| Public and Private Trips | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For more a decade the UUPCC Pilgrimage Service has helped to cement the bonds between North American UUs and their partners overseas. In recent years we have expanded our portfolio of travel services in order to provide multiple and varied pilgrimage opportunities for Unitarian Universalists of all ages. However, the focus and core offering of our service remains Congregational Pilgrimages. The past five years has seen almost 1000 US and Canadian UUs representing more than 150 congregations travel with us to visit partners around the globe. These pilgrimage groups ranged in size from 4-40 and we worked with each of them to customize an itinerary that met their time frame and interests. To begin planning your pilgrimage, please select "Planning a Trip" from the menu at the left. If your church is not partnered or you are not able or willing to organize your own group we offer a number of group tours for UUs of all ages and interests. Scroll down to read the descriptions / itineraries of the public trips open to all. If you are registering for a private trip and have the trip number click on the "Travel" button below.
UUPCC and ICUUW Philippines: Culture, History, Partnership, and Women’s Livelihood
UUPCC and ICUUW team up to offer this unique opportunity for an Introduction to the Unitarian Universalists of the Philippines: their lives and livelihood, their culture and history, and their faith. The week begins in Manila with a visit to the microcredit projects of the Bicutan UU congregation. Explore Manila culture and history including the Ayala Museum and San Agustin Church (a world heritage site.) Next, fly to Dumaguete on Negros Island, one of the most beautiful Philippine cities. With Rev. Rebecca Sienes as our guide, we will tour Silliman University and visit the UU Church of the Philippines Headquarters. Travel by van to Dauin for two nights at a lovely seaside resort in an area famous for coral reefs. Visit the bamboo factory that is providing a sustainable livelihood for area farmers. Meet the UUs of Caican, partner church of Honolulu. Read the full trip itinerary here. On our return to Dumaguete, we will participate in a one-day conference sponsored by ICUUW: Transforming Women’s Lives through Livelihood Opportunities. The program includes panels on microcredit initiatives, women’s health issues and the effect of CEDAW on women’s status and human rights in the Philippines. Full program info available on the ICUUW website. Return home or stay on for the ICUU Council Meeting. February 7 – 12 at the same location. For program and registration information on the Council Meeting visit the ICUU site
Philippine UU Partners Pilgrimage If you have a partner church in the Philippines, sponsor a student, are considering partnership or would just like to know more about the UU faith in this culture, join us for this most memorable pilgrimage. Travel with other UUs to explore the unique heritage and architecture of Manila, meet UUs in Bicutan, and visit with UU congregations on the Island of Negros. We will visit with many congregations – some who need partners – and also enjoy the beautiful tropical environment of these lovely islands. Some of the oldest coral reefs in the world lie just off the shore. Dumaguete, home of the headquarters of the UU Church of the Philippines (UUCP), is known as the most beautiful city in the Philippines. Our hosts from UUCP welcome us with open arms and smiling faces. You will have the opportunity to make friends to last for a lifetime. The trip fee includes a non-refundable $150 registration fee, domestic airfare from Manila to Dumaguete, all ground transportation, meals and hotels/resorts/inns. You can read the entire itinerary here.
NE India & Khasi Hills Pilgrimage Experience first-hand this unique outpost of Unitarianism and enjoy the gracious hospitality of the Khasi people as they welcome you into their homes and their hearts. If you have a partner church in NE India - are considering a partnership- or just want to learn more about this branch of our denomination - this is your opportunity to travel with other UUs on an intimate small-group encounter with our coreligionists. Based in the city of Shillong the trip will feature day-trips to all of the significant Unitarian sites of NE India such as Annie Margaret Barr “Children’s Village" in Kharang, as well as places of general interest like the spectacular Cherrapunji Gorge and a working tea plantation. The trip will culminate with worship services on Sunday. Those participants with partner churches in NE India will have the opportunity to visit their respective villages for services and home stays (where feasible). The trip fee includes a return domestic Indian airline flight to Delhi and an overnight at a Delhi airport hotel prior to your flight back to North America or elsewhere. For first time visitors to India there is also a pre-trip “Golden Triangle” extension which begins in Delhi and joins the base trip in Shillong. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Optional “Golden Triangle” extension (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) Old Delhi, New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat (Gandi’s cremation site), Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri (the Sandstone City), an elephant ride into the Amber Fort – this 6 day tour of Northern India checks all the boxes for first time visitors. The pre-pilgrimage extension begins with 3 nights/2 days in Delhi and travels on to Agra for one night and finally 2 nights in the “Pink City of Rajistan”, Jaipur. The trip fee includes a domestic Indian airline flight from Jaipur to Guahati and ground transportation to Shillong where it joins the base itinerary of the NE India & Khasi Hills Pilgrimage. You can read the entire itinerary here.
UU Transylvanian Pilgrimage (On a budget) 2 life-changing weeks in Transylvania for under $1,150! This is the same quality Unitarian pilgrimage that the UUPCC has been facilitating for a decade – but at 60% of the price. We have just replaced hotels with dorms & guest-houses, substituted village meals for restaurants, eliminated the long van ride from Budapest, and taken advantage of “shoulder-season” rates. (You could easily add days in Budapest onto either end of the pilgrimage). Beginning and ending in Kolozsvar/Cluj, this tour will visit the most significant of the Unitarian holy places including Torda, Meszko, Gyulaferhervar & Deva. You will also visit the frescoed Unitarian churches of, Szekelyderz (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Karacsonfalva, the spectacular 13th century castle at Vadjahunyad, the medieval walled city of Sighisoara/Segesvar, and the Saxon fortress church at Biertan (Segesvar & Biertan are both UNESCO World Heritage sites). You will spend a long weekend with your partner congregation – make new friends and revitalize your partnership. If you do not have a partner in Transylvania the UUPCC will arrange for you to stay in one of the many beautiful Unitarian villages with other pilgrims. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Unitarian Universalist Pilgrimage to Transylvania & Hungary
Join Unitarians from across North America on a journey to stir your soul. Visit historical Unitarian sites and places of general interest including Kolozsvar, Torda, Gyulafehervar, Sighisoara (Segesvar), Sibiu, Deva, & Meszko in Transylvania. In Hungary you will have, 3 days/nights in Budapest and 2 nights in the beautiful river city of Szeged. Beginning in Kolozsvar/Cluj, Romania and ending in the lovely Hungarian capital city of Budapest, the trip will include three days in a pastoral Transylvanian Unitarian village. UU pilgrims will discover the warmth and loving hospitality of Transylvanian Unitarian families during a home stay - attending church and experiencing rural village life. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Transylvanian Thanksgiving Pilgrimage
Eleven days of spectacular scenery, loving hospitality, and unique architecture in Southeastern Transylvania. Discover the singular beauty of the Carpathian Alps and the fascinating history of the walled churches of the region. Beginning and ending in Bucharest, this tour will visit the walled Unitarian churches of Szekelyderz (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Arkos, and the Reformed church & model village at Illyefalva. You will spend a long weekend with your partner congregation and worship on this special Öszi hálaadas Sunday - the traditional Transylvanian Unitarian Thanksgiving. The tour also includes two nights at a mountain resort high in the Carpathians, architecture as varied as Peles Castle (home of the former King of Romania), the sprawling Black Church in Brasso, and the Saxon fortress church at Biertan (a UNESCO World Heritage site). You will also participate in discussions with and local ministers about life under Communism & with local experts about the Transylvanian Unitarian Church today and the future of the Unitarian villages. You can read the entire itinerary here.
ICUUW Convocation
Pre & Post Event Transylvanian Pilgrimages The organizers of the 2012 ICUUW Convocation are pleased to offer both pre and post event extensions for those participants who wish to broaden their knowledge of Unitarian history, deepen their personal connections with the Unitarians of Transylvania, and see other regions of Europe and Romania. Pre and post convocation tour logistics will be coordinated by the UU Partner Church Council Pilgrimage Service which has more than 15 years experience facilitating the visits of UUs to Eastern and Central Europe. All proceeds from these optional extensions will go the ICUUW scholarship fund. Three nights each in two of Europe’s most captivating capital cities. If you have not visited Central Europe before this is an affordable opportunity to explore two world class cities with other UUs. There will be group activities and meals as well as an opportunity to indulge your own interests with the amble free time allotted. The trip begins in Vienna, Austria and ends in Cluj (Kolozsvar), Romania where it joins the Unitarian Heritage tour. (Those individuals wishing to either extend their stay in Hungary or travel on to their partner churches upon arrival in Romania can do so and have their trip fees pro-rated). The tour includes accommodations for six nights in centrally located 3*** hotels with breakfast each morning, ½ day guided tours of Vienna and Budapest with local guides, an experienced tour director to facilitate your trip, ground transportation from Vienna to Budapest and from Budapest to Cluj (Kolozsvar), Romania, and 4 additional group meals. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Unitarian Heritage & Saxon Cities Beginning in Cluj (Kolozsvar), Romania this trip will start with the celebration of Transylvanian Thanksgiving and then travel on to the most significant and revered Unitarian sites in Transylvania. These include Kolozsvar, Torda, Meszko, Gyulafehervar and Deva where local ministers and others will share with you the stories of our Unitarian heroes and martyrs such as Francis David, John Sigismund, and Ferenc Balazs on the same ground where they stood. The tour will also visit a number of places of general interest such as the 13th century castle at Vadjahunyad, the Saxon fortress church at Biertan and the medieval citadel in Sighisoara (both are UNESCO World Heritage sites). You will also overnight in the Saxon capital of Transylvania, Sibiu, which was named European Capital of Culture for 2007. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Maramures & Bucovina Hidden away in these remote regions along the Romania/Ukraine border are some of the most spectacular scenery and picturesque religious treasures to be found anywhere. You will experience the unique culture, architecture, and scenery of Maramures + tour 4 of the most famous painted monasteries (Voronet, Humor, Moldovita & Suceavita – all UNESCO world heritage sites) with a knowledgeable guide. This 7-day/6-night tour begins in TG-Mures (Marosvasarhely) at the conclusion of the ICUUW Convocation where extension participants will remain overnight on October 7th. The tour ends in Cluj (Kolozsvar), Romania on the morning of October 13. You can read the entire itinerary here.
Visiting your Partner Village or Town Before and after the convocation there will be an opportunity for those participants with partner churches in Transylvania to visit their partner towns & villages to reconnect with members of the congregation. Participants who do not have partners in Romania will be given the opportunity to spend time in a Unitarian village so they might better understand their co-religionists and experience their way of life. The UUPCC Pilgrimage Service can assist with all your logistics including transportation needs and interpreters as required. Transportation costs are a function of vehicle size and distance traveled. UUPCC interpreters receive $50/day. To plan your partner church visit contact John Dale at jdaleuupcc@yahoo.com. |
