About the writer: Florine Murray is a nurse, trained in Rochester and at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis. She also is a volunteer with the Saint Marys Hospital Auxiliary and Mayo Hospice.
Getting there: The travel group met in Chicago and flew to Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Tel Aviv, Israel. The return flight from Tel Aviv stopped in Vienna, Austria, then back to Chicago.
Where you stayed: The first four nights, the group stayed in traditional Palestinian homes. The final three nights were at the Notre Dame Hotel in Jerusalem.
Where to eat: The International Center while in Bethlehem. The nursing group started the day with breakfast at their hosts’ homes. In Jerusalem, they ate at the Notre Dame Hotel.
Travel tip: The trip requires a lot of physical stamina. If you go, it is important to be physically fit, as there are many steep steps and a lot of walking.
