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MONASTIC RETREATS: AUTHENTIC TOURS AND STAYS IN MONASTERIES

Grace Harrex

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With each stay booked through Monasteries.com, you are being welcomed into a new community and invited to share in new experiences. Often, these communities follow the deep-rooted tradition of hospitality, in which case the monks and nuns open their homes and look after you directly, inviting you to share meal times with them and welcoming you into their daily services. Other communities however, prefer to live a lifestyle more detached from our own, often allowing guests to stay in a guesthouse attached to the monastery, but not within the monastery itself. This allows you to follow the tradition of monastic hospitality, while still respecting the privacy of the community. 
Monastic guesthouses and hotels still offer an authentic experience and, in many cases, guests will be offered the chance to tour the main monastery with an experienced tour guide. Here is a guide to some of our favourite Monastery tours to be found on Monasteries.com.

Sinai the Great Mountain!
The Guest House of St. Catharine’s Monastery in Egypt is located just below the monastery itself, which happens to be the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery, its history can be traced back over seventeen centuries. Whilst it is not possible to stay within the monastery itself, the Guest House has recently begun offering tours, accompanied by an experienced tour guide. The tours include 3 nights’ accommodation at the Guest House, all meals, a fascinating workshop on Sinai Asceticism & Sinaite Saints as well as a guided visit to the monastery and grounds.
For those who wish to stay in the Guest House without a tour, single rooms are available for as little as 50 euros / night. For those wishing to book the full 3-night package as detailed below, rates start at 590 euros per person (all inclusive), for larger groups please feel free to contact us as discounts can be arranged for groups of 4+.
1st Day
Workshop: Sinai Asceticism & Sinaite Saints
2nd Day
Tour: Mount St. Catherine Mount Moses
3rd Day
Visit to Bedouins village of Saint Catherine

Included:
-       Mountain hiking leader/guide with international first aid certification
-       Visit to the monastery of St. Catherine 
-       Theological workshop
-       Accommodation in Saint Catherine 3 Nights
Optional:
- We can arrange a visit to Dahab, the Blue Hole – which is one of the best diving spots in the world.
- Transfers to and from the Guest House

Guest House Of St. Catherine's Monastery, South Sinai Governorate

St. Catherine of Sinaï is an Orthodox monastery located in the South of the Sinaï peninsula, in Egypt. One of the oldest monasteries in the world still working.

The South Sinai mountain complex features significant religious sites, including the Holy Monastery of Sinai at Mount Horeb, near the village of Katrine. The monastery, built around the Burning Bush and Well of Jethro, includes a catholicon, chapels, a bell tower, and the Archbishop’s residence. West of Justinian’s fortress are the garden, cemetery, and ossuary, with paths leading to Mount Sinai, Mount Saint Catherine, and various hermitages and chapels.

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Visit Meteora!


The Meteora Monasteries are a collection of monasteries, famous for their incredible geological and architectural uniqueness. The monasteries are found perched upon the rock towers of Meteora, and have been a fascination of geologists and historians for over 1000 years. 
Unfortunately, none of the monasteries are open for guests to stay, however we have a unique opportunity wherein a local guesthouse (not associated with the monastery) has opened its doors to Monasteries.com guests and arranged an itinerary which allows you to experience Meteora up close. Since this property is not a monastery, it is not possible to stay in this guesthouse without booking a tour, however you are welcome to stay for additional days after your visit to the Monasteries. There are two types of tour available: two nights accommodation and a guided visit to the monasteries; or three nights accommodation, a guided visit to the monasteries and a theological seminar.

It is important to remember that the Meteora monasteries have strict dress codes, so women should wear long skirts, dresses or sarongs. All monasteries have skirts at the entrances that you can borrow. The shoulders must also be covered.

2 Night Tour
Day 1:
Morning visit to two different monasteries - enjoying the view of the majestic grey rocks of the Great Meteor, and Agios Stefanos as we go. We will be accompanied by a personal tour guide who will share their knowledge of the orthodox faith. We will then descend the old path used by the monks for centuries before the road was built. Duration: 3 hours
Afternoon workshop surrounding the study of Ancient Eastern Christianity 
Duration: 4 hours with coffee break & Dinner (included)

Day 2:
Morning hike starting from the Guest House, heading to the rock of Doupiani, passing by the ruined monastery of Pantokrator. Then we head to the abandoned monastery of Ypapanti and the ruins of Agios Dimitrios. 
Duration 3 hours

3 Night Tour
Day 1:
Morning visit to two different monasteries - enjoying the view of the majestic grey rocks of the Great Meteor, and Agios Stefanos as we go. We will be accompanied by a personal tour guide who will share their knowledge of the orthodox faith. We will then descend the old path used by the monks for centuries before the road was built. Duration: 3 hours
Afternoon workshop surrounding the study of Ancient Eastern Christianity 
Duration: 4 hours with coffee break & Dinner (included)

Day 2:
Morning workshop on church and culture. Duration: 4 hours

Day 3:
Morning hike starting from the Guest House, heading to the rock of Doupiani, passing by the ruined monastery of Pantokrator. Then we head to the abandoned monastery of Ypapanti and the ruins of Agios Dimitrios.
Duration 3 hours

Meteora Guest House, Meteora

Situated in the old town of Kalambaka, in the heart of Greece, Meteora Guest house provides a relaxed and friendly base with breathtaking views. Visit Meteora and explore the stunning beauty and rich history of this extraordinary geological formation and its Byzantine Monasteries, which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

What makes Meteora unique are the monasteries perched atop these towering rock formations. The monasteries, along with the numerous peaks and hiking trails, attract tourists to Meteora throughout the year.
For about a millennium, historians and geologists have been intrigued by the origins of these rock formations, offering various theories about their formation.

Book your accommodation

All tours are bookable as ‘add-ons’, on the property’s profile. Please follow the links included above to check dates and pricing.