Hi Sheila123,
I did this tour at end of April and can assure you that it's very safe, in fact the people are extremely welcoming and polite.
You can stop and browse in the shops without the traders being too insistent. I tried to buy a postcard from a shop in Jerash but the guy insisted on giving it me for free and thanked me for visiting Jordan!
In Amman I went to buy a bottle of water at a small supermarket 5 mins walk from the hotel and, because the shop keeper couldn't change a 10 dinar note, he insisted on me taking the water and returning to pay him in the evening or the following morning. Needless to say, he did receive his money!
In Amman and Aqaba, the hotels had airport type security as you entered the lobby; you had to go through that each time you entered the hotel.
So, to summarise, I never felt insecure or intimidated at any time and I'm sure that my travelling companions would also concur with that view.
The sites are fantastic, especially Petra which is everything you expect it to be; the visit to Little Petra on the previous afternoon is in itself a wonderful prelude to the 'main event'. Little Petra gets few visitors and consequently has a wonderful stillness amongst the spectacular hills.
You can read my review in the appropriate section, and whilst there were a couple of issues relating to a noisy hotel room in Amman and a very late change to the itinerary in Wadi Rum, it was a most enjoyable holiday.
Finally, if you like a drink or two just remember to take plenty of money; alcohol is VERY expensive!
Hope I've been able to put your mind at rest.
All the best
Mike
