Pictures from Israel Trip

Hello everyone,

What a year its been.  Scandinavia was so much fun.  It not only makes me think of future adventures but also causes me to reflect on journey's past.  Here are some of the photos from a Pennel Group trip I organized to the Holy Land this past March (video of many more photos to come soon).

    Ancient Roman Theater in Caesarea

    The third largest city in Israel - Haifa.  This picture was taken from a section of the upper terraces of the 

    Bahai Shrine 

    Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth    

    Church of the Beatitudes - built on the traditional site of Jesus' 

    delivery of the Sermon on the Mount

Rainbow on the Sea of Galilee

    Baptism on the Jordan River

    Ancient ruins in Bet She'an Archaeological Park

    Place of Jesus's birth - Bethlehem 

    Wailing Wall with The Dome of the Rock at center

    

    Our group at the site of Masada - a site of ancient palaces 

    and fortifications in the South District of Israel

    Near the Dead Sea - at 1,388 ft below sea level, it is 

    the lowest point on earth

    Elvis in the Middle East.  Who knew?

    The Shouk or "Market", Tel Aviv

We sailed into Dover this morning and saw all of the White Cliffs.  We are now boarding our Delta flight from London Heathrow to Atlanta and hope to be home this evening.

Brugge, Belgium

Yesterday, Wednesday, we spent our last day at sea taking computer classes, playing bridge, Indonesian Afternoon Tea, reading and relaxing.  Last night was a dinner of steak and lobster. 


Today, Thursday, we went from the pier by coach to the City of Brugge in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium.  We went shopping for lace items and chocolate as we wandered the streets and admired the endless rows of grand Gothic buildings, flowery canals, and gabled homes.

    Canal in Brugge

    Market Square in Brugge

Newcastle, England

On Tuesday we visited Newcastle, England.  We left Newcastle and drove into the beautiful countryside of Northumberland. A stop by the location of a Roman wall built by Hadrian almost  2000 years ago.  In some places the wall is still present.  Then a visit to Chesters Roman Fort, a part of Hadrian's Wall.  Then we drove and stopped for lunch in the historic and picturesque town of Hexham.  Then it was back to Newcastle to see the Seven Bridges.

     Foundation of fort at Hadrian's Wall

     Some of the group at Hadrian's Wall

Edinburgh

Yesterday we were in the magnificent City of Edinburgh.  We enjoyed a fascinating City tour that included the Edinburgh Castle, a drive along the historic Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace (the Queen's residence in Edinburgh), Royal Park, world famous Princes Street and the beautiful Princes Street Gardens.  Some of the group traveled to St. Andrews, located on the Fife coast and visited the Old Course, where the game of golf originated.  In the evening we attended The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo- the largest festival in the world- our guide said.  The action-packed program was held on the Castle Esplanade-stirring music of Massed Pipes and Drums.

    View of Edinburgh from Edinburgh Castle 

                                                       

    With our guide, Ronnie, in front of Holyrood Palace

     The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Scotland

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to see Scotland's most famous lake, Loch Ness, world-renowned for its mythical monster.  A vsit to 14th century Urquhart Castle, situated in a magnificent setting right by the loch's edge, is one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland.

Saturday - Day at Sea

Yesterday, Saturday, we enjoyed a relaxing day at sea.  The ship, Eurodam, offers computer classes, cooking classes, and Royal High tea.  It also has one of the best spas on the sea.

Scandinavian Nature

Yesterday, Friday, we had a full day of spectacular sights-mountains and fjords. We took the Trollstigen road with 11 hairpen bends on the way down the mountain, ringed by the Bishop, King and Queen peaks. .A day of beautiful roaring waterfalls and peaceful nature.

The Islands West of Bergen

Today we went out of Bergen into the beautiful countryside. We enjoyed lappar with jelly and cream (a type of pancake) and a stop by the colorful restored boathouses (pictured).  The fascinating group of islands west of Bergen consists of the counties Sund, Fjell and Øygarden. The population is spread over a large area of more than 100 large and small islands, protecting the city of Bergen from the North Sea storms. The countryside is full of contrasts from harsh and barren areas to sheltered and luxuriant.  We passed through lots of bridges and tunnels that connect the islands. 

Oslo - Day 2

They say in Norway that they have summer one week a year, and we have been blessed with some really perfect days. Today Tuesday we were on own in Oslo and walked to see the historic Grand Hotel. The Nobel Peace winners stay there. A visit to the Church to the Rose Garden to see the Memorial for the bombing victims.  Last stop City Hall to see the room where the Nobel Peace prize is awarded.(Pictured here).   Sailed out of Oslo in the late afternoon.. The scenery was spectacular.

Oslo, Norway - Day 1

Today we had a lovely tour of Oslo. It is a very beautiful city known for its diverse architecture. Our tour included Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, the Parliament, Holmenkollen Ski Jumping Hill (one of the highest ski jumps in the world) and a stroll through Vigeland Sculpture Park.  The Park features 212 bronze and granite sculptures all designed by Gustav Vigeland (The Monolith is pictured here). 

Boarded Eurodam

We boarded the Eurodam ship at noon today. We got settled in. It was beautiful sailing out of Copenhagen in the late afternoon.  My group all gathered for drinks this evening at the Silk Den on board the ship.

We are on our way to Oslo.

Saturday in Copenhagen

Greetings from Copenhagen!  It was a lovely sunny day here and at 70 degrees was a nice welcome from the heat and humidity that we left back home.  At midday we strolled down to Nyhavn (New Port) where colorful old buildings on the canal have been converted into outdoor cafes and shops.

Leaving for Scandinavia!

Hello everyone,


We will be leaving tomorrow and arriving in our first city Copenhagen, Denmark (pictured above) on Saturday morning local time.  Be sure to check back often as we have an exciting itinerary ahead.  I know my entire group is looking forward it.