Walking on Pilgrim’s Lands

You may be planning for the best treat you can give your whole family in a holiday. A more worthwhile and emotionally bonding way to do it is to bring your family to pilgrimage sites. It has become a centerpiece to European religiosity and spirituality tracing its origin from the early days of Christian worship up to this era.

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Francisco Seoane Perez

Pilgrimage Sites

Cross-country walking is a fun and leisurely pastime. Christians have long treks to shrines and reliquaries and this is more of a spiritual venture more than a physical activity. Long trails that lead to pilgrimage sites are now developed for both the pilgrims and recreational hikers. There are many tourist destinations that have these pilgrimage routes that can serve you well in your spiritual venture as well as your purpose of spending a holiday with your family.

Pilgrim Destinations

After every pilgrimage trail awaits a site that has a religious significance. British pilgrimage trails are known internationally such as St. Cuthbert’s way. This pilgrimage route can make you trace the journey of the said saint from the Abbey in Melrose to Lindisfarne.

Also, you can follow the path of St. James’ which ends in a place where he rested during his journey.  A cathedral stands on where the apostle’s venture ended known as “Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela”. You may want to try a longer trek and there are more pilgrimage sites where you can bring your family.

You want to take a 480 mile path and Camino Frances is your destination of choice. This pilgrimage site starts from Southern France. There are also routes starting from Portugal and Southern Spain that lead to the same destination- “Camino Frances”.

Pilgrimages Today

Pilgrimage still exists up to this era. Religious people like you go for a spiritual venture which is an opportunity to reflect and achieve inner peace. The setting of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparition in 1917 is now a well-known pilgrimage site. Pilgrim paths start from Lisbon leading to Fatima. Also there are other routes from Spain and Portugal leading to the shrine of the Blessed Virgin.

Tourism in Pilgrim Destinations

Europe has a vast rural terrain that serves as a venue for Pilgrims. Pilgrimage sites usually have historic significance. Pilgrimage routes offered jobs to many locals who serve as tourist guides as well as companies that offer pilgrimage tours. These tours may be self-guided or traditional guided walking tour. Various packages await you and this has become a boom in the tourism industry.

Pilgrimage Tours

Pilgrimage started as a traditional practice centuries ago and remains as a religious activity which is a practice to many people like you. Today, it is easier to choose a pilgrimage site and book for a travel to your destination. Travel agencies can provide you with trail maps, handbooks and almost everything you need in your journey.

It is easier to plan out for a holiday pilgrimage or a recreational hiking trip to pilgrim destinations in Europe. Walking cross-country can be a worthwhile activity for you and your family.

Leslie loves hill walking and writing his routes on the web.  He has been running the main Camino de Santiago and Walking in Scotland site since 2006. Click on WHW walking route to know more about pilgrimage sites and routes.

Tags: blessed virgin mary, christian worship, inner peace, mile path, pilgrimage routes, pilgrimage site, pilgrimage sites, pilgrimages, religiosity, religious significance, reliquaries, shrines, southern france, southern spain, spiritual venture, st cuthbert, tourist destinations

Category: Travel Tips