Letters from the Holy Land

A series of intimate letters written to a mother captures one woman’s four‑week pilgrimage through the Holy Land at the turn of the twentieth century. Departing from the Adriatic, she records the radiant farewell of Venice, the moon‑lit expanse of the sea, and the quiet anticipation of arriving in Egypt and Palestine. Her prose balances personal yearning with keen, almost scientific observation of the landscape, the climate, and the everyday life she encounters far from the clamor of religious festivals.

Interwoven with the correspondence are the author’s own colour sketches, rendered quickly yet lovingly, that bring places like Jaffa, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the plains surrounding the Jordan River to vivid life. The letters convey a traveler’s awe at ancient sites while noting the practical comforts provided by generous hosts and reliable transport. Listeners will feel the gentle rhythm of a bygone journey, guided by curiosity, gentle humor, and a deep affection for the lands she visits.