ANCIENT PATHWAYS OF CELTIC CHRISTIANITY Led by Mark & Nicole Conner 09-22 May 2019
CELTIC CHRISTIANITY Led by Mark & Nicole Conner Come away and encounter the deep love and presence of God through the Celtic journey. You will be changed in the quietness of nature & God s creation. Experience spiritual sites while taking time out on this unique trip. Join Mark and Nicole Conner as they journey through Scotland, England and Ireland to discover the ancient pathways of Celtic Christianity. You will make your way to the early monastic sites of Iona, Lindisfarne and sites in Ireland such as Monasterboice and Glendalough learning of the early ways of the Saints such as St Patrick, St Columba, St Brigid and Cuthbert. Celtic Christianity is known for its deep love and connection with nature and God s creation, the presence of God and artistic impressions with manuscripts, lyrical prayers and high cross carvings. Gain firsthand knowledge about the physical places which gave birth to Celtic spirituality during the early Middle Ages, become familiar with some of the key aspects of Celtic mission and devotion, and gain insight into more creative ways to share the love of Jesus in our own post-christian culture. Mark and Nicole Conner are a dynamic couple, well known in the Australian Christian landscape. Mark is a speaker, author and coach, and Nicole is an avid blogger and story-teller. Mark has a Masters of Arts degree in Theology from Ridley College in Melbourne and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena California, while Nicole has a Bachelor of Theology degree from Tabor and a Masters of History from the University of New England. She is currently working on a Masters of Narrative Therapy and Community Development at Melbourne University. They have been involved in church leadership as well as contributing to the broader not-for-profit world. Together they share an interest in history and particularly Celtic Christianity. They have been married for 32 years and have both travelled to the UK a number of times and are very excited about hosting this new tour with Mission Travel. 1 Number of nights Points of interest
ITINERARY Your Journey THURSDAY 9TH MAY 2019 ARRIVE GLASGOW SATURDAY 11TH MAY 2019 GLASGOW ISLE OF MULL We start the tour with a Pre-Tour Welcome Dinner and overnight accommodation in Glasgow. HOTEL: The Hilton Hotel, Glasgow FRIDAY 10TH MAY 2019 GLASGOW Our first day will start with an introduction to Celtic Spirituality with John and Olive Drane. In addition to being experienced church practitioners, authors and educators, they both have a passion and interest in exploring Celtic Christian heritage (they even spent their honeymoon on the island of Lindisfarne many years ago). Together they will bring insight and introduction to Celtic Spirituality. This will be followed by lunch and the afternoon exploring areas of Glasgow, such as the Cathedral. After breakfast we depart Glasgow and make our way through the beautiful scenery and mountains of Scotland towards the Isle of Mull in preparation for our coming days on Iona. We will stop on the way at Kilmartin Museum and Gardens, located around 2 hours out of Glasgow. Here we will explore the artefacts in the museum with a guided tour (lunch available in the café at own expense). We will then continue our journey towards Oban where we take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Following our late afternoon arrival, we will have dinner and an overnight stay on the Isle of Mull. HOTEL: Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa HOTEL: The Hilton Hotel, Glasgow Breakfast Lunch Dinner 1300 554 654 missiontravel.com.au
Quality service, well informed staff every time I ve travelled with them - Tour Participant Repeat Client SUNDAY 12TH MAY 2019 ISLE OF MULL - IONA After breakfast we make our way for a short ferry ride (travelling by foot) to the Island of Iona. The Island of Iona was significant in establishing Christianity in the UK with the Monastery founded by St Columba and his companions. We will have a guided tour of the Island including the Abbey and the Nunnery that St Columba founded. We will participate in morning and afternoon prayers at the Abbey learning about the Celtic roots of Christianity and the thin places as well as learning more about St Columba. We will make our way back on the ferry to the Isle of Mull for dinner and accommodation. HOTEL: Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa MONDAY 13TH MAY 2019 ISLE OF MULL - IONA After breakfast we will head back over to Iona by ferry. Today will be an opportunity for you to have personal reflection time on Iona, continue to explore the sights or take a walk/bike ride around the Island. There will be no set local guide on this day. We will make our way back to the Isle of Mull for a relaxing evening with dinner and overnight stay before our departure in the morning. HOTEL: Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa TUESDAY 14TH MAY 2019 ISLE OF MULL- EDINBURGH After an early breakfast, we depart Isle of Mull via Oban for our journey to Edinburgh. We arrive in Edinburgh late morning with a guided tour of this beautiful City with the Royal Mile, St Mary s Cathedral and a guided visit to Edinburgh Castle. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. HOTEL: The Leonardo Hotel, Edinburgh, Murrayfield Iona Abbey Breakfast Lunch Dinner 1300 554 654 missiontravel.com.au
HOTEL: Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2019 EDINBURGH - LINDISFARNE - DURHAM THURSDAY 16TH MAY 2019 DURHAM After breakfast, we ll depart Edinburgh for our bus trip to Lindisfarne, known also as the Holy Island just off the coast of Northumberland. We will make our way over for teaching and guided prayer with reflection from Ray Simpson on Celtic Christianity. Ray is an ordained Anglican priest and a founding Guardian of the International Community of Aidan and Hilda who until recently lived on Lindisfarne. He has authored forty books on Celtic and general spirituality, fresh expressions of Church, prayer and society. Lindisfarne was established as an important Celtic Christian community in 6 AD here we will learn about the Saints, Cuthbert, St Aidan and St Hilda. We will make our way back from Holy Island by mid-afternoon. We ll then take a coach trip to Durham, followed with dinner and overnight accommodation in Durham. After breakfast we ll make our way by bus to the City of Durham. We arrive mid-morning for a visit to Durham Cathedral. St Cuthbert and a community of monks settled in Durham from Lindisfarne and built an Anglo Saxon Cathedral. We will explore the sites of Durham Cathedral and Castle followed by dinner and overnight accommodation. HOTEL: Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham FRIDAY 17TH MAY 2019 DURHAM DUBLIN After breakfast we ll travel by bus to Newcastle Airport for our mid-morning flight to Dublin. We will arrive in the beautiful City of Dublin around lunchtime. After lunch is free time for the rest of the day and evening to explore the City of Dublin before our official sightseeing tour tomorrow. SATURDAY 18TH MAY 2019 DUBLIN Breakfast followed by a full day of sightseeing in Dublin, a cosmopolitan and traditional City of vast heritage. St Patrick introduced Christianity to the Celts around 431 AD,many were converted to Christianity through his speaking and influence across the country. On return we will have dinner at the hotel followed by overnight accommodation. Special Trip HIGHLIGHTS Iona, Abbey and Nunnery Lindisfarne, Holy Island Durham Cathedral Monasterboice High Cross Glendalough Monastic sites and surrounds Breakfast Lunch Dinner 1300 554 654 missiontravel.com.au
SUNDAY 19TH MAY 2019 DUBLIN AND SURROUNDS TUESDAY 21ST MAY 2019 GLENDALOUGH - DUBLIN After breakfast we travel by bus visiting Celtic sites such as Monasterboice, with remains from early Celtic settlers with the impressive High Cross and Round Tower. We then make our way to Hill of Slane, with ancient Celtic remains of an early church and college where St Patrick and others had their community. We then travel towards Newgrange which was constructed 3200BC including a guided tour. We make our way back to Dublin for dinner and overnight. MONDAY 20TH MAY 2019 DUBLIN - KILDARE Breakfast will be followed by our bus trip to the City of Kildare. Here we have a guided walk of the city and the magnificent sites of St Brigid and her work including St Brigid Cathedral. St Brigid was founder of a number of Monasteries and was influential to many people at this time across Ireland, working closely alongside St Patrick. There will be free time in the afternoon to explore Kildare before making our way back to Dublin. After breakfast we take a scenic bus journey to Glendalough Monastic City founded by St Kevin in the 6th Century. We will explore the visitor centre and ancient churches and Round Tower set in a backdrop with two beautiful lakes and magnificent scenery. We will have a picnic lunch followed by a guided scenic short walk around the surrounds and landscape. We will then make our way back via the Wicklow Mountains to Dublin in preparation for our last evening. We finish the tour with our last dinner together at a Traditional Celtic Show and dinner in Dublin at the Arlington Hotel. WEDNESDAY 22ND MAY 2019 DUBLIN - AUSTRALIA Breakfast and checkout Tonight is free to go and have leisure time and dinner at your choice of restaurant (at own expense). Durham Castle Breakfast Lunch Dinner 1300 554 654 missiontravel.com.au
TOUR COSTS Prices Tour price is based on a minimum of 23 passengers travelling. PRICE PER ADULT Price (AUD) Twin share $6,699.00 Single room supplement** $2,269.00 **Passengers who are travelling alone, or who wish to have a single room will be charged a single supplement. If you are travelling alone, and wish to share with someone else of the same sex, we will happily make these arrangements for you. Please note, being paired up with another traveller is strictly subject to availability, and is on a first come, first serve basis. INCLUSIONS NOT INCLUDED Flight with Aer Lingus from Newcastle (England) to Dublin Travel insurance see website for 20% discount 13 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels in Scotland, England and Ireland Lunches (apart from packed lunches on 4 days), drinks Daily buffet breakfast and dinner x 11 nights Personal expenses - laundry, internet, spending money Includes Traditional Celtic Dinner & Show on the last evening Any other items not specifically mentioned Packed Lunch x 4 days Airfares from Australia to Glasgow and return from Dublin to Australia All sightseeing tours with a licenced English speaking tour guide Airport transfers (for group flights) Lectures from John and Olive Drane and Ray Simpson Ferry crossings to Isle of Mull and Iona/return over 2 days Porterage of one bag per person Mark and Nicole Conner as your hosts Tips for guides and drivers
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