• Lisa Kern
  • Lisa Kern

Journey

We are traveling to the Holy Land. Hope you enjoy our journey 🙏❤️🙏 Read more
  • Trip start
    September 26, 2023

    Lake Bled, Slovenia

    September 29, 2023 in Slovenia ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Drove 5 hours and checked into a lovely room. Walked around a bit and caught a boat out to the island in the middle of lake. We couldn’t have picked a better day to be here. Tomorrow we have two big hikes planned. We walked 27,000 + steps yesterday. We shocked ourselves 😉 about 13 miles.Read more

  • Lake Bled , Slovenia

    September 30, 2023 in Slovenia ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    We headed down to the lake and walked the 6km and took our time to see the views from ever angle. Met some fishermen and they agreed to a photo. When I first asked he thought I wanted a picture with him 😉 I told him no, just your setup to show my brother in-law. 😂 we took about 2 hours, because I stopped for a second espresso. Then on to our next adventure…Read more

  • Vintgar Gorge

    September 30, 2023 in Slovenia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Went on a huge hike it was 6 miles, but the last part was straight up hill and then a straight down on rock and gravel. It was so beautiful and the water was so clear. Jesus was about half way to encourage us to keep on moving ❤️ we had a great dinner of Goulash and Schnitzel. Heading out to Zadar, Croatia tomorrow…Read more

  • Ljubljana Slovenia

    October 1, 2023 in Slovenia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Said goodbye to Lake Bled, and drove 45 minutes to Ljubljana to go to mass at the Cathedral, St. Nicholas. Before church we wandered down the river walk, the city is the capital of Slovenia. After mass we were back on the road to Zadar.Read more

  • Zadar, Croatia

    October 1, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Arrived Zadar about 3:30, we changed and headed for the beach. Enjoyed people watching and the activity in the water, cruise ships and sail boats. Came back to our hotel which is just across from the beach and changed, and headed down the beach aways to hear the the Sea Organ. Wandered around and found a great dinner and then gelato. Headed back to our place to enjoy the view from our balcony… another day living the dream 😘🙏😘Read more

  • Medjugorje

    October 2, 2023 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Arrived in Medjugorje to a lovely suite, went into the town and had lunch and walked around. We took a drive to acclimate ourselves for tomorrow. Went to mass at SV Jakova, it was outside and the mass was in Croatian.
    After mass we went across the street to a restaurant Fr John suggested. Up early to go up Apparition Hill and then to mass at 10:00. Looking forward to our day tomorrow 🙏
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  • Medjugorje Day 2 the climb

    October 3, 2023 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Up this morning, had breakfast and went to English Mass, the church was packed people standing and sitting on the floor. The priests were great. Headed out after Mass to Apparition Hill, I’ll I can say is Wow!!! Made the first treck up the hill to the Blue Cross and prayed with the other pilgrims. Then back to the climb, I have to be honest, I never dreamed I could do it. I know Mary and Jesus were a huge push, but John kept me going. The top is rewarding 🙏🙏🙏 prayed for all our intentions and those that others had asked for. It was beautiful watching the people, each with their own story. The treck down was equally hard, but John and I made it. Thank you Mary 🙏❤️🙏Read more

  • Trogir Croatia

    October 3, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Left Medjugorje and headed north to Trogir it is just above Split. Great little fishing town and medieval village on the water. We have a great room with a view. We walked over the bridge to the island that houses the village, had dinner and had gelato and then strolled back. Weather is unbelievabley beautiful and hot. The climb today was about 75 to 80 degrees, so we thought an evening out on the water would be great. We are heading to the beach after breakfast tomorrow. Thank you God for giving us another beautiful experience on our journey 🙏❤️🙏. Did I mention the hotel is on the landing path of Split. I thought they were landing in our room ✈️Read more

  • Sibenik

    October 4, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Walked around Sibenik, had a drink and watched the sunset. A very old town on the interior coast. Had dinner and met people from Germany and a couple from New York, made for an interesting evening. Late night gelato, and then back to our lovely room. Another day to be thankful for. 🙏Read more

  • Zagreb

    October 5, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Headed back to Zagreb, crazy day. Checked into our room about 7 minutes from airport. Did laundry, returned the car. repacked for flight to Istanbul and then out to dinner two blocks from where we are staying. The young man that owns the apartment is also a taxi driver and picked us up after we dropped the car and will take us to the airport at 6:00am. Did I say I didn’t know I needed a Visa for Turkey 🤪😫🥹 . I had to apply online at 9:00 am for a rush Visa and had the wonderful girl at the front desk in Sibenik assist me with printing it out, because of course you can’t have it just digital. Until tomorrow… thank you Jesus once again for helping to turn around another bump in the road. On with the journey…Read more

  • Istanbul

    October 6, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌙 70 °F

    Unbelievable, 15 million people and it all moves like clock work. We came through customs and then out of the airport which is huge. The driver gave us a ride of a lifetime, I should have video taped it.🫣😬😲. Arrived at our charming place and was treated by our hotel reception who served us Turkish coffee and John had tea, he then told us all the things we could do and checked us in. We went out and wandered and met Savaş and he gave us a little tour. That’s a story for later 😉. Had a wonderful dinner and met Mika the restaurant owner. I love this place.Read more

  • Istanbul Day 2

    October 7, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Up early, breakfast on the roof top in our hotel. Breathtaking views. We went to visit Hagia Sophia and we were waiting in a line early this am, which was an hour long, when I eyed our newest son Savaş who was working in the square. I called out and he said Baba, Nan and kissed us and hugged us and said are you in line? He said follow me quickly we followed him to the front of the line as he said, “excuse me, they missed their tour group and need to go in” 😉 so once again it’s good to know a guy.
    Hagia Sophia Mosque, is a mosque and a major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. It was very beautiful, shoes off before you enter, and scarfs for women is a must.
    We then went to The Blue Mosque which was also very beautiful.
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  • Istanbul Day 2 continues

    October 7, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Left the mosques and from there we went to the Basilica Cisterna it is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. That was our morning. Walked through the smaller Bazar, had a little lunch and went to the “Grand Bazar” I went into sensory overland , wandered a bit and then went on a two hour boat tour which was beautiful and very cool 😎 it’s been very warm here.Read more

  • Istanbul day 2 evening

    October 7, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    Came back after the boat tour and went to a great restaurant just across from our hotel for the second night, but tried something different it was a great show… until tomorrow

  • Sunday Morning in Istanbul

    October 8, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Up early and out, walked down to the road on the sea and it was closed for a marathon. We hiked back up to the top and John figured out how to get a metro card. Boarded the tram and crossed over to the Asia side. Walked straight up a hill and crested at the top to find St Antonina of Padua behind a facade. It was a beautiful mass with their “Amazing Choir” when they brought up the gifts, it was 20 plus people and children bringing fresh fruit, household supplies, and baskets filled with offerings. At the end of mass the little kids all had something to say about Mary. It was so beautiful we didn’t want to leave. The men behind me and next to me both had beautiful voices and sang out loud with their baritone voices. We wandered up the street after and John worked for his ice cream cone. Took metro partway back and then ended up in a taxi and he brought us back in a jiffy. We will head out later for dinner…
    Thank you God for another beautiful day 🙏❤️🙏
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  • Istanbul Rooftop Dining

    October 8, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Dinner at Seafront Roof Top
    Dinner was excellent and the view was beautiful. I love this place, the people are so friendly and nice. We have been blessed to be here.

  • Last Day in Istanbul

    October 10, 2023 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Took the metro up to the Topkapi palace today. The picture of the pink building last night is the palace at night. Went and had tea with our friend Savaş and his uncle, and said our goodbyes. They all call John “Baba” Turkish for grandpa. Went and got a few things from another friend and had tea. We will head back to our hotel and then dinner with the guys Ricky and Mustafa across the street 🙏❤️🙏 we have loved this place and all the wonderful people we have met. It’s one big family over here.Read more

  • ??? Next Stop

    October 11, 2023 in Vatican City ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Our trip to the Holy Land was canceled. Pray for all at war. 🙏 We are up at 5, taxi to airport in Istanbul, Asia, security check at entry, check in bags, two more security, passport and police checks and we boarded a plane. 2hr flight and land, then get on buses and then through passport security, we are now up to 5 bags to retrieve and then wait in the que for a taxi into the city.Read more

  • Rome

    October 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Walked around and went to the Spanish Steps we had not been there before. Staying in Catone neighborhood just a couple blocks from the Vatican. Dinner nearby and an early night.

  • Rome

    October 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Very warm 85 today. Walked to the Vatican, and then wandered to places we have not been to. Had dinner and then home. Starting early tomorrow with mass at St. Peter’s.