46 Sacred, Spiritual or Miraculous Sites to Visit via a Cruise Ship

12-11-2012

 

100+ cruise itineraries allow access to locations where human understanding is confounded

DETROIT (Dec. 11, 2012) – We have all undoubtedly heard of places where miraculous spiritual events have occurred – sacred sites that have drawn pilgrims from all corners of the globe since time immemorial. Such locales are very significant for people seeking a spiritual or life-changing experience, and they are also a common thread throughout the great religions. These are places where the faithful can go for healing, guidance or divine inspiration.

The significance of these sacred sites cannot be expressed in words or pictures – one must actually visit these locations to fully feel and comprehend the sense of awe, peace and majesty they convey. While many of these sacred sites are inaccessible to all but the hardiest of travelers, some locales are within surprisingly easy reach via the cruising experience. In fact, a large number of cruise ships allow access to these wonders firsthand – without the hardship of arduous travel.

To find cruise ship voyages offering an ethereal experience to a sacred location – where the legends that transcend time were born – click here: http://www.cruisecompete.com/sacred_places/

1. Paris, France, Mont-St.-Michael. Gaze across the waters off the beaches of Normandy toward a granite island and Abbey that is accessible by a 2–mile pilgrimage across the tidal flat. Thousands cross its waters every year on September 29th at Michaelmas to draw strength from the archangel Michael.

2. Delhi, India, Rishikesh. This city is known as the center of yoga and Ayurvedik healing. It is also the site of the annual International Yoga Festival. Riskikesh became famous worldwide in 1967 following a visit from the Beatles. This trip is best made pre- or post-cruise, as it requires a 6-7 hour car ride from the port of Delhi.

3. Copacabana, South America, Islands of the Sun and Moon. Located on the expanse of Lake Titicaca, Isla Del Sol and Isla Del La Luna are ancient holy sites of the Inca. Yumani, Isla del Sol’s main town, is home to the “Fountain of Youth.”

Sacred places one may visit via cruise ship are:

Asia/Far East Cruises Visit:

4. Beijing, China, Hanging Monastery. A gravity–defying monastery built into the side of a sheer cliff.

5. Beppu, Japan, Beppu Onsen. Geothermal region with reputed medicinal powers.

6. Delhi, India, Taj Mahal. Shaj Jahan’s magnificently beautiful tribute to his wife, who died in childbirth.

7. Delhi, India, Rishikesh. Center of yoga and Ayurvedic healing and site of the annual International Yoga Festival.

8. Hiroshima, Japan, Peace Memorial Park. World peace monument, dedicated to a young girl who died of radiation poisoning from the bombing of Hiroshima.

9. Kanyakumari, India, Ghandi Memorial. Three oceans unite here, and the Ghandi Memorial was constructed where his ashes were on display before being cast out to sea.

10. Mumbai, India, Ajanta and Ellora caves. Ornate temples cut from hillside rock by followers of three faiths, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

11. Qingdao, Tai Shan, China, Tai Shan Dai Mai Complex. Follow in Confucius' footsteps by climbing 6,000+ stone steps to the mountain home of Yu Ti, Taoist king of heaven.

12. Shanghai, South Korea, Lotus Lantern Festival. A three-day festival where South Korea’s capital, Seoul, hosts a birthday party for Buddha every year.

13. Shimizu, Japan, Mt Fuji. This Mountain is sacred in Shintoism and Buddhism and every year more than 200,000 hike to the top.

14. Taipei, China/Taiwan, Wenwu Temple. This temple is sacred to Taoists and Confucianists and sits over the waters of Sun Moon Lake.

15. Yangon, Myanman, Bagan. In the midst of the jungle, 2000 temples and pagodas from the Burmese empire, built over 1000 years ago.

Caribbean Cruises Visit:

16. Bridgetown, Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali. National Hindu street festival (the Festival of Light) that takes place annually in October or November.

Europe Cruises Visit:

17. Bordeaux, France, Lourdes. Site of the Virgin Mary’s reported apparitions, a pilgrimage site for over 150 years.

18. Bucharest, Romania, Hurezi Monastery. A monastery that was built only at night to avoid alerting the Ottomans – its guest rooms that have hosted the Prince of Wales.

19. Cologne, Germany, Aachen Cathedral. Aachen is Europe's oldest cathedral, and 32 holy Roman emperors were crowned here. It is also home to Charlemagne's throne. Cologne also houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, where the sarcophagus is rumored to hold the remains of Mechoir, Balthazar and Caspar, the three wise men who traveled to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

20. Dublin, Ireland, Newgrange– Megalithic mound, 5300 years old, believed to be burial ground for pagan rulers. It is older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids.

21. Holyhead, Holywell, Wales, St Winefride's Well. This holy well, built around 1500, is legendary for healing.

22. Lisbon, Portugal, Our Lady of Fatima. Almost 100 years ago, in 1917, apparitions of the Virgin Mary appeared to three children here.

23. Madrid, Spain, Mezquita. Hundreds of stone columns, "Europe's most magnificent Muslim monument."

24. Beaches of Normandy, France, Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. D-Day Memorial to fallen soldiers.

25. Paris, France, Chartres Cathedral. Legendary home of the Sancta Camisa (part of Mary's shawl worn at Jesus' birth.). This cathedral also has 28,000 feet of stained glass.[Back to Press Releases Main]