If pilgrimage is the reason for your travel, as most trips are, then you will be planning your tour differently then if you were planning a mission trip. Location is very crucial in these trips. Keep in mind the religious importance of the location when making your decision. 

You don’t always have to travel to the actual locations named in the readings. There are several other locations you can choose that will fulfill the spirit that you may not have thought or even heard of. There are a variety of places with different approaches to finding spiritual enlightenment on your religious trip. Browse these locations and ask yourself these questions when choosing a destination.

Israel

Israel is visited by more religious groups than any other country in the world. If Israel is your choice, you will know it because there is no other religious experience that compares to a trip here. Israel experiences differ from group to group, so how you plan to visit is your decision.

Base your trip around the places you want to visit. Are you visiting Old or New Testament places? Palestinian areas? Jewish areas? Do you want to interact with people of other faiths or only visit congregations sharing your beliefs? Are you looking for a history lesson, or do you want to give your members time to reflect? Keep these questions in mind as you plan your trip. You don’t want people to find themselves in uncomfortable positions that will distract them from the reason they came on the trip in the first place.

Europe and the Middle East

Other places that are part of both the Old and New Testament can be found in Greece, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Do your research on these locations to help you understand more about their cultures and how their religious attractions will fit into your trip.

Europe is the birthplace of many denominations that are still around today. A tour of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria could focus on Reformation history, Anabaptist roots or Huguenot founders. The United Kingdom gives travelers a look into the foundations of Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations.

Spain, France and Italy give Catholics the opportunity to see some important churches. Rome and the Vatican give Catholics the chance to participate in mass at St. Peter’s Basilica or view the Sistine Chapel.

The United States

There are numerous Catholic shrines in the U.S. Visits to shrines are a cheaper alternative for your parish. They can also serve as a quick day trip in between bigger trips on your parish’s calendar. Catholicshrines.net will give you a state-by-state directory of these shrines. Pennsylvania and Ohio have 12, and New York has 14. Find out how many are within a day’s drive for you.

Many states offer historical chapels or churches to visit as well. Other attractions include sculpture gardens, museums and libraries that all can spark a spiritual enlightenment in your travel ministry.

Cruises

Cruises can offer the ultimate fellowship opportunity for faith-based travelers. Time on the ship can be spent in conversation, reflection, meditation and study. Plan activities that will strengthen your parish while spending time together outside of the weekly gathering of worship.

These cruises also allow members to see all of the beauty of God’s creation. They may even allow for a few hours of visiting people and participating in small volunteer projects.

You don’t always need a religious destination to find spiritual enlightenment. Time spent with members outside of weekly meetings can open up new doors for people to find spiritual enlightenment in ways they didn’t see before.

There are plenty of places to find spiritual enlightenment all across our globe. Some are well-known destinations that can be found in our readings. Others may be right in your backyard. Know your trip’s plans and choose a destination that will help them find the fulfillment they are looking for.

For more infromation to help you plan your next religious retreat, visit ReligiousTravelDirectory.com and find location, attractiond and accomodations around your destination!