Best time to visit Israel and Jordan

January is the coolest month in both Jordan and Israel, with an average daily high in the low teens. But it’s the night time temperatures that you need to note if you’re heading to Wadi Rum on a desert camp. Take warm clothes as the mercury can drop below zero degrees centigrade. In February, northern Israel is starting to become a wildflower garden. On designated flower trails around Galilee you’ll see carpets of trembling cyclamen. Later, dark Gilboa iris and little bee orchids will appear, too. March is Purim – a Jewish festival – in Israel. It’s a festival that everyone, religious or not, can enjoy. It brings family fun to cities across the country, and delicious food, too (look out for distinctive triangular hamantash pastries). Ramadan is observed by Muslims in both countries. It’s a 30 day period of fasting, and its start dates for the next few years are: 10 March 2024; 28 February 2025; 17 February 2026; 7 February 2027. In Israel, Memorial Day and Independence Day both fall in late April or early May each year – both important days for the nation. In late spring and early summer Jordan experiences the khamsin – high desert winds. In summer some tours don’t run to Israel and Jordan, as it can be uncomfortably hot in the desert. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the Jordan or Israel side: the Dead Sea is scorchio in August. Its low-lying position makes it, like Death Valley in the States, a real heat trap. The average high is 36°C but it often creeps beyond 40°C. Jerusalem is busy in September and October for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur. Meanwhile, at the Dead Sea resorts Eilat and Aqaba, the diving is at its best – abundant sea life, and cosy water. Many Christians descend on Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem in December for Christmas, to celebrate this special time of year at source in the Holy Land.