Monday, August 9, 2010

Israel or in Hebrew "Medinat Yisrael"

Welcome to Tiberias
Located on the shores of Lake Kineret, Tiberias is Israel's lowest cities at 200 meters below sea level. From the Old City to the promenade, the central boardwalk stretches all the way to downtown. This is a lively commercial center teeming with varied restaurants, cafes, overflowing pubs, ice cream parlors, and souvenir shops. On the other side of the boardwalk is the fish market. Buy fresh fish, caught that morning, at the local market.
The Sea of Galilee
Known to Israelis as Lake Kinneret is only 13 miles by 7 miles. Although small the Sea of Galilee is one of the most visited bodies of water in the world. It lies on the ancient Via Maris, which linked Egypt to the northern empires. Much of the ministry and miracles of Jesus occurred on these very shores. Miracles such as the feeding of 5,000, the calming of the storm, and the walking on water.
This is an actual boat that dates as late as Jesus' time on earth.
A highlight to many of Israel's tourist "The Wailing Wall"
Church of the Nativity
One of the oldest operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the birthplace of Jesus.
Garden of Gethsemane
The Dead Sea
Also known as the Sea of Salt, borders both Jordan and Israel. This is the lowest elevation on the surface of the Earth on dry land.
The Pool of Bethesda
"The Way of the Cross"
In Latin "Via Crucis" or also known as the "Via Dolorosa" or Way of Sorrows. The stations are as follows:
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus is given his cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother
5. Simon and Cyrene carries the cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls the second time
8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross
14. Joseph carries Jesus to the tomb and wraps him in linens.
The Footsteps of Moses
The Citadel

Friday, August 6, 2010

Dedicated to the Church of St Luke Holyland Group - LUXOR

Holy Land (Information about Luxor)
Here is your Luxor itinerary: Depart from your hotel and transfer to Cairo airport fro your flight to Luxor. On arrival in Luxor you will be met by your guide and depart to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings. En route stop to view the Colossi of Memnon - 2 massive statues of the Pharaoh Amnhotep III seated facing the Nile. The Valley of the Kings is the famous burial grounds of the Pharaoh and favored nobles. Tombs can be visited depending on which are open. Afterwards visit the great mortuary Temple of Queen Hapshepsut - one of the very few female rulers of Egypt. After you visit transfer with your guide to the East Bank and enjoy a visit to Luxor and Karnak Temples. Karnak is the largest ancient religious site in the world and the second most visited after the Pyramids. Both Temples were built between 1390-1400 BC. After you visit is concluded transfer back to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. Scroll down for more information about each stop.
Amnhotep III built a mortuary Temple in Thebes that was guarded by gigantic statues at the front gates. All that remains of that ancient structure are two 23 meter high, 1,000 ton statues of Amnhotep III. Locals refer to the statues as "el-Colossat" or "es-Salamat". The statues are made from carved blocks of quartzite quarried either at Giza or Gebel es-Silsila. The northern statue depicts Amnhotep III with his mother, Mutemwia, while the southern is of Amnhotep III with his wife, Tiy and one of his daughters.
Above is Amnhoteps Tomb. A Pharaoh from the 18th dynasty (1382-1344BC) who was a prolific builder and a relatively benevolent ruler. His reign lasted almost 40 years and was both stable and prosperous. He took the throne of Egypt at the age of 12.
One of the most beautiful of all the royal mortuary temples. This Temple was built by Queen Hapshepsut, stepmother of Pharaoh Thutmose III. As the first known female monarch, she ruled for about 2 decades, thus delaying the kingship of Thutmose III. It is unknown how she died. Many of her portraits were destroyed after her death from orders by Thutmose III. Most of her portraits appear to be male, sometimes even with false beards. To inscriptions she was male.
They are the largest Temples in the World! Within the Temple there are different Temple groups such as the Great Temple of Amon Ra, The Temple of Khonso, The Ipt Temple, The Temple of Ptah, The Temple of Montho and the temple of the Egyptian God Oriris.
Thank you very much for taking the time to inform yourself about Luxor. Hope this trip is everything you want it to be, good luck!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010


Want to Cruise the Nile?

Start with a visit to Abu Simbel. Here is where two of the greatest Temples are seen, The Great Temple of Abu Simbel and The Temple of Hathor. Many tourists can fathom the enormous strength and power it took to build the Temples out of the mountains. Both of those temples sat about 60 meters below what they are today. They were part of a massive UNESCO operation to save Egypt's greatest Temples. Now lets visit Edfu, a well preserved Egyptian Temple. Much newer that some of the other Temples but it helped fill some of Egypt's historical gaps. The sanctuary of Horus contains the granite shrine that once housed the gold cult statue of Horus.

Finally lets visit Luxor. Here and there among the palace halls and gardens and on the facades of 19th century buildings with corbelled balconies there is a glimpse of the past and of a time of British colonials and Egyptian monarchs.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Quotes about Travel
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."-St. Augustine
"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."-Susan Heller
"Thanks to the Interstate Highway Systemes, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."-Charles Kuralt
"The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people. of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him."-Daniel J. Boorstin
"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."-Mark Twain
"In America there are two types of classes-first class, and with children."-Robert Benchley
"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."-Hilaire Belloc

Thursday, July 29, 2010




The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Its time to book that exclusive vacation package for you and your families trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. Experience all the wonder and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter now open! Four night vacation package starting at only $285 per person! Experience it with Early Park Admission, Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, Grand Opening Ticket, Hotel Accommodations, 3-Day Base Ticket to both theme parks, and much more! Call today!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Australia: Top 10 Things to Experience in Sydney
RiverCat from Circular Quay to Paramatta
Eleven historic properties and Australia's oldest public building, Old Government House, are there because this up-river city became Sydney's farming community shortly after its founding. Paramatta's Visitors' Centre has a fine museum with thoughtful permanent and temporary exhibits.
The Australian Museum
Not clustered with other sites, but worth it to hike across the enormous Hyde Park to explore. Australia's premier natural history museum it was established way back in 1827 by forward-looking emigrants who saw the need and value in preserving Australia's uniqueness.
Spit Walk
On the harbor north shore, the city of Manly has its own aquarium (Oceanworld), but thats no the reason why Manly made the top ten. That would be its own one way Spit Walk, a tough but rewarding 4 to 6 hour hike around coves, along beaches, and up to the stunning promontories.
The National Maritime Museum
This museum puts an emphasis on the special relationship that exists between Australia and the United States despite the vast ocean separting us. The Spirit of Australia, the worlds reportedly fastest boat, if here along with exhibits that include the mention of 2 million Europeans arriving in 1977 to escape World War II troubles.
Sydney Aquarium
With more than 12,000 indigenous aquatic animals including incredibly cute platypuses, which are smaller that anticipated, and much-feared slat water crocodile, which is, to put it midly, larger than expected. The Aquarium was purposefully built around the Seals natural environment.
Sydney Wildlife World
Darling's Harbor new attraction , offers up-close views of Australia's unusual flora and fauna. If you can't get to the Outback this is the next best place. Featuring nine different, recreated habitats like the remote Kimberely , visitors can watch koalas doze and view face-to-face incredibly poisonous snakes and reptiles behind glass.
Darling Harbor
An entertaiment/convention/cultural complex on Cockle Bay contains four of Sydney's Top Ten Attractions, like The Powerhouse. Said to be Australia's largest museum, it enchants visitors with 400,000 display objects ranging from a curious, elaborate Strasburg clock to a NASA space station.
The Rocks
Australia's oldest neighborhood. Adjacent to Circular Quay, Sydney's harbor/hub, The Rocks delights no matter how many times you visit its excellent Visitors' Centre, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, like Cadman's Cottage.
The Opera House
A well known staple of Australia. At the minimum, visitors should take the frequently given hour long tours of Jorn Utzon's almost 40 year-young, gullwinged design that he never saw completed. At the maximum, they should see a play in one of the two theaters, hear a concert, or thrill to an opera!
Harbor Bridge
Nicknamed the Old Coathanger, is Sydney's number one attraction. Its Bridgeclimb has enchanted more than 2 million visitors since first being offered in 1998. Tethered together in groups of 12, participants slowly approach the span's 440 feet summit where, arms up-thrust, they celebrate one of life's golden moments. Completed in 1933 and 1,650 feet long.
Information from Jaxfax and article by Harold Harbaugh

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Turning Water into...WOW!
Disney's California Adventure debuts its first major nighttime show. Steven Davison who was the creator of the show spent close to four years on the production. To him, it was an opportunity to do something great. It debuts in Spirng, World of Color will make the biggest splash to date in the $1 billion-plus renovation currently under way at the park. World of Color will feature 1,200 fountains, each with its own LED and controls for lighting, color intensity, water angle, and height. Each one can be controlled separately, and all create water strems at least 30 feet high. There are several different kinds of water fountains; mist screens, fan nozzle, whips, dancers, blow pops. All of this is submerged in Paradise Pier lagoon during the day and only come up when its show time. Features movies from Alice in Wonderland and WALL-E.

Monday, July 26, 2010

It Is Time To Play Archaeologist In Mexico!
It might take a lifetime to explore all of Mexico's ruins and prehistoric sites, but what a lifetime that would be. For every Chichen Itze or Tulum, there are many places that are relatively unknown, not quite as famous but just as intriguing-and more that will surely be uncovered as years go by. Whether they are surrounded by jungle or seconds from a pretty beach, Mexico's archaeological sites are some of this hemisphere's most fascinating. Don't stay at home this Fall get up and go see the wonders that Mexico can provide you!

Friday, July 23, 2010




Make your next trip to The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park Unique!
The San Diego is renowned as one of the best zoos in the world. With more than 4,000 rare animals, including giant pandas, orangutans, gorillas, tigers, polar bears, hippos, and koalas, the lively atmosphere makes the San Diego Zoo a great place for family fun. Thier newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, takes you on a journey back in time to discover what animals lived in Southern California 12,000 years ago and see today's Asian elephants, California condors, jaguars, lions, and more.
Set foot inside the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and you will be transported to one of the most exotic places on Earth. Unlike any other zoo, this amazing safari adventure oark is home to thousands of animals roaming together on the vast open plains of Africa and Asia. Here, you can discover an African trading post at Nairobi Village and get face-to-face with the big cats at Lion Camp.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Disney & Hawai'i?
Get ready to book Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai'i. Bookings open the first week in August 2010 for Disneys new family resort on the beautiful shores of O'ahu.
Aulani connects you to all that's magical about Hawai'i through storytelling and amazing cultural experiences as only Disney can deliver.
Premiering in Fall 2011, Aluani, opens the door for wonder for each member of the family. The living spaces are purpose built for families and there is plenty of activates to get involved in. You can snorkel in a dedicated lagoon, gather around a fire pit and hear ancient Hawai'ian stories and songs, launch down lava tube slides, or float down a beautiful landscaped waterway.
Adults can enjoy blissful retreats at the 18,00 sq. ft. spa along with quiet whirlpools and private cabana's. Connect to each other through the unique activities only Disney can provide you. Just far enough away from the crowds but close enough to still enjoy all that O'ahu has to give.