Two years ago, an earthquake shattered the church's upper heights, sending frescoes crumbling to the floor. Since then, workers have been laboring to put the paintings back together. The upper church reopened in November, though officials say the entire task will take two more years to complete. Assisi Mayor Georgio Bartolini said he expects millions of visitors to traipse through his city and the basilica. Holy Land pilgrims Italy may be a popular draw, agreed Peter Bahou, who operates a touring agency that caters to the faithful, but he thinks Israel will be the real winner in this travel season.
Prices are stable, and people can get good rates.
The airlines have not increased the prices. Israel, billing itself as the official destination of the millennium, has the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, an important site for Jewish, Christian and Muslim travelers. But it has much more than that, said Arie Sommers of the Israeli Tourism Ministry. For instance, we spent a lot of money in Nazareth. The efforts appear to have paid off.