June 22, 2012

Nazareth, Israel: Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation; things to do

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation/Church of St. Gabriel/St. Gabriel's Greek Orthodox Church  

Probably established in Byzantine-era Palestine, this Eastern Orthodox church was rebuilt during the Crusades and again in the 18th century.  It currently serves Nazareth’s Arab citizens.  The church is located over an underground spring, which according to Eastern Orthodox belief is where at the time of the Annunciation the Virgin Mary got her water.  Water from the spring still runs inside the church apse and also feeds into the adjacent Mary's Well, located 150 yards from the church.


church interior:



well:   
 





June 20, 2012

Capernaum, Israel: St. Peter Fish & Grill Restaurant; restaurant review

St. Peter Fish & Grill Restaurant

Not only does the large and popular restaurant St. Peter Fish & Grill Restaurant overlook the Sea of Galilee, but visitors here dine at long tables on an assortment of delicious shared salads plus their own farmed whole talapia—almost like folks did back when the fish actually came from the Galilee.

talapia at St. Peter Fish & Grill Restaurant in Capernaum, Israel
talapia at St. Peter Fish & Grill Restaurant in Capernaum, Israel



image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 18, 2012

Capernaum, Israel: The Yigal Alon Center; things to do

The Yigal Alon Center  

Kibbutz Ginosar 1490, 972-4-672-770. 

"Jesus Boat" reconstruction at The Yigal Alon Center in Capernaum, Israel
"Jesus Boat" reconstruction at The Yigal Alon Center in Capernaum, Israel


A decade ago, a 2,000-year-old fishing boat (from the 1st century A.D.) was discovered buried in the Sea of Galilee mud.  Nicknamed the “Jesus Boat,” it is displayed in a protected environment in the grand new Yigal Alon Center where it is still undergoing conservation.  Jerome Hall, from U.C. San Diego, is documenting the boat.  “I’d like to get into the mind of the person who built the boat,” he says.  “Laying under here for 16 years I’ve heard everything,” he adds.  Hall is currently finishing a book about the boat.  “The boat has its own story to tell in its wood.”  He thinks the boat was built from pieces of other boats and that it was sitting on the shore being taken apart when something cataclysmic happened and it was covered with mud.  He thinks the boat builder was brilliant but limited by what was available.  “He built the boat he could, not the one he wanted.”



More things to do in Galilee area of Israel.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 15, 2012

Berlin, Germany: Xantener Eck; restaurant review + hotel review

Xantener Eck  

Xantener Strasse 1, (0 30) 8 83 90 14. B-L-D daily (opens at 9am). 

In business here since 1907, the cozy corner beer pub Xantener Eck; serves up great brew and inexpensive traditional German fare.  

interior of Xantener Eck restaurant in Berlin, Germany
interior of Xantener Eck restaurant in Berlin, Germany


Pension HotelPension Rheingold  

Xantener Straße. 9, + 49(0)30 885961-0.  Includes breakfast.  

This attractive, well-priced B&B-style lodging is just a few doors away.  


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

June 13, 2012

Regensburg, Germany: Things to do in Regensburg, Germany

Things to do in Regensburg, Germany


Located at the northern-most point of the upper Danube River and an easy 1½-hour train ride northwest of Munich, the prosperous town of Regensburg was the original capital of Bavaria (about 900 years ago).  A two-night stay will let you see the important sights.  Read more. . .

Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg, Germany



More things to do in Germany.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

June 11, 2012

Key West, Florida: Hemingway Home & Museum; things to do

painting of Ernest Hemingway in Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Florida

Hemingway Home & Museum

Ernest Hemingway seems to haunt every part of laid-back Key West.  Here, at the literal end of the road, everyone has a story about him.  Even the descendants of his own polydactyl (six-toed) cat, Snowball. Read the entire story.  


More things to do in Key West, Florida.

Places to see cats when you travel.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


Popular Posts