Traveling is a great way to find something to take your mind off everyday routines though sometimes you may come away feeling dissatisfied when you return home from your travels which is the main reason to consider the benefits of spiritual travel. Cathedrals and Madonna portraits can only provide a certain level of satisfaction and often you won't feel spiritually awake and so it pays to consider traveling to be spiritually awake.
Spiritual travel is more than a catch phrase meant to make you seek some far off destination. As a matter of fact, traveling for spiritual reasons is not new because from the very earliest times in our history people have made pilgrimages. Traveling for religious purposes is not a new concept and as far back as in the early 16th century Spanish nationals (Jesuits) used to travel to places such as Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina to build missions where natives would be educated in the Christian religion.
In these modern times, traveling for spiritual reasons has become more popular and there are numerous options to choose from that include going to places other than Yucatan, the Vatican and also Egypt. The best way to lift up your spirits is to travel to places where the surroundings are idyllic and a good example is a Buddhist monastery which is mainly found in Asia though some are also located in Europe and in the United States.
To get the true Buddhist spiritual experience you will want to choose Bodhgaya as your destination. This is a place that is part of the Indian state of Bihar and it is here that Lord Buddha sat under a Bodhi tree and finally became enlightened about the meaning of life. This part of the world where Lord Buddha became enlightened has become the home of a giant complex called the Mahabodhi Temple.
This is truly an exceptional place where the surroundings are perfectly serene and where everything is truly peaceful. Here, monks from different parts of the world sit under a huge carved Lord Buddha statue. They spend their time here reading from the Holy Scriptures and spend their time in deep and thoughtful contemplation.
Bodhgaya is really the true home of different Buddhist monasteries that in turn are maintained by some Buddhist monks that have come here from their respective countries. For those people that wish to fly to Bodhgaya there is the close-by airport of Gaya that is just seven miles from here. However, flights arrive here infrequently and whatever flights that do land here are those that are coming from Kolkata.
To get the best out of your visit to Bodhgaya you need to plan your travel during the months November until February. You should also avoid coming here during June up till September which is when the rains lash Bodhgaya and make it hard to do any contemplation.
There are few better places to find spiritual peace than Bodhgaya that has kept itself pure and untouched by the ravages of modern civilization. So, a visit to Bodhgaya will not only be very pleasant and productive; it will also be a very different and unique experience as well.
Howie Holben writes about spiritual journeys. Spirit Journeys, Howie's company, puts together amazing spiritual travel events and they have a spiritual journey for most everyone.
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December 09 2009 | Travel | No Comments »
Gay and straight travelers alike flock to Brazil in droves to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful people, exciting nightlife, diverse culture and lavish annual celebrations, such as Carnival. As one of the most welcoming and accepting gay travel destinations in South America, Brazil is a popular choice for both gay men and lesbians looking for fun in the sun or a relaxing respite in a tropical paradise. From luxury gay vacations in exclusive beachfront resorts, to exotic excursions into remote Brazilian jungles, Brazil has much to offer to every type of traveler and is an ideal setting for international gay travel.
Among the most well-known Brazilian gay vacation destinations is Rio de Janeiro, which offers circuit parties, gay beaches, bathhouses, lesbian and gay clubs, drag shows and a wide variety of shopping, cultural activities, recreation and dining options that lure travelers from around the globe. While Rio de Janeiros gay establishments and culture are weighted more toward gay men, most gay events and establishments welcome lesbians and ladies can enjoy their own lesbian club, as well as womens nights at local gay establishments. Of course, Rio de Janeiro is perhaps most famous for its annual New Years celebrations and the world-renowned Carnival, each of which includes an abundance of parades, parties and activities for gay men and lesbians.
Rio de Janeiro might be the most well-known gay tours destination in the country, but there are many other gay travel options throughout Brazil. Annual gay pride festivals and gay pride parades are held in several cities, such as Belo Horizonte and Sao Paolo, and travelers will find thriving gay communities in the vast majority of urban areas. And, if the party and pride scene is not your style, other Brazilian gay travel options include luxurious all-inclusive eco-gay cruises and historical and cultural tours organized by tour companies serving the gay and lesbian travel community.
Planning a gay trip to Brazil is an exciting endeavor that is sure to lead to many memorable once in a lifetime experiences. Partaking in gay travel in Brazil is much like traveling throughout the United States when it comes to safety and necessary precautions. Just as in the U.S., some areas of Brazil will be more welcoming and accepting than others and using your best judgment in determining the safety of a given area is always a good idea. Also, for travelers interested in visiting Brazils bathhouses, keep in mind that Brazil, like the U.S., is combating the spread of HIV and appropriate precautions should be taken to ensure that you play safely.
To ensure a fun-filled, relaxing Brazilian gay vacation, your best bet is to work with a travel agency that is familiar with vacation packages, optimal travel dates for your vacation goals, local attractions and the particular information that is of interest to gay and lesbian travelers. Whether your ideal vacation is an adventure into the jungle, a relaxing week at the beach or a wild time in Rio, working with a travel agency dedicated to gay holidays will allow you to sit back and relax and have the Brazilian vacation you have always dreamed of.
A gay travel tours in Brazil suggestions post by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys can suggest incredible gay travel sites.
categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation
Tags:
fitness,
gay,
health,
inspirational,
metaphysical,
motivation,
recreation,
self improvement,
spirituality,
tourism,
tours,
Travel,
vacations
November 15 2009 | Travel | No Comments »