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Welcome to this special edition of the MTS TRAVEL
newsletter showcasing our expert services in tour and
vacation planning. We hope you will find the
information and articles useful.
| Oberammergau 2010 |
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No, not the next sequel in a science fiction trilogy! The
citizens of Oberammergau, Germany made a vow in
1634, that if they were spared the ravages of the
bubonic plague then sweeping Europe, they would
perform a passion play every ten years in gratitude. At
Pentecost in 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the
first time. This small town in the Bavarian Alps will
give their 41st presentation of this spectacular
production in the summer of 2010.
More than 2000 residents of Oberammergau take part
in the six hour enactment of the events that Christianity
regards as its central source of life and hope. Last
performed in 2000, the play is comprised of spoken
dramatic text, musical and choral accompaniment,
and tableaux vivants. The tableaux vivants are scenes
depicted for the audience by motionless actors
accompanied by verbal description. Although the
Passion Play is presented in German, English
translations are available.
In addition to being located in one of the most
beautiful areas of Germany, this Bavarian village
boasts a long tradition of woodcarving. Stroll the
streets of Oberammergau, visit many woodcarver
shops, and take home handmade pieces ranging
from religious subjects to toys. Don't miss the
Oberammergau museum, housing hundreds of
beautiful examples of this ancient art.
Oberammergau is also famous for its frescoes of
traditional Bavarian themes; fairy tales or religious
scenes can be found on many homes and buildings.
This painting technique further transforms
Oberammergau into a trip to remember.
MTS TRAVEL has been arranging Oberammergau
Passion Play tours for over forty years, and can't wait
to make 2010 a reality for you. We are experts at
combining the passion play with the rest of Europe.
Now is the time! If you would like to be a part of this
momentous event, act quickly!
For a custom group
trip or an individual vacation take a look at
www.mtstravel.com/oberammergau2010; email
oberamergau2010@mtstravel.com ; or call 800
874-9330..don't miss out on this once in a lifetime
event!
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| NEWS FLASH***Confirmed Seats for MTS TRAVEL Customers |
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Effective Immediately! At the time of reservation we are
able to confirm seat assignments for travelers using
our Missionary/Humanitarian contracted economy
fares. This is a privilege current reserved only for
passengers traveling first class, and Gold and Silver
Executive Club members; along with those having
particular disabilities or traveling with infants.
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| Update on Heathrow's British Air Terminal 5 |
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In just a few months, London Heathrow Terminal 5
will welcome the first British Airways passengers
through its doors. It's the culmination of an amazing
project that began with one thought - to make
connecting the world simple and pleasurable again.
The result is a seamless and upgraded airport
experience unlike any other in the world, and one
that's exclusively for British Airways passengers. BA's
goal is to have the entire check-in, baggage check,
and security process completed in 10 minutes.
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| Cruisin' |
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Sounds great, doesn't it? Unpack once, meals
included, entertainment every day, and visiting
multiple exciting locations; what more could you ask!
Today's modern cruise ships are one of the best ways
to enjoy locations you've always dreamed about.
Europe your pleasure? There is no better way to
maximize the strength of your dollars than purchasing
air fare, accommodations, meals, and entertainment
before you have to deal with the Euro. Even shore
excursions can be arranged with the cruise line and
paid in US dollars.
Alaska has been awe inspiring even before it became
our 49th state. Cruising can eliminate the difficulty of
travel in this wilderness area, and maximize the
amount of this vast beauty that you enjoy. What a way
to spend a week or so of your summer!
The Caribbean continues to be a great family
destination all year. There is something for everyone
in this area that stretches from the Bahamas to the
coast of South America; and from Mexico to the
Panama Canal.
MTS TRAVEL can get you on that cruise ship before
you can get out the map! We offer pre-selected cruise
dates for Europe and Alaska, or our experts can
advise you on cruises worldwide. Browse our
specials at www.mtstravel.com/vacations, or call
866 280-2363.
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| Exploring England and C.S. Lewis |
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We have all come to know the Chronicles of Narnia
recently, but less is known about the author, C.S.
Lewis and his impact on 20th century Christianity.
Born into the Church of Ireland in the late nineteen
century, Lewis became a member of the Church of
England much later in his life. This conversion had a
profound effect on his work, and his wartime
broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him
wide acclaim.
A tour to Lewis' England will allow you to visit the
sights in London, Canterbury, Oxford, and Bristol,
among other stops. See, in person, the sites you have
read about for years; the birthplace of John and
Charles Wesley, Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster
Abbey, and the Cowper and Newton Museum.
Let our tour and vacation experts at MTS TRAVEL
make this trip a reality for you.
Call 866 280-2363 or email
vacations@mtstravel.com.
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Seven Days - Door to Door |
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Although this could be a saga of overnight delivery
gone wrong, it is actually the end of an amazing
journey that started one Monday near the end of
January. For a group of potential tour hosts, that
Monday marked the beginning of a trip of a lifetime;
touring Israel to learn, to experience, and to stand in
awe.
Monday - Flying from New York to Israel, via
Vienna. The hours pass slowly in anticipation of arrival
in TelAviv. Excitement is only slightly ahead of fatigue,
and the need for a shower and rest after an overnight
flight.
Wednesday - The day dawns gray, windy and
cold; but the Mediterranean is just outside the hotel
windows so the outlook cannot be totally gloomy. The
first stop is Caesarea, and as we walk in ancient
theaters and arenas, and climb on 2000 year old
aqueducts, the sun begins to break through. But this
is only the beginning of a day that will ultimately take
us to Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, and Mt. Tabor. In total
sensory overload, we end our day's travels at Cana,
the scene of Jesus' first miracle; changing water into
wine.
Thursday - After a night of clear skies and a
full moon, the first view this morning is of the Sea of
Galilee, gently lapping shores that are just steps
away. Sunny skies lift spirits, and we start out toward
the Mount of Beatitudes. In front of this beautiful
church, we listen to Matthew 5:1-11. Moving along at a
steady pace, we go on to Tel Dan, Banias, and the
Golan Heights. The afternoon brings Capernaum and
Peter's house, and the Church of the Loaves and
Fishes. We watch the sunset from a small boat on the
Sea of Galilee. A perfect end to a perfect day!
Friday - Another clear, sunny day! How lucky
can we be! Our first stop is Bet Shean, not far from Mt.
Gilboa where Saul defeated the Philistines. Excavated
in a mere 25 years, the ruins here are of a city of
40,000 inhabitants during the Roman-Byzantine
period. The city is so complete it is possible to
imagine bustling shoppers, chariots, and children
playing. We head south along the western shore of
the Jordan River to Jericho, believed to be the oldest
city in the world. Imagine the Israelites seeing this
oasis in the desert and it is easy to justify the
term "Promised Land". A short 25 mile ride brings us
over a hill and Jerusalem spreads out before us.
Continuing to Bethlehem, we visit the Church of the
Nativity and the surrounding square. We are honored
to share dinner with the pastor of the Evangelical
Lutheran Christmas Church and local members of the
church.
Saturday - More clouds and, now, wind and
rain to go with them. Standing on the Mt. of Olives is
bitterly cold.. but, it is the Mt. of Olives, so who cares!
From this vantage point, the Old City of Jerusalem
stretches before us. All the sights we'd seen in
pictures, the Church of the Rock, the Temple Mount,
the city wall, it is all right in front of us. What cold rain?!
We walk down the steep hill, past the cemetery, and
into the Garden of Gethsemane. Entering Old
Jerusalem through Herod's Gate, we stop at
Bethesda Pools and St. Anne's Church, noted for the
acoustics. Even without training, our rendition of "How
Great Thou Art" was pretty impressive. Following the
Via Dolorosa, Jesus' path to Calvary, we arrive at the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our route to the
Western Wall takes us through the Arab market. It is
the Jewish Sabbath and even the cold, wet weather
has not stopped the faithful from coming to this holiest
of sites to pray. After exiting the city through the Mt.
Zion Gate, we climb to the Upper Room, traditional
site of the Last Supper. Our faithful bus and driver are
waiting, and we have a few minutes to warm up as we
drive to the Garden Tomb. Here, in this peaceful
setting, we sit in a small chapel for prayer and
communion.
Sunday - Fog shrouds the hills as we leave
Jerusalem very early on our way to Masada. By the
time we board the cable car to Herod's mountaintop
hideaway, the sun is out. This last stronghold of the
Jewish Revolt against Rome is well preserved and
the ingenuity of the builders is astonishing. Driving
along the Dead Sea, our next stop is Qumran where
the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. After lunch, we
are offered a swim in the Dead Sea. It's a little too
cold, but some hardy souls do go wading. Returning
to the New City of Jerusalem, our afternoon is spent at
two museums. First, we tour the Shrine of the Book,
where we actually see ..
Read On ..
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CST 2013363-40
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