Tour FAQ

What is sacred travel?

Sacred Travel could be an outer journey to a place of power, religious or spiritual significance, or personal meaning. Some feel it is only of value if you go halfway around the world and sacrifice to get there, but I think that you can set aside half a day in your backyard and have the experience be just as meaningful. It’s your intention and what you do with the experience that makes it sacred. And that is why the experience may be an outer journey, but it is always an inner one.

What makes a place “sacred”?

Sometimes it is tradition. Sometimes it’s a place of natural beauty. Sometimes it’s religious, like sites of crucifixion, miracles, or where a god or goddess had a primary temple. Sometimes it’s just a place where unexplained things happen or where people feel energy or power.

Why should I come?

If you are asking that question, perhaps it is not right for you to be here. Sacred travel is something that chooses you. When I first went to Egypt, I had no conscious desire of wanting to go there. I thought Egypt was “played out.” (ha!) I wanted to something different from the typical belly dance experience, but obstacles were thrown in my way and I ended up there anyway. What a blessing that turned out to be. I went to Greece because I felt an affinity for it all my life. I never thought I’d go to England. I like hot, third world, exotic places filled with brown skinned people. England is the exact opposite of that, but I felt compelled to go. Each and every experience was exactly what I needed. If you need to be talked into it, don’t go. Wait for the right place, right time, and right tour for you.

What can I expect to happen on a pilgrimage?

Expectations can be tricky. If our expectations are not met, we may feel that we failed. We may miss the experience that is offered. But, what many people get out of it is clarity. They may feel validated that they are on the right path or may feel strongly that it’s time to do something different. They may obtain courage to do what they need to do. They may let go of the things that have gotten in the way thus far. They may be able to release this old baggage without pain or regret. Sometimes insights emerge. There could be a de ja vu or past life recollection. Sometimes talents are awakened. There is almost always a sense of peace, but for some the experience illuminates what is wrong and creates emotional distress for those who resist change. Sometimes the experiences are felt within the body (meaning you feel ill or healed). Sometimes it is felt within the heart. Whatever you experience is what you are meant and open to experiencing. If you rush through it viewing it as something to be accomplished rather than something to experience, you will probably just have pretty pictures and come back the same. So, it’s really up to you what you want to experience.

I am/am not Christian. Should I go?

Although traveling to a place of significance with your religious background can be rewarding, sacred travel is not necessarily about that. For example, while on a trip to Egypt, our group visited this tiny temple of Sekhmet. Prior to this, I had no idea who Sekhmet was at all. We all headed into the temple a laughing, animated bunch, but emerged quiet and introspective. There was just something about the place that was calming, peaceful, unifying and incredibly uplifting. I can’t say whether the people give a spot the energy or the people gravitate to a spot because of the energy that is already there, but I can say that energy is not dependent upon belonging to any one religion.

Does that mean I can’t pray or participate in a ritual?

Absolutely not! People come to this from all faiths and backgrounds. This is YOUR experience. You do it in a way that feels genuine to you. Rituals have power. Prayer has power. I am not denying the importance of those things in any way. They may greatly enhance the experience, but they are not necessary for transformation.

What advice would you give to the first time pilgrim?

My advice to first timers is the same as I’d give to old timers. Empty your cup. If you are full of your own intellect, ideas and expectations, nothing new can get in. Receive what is offered. Be flexible. Enjoy the experience for what it is. I didn’t want rain every day in England, but that is what I got. I could have decided to be miserable and curse the country for bringing me there, but instead I accepted the rain and the gifts and just let that be part of the experience. Anywhere you go is going to have things that are alien, unpleasant, and unexpected. Don’t worry. Focus on why you are there and receive.

Learn something about the place before you go. We are basically going to see various piles of rocks. What transforms them from piles of rocks to something meaningful is education and understanding. Our guide will talk about each of the sites, but the more you know, the more you can make use of your time at each place.

If I don’t have a goal, should I stay home?

It’s always good to start anything new with a goal. It acts as your guide for what to do; however, if you feel called to go, I say go. Perhaps you just need to find yourself or get reacquainted with yourself. It’s easy to get lost in all the demands of work, family, spiritual life, and social life. We can get wrapped up in doing instead of being. We can become our roles instead of ourselves. But don’t worry. Whatever your reason for being on pilgrimage, it will present itself.

It seems like people travel alone on pilgrimage. Is that advisable?

I think that pilgrims tend to go alone because it gets them out of their every day work, family, and social world. No matter how lovely life is, our problems and habits tend to focus around work, family and social so leaving people associated with those areas of our lives behind can make us more likely to see the world and ourselves with new eyes. However, it’s a totally personal choice. If you want a companion to share your experience with you, that is totally fine. If you want to go with a group of friends or strangers who share your desire for self-discovery, that’s also fine. There is no right or wrong way to start a spiritual journey. It may be one way this time and another way that time.

I’m scared to travel alone. What advice can you give me?

You won’t be alone. I will be escorting the group from JFK onward, so you will have help if you need it from that point on. You will be traveling with a group. You will be paired with a roommate, so if you want to be alone, you will have to make time for that. Each group I have led has had its own energy. The first group was nicknamed “The Jolly Group” by our cruise crew. There were men and women. There was probably 50 years between the oldest and youngest traveler, but the group finds its own rhythm. The people who are meant to be there are called there. You will learn from everyone. You may make lifelong friendships. Don’t worry about being alone. You will never feel alone unless you want to.

Do any extreme things happen on these tours?

It’s rare, but sometimes. I know of a lady who experienced an extreme psychic illness on a journey (she looked comatose), but came out of it renewed. Feelings of de ja vu (sometimes pleasant, sometimes panic attack inducing) are fairly common. It may be more comfortable to go with someone (like me or a therapist or energy worker) who can help integrate these experiences. But know that they don’t happen often. It’s nothing to worry about.

I am a man. Am I welcome on the trip?

Men are a rarity on the tours I have hosted, but you are surely welcome to come along either by yourself, with your partner, or with a friend. Be advised though that accommodations are double occupancy, so if you are not traveling with a friend, you may not have a roommate. This may make your tour a bit more expensive.

You want us to meet at Heathrow Terminal 4 baggage claim by 9:00 a.m. My flight arrives the previous day. What should I do?

Depending on how much of a wait there is between your arrival and ours, you may choose to wait in the terminal. There is a 4Deck Lounge between gates 15 and 16 in Terminal 4 that is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. You can book a Yotel room for 4 to 24 hours in Terminal 4. The Hilton Hotel is directly connected to Terminal 4 by a walkway.

Can I book my flight home for the night of the 17th instead of the morning of the 18th?

That’s possible. On the 17th, leave Glastonbury and visit Hampton Court Palace. From there will will go to our hotel near Heathrow airport. If you would like to leave at that point, you can be dropped off at the airport instead of going to the hotel. DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHT UNTIL AFTER APRIL 10. At that point, I will give you an idea of what time we will arrive at Heathrow. You will need at least 2 hours free time before your flight departs to get through check-in, security and on to your departure gate. Heathrow is a big, busy mess!

Can I stay on and do independent touring of London or other parts of England after the tour is over?

Most definitely. Just let me know what your plans are so that I am not calling out a search party on the day of our departure. We also want to give everyone a chance to say their good-byes.

Why are the flight times the way they are?

We will only have 8 days of touring in-country. You don’t want to waste any of that precious time because of jet lag. In my experience, if you take a red eye flight going west to east with not more than 10 hours in the air, then you stay awake until your normal sleep time, you won’t feel jet lag at all. If you travel in the morning going east to west and stay up until your normal sleep time (regardless of whether or not you sleep on the plane), you will also have an easier time with jet lag.

I hear British food is not great. What should I eat?

The food is quite like American food really. The fish & chips were the best I ever had. Bangers and mash is mashed potatoes and sausage. Shepherd’s pie is also safe and familiar. A Ploughman’s lunch is cheese, bread, pickle, and onion. A “full English” breakfast is a fried egg, bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomato, baked beans, toast, jelly, potato, and coffee or tea. If you start your day with that, that tends to tide you over until dinner. As for drinks, don’t miss the cream tea. I became addicted to clotted cream after this experience! I don’t recommend an addiction however, because they say it has as much fat as a cheeseburger! We have ginger beer in the USA, but it’s EVERYWHERE there. Ale is also found here, but there are a million varieties there. Hard cider is in abundance as well. If you are vegetarian, vegan or have Celiac disease you will have no problem finding a wide variety of food options.

How do I get the VAT back?

The value added tax (VAT) is added to purchases, but isn’t required of non-EU residents. That can add up to a hefty savings if you are a big shopper. For detailed instructions on how to get that back, click here.

What have other people who have traveled with you say?

Scroll to the bottom of this page for testimonials.