Umm Qais and Jerash

Day 1:

Pick up from Amman Hotel by an English speaking driver. Drive to the old Decapolis City of Umm Qais, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The ruins include those of two theaters, a temple, a basilica and other buildings, telling of a once splendid city. The basalt basilica is believed to be the site of Jesus' miracle of the Gadarene swine. A paved street with double colonnade, ran from east to west. The rails created in the paved road by the chariot wheels can still be seen. A sumptuous lunch will be served in a restaurant overlooking Hadrian's Arch, the entrance to Jerash - the best preserved Greco-Roman provincial city in the world. After lunch meet a local guide who will lead you into the ancient city site for a 2 hour tour. See the hippodrome, capable of holding 15,000 spectators. Continue through the city visiting Roman churches and theatres, the Greek temple of Artemis with its 12m high columns, the Forum, marketplace, Nymphaeum (public baths) and colonnaded streets. Spend extra time wandering through the streets and buildings of the city before returning to your hotel in Amman.