Travelling is one of the most pleasurable activities, and the reasons to do so are many: to better know different cultures, sport or leisure activities, to disconnect from routine…there are as many reasons as there are travellers. Sometimes, however, the trip focuses on more internal reasons – the healing of the soul. This is something Julia Roberts contemplates in the film ‘Eat Pray Love’, a movie that narrates her self-discovery through an exciting journey across Italy, India and Indonesia.
Any destination can heal, but for obvious reasons, these types of trips tend to shy away from large, bustling, noisy cites.
Let’s take a look at some suggestions. We’ll start with those who are looking for a spiritual and religious travel experience. An ideal route would be along the Benedictine Path in Italy. This trip includes a visit to Rome, to a town in the Aniene Valley, Subiaco. It’s a centre of religious and artistic interest and home to a Benedictine Abbey dating from the beginning of the 16th century. If you need a place to stay, we recommend the Monastero Benedettino di Santa Scolastica.
Our next stop will be Cassino, famous for being the place where Benito de Nursia founded his first monastery around the year 529. We move on to San Giovani Rotondo, a town that receives around 7 million pilgrims every year, thanks to the figure of Padre Pio, a Capuchin priest believed to have supernatural powers and who was canonised in 2002.
Don’t miss the medieval city of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s an exceptional architectural and cultural gem.
Another recommended destination is mystical India. They say that those who travel there will see their lives changed forever. The spiritual atmosphere is most appreciated when walking among India’s people, and in the contrast between the sacred and profane seen on every street corner. India is also extraordinarily rich in sensory experience, abounding in colour, scent and flavour.
Recommending the “right” route in India is unfair because of the sheer volume of options available. Starting in Old Delhi is one possibility, taking in Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, where Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were cremated. From there, we could move on to New Delhi, passing through the war memorial, the India Gate.
Our next stop could be Jaipur, known as the “Pink City” and capital of Rajasthan. A visit to the Amer Fort and bright local craft and fabric market are essential. Another Jaipur must-see – the City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory.
Our route carries on to Agra, known the world over for the Taj Mahal, a grandiose white marble mausoleum constructed by the emperor Moghul Shahjehan in 1630 for his wife, Mumtaz Maha.
From there, we could continue to Orchha, the former state capital. It’s a quiet city, full of palaces and temples, but relatively empty of tourists. Two sights of note are the Royal Temple (Rajmandir), and Palace of Jahangir.
Khajuraho and its impressive temples would make a worthy next stop, and from there onto Varanasi, where we can take a walk beside the sacred River Ganges, a fascinating ritual experience where flowers and incense are offered to the gods, accompanied by fire and music. At dawn, people bathe in the river as an offering to the rising sun.
Sarnath is also worth a visit. It’s the city where Buddha gave his first sermon and where the ruins, Buddhist temple, and museum can be visited today.
Whether you opt for one of these trips or throw yourself into a spiritual adventure of your own choosing, it’s important to remember not to rush – the soul needs time and calm to heal.
