We were fortunate to be together in October with several friends as we squeezed through the “Door of Humility” to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during our three-day stay in Israel and the Palestine Territories. The ancient church is built over a network of caves that have been revered since the 2nd century as the location of Christ’s birth. The church was first constructed in 339 at the order of Emperor Constantine and has a history of destruction and rebirth over the ages. The “Door of Humility” is a 4-foot high opening that has forced pilgrims for over 700 years to bow as they entered and also prevented looters from entering the church on horseback or with carts. Construction was underway in October to repair the church’s leaking wooden roof. Wooden platforms also covered the floor but some panels were removed to show us a glimpse of the original 4th century mosaics. To learn more about the church and its history, we recommend you visit http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ as a good source of information and photos. We joined hundreds of pilgrims and tourists who descended that day into the grotto. The day was an early Christmas present for us and a moving experience as we followed in the footsteps of so many who have come over the centuries to honor the humble birth of the King of Kings. This week thousands will descend on Manager Square in Bethlehem in the Palestine Territories to celebrate Christmas. We wish them peace, safety and renewal.

Happy Birthday, Holy Father! Pope Francis celebrates his 78th birthday today. Click here to see how Vatican Radio described this morning’s festive General Audience

Germans love Christmas trees and AirBerlin is allowing customers to bring Christmas trees up to 5 feet tall with them at no charge on their Christmas vacation flights.

Royal Caribbean Lines has upped Disney Cruises “Magic Porthole” with the introduction of an 80-inch high “Virtual Balcony” for inside cabins on its newest ship - Quantum of the Seas, now sailing out of Port Liberty, New Jersey for the Bahamas and Caribbean. Each of the Quantum’s 373 windowless inside cabins comes with a “virtual balcony” - an 80-inch LED high definition projection screen that stretches from floor to ceiling. Now you can see a digital real-time view of the ocean and destinations visible from the ship’s exterior at sea and in port on the side of the ship your virtual balcony is facing…...an yes, you can turn off the screens whenever you want. On Disney ships inside cabins come with an round “Magical Porthole - an LCD flat-screen monitor in a nautical frame disguised as a porthole. Besides a view of the outside world, Disney animated characters pop in from time to time.

We are delighted to offer New York City holiday shopping and Broadway packages. Hotels and shows are always subject to availability so don’t hesitate to give us a call. Please check out our New York City Trips or Specials Page today.