Rum and float on the waters of the extraordinary Dead Sea. This fascinating tour also gives an insight into traditional Jordanian arts and crafts, which together with five half day workshops led by Mandy Shaw, make it perfect for stitchers to indulge their passion along with some simply amazing sightseeing.

Day 1: Heathrow - Amman
Meet Mandy Shaw and our tour manager at Heathrow airport for our flight to Amman’s QAIA, which arrives around midnight. Transfer by coach to our hotel in Amman.
Day 2: The Citadel and Amphitheatre
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning at the hotel before a sightseeing tour of Amman’s downtown area.

You’ll visit The Citadel and Amphitheatre – evidence of the capital’s ancient past, alongside the archaeological and folklore museums. Visit the colourful Souq with its array of fabrics and the Urdon shop which offers 100% Jordanian-made products reflecting the diversity of the Kingdom and creativity of its people. You can also explore Majed Yousef, the most famous fabric shop in Amman, followed by lunch in a local restaurant.
Day 3: The Jordan River Foundation
Today you'll be visiting the Jordan River Foundation. Established in 1995 and chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the non-profit, non-governmental organisation focuses on child safety and community empowerment. Here we will see ladies from the local community working on different handicrafts. Al Swaifyeh district of Amman – home to some of Amman’s most famous designer shops, local fabric shops and a variety of restaurants. Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 4: Textile Workshops
Today we join Mandy Shaw for both morning and afternoon workshops in the hotel. Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 5: Petra
Today we leave Amman and drive to Petra. En route we visit the city of Madaba, which is best known for the famous 6th century Mosaic map of Jerusalem & the Holy Land, spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and St. George’s Church. We pass by Mt. Nebo mentioned in the bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land that he would never enter. In the area we’ll see the Siyagha – a rocky outcrop with the 4th century Moses Memorial Church on its summit. We will also visit the memorial viewpoint – marking Moses’ view of the promised land towards ancient Gilead, Judah, Jericho and the Negev marked by an Italian-designed bronze memorial.

On arrival in Petra, we check-in to our hotel for a two-night stay.

Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 6: Tour of Petra
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous Nabatean Red Rose City of Petra promises to be a highlight of our tour. Together with our guide we’ll enter the magnificent site with its dazzling colours and incredible rock formations through a kilometre-long, narrow gorge flanked on either side by 80m high cliffs. Highlights of Petra include: The famous treasury, colonnaded streets, roman-style theatres, extraordinary temples, sacrificial altars and rock-cut tombs.

Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 7: Stitch Workshop & Wadi Rum
After breakfast we’ll continue our stitching in a morning workshop hosted by Mandy Shaw before heading further into southern Jordan for an overnight stay at Wadi Rum.

Here we enjoy a two-hour sunset jeep safari exploring the Jordanian desert that was best-described by T.E Lawrence as “Vast, echoing and god-like”, and by the locals, as “Valley of the Moon”. A Bedouin feast of Zarb and the chance to try on a Bedouin outfit.
Day 8: Dead Sea
Today we drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water on earth. Deep in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea is the world’s richest source of natural salts, hiding wonderful treasures that accumulated throughout thousands of years. The afternoon is at leisure and gives us the unique opportunity to float on the waters of what is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the whole world.

Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 9: Stitch Workshops
A day to relax in the hotel and finish your stitching during morning and afternoon workshops with Mandy Shaw.

Buffet dinner is served in the hotel.
Day 10: Amman - Heathrow
After checking out of the hotel we drive to Amman’s QIAI for our return flight to London.

Return flight London to Amman with 1 piece of hold luggage
Coach travel as detailed in the itinerary
8 nights' half board accommodation in 4-star hotels
1 nights’ accommodation in a deluxe tent at the Zeina Desert Lodge in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Feast
Lunch in a local restaurant on days 3 & 5
5 half-day workshops with Mandy Shaw, kit and tea/coffee included
Guided tour of Amman with visits to the Archaeological Museum, Folklore Museum and local craft & fabric shops
Visit to the Jordan River Foundation and free time in Al Swaifyeh
Visit to Madurai and drive through the area of Mt. Nebo
Guided sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed site of Petra
2-hour jeep tour of Wadi Rum
The services of an experienced tour manager who will accompany the tour throughout
Gratuities for driver and local guide

Mandy Shaw

Queen of Redwork Mandy Shaw, is an experienced designer and well-known personality within the craft community. Her vintage designs are instantly recognisable and often feature her trademark red and white stitching or charming applique details. Throughout her career, Mandy has contributed to a number of publications and is the author of a number of handmade crafting books which share her quirky crafting style.

Mandy is also the owner of Dandelion Designs, a well-established family run company and is a regular on Create and Craft TV showing her gorgeous patterns & kits for handmade and machine craft projects. She has also appeared on Kirstie Allsopp’s Homemade Home.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Your Accommodation

Centro Mada by Rotana - Amman

★★★★

Centro is a modern, stylish and affordable lifestyle business hotel.

Contemporary, chic and effortlessly casual, Centro Mada Amman suits the needs of modern travellers who appreciate sophistication and value for money. As the first Centro concept in Amman, the lifestyle business hotel surprises guests with a young and fresh approach, offering well-designed hotel rooms & suites, original contemporary spaces and dynamic facilities and services. With a prime location, just minutes from major embassies and ministries in the Abdoun district and close to Amman’s major shopping malls, tourism attractions and corporate hubs including King Hussein Business Park, it is the perfect place to stay. The popular Abdali Boulevard lifestyle development and Amman’s Downtown district are just 10 minutes from Centro Mada and Queen Alia International Airport is 32km away.