Encountering the Religions of the World

Religion is a complex system of beliefs, symbols, rituals, values and perspectives that provide the ground for personal and social coherence and meaning. It is an important window into the soul of a particular culture. In many instances, religions are the way peoples preserve their heritage and hand on important values to new generations.

Illume brings people to experience other religious traditions in historical venues around the world. Some groups travel to connect with the earliest sources of their own tradition - such as pilgrims who travel to sacred and historical sites. Other groups travel to explore and experience other religions. This deepens knowledge and broadens perspectives as participants learn about other beliefs and practices and develop new understanding through dialogue with other lands and peoples.

Our local experts help participants encounter other religious traditions through introduction to their beliefs and practices, participation in religious ceremonies, visits with local practitioners, visits to sacred temples and shrines, and visits to places of historic, cultural and religious importance.

A sample of destinations and venues include: Hindu sites throughout India; Buddhist centers in Bangkok; Shinto Shrines in Japan; Jewish heritage sites in the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and Israel; Orthodox monasteries in Greece; Bahai Centers in Israel; Muslim sites in Turkey, Morocco, Southern Spain, Trinidad and other; indigenous religious sites in Africa; Taoist and Confucian sites in China.

Email or contact us to learn more about how we can customize this program for your specific interests.