IONA,  A SACRED JOURNEY OF CELTIC SPIRITUALITY
LEADER:  REV. KATHLEEN RONEY
DATE OF PILGRIMAGE: 9/19 to 9/29/2010
 


COST: $2,750 Land Only

Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland with Glasgow and Edinburgh
September 19–29, 2010
Rev. Kathleen Roney, Tour Host

Sunday, September 19 Depart the U.S.
Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Glasgow, Scotland.

Monday, September 20 Glasgow, Scotland
Transfer to your Glasgow hotel on your own, where tour members will gather for a guided sightseeing tour of Glasgow. Visit the Glasgow Cathedral, dedicated in the presence of King David I in 1136 and consecrated in 1197. It is a fine example of medieval architecture. The Cathedral has one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows to be found in Britain. Next visit the Museum of  Religious Life, which explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The building stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle and hosts displays in The Gallery of Religious Life exploring the world's six main religions; Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Board a motorcoach to travel outside of Glasgow to Inverary Castle, a remarkable and unique piece of architecture incorporating Baroque, Palladian and Gothic styles, and home of the Duke of Argyll. This unmistakably Scottish Castle was the first of its size and type to be built in an extremely remote part of Scotland. Return to Glasgow for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, September 21 Iona Community, Glasgow
The day will be spent with the Iona Community, founded in Glasgow by George MacLeod in 1938, in an effort to close the gap which he perceived between the Church and working people. The community began with MacLeod taking a group of ministers and working men (the original
community was all male) to Iona to rebuild the ruined medieval Iona Abbey. The Iona Community’s headquarters are in Glasgow, Scotland, but its main activities continue to take place on the island of Iona. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.

Wednesday, September 22 Glasgow – Iona
This morning transfer by motorcoach to the Oban Ferry Terminal to begin the journey to the Isle of Iona. The journey includes two ferries and a drive across Mull to change ferry terminals. Arrive in Iona late afternoon to begin
our retreat, staying at the St. Columba Hotel on Iona.

September 23—27 Retreat on the Isle of Iona
The Isle of Iona has a very special history--from formation of the monastic community by Irish priest St. Columba in the 5th century, without wiping out the influences of the religion of the Celtic druids, to the founding of
a Benedictine monastery in the 14th century. Iona was revived as an international, interdenominational Christian community during restoration of the Abbey during the 1930's to the present. This pilgrimage will expose
participants to the rich history and the Celtic spirituality that is identifi ed with the Iona Community--a commitment to the integration of deep and creative spiritual practice with an equal commitment to justice for the
peoples of the world. The Isle of Iona is a beautiful part of the Western Hebrides of Scotland, with pristine beaches, rocky cliffs, and wild iris-fi lled pastures where lambs graze. Daily morning and evening prayers will be offered at the Abbey. Anglican and Roman Catholic retreat houses on
the Island also offer daily worship open to the public. Our group will hold morning sessions on Celtic spirituality and our afternoons will be free for hiking, walking the beaches, prayer, painting, joumalling, boat rides to nearby island sites and more.

Monday, September 27 Iona – Edinburgh
This morning take the ferry back to Oban and continue to Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally.


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The castle sits atop Castle Hill, a volcanic rock. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs for a strong defense. Most of the principal buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. A few 14th century structures also remain. Many Scottish Kings and crowned here, including Mary, Queen of Scots. Continue to Edinburgh arriving late this afternoon for dinner and overnight.
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Tuesday, September 28 Edinburgh
A morning guided tour of Edinburgh is offered, including Edinburgh Castle,
Holyroodhouse and the John Knox House. Edinburgh Castle sits on top of
an old volcanic rock with over 1000 years of history. The City of Edinburgh grew outwards from the Castle rock, and the first houses in Edinburgh were built on the area in front of Edinburgh Castle, now known as the Lawnmarket. The building continued down the High Street and The Cannongate towards the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse.

These streets collectively form a single street known as The Royal Mile. The Royal Mile acquired its name over the ages as Scottish and English kings, queens and royalty in general, travelled to and fro between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle—hence the name The Royal Mile. Holyroodhouse was the official residence of the Kings and Queens of the Scots since the 15th century. Many Scottish coronations took place within
its walls. It is still used by the royal monarchy as a place of residence forone week out of each year


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Continue to the John Knox House, the home of Protestant Reformer, John Knox, during the 16th century. The house itself was built in 1490, featuring
a fine wooden gallery and hand-painted ceiling. The house and its contents
are now a museum. John Knox is considered the founder of the Presbyterian denomination. The afternoon is free for shopping or exploring Edinburgh on your own, returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, September 29 Home to the USA
Depart Edinburgh this morning for the USA.


For further information, contact:
Rev. Kathleen Roney
2495 Fox Gap Road
Bangor, PA 18013
Tel: (610) 588-1793
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Travel Arrangements by:
124 East Main Street, 4th Floor
Ephrata, PA 17522
Tel: (800) 418-2929, ext. 81307
Fax: (717) 733-1009
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it



Tour price: $2,750, land only, based on sharing a double room
Single Supplement: $275
Optional Group Insurance: $250 per person (non-refundable)
This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after June 14, 2010, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

The following items are included in the tour price:
• Accommodation: 2 nights Glasgow, 5 nights St. Columba on Iona, 2 nights Edinburgh
• Meals: Table d’hote dinner and breakfast daily
• Ferry and Motorcoach Transfers: Glasgow tour, Glasgow to Oban, Oban – Craignure – Fionnphort – Iona (round trip), Oban to Edinburgh via Stirling, Edinburgh tour
• Guides: Glasgow and Edinburgh tours
• Sightseeing entrance fees: Glasgow Cathedral, Museum of Religious Life, Inverary Castle, Stirling Castle
• Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff

For Assistance with Air Travel...
Each tour member is responsible for their own airline arrangements and transfer from the Glasgow Airport to the hotel in Glasgow. If you would like assistance with airline reservations, please contact Paige Vogie,
MTS TRAVEL at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or
call 800-418-2929, extension 81302.

For Assistance with finding a roommate...
If you need a roommate, please call Janet Lewis at Kirkridge Retreat Center at (610) 588-1793.

Tour Features and Conditions Responsibility
Menno Travel Service, Inc., D/B/A MTS TRAVEL, with it officers and staff act only as agents for the various companies whose accommodations are utilized. They assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the services of any train, vessel, carriage, automobile, airplane or other conveyance, which will be used either wholly or in part. Neither will they be
responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, or any delays, which may be occasioned by reason of, defect in any vehicle or through neglect or default of any company or persons engaged in the conveying of passengers. The steamer, airplane services or that of any other conveyance, sickness, accident, weather, strikes, war, quarantine or other causes and all such losses or expenses must be borne by the passenger. Prices and schedules appearing in this brochure are based on
current schedules and tariff rates and are subject to change without notice. The tour operator reserve the right to modify the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules. The airlines and/or/other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act; omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their plane or conveyance. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between
the airlines and purchaser of tours and/or the passenger.

Air Transportation: Not included. Each tour member is responsible for their own airline arrangements and transfer from the Glasgow Airport to the hotel in Glasgow. Accommodations: Based on two persons sharing a room in accommodations listed in itinerary, or similar, with private facilities, including service charges and taxes. Single rooms are subject to availability at an additional charge of $275. For assistance in fi nding a rommate, please call Janet Lewis at Kirkridge Retreat Center at (610) 588-1793.

Meals: In-fl ight meals and snacks are served according to airline policy. Breakfast and dinner is provided daily. Opportunity will be given for lunches to be secured by tour members, at their own expense. Beverages with lunches and dinners are not included.

Transfers and Baggage: Transfers between airports and hotels upon arrival and departure are included in the tour price, including handling of one medium-sized suitcase
per person, not exceeding 62 dimensional inches (length plus width plus height) or weighing more than a maximum of 50 pounds. Due to limited luggage storage space on motorcoaches, it is important that each person
bring only ONE piece of checked baggage. In addition, a fl ight bag or overnight case may be taken, which must be handled by the passenger at all times. Baggage allowance is subject to change according to airline policy.

Sightseeing and Entrance Fees: Are included as indicated in itinerary, using private motorcoach or other conveyance, with local guides where necessary.

Tips and Taxes: Service charges and taxes on accommodations are included. Tips to guides, drivers, and hotel staff are included. Tips for personal services are not included and are at tour member’s own expense.

Not Included: Airline transportation, passport fee, travel protection insurance, lunches, and expenses of a purely personal nature are not included.

Deposit and Payment: Reservations may be secured upon payment of a deposit of $500 per person. You will be invoiced for fi nal payment, which is due July 21, 2010.

MTS Cancellation Conditions: Refund of full deposit (less $100 administrative fee) will be made up to June 14, 2010. If cancellation occurs between June 15 and August 19, 2010, a fee of $500 will be charged, plus unrecoverable airline, hotel and tour operator payments. There is no refund after August 20, 2010 or for unused tour services.

Protect Your investment: MTS TRAVEL strongly recommends purchasing this primary insurance coverage. If you purchase the protection plan upon enrollment with your deposit, any restriction on pre-existing conditions is waived. If protection plan is purchased after the deposit is receiv ed, all coverage is subject to exclusion of pre-existing conditions. Certain conditions, exclusions and limitations apply as set out in the Evidence of Coverage and Confirmation of Coverage, which you will receive upon receipt of deposit. You will have
ten days to review coverage and cancel your policy.

Following is a brief description of coverage: • This protection plan will cover you for can cel la tion fees if you need to cancel be cause of death, injury or illness to
you, your traveling companion or your immediate family member.
• Medical Evacuation: $250,000
• Medical Expenses: $25,000
• Baggage loss/delay: $1,500/$250

A valid passport is required. If you do not have a passport, you should apply for one immediately. Information on obtaining a passport will be provided upon receipt of deposit. If you now have a passport, please verify that it is valid until March 30, 2011. A visa for Scotland is not
required for U.S. citizens.

All rates and fares are based on current information and are subject to change. Rates are based on a minimum number of persons traveling together.

Deviations: Any individual making a change in travel
arrangements apart from this group program will be charged a service fee of $100 per person, plus any additional air or land costs incurred.

The itinerary as outlined is an indication of sequence and sites to be included in the tour program. However, the tour operator reserves the right to alter or change the itinerary and/or the sites included should it be
deemed necessary due to local conditions, time restrictions,
or other circumstances.

In the ever-changing world situation, MTS TRAVEL recommends personal monitoring of news about your destination. For the latest country information from the U.S. Dept. of State, please visit www.mtstravel.com and click “U.S. State Department Travel Warnings” in the middle of
our home page.

Guests with disabilities or dietary restrictions should inquire in advance about whether their needs can be accommodated. Please read all Tour Features and Conditions carefully.  Payment of tour deposit constitutes acceptance of these conditions.

Reservation Form
Kirkridge Retreat Center Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland
This tour price reflects special group rates.
Deposits received after June 14, 2010, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms. To be assured of reservations, please complete and mail this registration form to

MTS TRAVEL, 124 E. Main St., 4th Fl., Ephrata, PA 17522, along with your deposit of $500 per person.
Please reserve space as follows on the Kirkridge Retreat Center Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland with Rev. Kathleen Roney, September 19–29, 2010

Enclosed is my deposit check of $__________ ($500 per person. Please make check payable to MTS TRAVEL.)
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(Include $250 per person with your deposit check. The $250 is not refundable.)
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