2018 Religious Travel Planning Guide

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Religious Theaters 2018 EDITION

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These immersive productions bring the Bible to life

The Mysterious Maya

American Pilgrimage Sites

Discover the beauty of this ancient culture

Experience spiritual renewal without leaving the U.S.

Passion Play 2020

A Premier Travel Media publication • www.ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com

Witness an elaborate recreation of Christ’s crucifixion in Oberammergau

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Plan your visit at ArkEncounter.com Williamstown, KY (south of Cincinnati)

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NarroWay productions like The Fourth Cross bring biblical stories to life.

contents

VOL. 8 • 2018 EDITION

FEATURES

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The Bible Comes Alive at Top Religious Theaters BY SABRINA PARR

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BY RACHEL GILMORE

Embrace the less-is-more approach for your next retreat with advice from a planner herself.

Combining rich set design and compelling music, these productions redefine the live religious entertainment experience.

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22 Passion Play 2020

BY RANDY MINK

26 Top 20 American Pilgrimage Sites Hesitant to travel abroad? These places of worship can fulfill all your spiritual needs.

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Youth Safety Abroad

BY MILES DOBIS

Ensure younger travelers take proper precautions when visiting Europe or the Middle East for the first time.

This once-in-a-decade event draws thousands of believers to a small Bavarian village to witness the Passion reenacted.

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Stress-Free Retreat Planning

The Mysterious Maya

BY STEPHANIE HARRIS

Discover the beauty of this ancient religion in the temples and pyramids of Central America.

Well-organized youth groups that take precautions are better equipped to visit foreign countries.

ON THE COVER: Sight & Sound production of Moses.

(Photo courtesy of Sight & Sound)

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Randy Mink

Church Group Travel Renews the Spirit

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ike any vacation, a faith-based journey provides a chance to recharge and refuel.

But traveling with members of your church with spiritual growth in mind provides an extra dimension. The fellowship experienced on a group getaway will be remembered and treasured for years to come.

For the congregation of a small-town church, it might be a weekend trip to the nearest big city. A visit to Chicago could include the Sky Chapel under the spire of the Chicago Temple, downtown’s First United Methodist Church, the tallest church building in the world. Wheaton College, a Christian school in suburban Chicago, is home to the Billy Graham Center Museum, which traces the history of evangelism in America.

Catholic groups have a wide choice of pilgrimage destinations, particularly major shrines that offers tours, meeting space and even overnight accommodations. Some of these shrines are described in our page 14 feature “20 Pilgrimage Sites Across the United States Worth Visiting.” Perhaps your group will want to visit or even plan a retreat at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, or the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Southern Illinois.

Speaking of retreats, even a short oneday program can do wonders for spiritual rejuvenation. In fact, the less time required to be away, the more likely people will come.

Whatever the length of your retreat, organization is the key to maximizing its impact, writes Rachel Gilmore in “The Less is More Approach to Retreat Planning” (page 18).

An authority on the subject, Rachel is the author of The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats.

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For dramatic effect, consider bringing your group to a religious theatrical production.

In “The Bible Comes Alive at Top Religious Theaters” on page 6, we list eight options in the U.S., from lavish Sight & Sound spectacles staged in Branson, Missouri, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to NarroWay dinner theater in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

For pageantry outdoors, take your group to The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, or Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, New York.

The most famous passion play in the world returns to Oberammergau, Germany, in 2020, and it’s not too early to reserve seats for your group as part of a tour to Central Europe. You’ll find answers to most of your questions about this once-a-decade event in our “Passion Play 2020” feature on page 10.

Complementing our print publication are online resources for planning your group trip. With listings and links to group-friendly destinations and businesses, ReligiousTravel PlanningGuide.com is the premier research tool for the faith travel market. Our monthly e-newsletter, InSite on Religious Travel, offers plenty of ideas as well.

As many of you know, planning for travel is half the fun. With that in mind, we hope this eighth annual edition of Religious Travel Planning Guide, combined with our online resources, will inspire you to develop the best group trip ever and chart new paths for your community of faith.

Vol. 8, No. 1, 2018 Edition

Editorial Office

621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

Staff Writer – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com

Contributing Writers Rachel Gilmore Stephanie Harris Sabrina Parr

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

Advertising Sales Office Phone: 630.794.0696 advertising@ptmgroups.com www.ptmgroups.com

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts.

Religious Travel Planning Guide is published annually by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. The magazine is distributed free to religious group travel organizers and travel suppliers catering to the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95.

Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

Happy Traveling,

Randy Mink Managing Editor

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publication

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. religioustravelplanningguide.com

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The Bible Comes Alive at Top Religious Theaters Artfully combining music and biblical themes, these theaters are redefining the live religious entertainment experience

By Sabrina Parr

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op-of-the-line religious theaters all over the country are taking ministry to the next level. Combining musical numbers, original scripts and, in some cases, live animals, they bring the Bible to life.

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NarroWay

Sight & Sound

Fort Mill, South Carolina

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Branson, Missouri

NarroWay Productions, a premier dinner theater that promotes wholesome Christian entertainment, has been called the “Broadway of Christian Entertainment.” In 2018 NarroWay is offering six major productions, including Samson the Last Judge, The Gospel According to Tennessee, Not Another Love Story, Lord of Light, The 4th Cross and The Real Christmas Story. Each production brings a biblical story to life. NarroWay also produces mystery theaters throughout the year where guests become a part of the show and try to guess “whodunit.” (narroway.net)

Taking the stage in Branson for the 2018 season is the story of Samson. Sight & Sound Branson’s Samson explores how an underachiever goes on to be remembered as one of God’s most faithful followers. Debuting in Lancaster in 2018 is Jesus, a production that examines the life of Jesus Christ and how he impacted the lives of millions during his lifetime and beyond. Sight & Sound’s panoramic stages immerse the audience in the story through beautiful sets, live animals and state-of-the-art special effects. (sight-sound.com)

Sight & Sound productions like Moses (below) transport audience members to Biblical times with elaborate costumes, sets and musical numbers.

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The Great Passion Play

Christian Youth Theater San Diego, California

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) introduces youth ages 4-18 to the ever-evolving world of theater while teaching Judeo-Christian values applicable to everyday life. CYT performances are open to the public and are supported by the community. San Diego’s CYT’s 2018 winter performances include A Little Princess, Peter Pan, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Seussical the Musical and High School Musical. (cytsandiego.org)

The Fireside Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

The Great Passion Play Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The Great Passion Play showcases the last days of Jesus’ life on a 550-foot-wide, multi-level stage. The play runs from May to October every year. At the site of the play, guests have access to an all-you-can-eat meal at the Great Hall Buffet, an interactive Holy Land tour, the Sacred Arts Museum, the world-renowned Bible Museum, the History Museum, Noah's Ark Park Petting Zoo and hiking trails before the show. The play, set in an outdoor arena, utilizes live animals throughout the production to further the historical accuracy. (greatpassionplay.org)

Hill Cumorah Pageant Palmyra, New York

The Hill Cumorah Pageant is one of the largest outdoor productions in the world. The pageant is held every year in July on beautiful Cumorah Hill on a spectacular 10-level stage with 12tower lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system and Hollywoodstyle special effects. The production is performed by over 650 cast members. The outdoor arena can seat up to 8,000 people, and parking and admission are free. The 2018 pageant will be held July 13, 14 and 17-21. The pageant features scenes on topics from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, including scenes of the prophet Lehi, the visions of Christ and the resurrected Christ. (hillcumorah.org/hill-cumorah-pageant)

The Fireside Dinner Theatre, a Wisconsin landmark that opened in 1964, is famous for treating everyone like family and providing top-of-the-line food and entertainment. During the 2018 season, The Fireside is combining old classics with new, including Kopit & Yeston’s Phantom, Grease, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, 42nd Street, Disney’s Newsies and Elf the Musical. The theater also hosts a Christian concert series. In 2018 the series features the Browns, Collingsworth Family, Booth Brothers and Triumphant Quartet. (firesidetheatre.com)

Smoky Mountain Adventures Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures in Tennessee opened in May of 2017 and has been wowing audiences with the story of her parents, Avie Lee Owens and Lee Parton. The Owens and Parton families go to battle for the Pigeon Forge mill in the show, and audiences get to see how the country superstar’s mother and father met and fell in love. Smoky Mountain Adventures also hosts a special Christmas spectacular that features everything from a live Nativity to a mischievous elf, high-flying acrobatics, figure skating and a Bluegrass Nutcracker. Dinner is offered with each show.

Guests enjoy a hearty Southern meal of soup, homemade biscuits, ham, fried chicken and dessert. (smokymountainadventures.com) Going to the theater can be a rewarding experience, and even more so when the theater you are visiting is based on Christian principles. From big stage productions to youth theater, there is an inspirational experience for everyone. Combining musical numbers, biblical themes and magnificent sets, religious theaters are redefining the theater experience. U

Rocky Hock Playhouse Edenton, North Carolina

Rocky Hock Playhouse is a full-time Christian dinner theater owned and operated by husband and wife duo Jeff and Gloria Emmerich. The Emmerichs are dedicated to sharing the biblical message through musical theater, and they complete this goal by writing and producing five original musicals each year. The 2018 season will kick off with an Easter show titled Our Risen Savior that was written by Gloria. Rocky Hock Playhouse will produce a performance of The Hobbit at The Albemarle Performing Arts Center in April. (rockyhockplayhouse.com/) 8

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NarroWay

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PASSION PLAY

2020

The story of Christ’s last days on earth will enthrall the faithful from around the world.

The most famous religious drama in the world, a once-in-a-decade event, will draw the faithful to a picture-perfect Bavarian village that honors a commitment made by townspeople centuries ago

By Randy Mink

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t’s more than two years away, but excitement is building for what becomes one of the biggest items on the European travel calendar every 10 years—the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. Demand for Passion Play 2020 tickets is high, and some dates are already sold out. The season of 102 performances runs from May 16 to October 4, 2020.

“The Oberammergau Passion Play is a once-in-a lifetime event that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list,” said Manny Paulo, an Oberammergau expert and senior product buyer for tour operator Collette, which in 2010 secured the largest allotment of Passion Play tickets and sold out all its programs that featured the religious spectacle. He recommends that church group leaders, travel agents and other travel organizers “book as early as possible because it will sell out” again.

Collette in 2020 is offering more than 50 departures of seven Central Europe tours that include the play and a night or two in Oberammergau.

Tumlare Destination Management, a worldwide company with an office in Waltham, Massachusetts, is the sole officially authorized general sales agent for Passion Play 2020 in North and South America, the Philippines and Japan. It arranges ticket-hotel packages for groups of 15 to 100; anything over 100 for a single group goes directly through the Passion Play office in Germany (which works with large operators like Collette, Globus and Tauck).

“As time ticks off, space is getting harder and harder to get,” said Darin Minghella. Tumlare’s U.S. director of sales.

May dates are selling out the fastest, a reflection of the fact that demand for spring and fall is heavier than summer © Passion Play Oberammergau 2020

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©omas Klinger

because many of the playgoers are seniors, a group that tends to travel off-season. Category 1 tickets, the best seats, are still available at different times across each month but are going quickly, so Tumlare is now heavily into Category 2. (There are six categories in the 4,500-seat theater.) Groups do not have a ticket-only option—they must book a hotel with play admission.

The Passion Play is expected to draw 450,000 visitors in 2020, and nearly half the village of 5,000 (including almost 500 children) takes part. In addition to main characters Jesus, Mary, Peter, Judas and Pontius Pilate, there are 120 major and minor speaking roles.

Only Oberammergau natives or residents who have lived in the village for at least 20 years can be part of the amateur cast of 2,000plus, whether as actors, singers or musicians. On Ash Wednesday 2019, participants stop cutting their hair and beards for authenticity. (Wigs aren’t used in the production.) Lead actors prepare for their roles with a September 2019 trip to Israel accompanied by theologians. Rehearsals for the play’s 42nd installment begin in November 2019. While it’s an entirely local production, the level of staging, music and costuming would meet professional standards anywhere.

In the recent past, more than 50 percent of playgoers have been from English-speaking countries, even though the drama is performed in German. To make it easy to follow along, a text in English is provided, and two large monitors display English subtitles along with close-ups of the actors. However, the sheer power and pathos of the story of Christ’s last days on earth—from the entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection—transcends any language barrier.

“Anyone who has faith finds it an inspiring experience and are moved and amazed by the talent and commitment of the people of Oberammergau,” Paulo said. “The talent is so great— right down to the children.”

©Foto Kienberger

Set in the Bavarian Alps, the village of Oberammergau is noted for its decorative murals. Many shops feature the exquisite works of local wood sculptors.

Oberammergau’s 4,500-seat Passion Play Theater, the largest of its kind in the world, has a roof that shelters the audience and a massive open-air stage.

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The townsfolks’ commitment dates back to 1633, when they vowed that if God would spare them any more deaths from the plague that had ravaged the community, they would perform a passion play every 10 years. Their prayers were answered, and the first play was presented the next year. It shifted to decennial years in 1700 and has been performed according to schedule, with the exceptions of 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War and during World War II, when religious plays were banned by the government. The play was staged in the cemetery over plague victims’ graves until 1820, and in 1830 a stage was erected on the site of today’s theater.

The town of Oberammergau, a star in its own right, “overwhelms visitors with cuteness,” writes guidebook author Rick Steves, who calls it “the Shirley Temple of Bavarian villages.”

Tourists snap away at half-timbered houses decorated with biblical scenes, vignettes of Bavarian life, and Grimm fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. You’ll see locals dressed in dirndls, lederhosen and Alpine hats.

While the Passion Play is the chief selling point of the one- to two-week itineraries wrapped around it, Oberammergau is just one stop on an overall tour that visits many other places in Germany and surrounding countries. Globus Family of Brands, for example, offers 14 Passion Play programs through its Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways divisions. The nine-day “Bavaria Highlights with Oberammergau” (from $2,699 from Munich), a Globus product, visits Regensburg, Nuremburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg and Neuschwanstein Castle, plus Stuttgart, the Black Forest and Lake Constance. “The Best of Switzerland” is a 12-day trip (from $4,099) from Zurich to Munich. Tours in Globus’ Faith Religious Travel Planning Guide

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PASSION PLAY 2020 AT A GLANCE When is the play scheduled?

The Passion Play is performed five days a week between May 16 and October 4, 2020. There are no performances Mondays or Wednesdays.

How long is the play?

The afternoon-evening affair spans eight hours—the five-hour play is broken up by a three-hour dinner intermission. From May 16 to August 16, Part I is 2:30-5 p.m., with Part II running from 8-10:30 p.m. It starts an hour earlier between August 17 and October 4, when days are shorter. The 2010 play was divided into 11 acts.

What part does music play in the production?

Music has a powerful role—almost one-third of the five hours is taken up by music. The 2010 play featured 120 choir members and 70 in the orchestra.

What is the venue like?

The 4,500-seat Passion Play Theater, the largest of its kind in the world, has an open-air stage and a roof that shelters the audience.

Seats are set on an incline, so everyone has a good view. The massive stage holds hundreds of people at a time, plus sheep, goats, donkeys and a horse.

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Where exactly is Oberammergau?

The southern Bavarian town, located in the foothills of the Ammergau Alps, lies about 60 miles southwest of Munich, near the Austrian border.

Besides the Passion Play, what else does Oberammergau offer the visitor?

The town’s woodcarving traditions date back to the Middle Ages, and you can see wood sculptors at work in shops that sell exquisitely crafted Nativity sets, crosses, Madonnas, picture frames, toys and cuckoo clocks, some of them painted in vivid hues. Large-scale wooden statues, stuccoed or gilded to look like marble or gold, impress visitors to the onion-domed Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which typifies the Bavarian Baroque style.

What attractions are near Oberammergau?

The fairy-tale magic continues at the castles of Bavaria’s “Mad” King Ludwig II. Linderhof Castle, 15 minutes from Oberammergau, is surrounded by fountains and Italian-style gardens. Ludwig’s fanciful Neuschwanstein Castle, 45 minutes away, was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

In the village of Ettal, a few minutes from Oberammergau, Ettal Monastery is a major pilgrimage site. A cable car trip up the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany at 9,700 feet, ranks as another regional highlight.

Journeys portfolio include the 13-day “Grand Catholic Italy” (from $3,989) and “The European Reformation,” an 11-day Germany trip (from $3,239) that follows in the footsteps of Martin Luther.

Of Collette’s seven Oberammergau programs (10 to 13 days), some departure dates are sold out or only a few seats remain. Paulo said in 2010 that Collette went through its entire allotment of ticket-hotel packages and had to ask for more, a request that was granted by the host committee in Germany. Its tours include one or two overnights in Oberammergau and area. Collette, he said, actively helps group leaders sell their programs. The average group is about 50; minimum group size is 10.

The company, Paulo added, knows Oberammergau well because it runs tours there on a regular basis, year-round. Collette’s entire sales and marketing team last March visited the town, where they toured the theater, were briefed by the director of the Passion Play committee and even met the man who played Jesus in 2010. For Paulo, a Collette veteran of 29 years, this will be his third Passion Play.

Collette’s 12-day “Alpine Explorer” visits Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, while “Germany’s Cultural Cities & Romantic Road” is a 13-day trip that includes Berlin, Hamburg, Marburg, Lubeck, Rothenburg and Munich. Both tours are priced from $4,999. Another program is built around a Danube river cruise.

Two-night packages that tour planners book through Tumlare include play ticket, hotel accommodations in Oberammergau or a nearby town, a breakfast, two dinners, shuttle bus to and from the play, program book and local tourism tax. One-night packages also are available. In addition, Tumlare can arrange tours in Germany and other countries before and after the big event.

Group planners booking with Tumlare should be aware that a 5 percent nonrefundable deposit is due at time of booking and on March 1, 2018, with an additional 15 percent non-refundable deposit required by March 1, 2019. Final payment is due November 15, 2019. (For Oberammergau inquiries, call 978-579-0020 or use the dedicated email address passionplay@tumlare.com. The website is www.tumlare.com.)

Promising to be a highlight on the 2020 travel calendar, this big-time passion play in little Oberammergau will have no trouble filling seats. Groups wishing to witness the momentous event should start NarroWay making their plans for Europe as soon as possible. Or risk settling for 2030. U religioustravelplanningguide.com

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20 Pilgrimage Sites Across the United States Worth Visiting While this list is by no means comprehensive, here are 20 popular pilgrimage sites spread across the United States.

Ave Maria Grotto and St. Bernard Abbey

Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine

Cullman, Alabama Known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature," Ave Maria Grotto is a beautifully landscaped, fouracre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines in the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey.

The grotto is located less than an hour from Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, two hours from Nashville and three from Atlanta. (www.avemariagrotto.com)

San Juan, Texas The Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle has drawn people from all over the world. Attracting more than one million visitors each year, it’s become one of Texas’ most popular attractions. The shrine abounds with diversity and recognizes and honors all faiths, paths and beliefs. Pilgrims, visitors and tourists are welcome to experience a spiritual journey in the Basilica grounds, with free tours available daily.

Onsite hotel accommodations with 92 comfortable rooms provide convenient access. (www.olsjbasilica.org)

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California Missions Trail San Diego to Sonoma, California There are 21 missions making up the California Historic Missions Trail that stretches from San Diego to Sonoma. The first mission was built in 1769 and the last mission was built in 1823. Most are still active Catholic parishes and have regularly scheduled services.

The missions include San Diego de Alcala, San Luis Rey de Francia, San Juan Capistrano, San Gabriel Arcangel, San Buenaventura, San Fernando Rey de Espana, Santa Barbara, Santa Ines, La Purisima Conception, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Miguel Arcangel, San Antonia de Padua, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara de Asis, San Jose, San Francisco de Asis Mission Dolores, San Rafael Arcangel and San Francisco Solano. (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22722)

Mother Cabrini Shrine

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Washington, D.C. Designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as a National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage, the basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in the U.S. and one of the 10 largest churches in the world. It is considered one of foremost centers of worship, welcoming more than 1 million visitors per year.

With more than 70 chapels and oratories that relate to the Blessed Mother and people from countries around the world, visitors can virtually make a pilgrimage to many of the great Marian shrines of the world. (www.nationalshrine.com)

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Golden, Colorado Located less than an hour west of Denver, Mother Cabrini Shrine is a shrine in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.

Originally a summer camp for the girls from the Queen of Heaven Orphanage, the property became a place of prayer, pilgrimage and devotion after the canonization of St. Cabrini in 1946. The shrine offers retreat facilities that accommodate up to 28 guests in the Stone House and a private chapel. Daily mass is offered, and the facility is open every day. (www.mothercabrinishrine.org)

Belleville, Illinois One of the most popular shrines in North America, with more than one million visitors each year, the shrine is run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. With more than 200 acres of land, it is also one of the largest. The church, completed in 1990, features Icon of Mary, The Living Waters Font and a brilliant altar backdropped by a 15-by-20-foot Aurora Borealis window.

Onsite hotel accommodations envelop groups in the experience. (www.snows.org)

Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

Our Lady of the Sierras

St. Augustine, Florida In the early 1600s, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine established the first Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. As you walk through the historic grounds at the mission, you will be retracing the steps of America’s first founding fathers more than 400 years ago.

The present chapel was reconstructed in 1915 and enshrines a replica of the original statue of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto – Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery. (www.missionandshrine.org)

Hereford, Arizona Located near the Mexico border roughly an hour drive south of Tucson, the shrine consists of a 75-foot-tall cross, a statue depicting Our Lady, chapel, stations of the cross and Mary’s Knoll at the foot of the hill. No matter your faith, this is a peaceful spot to reflect, gain perspective and take in amazing views of the Huachuca Valley and Mexico. (www.ourladyofthesierras.org)

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Shrine of Christ’s Passion St. John, Indiana

The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a multi-media, interactive religious attraction in Northwest Indiana, just outside of Chicago. The main attraction is a half-mile winding prayer trail that depicts the last days of Jesus Christ’s life. Forty life-size bronze sculptures in a tranquil setting, complete with beautiful music and sculptured gardens, allow visitors to experience the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection as never before.

The newly opened Moses at Mount Sinai puts you directly in a scene with Moses himself. The path leads you on a journey with his 10 Commandments and has music, voiceover, lighting, and sound effects.

An impressive gift shop features hundreds of faith-inspired items perfect for souvenirs or gifts. (www.shrineofchristspassion.org)

Shrine of Our Lady of the Island Long Island, New York Sitting on 70 acres, the shrine is designed to give pilgrims ample opportunity to reflect and pray. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island was established by the Missionaries of the Company of Mary in order to be a center of authentic Marian spirituality and devotion, and to renew Catholic life through liturgy, preaching and pilgrimages.

On its expansive grounds you’ll find an 18-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, an outdoor Stations of the Cross, a rosary walk, a Pope John Paul II memorial, a Blessed Sacrament Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Island and numerous statues and areas for prayer. (www.ourladyoftheisland.com)

The Sorrowful Mother Shrine Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary America’s first cathedral, the church is a national shrine, Marian shrine and national historic landmark. More than 100,000 people visit the Basilica each year, making it one of Baltimore’s top tourist activities.

Guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday. The hour-long tour includes all areas of the church including Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Crypt, Museum and the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden. (www.americasfirstcathedral.org)

Bellevue, Ohio Founded in 1850, it is the oldest Marian shrine in the Midwest and east of the Mississippi River. A missionary priest of the Most Precious Blood, Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner built a small red brick chapel to the Sorrowful Mother because of his great devotion to Mary.

There are more than 30 grottos among the 120 acres open to visitors. Paved walkways winding among tall trees lead to Stations of the Cross and replicas of Lourdes and the Sepulchre Grotto and are favorite places of prayer and meditation. (www.sorrowfulmothershrine.org)

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

House of Mary Shrine

The Cathedral Basilica is known for having the largest mosaic collection in the Western Hemisphere, which took nearly 80 years to complete. The mosaics cover 83,000 square feet, comprising 41 million glass pieces and more than 7,000 colors. They depict various scenes and passages from the Old and New Testament of the Bible, archdiocesan events and in the narthex, the life of King Louis IX of France. There is a chapel dedicated to the souls of former leaders of the archdiocese, and several cardinals are buried in the crypt of the cathedral. Guided tours are available weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (www.cathedralstl.org)

Yankton, South Dakota Located on the picturesque shore of Lewis & Clark Lake, six miles west of Yankton, South Dakota, its panoramic provides spectacular views of area wildlife.

You can walk the Way of the Cross that winds up Calvary Hill, which features three 50foot wooden crosses at the 13th station. Other peaceful places for prayer and reflection include a beautiful rosary pond, a rosary way, Mary’s Entrance, Little House of Mary and a meditation area. (www.thehouseofmaryshrine.org)

Baltimore, Maryland

St. Louis, Missouri

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Shrine of the True Cross

National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

Dickinson, Texas Located between Houston and Galveston, Texas, this 1936 relic of the True Cross was obtained for the shrine from the Basilica Church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) in Rome, where a large piece of the Holy Cross resides. The relic of the Holy Cross is available in the church yearround for veneration with mass daily. (www.truecrosschurch.org)

Indian River, Michigan This Northern Michigan facility is an expansive wooded complex featuring six shrines and monuments including the Shrine of St. Francis, Our Lady of the Highways Shrine, the Holy 28 Stairs and The Man on the Cross.

The Shrine is the home for the largest collection of dolls dressed in traditional habits of men’s and women’s religious communities in the United States. (www.crossinthewoods.com)

National Shrine of St. Odilia

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Onamia, Minnesota

Conyers, Georgia

In 1952, a major relic of St. Odilia was brought to the Crosier community in Onamia, 90 miles north of the Twin Cities. A shrine in her honor was set up in the priory chapel, where the reliquary is currently housed.

St. Odilia has promised her intercession on behalf of the Crosiers and all those who invoke her aid. For centuries it has been the practice of the Crosiers to bless water in honor of St. Odilia, dipping her relic in it and asking God to give it “power against all diseases and bodily infirmities.”

There are three “stations” in the national shrine. The religious icon of St. Odilia and two of her relics help pilgrims “look through” the icon designed as a window into heaven and pause for prayer in the presence of the relics. (www.crosier.org)

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is a community of more than 40 monks spanning several generations who live, work and pray together. The monastery has facilities to accommodate any group need. Classrooms for a lecture, meeting space for a business meeting or rooms for overnight stays are all available and can be used alone or in combination depending on your needs. Monks are available to speak with your group.

The expansive visitor center features interactive displays including videos about the monastic tradition while the new 17,000square-foot Heritage Center incorporates both new and renovated historic Monastery structures and integrates elements of learning and hands-on activities. (www.trappist.net)

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Madonna Queen of the Universe Shrine

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

An hour outside of Philadelphia, the shrine sits on 170 acres on Beacon Hill overlooking Peace Valley in Doylestown. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa welcomes pilgrims of all nationalities and faiths to visit and take part in the religious and cultural activities held at the Shrine throughout the year.

In the lower church below the main church is a replica of Our Lady’s Chapel at Jana Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, where the original icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa resides. There are four side chapels dedicated to St. Paul the First Hermit, Our Lady of Nazareth, Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Retreats are offered year-round at the Ave Maria Retreat House. (www.czestochowa.us) religioustravelplanningguide.com

Boston, Massachusetts Overlooking Logan Airport in Boston is a 32-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Located at the national headquarters of the Order of Don Orione, it is a replica of the one at the Don Orione Center in Rome. (www.catholicshrines.net/states/ma3.htm)

SOURCES srroselle@mothercabrinishrine.org jmh@bnsic.org info@missionandshrine.org paul@shrineofchristspassion.org maura.belton@baltimorebasilica.org NationalShrine@crossinthewoods.com thehouseofmaryshrine@gmail.com info@truecrosschurch.org

Hotel@olsjbasilica.org info@olsjbasilica.org Onamia@crosier.org pdonnelly@cathedralstl.org info@ sorrowfulmothershrine.org shrineoffice@optonline.net info@czestochowa.us thehouseofmaryshrine@gmail.com

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The Less Is More Approach to

Retreat

“5 Reasons Why Modern Life Causes Stress (and what to do about it)” “Are You Too Busy? 5 Signs of Chronic Stress” “8 Ways to Slow Down and De-Stress Your Busy Life” ith actual headlines like these, retreat planners should have an abundance of participants desperate to get away and recharge their spiritual batteries. Yet, sadly, with headlines like these, that very demon of busyness has impacted retreat ministry. As much as potential participants may crave the idea of time away from home, from work, from relationships, from finances – those very things often make them hesitant and indecisive about signing up for a retreat.

Veteran retreat speaker and author Jane Rubietta confirms this trend saying, “I’m seeing that financially and convenience-wise, the less time required to be away, the more likely they are to come.”

What this means for the retreat planner is that you have to be strategic and plan purposefully to do more with less – less time, less money, fewer participants, shorter attention spans. But take heart.

The more time you invest in advance planning, the more efficiently you will maximize opportunities for God to provide spiritual rest and renewal. Sometimes less really can be more!

W

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KNOW YOUR PURPOSE A retreat is a going away time, a making space in your life for God time. More specifically, a retreat is designed to model God’s concept of Sabbath. God created the world and included time to rest, but the busyness in our lives has pushed us far away from that divine gift of rest and renewal. God also created us to be in community, and a well-planned group retreat intentionally provides connection points to build and strengthen relationships. With opportunities to understand others’ joys, struggles and faith journeys, the friendships formed on retreat can carry people through the bumpy parts of life when they return home. Planning with purpose lets God direct the steps for personal spiritual growth and person-to-person relational growth.

PLAN FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT Even if your group’s finances or schedules limit your location to one night at a retreat center less than an hour away, make that reservation. Get people away from the familiar and into a space where they can truly retreat from everyday life, if only for 24 hours.

“Anything that retreat planners can do to build community is good,” Rubietta shares. “You need time for your group to have interactions with people on a deep level, but you also need space for your soul to breathe.”

As you plan your time away, consider these program elements: • Content (from a professional speaker, a retreat planning team religioustravelplanningguide.com

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Planning member or participant or a video series segment), organized into multiple 45-minute sessions instead of one- to two-hour sessions Need to Know Tip: Remember that your participants will engage through various learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic.

You won’t be able to integrate each style into every presentation, but be intentional about adapting your content delivery methods to maximize impact.

• Small-group time to process this content and discuss possible applications to real life Need to Know Tip: Pre-assign group leaders who will facilitate the discussion groups. These leaders should also be comfortable encouraging participants to share, as well as answering first if no one volunteers and gently redirecting the non-stop talkers.

• Journaling time for self-reflection and personal applications Need to Know Tip: Providing a few short writing prompts, as well as an inexpensive notebook and pen, may promote journaling.

• Suggestions for incorporating spiritual disciplines into daily life to keep the soul care going Recommended Resource: Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard As for retreat themes, Rubietta says that her most requested retreat topics include the need for rest/peace, freedom from worry/stress, handling transitions/change and anything having to do with relationships. Planners can also survey potential attendees to get theme/content ideas that are most relevant to their groups. religioustravelplanningguide.com

By Rachel Gilmore

PLAN EFFICIENTLY Identifying and addressing all of the nitty-gritty details in advance of the retreat will help ensure a more positive retreat experience. In general, the timeline below highlights the major actions that should be accomplished during the planning process.

6-12 months before the retreat • Assemble a Retreat Leadership Team • Find a location (See The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats for ideas) • Set a date • Send in the retreat center contract and deposit • Confirm a speaker or arrange for volunteer presenters • Send out a Save the Date email/flyer

6 months before retreat • Finalize a theme • Assign planning tasks to team members (creating discussion questions, communicating with the speaker and/or retreat center, researching free time options, etc.)

• Hold a fundraiser if needed to offset speaker or lodging costs • Send out a reminder Save the Date email/flyer with theme and cost Whether your group chooses to meet at the seashore, a lake resort or a hideaway in the mountains, the main thing is to detach from the everyday world.

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3 months before retreat • Send out the registration form and collect participants’ deposit or full fee • Divide up the potential attendee list, if possible, and ask team members to personally invite participants (in person or phone contact is preferable to email or texts).

• Share retreat information/registration form on the church website and social media accounts as appropriate.

• Touch base with your speaker regarding session lengths and content/format.

2 months before retreat

Sources like Rachel Gilmore’s The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats abound with planning tips.

• Finalize session formats/discussion questions/supply lists (for group time and/ or AV/tech needs).

• Confirm all housing/meal/AV arrangements with retreat center (if participants require any mobility/dietary accommodations, let the center know this in advance).

• Create a Final Details email/letter that will give participants a packing list, a weekend schedule and contact information/directions to the retreat center

2-4 weeks before retreat • Collect final payments • Give final count to the retreat center • Gather and/or shop for any retreat supplies • Make arrangements for final payment to the retreat center

1 week before retreat • Send the Final Details letter to participants • Finalize any carpool/cabin assignments if needed • Pack retreat supplies and prepare to depart

AVOIDING PITFALLS As much as planners diligently prepare for a successful retreat, potential pitfalls can undermine your efforts. However, being aware of these possible problems (and solutions) will hopefully lessen their impact and maximize positive experiences for your participants.

• Last-minute cancellations. Life often brings unexpected events. However, planners need to be clear in the publicity and 20

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registration form about cancellation and refund policies. Restate this information in the Final Details letter. In addition, be aware of your retreat center’s policy for the final count due date, how/when they will bill your group and how that impacts your group. Discuss in advance with your planning team how you will handle any lastminute cancellations and refund requests.

• Distractions. While theme decorations, personalized welcome baskets and special retreat mementos are thoughtful and well-intended, they really are extras… things that cost your planning team extra time and money to prepare. Choose wisely about what matters most to your participants, especially if you are limited by finances and schedules. Remember that the retreat’s purpose is to facilitate personal spiritual growth, as well as person-to-person relationship growth.

• 24/7 Connections. We live in a nonstop information overload world, and many of us are tied to technology that feeds that hunger to be connected. If your team really wants to help participants grow, discuss in advance how you will handle the use of cell phones and iPads during the retreat. It really is okay to ask people to silence their phones and put them away during a 45-minute session. Don’t feel guilty about helping participants connect to God and other attendees by disconnecting from the world for a bit.

“People who need to retreat need to get away,” Rubietta emphasizes. Even a mustard seed-size retreat can produce maximum spiritual growth if you faithfully and intentionally plan for God to be at work in your world-weary participants’ lives. Sometimes less is more! U religioustravelplanningguide.com

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8 Safety Tips for Youth Groups Abroad 22

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Youth groups should be especially careful at popular tourist attractions such as the Sacré-Coeur in Paris, which attracts pickpockets.

Follow these guidelines to ensure a stress-free trip for your inexperienced international travelers

By Miles Dobis

spiritual journey abroad can potentially be a highlight for your youth group, even a life-changing event. Teens have the opportunity to visit religious landmarks and places of worship while connecting with their fellow travelers and immersing themselves in new cultures. However, any trip in a foreign country carries some risks, especially for Western travelers visiting countries with potential political unrest. These eight tips will not only keep your group safe, they’ll also ensure a shift in priorities from the logistical to the spiritual.

A

Before You Depart, Enroll in STEP STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) is a free federal service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to enroll with the closest American embassy or consulate to their destination. Enrolling your group members in the program provides them with safety alerts, travel advisories and a database where they can store emergency contact information. The service also provides fact sheets and country information helpful for trip organizers.

Consider Travel Insurance For a trip where you’ll likely be supervising minors, you should strongly consider travel insurance to cover any potential medical or financial complications. For example, if a group member falls ill from food poisoning or otherwise can’t adjust to foreign cuisine, insurance offered by companies such as Travelex or RoamRight can ensure proper treatment at a reasonable cost at an English-speaking facility. If a youth needs to cancel his or her participation last minute, travel insurance can help you recoup the loss, and you’ll be able to compensate for lost luggage or damaged property abroad. In politically volatile countries such as Israel or Egypt, some insurance plans offer deployed security personal or special operations assistance to ensure your group is evacuated safely.

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Hire Security While it may prove costly, hiring a private security firm can grant your young travelers and their parents peace of mind. Guards can accompany you during the day and serve as lookout during evenings at your hotel, and their international experience allows them to also serve as a translator and guide. If your group wants security only during visits to holy sites, be sure to thoroughly vet your local tour operator. Companies that speak English and coordinate with international tour companies are the safest bet when planning a visit and the most likely to supply on-site security.

Load Your Phone If your group members plan on bringing their smartphones, there are hundreds of apps to consider downloading before departure. Take advantage of free domestic Wi-Fi and create a mobile arsenal that ensures you don’t appear like an obvious tourist consulting a map in a crowded street. Comprehensively research your area with Google Maps or ArcGIS, apps that will plan your route in English and can produce hard copies for reference. As well, services like MetrO can plan routes using local public transportation, and DB Navigator can book a train ticket anywhere in continental Europe.

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Prepare for the Language and Currency Barrier While many notable religious sites accommodate international visitors, your group should be prepared with basic words and phrases in the nation’s language. Countless pilgrims and worshipers have been scammed by fast-talking locals who take advantage of the language barrier to inflate prices on merchandise or taken the wrong transportation option. To combat this, ensure your group members are equipped with apps such as Google Translate and pocket phrasebooks to navigate a conversation if they are separated. The transition to foreign money can also hinder travelers, so encourage group members to visit a currency exchange before the trip to acquire some cash before arrival. This ensures they have available money if there is an issue in the foreign airport or if they need to buy something immediately without a convenient ATM. Also encourage your youths to carry cash; some international cards are not accepted at all businesses, and it decreases the chances of identity theft.

Religious travelers, especially young women, are encouraged to travel in groups and dress modestly so as not to attract attention in politically tense areas.

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Dress Modestly Expectations of modesty vary in every culture, so discourage your group members from wearing tank tops, athletic shorts or shirts with potentially offensive imagery. Bold colors, expensive jewelry and obvious American brands may distinguish your party and make your group more vulnerable to pickpockets that target foreign visitors. They also ensure you can enter sacred spaces, as some religious sites such as the Western Wall in Jerusalem enforce dress codes or require women to wear a shawl. Another must is comfortable, closed-toe footwear that allows you to travel off paved areas and move quickly in the case of an emergency.

FREE GUIDE TO PLANNING A PILGRIMAGE!

Protect Your Passport Before you depart, group leaders should make multiple copies of everyone’s passport. Compile them into a folder for your reference, give an additional one to each group member in case it’s lost and provide a copy to a co-worker back home in case of an emergency. Consider renting a safe in your hotel for overnight storage and constantly remind students to keep their passports in their front pocket. This significantly minimizes the risk for pickpocketing and offers easy access if they need to identify themselves.

Remember Food and Drink Safety Ingredients or bacteria common in foreign cuisine might be unfamiliar to your group, so take extra precaution with the food you consume. Avoid raw vegetables you haven’t handled yourself, raw or undercooked seafood and dairy products that haven’t been pasteurized. If your group is preparing for a long day of hiking or praying, consider purchasing a large package of bottled water to ensure nobody becomes sick. Also, don’t include ice cubes in any drinks or receive them from strangers; the ice cubes are often sourced from potentially bacteria-infected rivers, and unaccounted-for beverages may be drugged. U

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THE

MAYA Discover the Magic of Ancient Religion in Latin America Ignite imaginations and expand spiritual knowledge by leading your group to these 10 religious landmarks throughout Mayan Latin America

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By Stephanie Harris

R

eligion is a compelling form of self-expression due to its unique ability to unite entire nations and civilizations, and the religion of the Mayan people was no exception. Travelers looking to deepen their own faith may find inspiration in learning about early Mayan teachings and exploring impressive worship sites. Ignite imaginations and expand spiritual knowledge by leading your group to these 10 religious landmarks throughout Mayan Latin America – no human sacrifice required.

The Pyramid of the Magician is the tallest structure in the ancient city of Uxmal and is believed to have been a key ceremonial center for residents.

MEXICO

Chichén Itzá (Yucatán) Chichén Itzá is one of the most popular Mayan sites, and for good reason. Not only was it the primary ceremonial site, but it is regarded as the former urban center of the Mayan empire and displays many of the most fascinating aspects of Mayan culture.

Travelers will recognize the famous El Castillo pyramid that has become representative of the Mayan Empire. It demonstrates the Maya’s advanced calendar and sense of time with its 365 steps that represent each day of the year—plus it makes for a great photo-op. The Maya were so skilled in astronomy that they could predict solar eclipses and even engineered El Castillo so that the shadow of a serpent falls on the pyramid on the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Uxmal (Yucatán)

Uxmal (Yucatán)

Uxmal is not only a site teeming with tangible evidence of the existence of the Maya, but it is a place where Mayan legends seem to come alive. Due to the architecture of the city, there weren’t (and still aren’t) any sources of fresh water. As a result, Chac (the Mayan god of rain) was of great importance in the lives of those who lived here, and he is honored frequently in Uxmal temples.

One of the first pyramids that travelers will come across in Uxmal is the Pyramid of the Magician, which stands 131 feet tall and is said to have been built by a dwarf magician who was summoned to build a pyramid in one day after challenging the king.

When he succeeded, the magician overthrew the king. Although it isn’t as popular as some of the other Mayan sites on the Yucatán peninsula, travelers will find a sense of wonder at Uxmal as well as comfortable and convenient hotels and the opportunity to see a sound and light show over the city at night.

Palenque (Chiapas) To understand the religious beliefs of the Maya, it is essential to not only explore their places of worship but also understand how they dealt with death and the afterlife. In Palenque, tourists can stand in front of the Temple of Inscriptions, a pyramid that was later discovered to be a tomb.

In 1952, an archaeologist came across a hidden staircase that led to the adorned crypt of a Palenque ruler, King Pakal. The king was found wearing a green jade mosaic death mask and a copious amount of jewelry. Tour groups can stop by the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City to see real artifacts from the tomb, including King Pakal’s embellished sarcophagus. While in Palenque, tour groups can also pay tribute to the three main temples, including the Temple of the Sun, which honored the god of the sun and was associated with war. religioustravelplanningguide.com

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GUATEMALA Tikal National Park (Tikal)

BELIZE Cahal Pech (San Ignacio)

Tikal, an ancient metropolis nestled in the dense Guatemalan rainforest, displays the astounding brilliance of the Mayan people and their rich artistic and spiritual culture. The national park spreads over 222 square miles and boasts six temples dating back to 250 BCE. Each temple looms over the ruins of Tikal like a wary gatekeeper, standing on sturdy architecture that survived when its own civilization did not.

Travelers will climb the steep steps to the tops of weathered pyramids and look out over the fragmented city that recreates the once-bustling city in their minds and look up to the sky for comfort as Mayan kings did.

Originally built in 1200 BCE as a royal enclave for the elite Mayan ruling family, Cahal Pech has become one of the most visited Mayan sites due to its 34 well-preserved structures and comfortable accommodations for tourists.

Groups can tour Cahal Pech’s ancient temples, altars, ball courts and tomb sites and experience the luxurious lives of the Mayan ruling families while enjoying the comforts of the many upscale resorts in the area.

La Danta Pyramid (El Petén) La Danta, one of the world’s largest pyramids at 236 feet tall, is almost swallowed by the lush vegetation that unfurls over the ruins of El Mirador, the former Mayan capital city. Although the city was abandoned almost 2,000 years ago, travelers will be able to sense the lingering presence of the hundreds of thousands of Mayan people who once called El Mirador home.

To reach La Danta and the heart of El Mirador, travelers will embark on a five-day hike through the Guatemalan jungle beginning in Carmelita. Experts recommend a pair of hefty hiking boots, long pants, plenty of insect repellent and a genuine interest in the hidden majesty of the “Lost City.”

Lamanai (Orange Walk District) Lamanai, named after the Mayan word for “submerged crocodile,” is a scenic Mayan city that was inhabited for nearly 3,000 years beginning in 500 BCE. It sits on the banks of the New River Lagoon and features three large pyramids including the High Temple, which towers over the city at 108 feet high.

Travelers will rave about the picturesque 26-mile boat ride to Lamanai along the New River and appreciate the breathtaking views from the tops of the pyramids. Visitors can also explore the ruins of several Roman Catholic churches constructed by Spanish missionaries in 1570.

Explore the same pyramids used by Mayan priests in Chichén Itzá (above) and Tikal National Park (below).

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EL SALVADOR Joya de Cerén (La Libertad Department) For travelers who want to gain perspective into the daily lives of average Mayan citizens, visiting the newly discovered ruins of Joya de Cerén is a must. Cerén, a small Mayan farming community, was inhabited as early as 1200 BCE but was eventually buried due to the explosion of a volcano named Loma Caldera.

The site was discovered in 1976 and has since been a popular tourist destination because of the insight it provides into the lives of Mayan farmers through well-preserved artifacts and structures.

Due to the sudden evacuation of the city, Cerén offers an eerie view into a typical day of a Mayan village. Because the temperature of the volcanic ash lends itself to preservation, the belongings left behind by the frenzied Mayan citizens such as utensils and furniture are in superb condition. Travelers can see for themselves what typical Mayan living quarters looked like and perhaps leave with a new outlook on their own lifestyles.

Tazumal (Chalchuapa) In the Mayan K’iche’ language, Tazumal is translated as “the place where souls are consumed” – but don’t let that deter your tour group from wandering through the well-excavated remains of Tazumal, a grand Mayan trading center that was constructed around 100 AD. Be sure to check out the complex water drainage system, tombs and ritual objects that have been discovered in the area. The Dr. Stanley H. Boggs Museum displays the findings of renowned archaeologist Stanley Boggs, including primitive incense burners, pottery and stone belts worn by Mayan ball players.

Unfortunately, tourists aren’t allowed to climb to the top of the main pyramid at Tazumal due to damage caused by a 2001 earthquake, but it’s still quite a sight from the ground.

Visitors can imagine the flourishing Mayan civilization when they visit the ruins of Copán (above) and Tazumal (below).

HONDURAS Copán Ruins (Copán) The ruins of Copán are as intriguing as they are spectacular – travelers will find themselves wondering why exactly the Mayans did leave this expansive city in the 8th century and why so suddenly.

The mystery of the decline of Copán adds to its allure, but the plethora of stone temples, immense plazas and an extensive collection of hieroglyphs and stelae will make it difficult to leave.

The site, with more than 4,500 structures over nine square miles, comprises two areas: the Copán site built for the Mayan nobility and Las Sepulturas, the site built for upper-class residents. One of the most remarkable architectural and historical features of Copán is the Hieroglyph Staircase, which comprises 63 stone steps on the side of Temple 26, each engraved with Mayan texts recounting Copán’s history.

This is only a small sample of the incredible Mayan ruins throughout Mexico and Central America. Be sure to integrate these sights into landmarks of other faiths throughout the region. U religioustravelplanningguide.com

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