TRANS WORLD TRAVEL, INC.

Friday, October 27, 2023 - Chicago Departure: Today we begin our overnight journey. Dinner will be served en route.

​

Saturday, October 28 - Tel Aviv / Tiberias: On arrival in Tel Aviv, we will drive by private motorcoach to Tiberias, located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. (D)

​

Sunday, October 29 - Tiberias (Golan Heights / Bethsaida / Tel Hazor / Tel Dan / Caesarea Philippi / Hippos): We begin the day by exploring the excavations at Bethsaida, the hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip. Next, we visit Hazor, a city taken by Joshua. We then drive north through the Golan Heights to Tel Dan and its refreshing springs, one of the sources of the River Jordan. Nearby is Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Mt. 16). Overnight in Tiberias. (B, L, D)

​

Monday, October 30 - Tiberias (Sea of Galilee Area / Bet Shean): Our morning begins with a 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). Later, we drive south through the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean, whose Biblical history covers the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Romans and the Byzantines. We return to Tiberias in time for dinner and our overnight. (B, L, D)

​

Tuesday, October 31 - Tiberias (Mt. Tabor / Cana / Naza- reth / Sepphoris): Today begins with a visit to Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Next it’s on to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle, and then to Nazareth - the boyhood home of Jesus. In Nazareth we will visit the Church of the Annunciation and see Mount Precipice. On our return to Tiberias (if time permits), we’ll visit Sepphoris - which Josephus called “the ornament of all Galilee.” Sepphoris was the largest city in Galilee at the time of the First Revolt in 66 AD. Return to Tiberias for our overnight. (B, L, D)

​

Wednesday, November 1 - Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Acre / Jerusalem: Today we visit Mt. Carmel and the Crusader city of Acre (Akko). Later we motor along the Mediterranean Sea to visit the ancient port and crusader city of Caesarea-By-The-Sea, where Peter preached and where Paul was imprisoned for two years. A Roman theater, an ancient harbor and a fortress from Crusader times testify to the importance of this seacoast city. This afternoon we continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

​

Thursday, November 2 - Jerusalem (Mount of Olives / Mount Zion / Bethany / Western Wall Tunnels): This morning we’ll visit the Mount of Olives where we’ll see the Church of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster and the Garden of Gethsemane. Later we will cross the Kidron Valley to Mount Zion to visit the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ House) and the Upper Room. This afternoon we’ll make a very special visit to the Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany. Late this afternoon or in the early evening we’ll visit the Western Wall and its tunnels ... one of the most visited sites in Jerusalem. These underground tunnels connect the Western Wall prayer area to the northwest side of the Temple Mount, passing under the present day houses in the Old City. The experience of walking along the tunnels is like taking a time machine back to the second temple period. (B, L, D)

​

Friday, November 3 - Jerusalem (Bethlehem / the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) / Garden Tomb): This morning we travel to Bethlehem to visit the Grotto of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. We then enter Jerusalem’s Old City, where today’s program 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 Homo, Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Lithostrotos, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Before returning to our hotel, we’ll visit the Garden Tomb. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B, L, D)

​

Saturday, November 4 - Jerusalem (Arad / Beersheba): Today’s full day excursion includes Tel Arad, an archaeological tel and one of the oldest cities in Israel. Located west of the Dead Sea and surrounded by mountain ridges which are known as the Arad Plain, the site is divided into a lower city and an upper hill which holds the only discovered “House of Yahweh” in the land of Israel. Later, we visit Beersheba (Beer Sheva), one of the world’s oldest cities! The Biblical forefathers; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived and prophesized here. On this unique program, we’ll explore the “Capital” of the Negev Desert where “Our Past Meets Our Future.” (B, L, D)

​

Sunday, November 5 - Jericho / Masada / Dead Sea / Qumran / Aqaba, Jordan: This morning we visit the ancient Tel in Jericho and then 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 then 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 shore of the Red Sea. (B, L, D)

​

Monday, November 6 - Wadi Rum / Petra: Today we enjoy a jeep tour of Wadi Rum. 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.” Late this afternoon we’ll arrive in 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. (B, L, D)

​

Tuesday, November 7 - Petra / Machaerus and Dead Sea: 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. After a late lunch we’ll continue to Machaerus, which is located on a dramatic hilltop and is known as the traditional site of the execution of John the Baptist. We plan to overnight on the Dead Sea or near Madaba. (B, L, D)

​

Wednesday, November 8 - Bethany Beyond The Jordan / Amman: This morning we visit Bethany Beyond Jordan, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, to renew our own Baptismal Promises. We then continue to Amman, the Capital of Jordan. (B L, D)

​

Thursday, November 9 - Amman (Mt. Nebo / Jerash): This morning we drive north to Mt. Nebo where, like Moses, we look across the Jordan River to the Promised Land. Later, 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. In the late afternoon we 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. Overnight in Amman. (B, L, D)

​

Friday, November 10 - Amman / Chicago: Early this morning we transfer to Amman to begin our journey home. We arrive in Chicago later today.

​

Program Highlights

*  Round trip air from Chicago

*  4/5 star hotels

*  Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D) daily

*  Private air-conditioned motor coach

*  Professional tour managers in Israel and Jordan

*  Admission fees to sights visited

*  Cruise on Sea of Galilee

*  Whisper Hearing Sets on walking tours

*  Comprehensive sightseeing in Israel and Jordan

*  Baggage handling at all hotels -1 bag per person

*  Passport case, baggage tags, etc.

*  US Departure and airport taxes