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Melani Roewe, Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant, Luxury Travel Concierge, and Certified International Tour Manager |
Greetings!
Spring has sprung, and Easter is just around the corner! I just love sipping my morning coffee out on the deck amidst the nodding dianthus and perky pink roses watching the hummingbirds and butterflies flitting from one bloom to the next. I don't know about you, but as much as I enjoy all four seasons, this spring sunshine couldn't have come too soon.
The past three months have been very busy with record blizzards; the birth of our first grandchild, Penelope Jane Roewe; new trainings and certifications, a new website for the business, recording a new choral cd by our church choir, conventions to plan and attend, and a lot of spring house cleaning. How in the world did we accumulate so much "stuff"? I sure could use a vacation - how about you?
Although fuel costs continue to rise, good values are still to be found whether you are planning a family road trip or flying to your dream destination. Europe remains a much better value than it has been in recent years, Mexico's resorts are still a good bet, and the Caribbean - especially Puerto Rico - offers some of the best deals we have seen in a very long time. Costa Rica, Chile, and Belize are also rising stars with amazing rates for individuals and groups.
Have a destination in mind? Give me a call. I'd be happy to help you make your dream vacation a reality.
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Blessings, Melani
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The Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Known as the Church of the Resurrection, this large, ancient church was built my Constantine's mother, Helen, in 330 A.D. on the hill of crucifixion on the edge of what is now the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City. Many Christian denominations call it home, including the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Egyptian Coptic Orthodocx, Ethipian Orthodox, and the Syrian Orthodox churches. Interestingly, because disputes among the Christians often arise, the keys to the chuch have been in the control of a Muslim family since the early 16th century.
One enters the church passing the Stone of the Anointing, or Unction, which many pilgrims stop to kiss before moving on into the church. Tradition says this is the spot where Jesus' body was anointed and wrapped for burial.
A staircase off to the right leads up to Calgary, Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. Two chapels are here: a Fransiscan chaplet and a Greek Orthodox chapel. The actual Rock of Golgotha can be viewed through glass and even touched through a small opening in the glass.
Inside, the Tomb of Jesus, the edicule, lies in the church's center beneath the largest dome, and is comprised of two rooms: the Chapel of the Angel, and Christ's burial chamber. A stone bearing an imprint of a hand which tradition claims is that of one of the angels announcing the resurrection, stands just at the entrance. Inside the tomb a Greek monk always stands guard over the marble slab which marks the spot where the Savior's body was laid.
It is believed Mary Magdalene encountered the resurrected Christ just north of the tomb where a Catholic chapel dedicated to her now resides. Chapels also stand over various other sites in the Passion narrative: the Prison of Christ where he was jailed with the two thieves; the Armenian Chapel of the Division of the Robes; the Greek Chapel of St. Longinus, Roman centurion; the Greek Orthodox Chapel of the Crowning of Thorns, and the Syrian Chapel which was used for burials during the first century. Various other chapels include the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross and the main chapel, the Orthodox Catholicon, which faces Christ's tomb and occupies the spiritual center of the earth mentioned in Ezekiel 38:12.
This sacred site is a featured stop on two of our fall pilgrimage itineraries to the Holy Lands: the Land of the Emmanuel with Rev. Bill Pruett (St. James, Oklahoma City) and Rev. Don Wolf (St. Bernard's, Shawnee) and our Grand Christian Cruise with Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen of St. Gregory's Abbey (Shawnee, OK) and Rev. Rex Arnold (St. Mary's, Clinton, OK). Visit http://www.joyfulcatholicjourneys.com for complete itinerary and registration details.
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 Travelers' Tricks for Frustration-Free Flights
- Make seat assignments when booking your flights, and choose a seat near the front to beat the crush of those behind you.
- Always schedule connecting flights one hour apart, no less.
- Sign up for text alerts on your mobile devices regarding flight arrival and departures. If the flight is delayed, you'll have a heads up and contact your travel agent or the airlines ahead of everyone else for a revised schedule.
- Keep all overnight essentials and medications with you in your carry-on bag, and have a credit card and some cash handy in case of overnight delays.
- Tie colorful yarn, ribbons, or purchase a brightly colored luggage strap to differentiate your luggage on the carousel from everyone else's.
- Request boarding passes for all legs of the journey at your first check-in counter.
- If you are bumped from your flight, but have a confirmed reservation and you really did check in on time, the airline must place you on another flight. And, if the new flight is over one hour but less than two hours later than the original flight's schedule, you may be entitled to a one-way ticket or a check (up to $200). If your arrival exceeds two hours, you may be compensated with two one-way tickets (valued up to $400). It it isn't offered, at least ask with a smile.
- Label your bags inside and out. Use luggage tags that close, hiding your home address or use your office address, instead. That way, you aren't signaling to thieves that your home is vacant.
- Wait until after you return home to post online photos and blogs about your travels. Posting either while traveling alerts the bad guys that your home is 'easy pickings'.
- Be flexible on travel dates. The most expensive days to fly? Fridays and Sundays.
- Rates can change dramatically from day to day. The best time to purchase a plane ticket? Tuesday, at 3 pm.
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Upcoming Escorted Joyful Catholic Journeys
Land of Emmanuel Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2011
Roundtrip Oklahoma to Israel and Jordan. Rev. Bill Pruett and Rev. Don Wolf. Download Registration Form
Rome & Southern Italy Oct. 4-15, 2011
Round trip Oklahoma to Rome. San Giovanni Rotundo, Luciano, Loreto, Sorrento, Isle of Capri, Anacapri. Rev. Jim Goin and Rev. Rick Stansberry. Download Registration Form.
Grand Christian Cruise with Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises Nov. 4-20, 2011
Round trip Oklahoma to Greece, Turkey, and Israel. Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen and Rev. Rex Arnold. Download Registration Form
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With 7 months until sailing, the Malt Shop Memories Cruise is more than 50% sold, but good cabins remain and this is a great product for group bookings, reunions or family get-togethers.
The Malt Shop Memories Cruise is an amazing and fantastic Rock n' Roll Party at Sea with
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The Beach Boys;
Chubby Checker & The Wildcats;
Little Anthony and The Imperials;
Jay Black, an American Original;
Shirley Alston Reeves, 
original lead singer of The Shirelles;
Kenny Vance & The Planotones;
Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners;
Lou Christie; The Fireflies; The Devotions; and TheDel Rays.
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Sailing out of Tampa on Carnival's Inspiration, the fun begins on October 27th to 31st , 2011 calling on Freeport, Grand Bahamas.
5 days and 4 nights of non-stop nostalgia with many Special Events planned... Prom Night, Sock Hop, Twist Contest, Trivia, Beach Party as wellas Dance Lessons, Karaoke, Bingo and More to Enjoy!
This is a great cruise for Family Reunions, getting together with old friends for a long weekend, visiting with class mates from year's gone by... for all of us who cherish the good times and the music of the 50's and 60's!
The Elvis Tribute Artist Contest -hosted by the #1 Tribute Artist Shawn Klush - a favorite event for many is guaranteed to be fun, entertaining and exciting!
Call me today for more information and to reserve your cabin before they are all gone!
Also ask me about the SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE, the JAZZ CRUISE, and the STAR TREK CRUISE now booking for 2012. All three of these theme cruises with your favorite celebrities sold out completely every year. Hurry and jump onboard!
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Outstanding Land and Cruise Vacation Packages!
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Check out Our Last Minute Cruise Specials! |
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Travel Concierge Services for All of Your Personal and Group Travel Needs!
Want a seamless travel experience? Need tee times? Transfers? Advance table reservations? Spa treatments scheduled and excursions booked for you? Then let me provide you with professional, personalized travel concierge services. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your vacation!
Feel free to contact me with any questions, or if you'd like assistance with your personal or group travel plans, give me a call at 405.642.8139 or call toll free 1-877-NOW-WE-TRAVEL (877-669-9387) I am here to help you!
Melani Roewe
Travel Overtures |
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