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Travel Overtures
Savvy Travel Diva News 
April 22, 2014
Greetings!
Happy Easter!
I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a blessed Holy Week and Easter. We were delighted when informed at the last minute that our son and daughter-in-law in Stillwater were coming in with their daughter to spend the weekend with us. Plus, our daughter in Louisiana 'facetimed' us and so we were able to also spend time, virtually, with our other granddaughter, as well. God is good, all the time, yes? Plus, our parish confirmed 30 and baptized 12 at the Easter Vigil. So wonderful to see the church growing. By the way, did you know that Christians in the Middle East normally do not say, "Happy Easter"? Instead, one will say, "The Lord is Risen" and the other person will respond with "Indeed, He is Risen".   Share your memorable Easter moment with us on our Facebook page!
Holy Fire-CHurch of the Holy Sepulcher
Inside the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulcher) awaiting the Miracle of the Holy Fire on Easter Saturday
Church of the Holy Sepulcher-Creek Orthodox priests receiving the Holy Fire
Greek Orthodox priests after receiving Holy Fire. They will carry
the fire home to light their Paschal candles.

Destination Highlight - Israel
 
Garden of Gethsemane. copyright Travel Overtures
The Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel
Gethsemane (Getch-shuh-MAN-ee, "place of olive oil pressing") The Garden of Gethsemane became a focal site for early Christian pilgrims. It was visited in 333 by the anonymous "Pilgrim of Bordeaux", whose Itinerarium Burdigalense is the earliest description left by a Christian traveler in the Holy Land. In his Onomasticon, Eusebius of Caesarea notes the site of Gethsemane located "at the foot of the Mount of Olives", and he adds that "the faithful were accustomed to go there to pray". Ancient olive trees growing in the garden are said to be 900 years old. A study conducted by the National Research Council of Italy in 2012 found that several olive trees in the garden are amongst the oldest known to science. Dates of 1092, 1166 and 1198 AD were obtained by carbon dating older parts of the trunks of three trees. DNA tests show that the trees originally sprang from the same parent plant.
You can visit Gethsemane with us in September on Father Lourdu's Holy Land pilgrimage!

  

Orchestrate Your Dreams!
 
One Luxurious Stay, an Array of Exciting Destinations!
 
Traveling the world has never felt so relaxing. In between sightseeing in cities like Paris and Rome, make yourself at home in staterooms with deluxe amenities that include 24-hour room service! Cruise with Princess! Read More
 
Have Kids, Will Travel
 
Creating the perfect family getaway can be child's play, if you know where to turn. Our suggestion: Start with the April/May issue of Virtuoso Traveler  magazine - our latest edition is packed with beach breaks, multigenerational cruises, and kid-friendly urban escapes. Also inside: private shore excursions in Canada, must-have travel gadgets and gear, exclusive hotel packages from Sedona to Spain, and firsthand accounts from families whose vacation dreams came true thanks to their Virtuoso travel advisors. 
 
Spectacular Summer Escapes
 
Check Out These Last Minute Experiences only available through your Virtuoso Travel Advisor!
 
the Amacerto, AMA Waterways Ship
AMA Waterways AmaCerto

Are You the River Cruise Type?

Would You Like to See More and Spend Less?

 

On an ocean-going cruise ship:

  • You will pay extra for wine, beer, espressos, snacks, Internet, etc.
  • You will pay extra (and top dollar) for all your shore excursions.
  • You will pay extra for some of the onboard entertainment and restaurants.
  • A large impersonal staff, most of whom will never know your name.
  • You will spend time with 4 to 5 thousand of your closest friends!
  • You will spend at least 2 hours disembarking each day in port.
  • You will spend at least an hour on a bus driving to a city center for sightseeing.
  • You will never have more than seven or eight hours in port.
  • You will be seated at dinner with thousands of others all wanting to eat at the same time.
  • You may encounter strong seas and experience seasickness.
  • You will dress up for dinner at least once, and usually twice, on a 5-7 night cruise.
  • You will experience loud disco music and partiers in the halls all night on several of the ships!
 
However, on a river cruise vessel:  
  • You will sail with 130 or fewer privileged guests.
  • You will relax in a cabin often larger than those on cruise ships and with all cabin amenities.
  • You will enjoy sumptuous gourmet cuisine made to order to your personal specifications.
  • You will be granted complimentary wines, beers, sodas and bottled water.
  • You will have your choice of free, small-group sightseeing excursions in every port.
  • You will have access to fitness center, sauna, massage, hairdresser, pool, FREE internet and free use of bicycles on most river cruise ships.
  • You will revel in the free onboard evening entertainment.
  • You will step right off the ship and be in the center of most town.
  • You will have plenty of time to see and experience more of a region.
  • You will never have to dress up for dinner. Resort casual is the norm.
  • You will always have a river front view!
  • You can't get seasick.
  • You will be treated VIP-style by English speaking staff who will know your personal preferences by day two!

I recommend these river cruise lines: Uniworld, AMA Waterways, Azamara, Scenic, A-Rosa, and Viking. What's more: I can offer you exclusive Virtuoso benefits on many sailings as well as excellent pricing. Interested? Give me a call to learn more about each one of these spectacular travel opportunities. 

 

 

Our Escorted Tours Deposit Deadlines are Nearing.

Are You Registered?

 
Rev. Lourdu Puonnapati LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
Father Lourdu Ponnapatti
 pastor of St. Matthew's in Elk City, OK will lead a ten day pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Sept. 1-10, 2014. Three nights Tiberius in the Galilee and four nights Jerusalem. Ceasarea Maritime, Cana, Capernaum, Bethany, Nazareth, Tiberias, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Tabor, Mt. of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Beit Shean, Jordan River, Baptismal Site, Jericho, Qumran, Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ein Karem, and more. Includes roundtrip airfare from Oklahoma City on United and Austrian airlines, current air fuel surcharges and taxes,  4/5* hotels with private baths, spa facilities, famous Israeli buffet breakfasts and table d'hote dinners daily, daily Mass, licensed tour guide, deluxe AC motorcoach, all entrance fees as per itinerary. Cost is $3,899 per person, dbl occupancy. Deposit is $300 each by April 30. Final payment due by June 1, 2014. Click HERE For brochures, additional information, and secure online registration.
Tour operated by Unitours, Inc, the leader in Catholic travel. 
 
Just a Few Spots Remain on our Italy: A Feast for Body & Soul
pilgrimage with Catholic author Mary DeTurris Poust Oct. 7-19, 2014. The Food and Faith pilgrimage visits Rome, Florence, Siena, Assisi, Montecatini Terme, Salerno, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii.  Includes roundtrip air from NYC on Alitalia Airlines; 4/5* hotels; Welcome drink,  Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner; 10 Buffet Breakfasts, 11 dinners, and 3 lunches; Beverages/Wine with Meals; Winery tour, Wine Tasting, and Lunch in Tuscany;  Agriturismo (Farm) tour, Wine Tasting and Lunch in Umbria; Cooking Lesson, "Oil" Tasting and Lunch in Campania; Blue Grotto boat ride; Papal Audience; deluxe AC motorcoach, hotel taxes & fees, current air fuel surcharges and taxes; all entrance fees as per itinerary, Gratuities. Discussions on tour will include Spiritual Friendship; Faith-Food ConnectionFinding God's Presence in Everyday 'Stuff';Trusting and Let God be in ChargeCost is $4,999 per person, dbl occupancy. Deposit is $300 each by May 29. Final payment due August 7, 2014.We're delighted to welcome Msgr. William Benwell who will celebrate Masses for us on this pilgrimage! Visit this page for brochures, information, and secure online Registration. 
Tour operated by Unitours, Inc, the leader in Catholic travel.

Father James Goins, pastor of St. Thomas More, Norman, OK, will lead a pilgrimage to Sicily and Rome Oct. 20-Nov. 1, 2014. Palermo, Cefalu, Monreale, Agrigento, Giardini Naxos, Taormina, Mt. Etna, Siracusa, Catania, Rome.  Includes roundtrip airfare from Oklahoma City on Delta and Alitalia Airlines, current air fuel surcharges and taxes, 4/5* hotels with private baths, spa facilities, daily breakfast and dinners, daily Mass, licensed tour guide, deluxe AC motorcoach, all entrance fees as per itinerary. Cost is $5,249 per person, dbl occupancy. Deposit is $300 each by May 20. Final payment due by Aug. 20, 2014. Click HERE For brochures, additional information, and secure online registration.

Tour operated by Unitours, Inc, the leader in Catholic travel.  

 
Did You Know?
Travel Overtures is a Virtuoso Agency affiliate backed by Pisa Brothers/Worldview Travel. A five-time recipient of Cond� Nast Traveler's Travel Specialist Award, Worldview Travel is one of the leading Virtuoso agencies with offices in California, Florida, New York, Oregon, Toronto and Bermuda. 
***Have a Group Destination in mind? Group Leaders can enjoy benefits, including reduced or free travel. Ask me how!***
 
Remember, I am here to assist you with your personal VIP custom travel plans, Cruises, Destination Weddings, HoneymoonsSpecial event group travel to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. I work by appointment, only, so grab your consultation spot soon!  
Melani Roewe

Travel Overtures 

+1-405-293-2003 office       Schedule a Consultation! 

+1-405-549-4651 FAX

+1-877-669-9387 TOLL FREE (in USA)

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