Explore Lourdes and the shrines of France. You can begins in Paris by visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine (where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830). You can then board a high-speed train to Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites, where many of the faithful visit the Grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, and St. Bernadette’s family home. Bathe in the healing waters, attend the “Blessing of the Sick,” or join an evening candlelight procession.
Follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, which can begin in Athens, Greece, where you should definitely visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Areopagus, where Paul delivered his "Unknown God" sermon. Book a cruise from Greece to Turkey, and visit the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes, Lindos, and Patmos. After the cruise, schedule a guided tour of Thessalonika, the city named after Alexander the Great’s sister, and follow the ancient route of Paul to Amphipolis, ancient Philippi, and Kavala.
Consider taking a Roman Catholic's tour through Italy, beginning in Rome and ending in Venice. In Rome, be sure to tour the Holy Stairs, the Catacombs, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Travel from there to Assisi, where you can take tours of the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare. Then travel to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David, and Venice, where you can visit St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica.
Join other followers of Islam on the Hajj, the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, in which followers travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj is an obligation that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. The 2008 Hajj will take place during the first week in December, and manyb tour companies are already taking reservations. You can often stay in luxurious surroundings on this pilgrimage, since tour packages tend to include bookings at five-star hotels, but if your budget is limited, make your own reservations on a much smaller scale.
Consider taking a Jewish heritage trip to sites that figure prominently in Jewish history. You can begin in the city of Tel Aviv and visit Independence Hall, where Israel's Declaration of Independence was signed in 1948. Visit the Diaspora Museum, which explores the migrations of the Jewish people worldwide. Travel to Massada, one of the most significant spots in Jewish history, site of a courageous standoff of a small group of Jews against the domination of Imperial Rome. For pampering, check out a luxury spa resort where you can soak in the Dead Sea. Travel to Jerusalem for Shabbat and visit the Knesset (Israel's Parliament).
