Pilgrimage 2008: Borderlands and Wales
This year our Celtic pilgrimage takes us to the Borderlands and Southern Wales. These Celtic lands contain stunning natural beauty and some of the oldest Christian and pre-Christian sites in Wales; sites that are literally soaked in prayer. Belmont Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Hereford, will be our home for a week before traveling to the southern coast of Wales.
Dom Brendan Thomas will be our host while we are in the Borderlands. He has been a monk at Belmont Abbey for 20 years and is a native Welshman with a love for the history and culture of Wales.
Kathy Priddis, a local artist, who has a special feel for the sacred places, will lead us in some creative ways of soaking in the landscape.
Esther de Waal will meet us at her home parish of Dore Abbey for conversation about her beloved Borderlands and Celtic Christianity.
Itinerary
- JULY 31
- Depart for UK (Those electing the group airfare will arrive in Bristol, the closest airport to Belmont Abbey.)
- AUGUST 1-7
- Coach will leave Bristol airport for travel to Belmont Abbey in Hereford. Stay at Hedley Lodge located on the grounds of Belmont Abbey. Sites to be visited include Hereford Cathedral and gardens, the Mappa Mundi exhibition, Dore Abbey, Tintern Abbey, Patrishow Well, Llanthony, and Brecon Beacons. We also anticipate a wonderful evening of Cymanfa Ganu (cuh-MAN-va GA-nee) a Welsh festival of sacred hymns at Eisteddfod, the National Welsh Music Festival, in Cardiff.
- AUGUST 7-9
- Tenby is known for the magnificent beaches and natural beauty. We will take a ferry to Caldy Island to visit a Cistercian monastery and have a conversation with one of the brothers about monastic life through the ages.
- AUGUST 9-12
- Our coastland drive will take us to Carew Cross and St. Govan’s Head before we come to beautiful St. Davids. We will have three leisurely days to explore the cathedral, bishop’s house, sea walks, as well as a trip out to Ramsey Island, a natural preserve teaming with animal and bird life.
- AUGUST 12
- Journey back to Bristol with a lunch stop and visit at St. Fagan’s Museum before a farewell celebration in Bristol for the evening.
- AUGUST 13
- Depart for US
Pilgrims will receive a detailed itinerary with complete information about lodging, a list of fellow pilgrims, and material you may find helpful in preparing for the pilgrimage. Our pilgrimages include a Day Book that helps guide both the inner and outer landscapes that we will be exploring.
Trip cost
- COST, PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
- IMPORTANT NOTE:
The cost has been lowered by $300 from $3565 to $3265, thanks to a generous donor.
(Single supplement $450)
Price includes all accommodations, all trip-related ground transportation, all entry fees and activities, speakers, gratuities, and all breakfasts and dinners for the two weeks. This price is based on ten participants. If we have more than 10 people registering, we will offer a discount of $100-$500 depending on the final number of travelers. The volatile exchange rate makes setting a price difficult. Healing Ground reserves the right to make adjustments by July 1, 2008, if there is a significant change from the rate of 12/31/07. For those not using frequent flier miles or extending their stay abroad, a group airfare of $1292 from Greensboro ($1359 from Atlanta) is available if there are at least 10 passengers.
We keep our pilgrimages limited to 18 people and use smaller more intimate accommodations. We are also sensitive to the environment and try to go “green” as much as possible. We will be offsetting our carbon footprint by investing in alternative energy with carbonfund.org.
The Brochure and Registration Form
Click here for a printable brochure which includes the above information along with the registration form.
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