Religious Sites

by Deanna Palić; Contributing Editor

Our day started at the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. In the early darkness, with the starry skies above, my second godson, Vasilli (almost 80 years old), and I joined pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Poland to sit, stand, make the sign of the cross and kiss icons while monks chanted age-old Byzantine hymns and prayers that have remained unchanged since the birth of Christianity.

I took a fascinating trip to Macedonia and Kosovo, March 10-20, 2011. These countries were the two components of the former Yugoslavia that I had never visited, and I explored them with Dzengis Patel, an outstanding guide and driver.

Dzengis works for DEA Tours (Kej Marshal Tito 40, Ohrid, Macedonia; phone/fax 00 389 [0] 46 26 52 51), which I found by sending letters of inquiry to travel companies that “do” Macedonia; Ohrid Travel in the UK responded and recommended DEA.

While traveling outside of the US, have you bought a CD of music typical of the country or area? A recording of the Berlin Philharmonic while you were in Germany, perhaps? Or maybe a CD of a street performer? For those of you who did, we asked that you tell us about the music and the artist plus any advice on making purchases. Responses were printed in last month’s issue, and more appear below.

by Randy Keck (First of two parts)

For more than four-and-a-half centuries Macau has occupied a unique position both in its geographical location at the mouth of the Pearl River in the South China Sea and as a link between Europe and China.

Founded by Portuguese in 1557, Macau was the first European colony on Chinese territory. It served not only as Europe’s gateway into China but as China’s “window” on the outside world that it had often shunned in the past.

by Kathie Swift; Des Moines, IA

The first question that’s usually asked about our pilgrimage to Israel is “Did you feel safe?”

“Yes, all the time!” we enthusiastically answer.

by Mary Hollis; Moline, IL

My husband, Mike, and I will forever treasure the memories of our Jan. 10-Feb. 2, 2011, travels to Bhutan and Nepal, our most challenging trip to date.

Along with seven other adventurous souls, I took a 15-day tour of Ethiopia offered by Patrick Syder Travel (Zenobia House, 23 Bowmans Close, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3SR, U.K.; phone/fax +44 [0] 1903 879737).

This classic itinerary through northern Ethiopia, April 12-26 2011, cost £1,790 (then, $2,873), including three domestic flights on Ethiopian Airlines, full board, an outstanding guide and the personal services of Patrick Syder, himself.

by Julie Skurdenis (part 2 of 3 on the Balkans)