For hundreds of years, abbeys and monasteries offered assist and shelter to weary vacationers and pilgrims on typically harmful and arduous journeys. Now, in keeping with a brand new survey by specialist lodging supplier Monastaries.com, feminine vacationers are rediscovering these historical havens in an more and more harmful fashionable world.
Their latest analysis discovered that 88% of girls really feel considerably unsafe touring alone within the UK and Europe. Regardless of this, feminine solo vacationers are outnumbered by 67% to 37%.
“Ladies are more and more embarking on their very own adventures, with 27% of UK girls saying they’re contemplating a solo vacation. 81 per cent of feminine solo vacationers are over 45,” Lily Smith, journey professional at Monasteries. com, he stated.
“There are lots of elements that might have influenced this statistic – newfound confidence with age, kids leaving dwelling, divorce or only a want to expertise new issues.”
Nevertheless, for a lot of girls, their security is a vital consideration, although conventional lodging doesn’t meet their expectations. Solely a minority of respondents felt protected staying alone in a vacation rental property or in a big resort, at 37% and 35% respectively.
“Due to this fact, many ladies are shocked however delighted to search out they will keep in convents and convents each right here within the UK and in lots of nations throughout Europe,” Ms Smith stated.
“This would possibly come as a shock to some individuals, however do not forget that monasteries have supplied refuge to pilgrims and vacationers for hundreds of years, with the vow of 'hospitality' a function of many spiritual orders.”
Ms Smith stated that regardless of what individuals would possibly anticipate, lodging in locations akin to abbeys or monasteries comes with fewer restrictions than commonplace suppliers, however can nonetheless supply a way more welcoming and distinctive expertise – neither is it restricted to individuals from a spiritual background. .
“Usually the one main restriction will be the curfew, which is often between 10pm and midnight. However for a lot of solo feminine travellers, the safety it presents can really show to be a draw,” Ms Smith stated.
“Maybe opposite to expectations, there is no such thing as a requirement that guests be of a spiritual background. The properties can be found to all friends, male or feminine, who respect the environment, the approach to life and the monks or nuns.”
Even higher, lots of them are situated in breathtaking areas and are pleasantly accessible.
“The excellent news is that abbeys and monasteries are prone to be centrally situated, typically close to historic church buildings or spiritual websites and in cities akin to Rome with a transparent spiritual connection,” she stated.
“Moreover, for instance, abbeys, monasteries and convents on Monasteries.com begin from as little as €40 per night time and supply inexpensive metropolis heart stays in a few of Europe's most visited cities…for an rising variety of feminine travellers, explaining the protection and luxury of monasteries, convents and an abbey is like preaching to a choir.”