Tag: religious places
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Abraham’s Gate, Temple of Pan, Crusader Castle, & The Valley of Tears {Israel}
The Golden Calf & Abraham’s Gate- Tel Dan Nature Preserve Today started with a short hike in the Tel Dan Nature Preserve. The trail itself was lovely as it went through the trees and over rocks in the river. This river is one of three sources of the Jordan River and is the largest source…
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Visiting Caesarea National Park, Tel Megiddo National Park, & Safed {Israel}
Caesarea National Park This morning we boarded our tour bus and made our way up the coast until we reached Caesarea National Park. Originally built sometime between 586 -332BCE, this settlement would later be awarded to King Harrod after the Roman Conquest in 30 BCE. King Harrod would take what was a small settlement and…
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Old Mission Santa Barbara {California}
Our last stop in our Central Coast tour was the Old Mission Santa Barbara. This is one of ten Spanish missions in this area that were constructed in hopes of converting the people of the Chumash-Barbareño tribe of Native Americans. Originally built in 1786, this is the only mission to still be under the leadership…
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Pape’ete {French Polynesia}
The capital city of French Polynesia is Pape’ete located on the main island of Tahiti. This island is stunning everywhere you look and offers so much to visitors. Of course when most people think of Tahiti, they think of the beaches. The beaches are beautiful, but surprisingly the sand of the beach of Tahiti is…
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Campos do Jordão {Brazil}
One of the most wonderous areas of the state of Sao Paulo is Campos do Jordao. This area has a wealth of things to share with visitors from a train ride to the top of the mountain, a walk through stunning gardens, a ingenious waterfall, and a Swiss inspired village to wander through. This is…
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Palace of Holyroodhouse Abbey {Scotland}
Probably my favorite part of Edinburgh is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This beautiful palace sits on the lower end of the Royal Mile while the Edinburgh Castle is at the other end. Holyroodhouse has been the residence of kings and queen since the 1600s and is still used as Queen Elizabeth’s residence while she is…
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Cadet Chapel- Air Force Academy {Colorado}
If you ever tour the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the very best thing to see is the Cadet Chapel. This ultra modern building, encased in beautiful stained glass, is home to all the various religious groups at the academy. When the academy was being built, they were only allowed one small area to…
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The Hill of Tara : History, Heritage, and Standing at the Center {Ireland}
I didn’t plan my first trip to Ireland. It began at my grandmother’s funeral. I didn’t know her as well as I wish I had. But as stories were shared and memories surfaced, something unexpected happened. Two of my aunts — women I also barely knew — invited me to join them on a trip…
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Hall of Miracles-Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida {Brazil}
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. And while for many Thanksgiving is a day about family, food, pie, football, parades, and shopping- at the heart of this day is the reminder to be grateful for all we have. In thinking about gratitude and giving thanks, my mind keeps going back to when I got to visit…
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Mission San Jose {Texas}
San Antonio is home to 5 beautiful frontier missions. The most recognized of these mission is the Alamo. But a short distance from where the Alamo stands is the Missions National Historic Park where the other 4 of these missions have been brought and reconstructed to give visitors a glimpse of the past. Of all…