Trafalgar Tours, one of the largest and best-regarded group tour companies in the world, has announced a new, 10-day trip focused on Italy's sizable religious heritage called "A Journey though Christian Italy." It visits Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padova, and Venice, paying respect to Saints Francis, Clare, Anthony, Catherine, and Mark--along with visits to the major tourists sights and museums as well (Sistine Chapel, Uffizi Galleries, etc.).
The price starts at $1,995 (for June 16, July 14, and Aug. 25 departures; Sept. 8 costs $2,095; Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 cost $2,195), which covers all transportation, first-class hotels, tour guides, museum and sight entry tickets, and breakfasts, along with two lunches and two dinners. Sadly, the price does not include airfare. (I suggest checking rates at airfare aggregator Momondo.com and consolidator AutoEurope/1800FlyEruope.)
A few notes on the phenomenon of religious tourism. Regardless of your personal religious beliefs, one fact is immutable: the earliest tourists were all either traders/merchants or pilgrims. The medieval version of the Grand Tour was to travel to various churches, basilicas, and holy spots, paying your respects, attending services, and casting your eyes upon 101 different miraculous holy relics along the way.
Many people still visit Italy primarily for the religious aspects--Assisi isn't that consistently popular (and crowded) just for the Giotto frescoes, you know. One that that has surprised me when bumping into pilgrims--either in groups or individually, at sights or when staying at convents and monasteries--is that most of them aren't even Catholic. Protestants eager to see the foundations of the Christian church flock to Italy as well.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
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