NEW YORK, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the
most rapidly growing sectors of the travel industry is spiritual
tourism, with approximately 300 million travelers annually. The
U.S. Travel Association (USTA) reports that 25% of U.S.
travelers are interested in some sort of faith-based tourism,
and the market in this $18 billion
industry is expected to double by 2020.
"Today, more than ever, people of all religions, faiths and
cultures are looking for an open, tolerant place to escape, find
peace and solace. Greece's ancient
churches, monasteries and natural beauty welcome everyone to
reflect, heal and pray," said Archbishop Demetrios, the Archdiocese
of Greece in America.
Steeped in mythology and Orthodox Christian heritage,
Greece is a leading destination
for religious travel, with journeys that explore temples to the
gods, sacred sites and religious festivals.
"Greece has been the epicenter
for seekers of spiritual expression since ancient times," said
Greta Kamaterou, Director of Marketing for U.S. & Canada, Greek National Tourism Organization
(GNTO). "From the Greek Gods, to St.
Paul and the spreading of Christianity, to Greece's integral role in the creation of
Orthodoxy, the spirit of Philotimo embraces all religions, cultures
and people."
Greece offers numerous historic
and memorable experiences for travelers looking to lift their
spirits and awaken their souls.
CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF DORMITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY
This feast day is one of the largest celebrations in Christianity,
and festivals take place every August
15th all across the country. Two notable ones are
in Paros and Kefalonia:
At Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Paros, one of the oldest and
best preserved Christian churches, worshipers venerate a
17th century image of the Virgin Mary and enjoy music,
local delicacies, and the arrival of torch-lit boats and "pirates,"
who start the festival with the "Balo" dance.
The Holy Monastery of Panagia Fidousa in Kefalonia
attracts people to the courtyard to see the "Lady of the
Snakes." Small snakes appear in the belfry every August 15th, which, according to
tradition, bring good luck to the island.
EXPERIENCE LIFE AS A MONK AT METEORA
Meteora,
translated as "middle of the sky," is a formation of immense
monolithic pillars and is associated with one of the largest and
most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox
Monasteries in Greece, second in importance only
to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural
conglomerate pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of
Thessaly near the Pineios River and Pindus
Mountains, in central Greece.
Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
SEEK PROPHECY FROM AN ORACLE IN DELPHI
Visit the God
Apollo's sanctuary at this UNESCO World Heritage site, where the
oracle delivered her famous prophesies in ancient times. It
occupies an impressive site on the southwestern slope of Mount
Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the
valley of Phocis. Here, visitors can see the bronze statue of
the Charioteer, one of the masterpieces of ancient Greek art, as
well as the famed Temple of Apollo, the theater, the stadium where
festivals and games were held in honor of the sun god and the
Spring of Castalia.
FOLLOW THE STEPS OF APOSTLE PAUL
One of the most
remarkable religious routes in Greece is the one followed by Apostle Paul.
The route passes through the places where he preached Christianity
and constitutes an ideal combination of pilgrimage and sightseeing
through some of Greece's most
beautiful countryside including Samothrace, Kavala, Philippi,
Amphipolis-Apolloni, Thessaloniki,
Athens and Corinth.
For more information please visit http://www.visitgreece.gr
Media Contact:
Greta Kamaterou
(212) 421-5777
169846@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO)