Monday October 9, 2023 — Chicago: Depart ORD this afternoon to begin our Holy Land journey. Meal en route.
Tuesday, October 10 — Tel Aviv / Caesarea: On arrival in Tel Aviv, we continue to Caesarea via Tel Megiddo, if time permits, for our overnight near the Mediterranean Sea. (D)
Wednesday, October 11 — Caesarea-by-the-Sea / Tiberias: This morning we visit the seacoast city of Caesarea where Peter preached and where Paul was imprisoned for two years. The city was also the residence of Pontius Pilate and the home of Philip the Evangelist. Later, we’ll visit Mt. Carmel, Nazareth and Cana. Overnight in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. (BB, L, D)
Thursday, October 12 — Sea of Galilee Area / Tiberias: Today we cruise on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. We will also visit the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha (feeding of 5,000 and the post-Resurrection appearance to the disciples). This afternoon we’ll visit Caesarea Philippi, the Golan Heights and return to Tiberias in time for dinner and our overnight. (BB, L, D)
Friday, October 13 — Bet Shean / Jericho / Jerusalem: This morning, we drive south through the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean—whose Biblical history covers the Canaanites, the Philistines (who hung Saul’s body on the town walls), the Romans, and the Byzantines. Later, we continue to Jericho where we will renew our Baptismal vows at the Jordan River and visit the excavated tel of the ruins of ancient Jericho. There will be time to enjoy the views of the lush green Jordan Valley from atop the Mt. of Temptation. Then, we “go up to Jerusalem” for our overnight. (BB, L, D)
Saturday, October 14 — Bethlehem: Today we travel to Bethlehem where we will visit the Basilica, the Grotto of the Nativity, and Shepherd’s Field. Our afternoon program includes the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem), the Israel Museum & Model City. Overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, L, D)
Sunday, October 15 — Mount of Olives / Mount Zion / Old City of Jerusalem: During our morning tour on the Mount of Olives, we visit the Church of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations. Then, crossing the Kidron Valley to Mount Zion, we pass the Tombs of Absalom and Zechariah. Here we visit the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ House) and the Upper Room. This afternoon we enter the Old City via the Dung Gate to visit the Western Wall and its tunnels ... one of the most popular tourist sites in Jerusalem. These underground tunnels connect the western wall prayer area to the north-west side of the temple mount, passing along the side of the temple mount and under the present day houses in the Old City. Along its path are remains from the second temple period, as well as structures from later periods. The experience of walking along the tunnels is like taking a time machine back to the time of the second temple. Today, a small area is preserved with some of the original Roman columns. Just beyond the columns is an underground mall with a number of Jewish stores and art galleries. Overnight Jerusalem. (BB, D)
Monday, October 16 — the Via Dolorosa: Our tour of Jerusalem’s Old City includes: the remains of the City of David, the Western Wall, a view of the Dome of the Rock, St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Crusader Church with the Pool of Bethesda, the Via Dolorosa, the Arch of Ecce hom*o, Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Lithostrotos, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the Old City. Overnight Jerusalem. (BB, L, D)
Tuesday, October 17 — Masada / Dead Sea / Qumran / Aqaba, Jordan: This morning we travel through the Judean wilderness to the Qumran Caves, the site where the community of Essenes lived and recorded the books of the Old Testament. We visit the shore of the Dead Sea, possibly to float in its mineral-rich waters en route to Masada, where we’ll visit the remarkable ruins of the fortress built by Herod the Great. Later this afternoon, we’ll cross the Israeli border into Jordan and overnight in Aqaba on the Red Sea. (BB, L, D)
Wednesday, October 18 — Wadi Rum / Petra: Today we tour Wadi Rum by jeep – a journey to another world. It is a vast, silent place, timeless and starkly beautiful, and is one of Jordan’s and the world’s most stunning desertscapes. It is probably known best for its connection with the British officer, T. E. Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab revolt of 1917, and is the setting for the film that carried his name, “Lawrence of Arabia.” In the late afternoon we’ll arrive in the Rose Red City of Petra ... one of the most important, ancient Arab kingdoms, whose history goes back as far as the Middle Paleolithic period and forward to the days of the Crusades and Saladin. Overnight in Petra. (BB, L, D)
Thursday, October 19 — Petra: Our morning visit of the Rose Red City of Petra, might just be one of the highlights of the entire trip. It can only be reached through a narrow siq, flanked by towering cliffs. Following our late lunch, we’ll continue to Amman, the Capital of Jordan. (BB, L, D)
Friday, October 20 — Mt. Nebo / Jerash / Amman: This morning’s journey takes us north to Mt. Nebo where, like Moses, we look across the Jordan River. In the early afternoon we visit Jerash, a Greco-Roman city, with its temples to Artemis and Zeus, a vast Roman Forum, Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch, an impressive Theater, and a mile-long Street of Columns. Later this afternoon we’ll tour Amman – the modern center of an ancient world ... here you’ll find Roman ruins built over Iron Age ruins, and a later Arab citadel built over a temple to Hercules. This evening we’ll enjoy our farewell dinner. Overnight in Amman. (BB, L, D)
Saturday, October 21 — Amman / Chicago: Today we begin our journey home arriving in the late afternoon.
(BB) Buffet Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
* Round trip air from Chicago
* 4 / 5 star hotels
* All dinners and buffet breakfasts per the itinerary
* All lunches per itinerary
* Comprehensive sightseeing in Israel and Jordan
* Baggage handling at all hotels -1 bag per person
* Professional tour manager in Israel and Jordan
* Document pouch, and baggage tags
* US Departure and airport taxes
