Textiles and the Wonders of Jordan
Join Carolyn Forster 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 Carolyn, make it perfect for stitchers to indulge their passion along with some simply amazing sightseeing.
Your Tour Includes
- Return flight London to Amman with 1 piece of checked luggage
- 9 nights half board accommodation
- 5 half-day workshops with your expert, kit and tea/coffee included
- Services of an experienced Arena Travel Tour Manager
- Entrance fees and excursions
Carolyn Forster
Carolyn Forster is a quilt designer, teacher and author from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Since self-publishing her first book ‘Quilting on the Go’ in 2007, Carolyn has written ten more patchwork and quilting books with Search Press in the UK and Landauer Publishing in the USA. She has been a regular project contributor for magazines in the UK, including Today's Quilter, as well as abroad.
Carolyn's quilts are an eclectic mix of fabrics, a posh way to say she makes scrappy quilts, and they always have their roots from some point in the past, being inspired by quilt makers who have gone before us. Accessibility is Carolyn’s key philosophy with her teaching, demystifying techniques to allow every quilter to discover their own voice.
Teaching for Arena travel is a great opportunity to combine her love of travel and stitching and the projects for these trips will reflect and explore techniques from Quilting on the Go.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet Carolyn and our Arena Travel Tour Manager at Heathrow airport for our flight to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, which arrives around midnight. Transfer by coach to our hotel in Amman.
Includes Dinner
Overview
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning at the hotel before a sightseeing tour of Amman’s downtown area. We will 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.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Today we will visit 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. We then visit the Al Swaifyeh district of Amman – home to some of Amman’s most famous designer shops, local fabric shops and a variety of restaurants.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
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Overview
Today we join Carolyn Forster for both morning and afternoon hand-stitching workshops in the hotel.
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Includes Dinner
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Overview
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. We will 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.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
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Overview
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 will 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 Treasury, colonnaded streets, roman-style theatres, extraordinary temples, sacrificial altars and rock-cut tombs.
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Includes Dinner
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Overview
After breakfast, we will continue hand-stitching in a morning workshop hosted by Carolyn Forster 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”. You will also enjoy a Bedouin feast of Zarb and the chance to try on a Bedouin outfit.
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Overview
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.
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Overview
A day to relax in the hotel and finish your hand-stitching during morning and afternoon workshops.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
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Overview
After checking out of the hotel we drive to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport for our return flight to London.
Includes Breakfast
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. We therefore do not recommend this tour for anyone with mobility problems. The itinerary involves some walking whilst sightseeing each day, sometimes in warm temperatures and often on rough ground and including steps. Whilst sightseeing is taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Single Room Supplement from £455.00 (10 days).
Perfect for Textile Lovers
Uniquely created for textile lovers, this Stitchtopia textile holiday is the perfect way to discover fascinating fabrics and cultures, whilst travelling to some of the world’s most inspiring places. Our talented stitching expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host creative workshops with beautifully designed projects inspired by your travels.
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the Centro Mada by Rotana, Amman, two nights at the Petra Canyon Hotel, one night at the Wadi Rum, Zeina Luxury Desert Lodge and two nights at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea Hotel.
Centro Mada By Rotana
Centro is a modern, stylish and affordable lifestyle business hotel. 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. 194 hotel rooms and suites all equipped with Wi-Fi access, 24-hour in-room dining service, an outdoor rooftop terrace venue with a lounge and bar. The hotel comes with a fully equipped gymnasium open 24 hours daily, along with an outdoor temperature-controlled rooftop pool. Valet and on-site parking, express laundry and dry-cleaning services.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Fridge
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Petra Canyon
Petra canyon is one of the Finest 4+ Stars Hotel in the heart of Petra city and is only one mile to Petra visitor centre. The hotel is just a short distance away from downtown, this hotel welcomes you with its fresh bold interiors and clean rooms and delights you with its unbeatable value and reliable safety standards. Here friendly smiles and a lively environment go hand in hand with professional service. The Hotel has a snack bar and Deli, also restaurants and two cafes, as well as tea and coffee in the common area. There is also a conference centre available to guests. The outdoor facilities include an outdoor pool accompanied by a pool bar, and a garden with a terrace.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Shower
- Free Wifi
Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Zeina Desert Lodge
The venue is placed 2.5 miles from the centre of Wadi Rum and about 2.4 miles from Good Free Climb Area. Accommodation is 1.8 miles from 'Ayn al Qattar and the distance to Al-Jouf airport is about 283 miles. Immaculate views as the mountains are on your doorstep. There is a private bathroom in every unit as well as robes and slippers. Enjoy a continental buffet breakfast at the camping.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
Room
- Safe Box
General
- Restaurant
Hotel
- Restaurant
Holiday Inn Dead Sea
This Holiday Inn Resort, on the edge of the Dead Sea, offers luxurious facilities including a private beach area. Each room features flat-screen TVs and free internet. There's an expansive outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs. Also, with a sauna and hot tub in the hotel’s health club. Guests can unwind with a relaxing massage treatment. The resort has 3 restaurants and bars, including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty steak house and a beach bar. Guests can enjoy Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea’s room service.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Shower and Bath
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
