This month’s theme, Spiritual Journeys, could not be timelier.

The Tour Hosts covered in this article all have the goal of leading trips which will open your eyes to the depth of the regions you’ll visit and to the meaning of life within you and in relation to those around you. We as a nation cannot live in isolation, turning a blind eye to the atrocities occurring in other countries, nor can we collectively as a species dismiss what a magnificent little rock we are blessed with for a home. It is our duty to protect this planet and realize the unique gifts that all of its inhabitants – animal, vegetable and human – contribute.

"Transformational Travel, A Search For Meaning," is a wonderful article contributed by Gayle Lawrence of Journeys of Discovery. Gayle expresses the essence of why we travel (consciously or not) as a quest for a deeper, richer experience of ourselves from the inside-out. Her trips include swimming with dolphins and humpback whales, exploring the ancient mysteries of Egypt and Peru, and a special African Safari, “Wildlife for Wild Hearts.” All her trips focus on nourishing the mind, body and spirit, an orientation that makes Journeys of Discovery this month’s Pick.

Spiritual traditions of every region are handed down through the generations and offer an inside look at cultures with deep and honored connections to the past. Sacred Heritage Travel offers trips to Peru and Bolivia for a visit with Andean and Amazonian ceremonial healers. "Mama Culture," offers you a glimpse into modern-day Andean ceremonial life within sight of Lake Titicaca. For a winter holiday to remember, Alan has a trip to Machu Picchu for the winter solstice, with New Year’s spent at the mysterious lines of Nazca.

Closer to home we have the Hopi and Navajo sites around Sedona, Arizona. Crossing World Journeys and Retreats explores the spiritual energies that make Sedona a major spot for retreats and reenergizing the spirit. Crossing World will introduce you to the magic and beauty of the red rocks and cave paintings of the Colorado Plateau, with multi-day journeys and retreats that specialize in Native American earth medicine, self discovery and nature experiences.

Sacred Sites International Foundation features learning tours that explore sacred sites and cultures with the conscious effort of preserving the sites themselves. The lush rainforests, small villages and Balinese temples dating back 1,000 years or more will delight you. Stepping back even further in time, explore the 7^th century temples and Buddhist monasteries in the Bumthang Valley in Bhutan. Burma and Laos are also hosts to Sacred Sites, and visits to World Heritage Sites in both countries await the intrepid traveler.

Venturing even further back in time, India’s cave temples in the state of Maharashtra bear silent witness to the fantastic level of artistic mastery inspired by ancient beliefs. The temples, created between the 6^th century B.C. and 2^nd century A.D., inspired the historian Will Durant to conclude that, “The art of fresco painting on the walls of the caves of Ajantha reached a perfection never excelled even by Giotto or Leonardo.” Read more about these marvels of ancient art in "The Rock-Cut Temples of Maharashtra."

The meeting of East and West is the goal of the Assisi Center for East-West Retreats. Located within the walls of Assisi, on the plaza of San Rufino this retreat provides a quite, peaceful place for people of all denominations to relax with the wisdom of St. Francis. Regularly scheduled events occur during the week. Overnight as well as private retreats can be arranged.

Whether your journey is for a day or a lifetime, a month or a year the experiences you discover during your travels is sure to leave a deep impression. Just being around the energy of places long revered, such as Cairo’s Pyramids, Glastonbury’s Tor or Notre Dame de Paris, revitalizes body and soul no matter what your spiritual beliefs. Uplifting and refreshing, sacred sites both natural and manmade, reconfirm the life forces that guide and sustain us, even in the most difficult times.

Peace be with us all.