Today is Good Friday, and I’m reminded of what a significant day this is, even for those who don’t regularly attend a Christian denomination church.
When our kids were younger, we lived in Mexico for a while (and still return as often as we can). One of the many things I admire about the Mexicans is the energy they put into their celebrations… and there are many!. They are also very inclusive – Bob and I are not practicing Catholics, but our Mexican friends and neighbors always go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable during their Semana Santa celebrations (“Holy Week” is much more than just Good Friday).
In the context of travel, you don’t need to be adherent to a particular faith to get a lot out of visits to religious sites or events. We need to keep in mind that religious sites are usually of significant historical value, as well as going a long way in helping us understand many of the social considerations of groups of people.
For example, I’ve found Jewish heritage tours in Europe to be both fascinating and tremendously moving. I undoubtedly experience it differently than those devoted to that faith, but it is worthwhile for me, regardless.
Bob and I were in Turkey last year, and visited several Mosques. The Hagia Sofia in Istanbul was the largest church in the world until the 16th Century, and now operates both as a church for practicing Muslims, and a museum for those of us that want to learn more about Turkish culture and customs.
If you’re in Europe, it’s difficult NOT to intersect with religious sites. Likewise, in other parts of the world understanding the people and culture of the place you’re visiting can be impossible without a visit to a local holy site. Even when visiting the relics of ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, or Mayans you will interface with their religious sites and symbols.
So where can you go?
- Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State have many sites of significance to North American indigenous peoples. The art, culture, and architecture of these First Nations are fascinating. Cruises that stop at Icy Strait Point will be hosted by the Indigenous band that owns that port stop. If you go to Juneau, visit the State Museum with lots of artifacts from the local people. Just south of Ketchikan is the Saxman Village totem park. Vancouver has several sites. Check out the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia.
- The Vatican attracts millions of visitors every year. Only a portion of those visitors are Catholic. Any cruise that starts or finishes in Rome provides a great opportunity to visit the Vatican.
- Istanbul is an intersection of many things, and is certainly a crossroads for Christianity and Islam. There are plenty of sites dedicated to both faiths. If you take a cruise with Istanbul as one of the terminus ports, stay a day or two pre or post. There is no shortage of things to do.
- Israel is about the size of New Jersey, and is home to 9 million. There is no doubt about the religious significance of both Jerusalem, and the rest of Israel, and you don’t have to be Jewish to be greatly enriched by a visit there. There are an infinite number of land tours of Israel. If you’d prefer the comfort of a cruise, several ships call in at Israeli ports.
- Guatemala, Belize, and southern Mexico have incredibly important historical and religious sites from the Mayan culture. In my opinion the pyramids in Central America are far more impressive than those in Egypt… and most of them are also not nearly as crowded as the Pyramids at Cairo, and the sites at the Valley of the Kings.
These are only some of the most obvious places to visit that have religious significance.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Jewish Heritage on Uniworld – Budapest to Nuremburg for 8-days
- Depart May 3, 2024 for $4199 per person.
- Visit Budapest’s Jewish quarter, the Jewish sites in Vienna, scenic cruising and a winery visit in Wachau Valley, Passau, Jewish sites in Regensburg, and Nuremberg.
- Explore Europe’s Jewish legacy with visits to museums, Synagogues, memorials and more.
Egypt on AMA Waterways – 12-days
- Departures in October/November 2023 from $5699, and January – March from $5999.
- Spend 3 days Cairo, then fly to Luxor to board the ship, one week on the ship, and fly back to Cairo for a night.
- Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Pyramids at Giza, the Temple of Luxor, Valley of kings (visit Nefartari’s tomb), Temple of Horus, Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, and more.
Barcelona to Istanbul with Oceania for 10-days.
- Departs November 19, 2023. Veranda Rooms start at $4199.
- Visit Palma de Mallorca, Marseilles, Nice, Rome Sorrento, Sicily, Kavala, Istanbul (overnight)
- Includes the beverage package, 6 shore excursions (for the cabin), AND a $600 cabin credit. This is part of the “O-Life Ultimate” promotion.
- Air add-on is $1100 per person round-trip.
Land Tour of Israel with Collette for 9-days
- Departures June through December 2023, starting at $2899 per person.
- Visit Tel Aviv, Tiberia, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem.
- Includes breakfasts and dinners, all accommodation and transportation in Israel.
- Optional 3-night extension to Jordan for $1199.
Land Tour of Italy with Collette for 11-days
- Departures August through December starting at $2499
- Visit Rome, Assisi, Florence, Loreto, San Giovanni Rotondo, Tomb of Matthew, the Catacombs, Campania, the Vatican (for Papal Audience), St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Includes 9 breakfasts, 6 dinners, all accommodations, and transportation within Italy & the Vatican.
NOTE: Recently booked a Viking Cruise? Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone. We encourage you to do this, especially if you are worried about availability. Don’t worry, you can still work with us even if you already have a reservation. Get in touch with us afterwards so we can check over your booking to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we also so we can add some onboard credits. We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any existing Viking reservation made in the last 60 days. We also have access to unadvertised promotion codes you may not be aware of. Depending on the exact situation, these promotion codes can save you money and/or get you extra perks. Many of you have heard this before, but for those who may be new to the Pampered Cruiser, there is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line). We have access to all the same prices and special promotion codes… and we can always add something above and beyond what you’d receive by booking directly with the cruise line. Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us. We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel. So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board), even if you made them more than 60 days ago.
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Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
