Search Results for: blog flying the holy skies

Travel Tidbits: Holy Water Gets The Boot and Cruising Minus The Kids

Just the other day I wrote about the introduction of a new Vatican-backed charter airline owned by the private Italian post office, which organizes trips for the Diocese of Rome. Mistral Air is designed specifically to carry pilgrims to Catholic shrines throughout the world. However, since it flies in and out of Europe’s most popular airports its passengers are subject to the same security screening as any other frequent flier. Which is why when pilgrims tried to bring souvenir holy water on board the flight they were given some bad news. That’s right; not even holy water from the Catholic … Continue reading →

Flying the Holy Skies

Would you feel safer on a flight if it were bound for the Holy Land? What if the destination wasn’t the only holy part of the trip? What if the entire plane was affiliated with some of the holiest people in the Catholic Church? It may not guarantee that your luggage won’t get lost, but at least you won’t have to worry about seeing an inappropriate movie in mid-air. A Vatican-backed charter airline, taking flight for the first time this week, has one goal in mind—safely transporting travelers to popular Catholic destinations, including Fatima, Portugal; Lourdes, France; Santiago de Compostela, … Continue reading →

Travel in the Pope’s Footsteps–Washington D.C.

In just a few days Pope Benedict XVI will begin a historic tour of Washington, D.C. and New York. In my previous blog I listed some of the sites the pontiff is scheduled to visit while in the Big Apple and how you too can share in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing the leader of the Catholic Church in person. If you are unable to make it to New York City or Washington, D.C. next week during the Pope’s visit you could settle for the next best thing—following in his footsteps the next time you are in either of the … Continue reading →

Travel in the Pope’s Footsteps

One of the most influential men on the planet is scheduled to visit the United States next week. Pope Benedict XVI will visit Washington and New York April 15-20. The public will have a chance to see the pontiff in person when he says Mass at the new Nationals Park and Yankee Stadium. Other plans for the leader of the Catholic Church include a formal dinner at the White House and a visit to Ground Zero. If you can’t make it to the Big Apple or our nation’s capital in time for the Pope’s visit you might consider signing up … Continue reading →

Traveling to Bethlehem for Christmas

If you are traveling to Bethlehem this Advent season expect a lot of company. According to travel experts, the West Bank area has seen (and expects to host) more tourists this year than in any holiday season since Israeli-Palestinian fighting broke out seven years ago. Bethlehem’s mayor speculates that the relative calm between Israelis and Palestinians has helped persuade Christians that it’s safe to visit. The onslaught of new visitors is a stark contrast to years past when heavy fighting and continued violence frightened many away. Government officials are expecting around 65,000 tourists to visit the traditional site of Jesus’ … Continue reading →