Bring the Zen on Holiday with Spiritually Inspired Travel Experiences from Viator
San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) March 17, 2016 -- The Easter season is synonymous with travel to Italy and Israel, but spiritually-inspired travel can also be great reason to explore other parts of the world where travelers in search of spirituality set their sights. Viator, a TripAdvisor company and the leading resource for tours and activities worldwide, has selected experiences in Nepal, Japan and Cambodia – as well as Italy and Israel – where travelers can learn about other cultures, religions and beliefs. No religious affiliation required, just curiosity and a valid passport.
Rome, Italy
Rome is the quintessential Easter destination but with 2016 decreed as the Holy Year of Mercy, travel to the holy city any time this year will be quite memorable. Booking Viator’s Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation in advance guarantees reserved seating and includes commentary by a professional guide. A visit to Rome during a Jubilee Year can be made even more memorable with VIP experiences such as a small-group private viewing of the Sistine Chapel and tour of the Vatican’s secret rooms, or breakfast at the Vatican with early access to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel before they open to the general public.
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel
Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the world for Christians, Jews and Muslims alike, with many significant sites for each religion found within the city including the Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, the Temple Mount, Zion Gate, the Chapel of the Ascension, and many, many more. Visit Holy Land sites of Nazareth, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee on a day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv; take a day tour of the City of David and the Mount of Olives, a place of pilgrimage for Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers; or visit top sites held sacred by Christianity, Judaism and Islam on the Jerusalem Three Religions Holy City Walking Tour.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is an important pilgrimage destination sacred to Buddhists and Hindus. Travelers can visit one of the world’s most iconic temples, Pashupatinath, and the nearby Bodhnath Stupa, for a taste of Tibetan Buddhist culture, or spend four days hiking the Kathmandu Valley and exploring temples, shrines and palaces in Chisapani, Nagarkot and Bhaktapur. Viator also offers many opportunities for visitors to explore Nepalese culture as well as their spiritual side, including a cultural walking tour of Kathmandu complete with a cooking lesson, lunch with a local family and a visit to the country’s oldest Buddhist stupa, Swayambhunath, as well as a yoga retreat at the foot of the Himalayas.
Mt Koya and Mt Fuji, Japan
Mt Koya, the birthplace of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, is one of Japan’s most sacred religious grounds and one of the best places to see the traditions of the past come to life. Viator’s two-day train trip from Osaka to Mt Koya includes an overnight stay at Fukuchi-in Temple, offering travelers a glimpse into a monk’s lifestyle. Another sacred mountain and the country’s highest peak, Mt Fuji, has been a source of inspiration for pilgrims throughout the ages, with a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the goddess Sengen-Sama at its peak. The Viator VIP: Mt Fuji Private Tour including Exclusive Visit with Priests at Sengen Shrine includes a unique opportunity to speak personally with local priests – an experience typically unavailable to the public.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat, the heart and soul of Cambodia as well as the largest religious monument in the world, offers many opportunities for travelers to explore what remains of the ancient civilization of the Khmer Empire. Viator’s private full-day tour from Siem Reap includes a visit to the Baphon temple and Angkor Wat; the small group tour of the Angkor Temples visits Angkor Wat, the jungle temple of Ta Prohm, and the smiling stone heads of the Bayon temple; and the Angkor Wat Helicopter Flight with Private Tour of Temples offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of the archaeological park followed by an up-close exploration of the ruins. For a more immersive experience, unravel the mysteries of the ancient Khmer capital on a private three-night tour of Siem Reap and the UNESCO-listed Angkor temple complex.
For more information on Viator’s religious-inspired tours, activities and pilgrimages, as well as the latest deals, promotions, contests and news, visit http://www.viator.com or follow Viator on Facebook (ViatorTours) and Twitter (ViatorTravel).
About Viator
Viator, a TripAdvisor company, is the leading global tours and activities provider for travelers, delivering online and mobile access to thousands of curated trip activities including tours, attractions, shore excursions and private guides, in more than 1,500 destinations worldwide. In-house travel experts work with trusted local operators to ensure the quality and value of every experience, all backed by Viator’s 24/7 customer service and global low-price guarantee. With more than 800,000 verified reviews plus exclusive videos and insider travel tips, Viator has everything a traveler needs to find and book the best things to do worldwide. In addition to the flagship site – Viator.com – travelers can book in advance or in-destination via the Viator Tours and Activities App, as well as local-language sites for European, Latin American and Asian travelers. Viator also provides tours and activities to more than 3,000 affiliate partners including some of the world’s top airlines, hotels and online travel agencies. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas. Viator – travel with an insider.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 350 million unique monthly visitors**, and 320 million reviews and opinions covering 6.2 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 48 markets worldwide.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: airfarewatchdog.com, bookingbuddy.com, cruisecritic.com, everytrail.com, familyvacationcritic.com, flipkey.com, thefork.com (including lafourchette.com, eltenedor.com, http://www.iens.nl, besttables.com and dimmi.com.au), gateguru.com, holidaylettings.co.uk, holidaywatchdog.com, independenttraveler.com, jetsetter.com, niumba.com, onetime.com, oyster.com, seatguru.com, smartertravel.com, tingo.com, travelpod.com, tripbod.com, vacationhomerentals.com, viator.com, and virtualtourist.com.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, November 2015
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q3 2015
Kate Sullivan, Viator, +1 (973) 568-7589, [email protected]
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