Foothills UU Congregational Pilgrimage (May 08)

To Transylvania & Hungary

Revised Itinerary

(rev. 01/06/2008)

During the summer of 2008 we are planning to organize a group pilgrimage to Eastern Europe to experience the historic roots of Unitarianism. We will discuss the origin of our faith with Unitarian ministers; work beside our partner congregation on a service project in their village; and other significant historical and Unitarian sites, including:

• Torda - where the first act of religious tolerance was signed in 1568
• The rock in Kolozsvár that Francis David spoke from when he "converted the whole town’s population to Unitarianism."
• Meszko - the “Alabaster Village” made famous by the book of that name.
• Saxon fortress city of Sighisoara/Segesvar – purported birthplace of Dracula.

Beginning and ending in the lovely Hungarian capital city of Budapest, the trip will include several days in Foothills UU’s partner village of Bethlenszentmiklos. FHUUC pilgrims will discover the warmth and loving hospitality of Transylvanian Unitarian families during a home stay - attending church, sharing a relaxed picnic and experiencing rural village life. This may include a hike in the spectacular Torda Gorge, participation in a local dance festival, a visit to the local salt mine and walks in the mountain pastures.

The trip is open to all, young and not so young. Through this trip we hope to foster new understanding of our historical roots and build deeper relationships with our partner village. The tour logistics will be coordinated by the UU Partner Church Council Pilgrimage Service which has more than a decade of experience facilitating the visits of North American UUs to Eastern & Central Europe.

Tentative Itinerary:

• May 15^th – Thursday. Depart Denver for Budapest
• May 16^th – Friday. Afternoon arrival at Ferihegy Airport, Budapest. Transfer to hotel. Welcome reception with UUPCC staff. Free evening to rest & relax. Overnight Budapest – hotel TBD. (D)
• May 17^th - Saturday. Morning orientation & tour of Budapest highlights (Hero’s Square, Castle Hill, and a stop at 2^nd Unitarian Church). Free afternoon & evening to shop, explore your favorite museums, or just stroll this fascinating European capitol. Lunch & dinner on your own. Overnight Budapest hotel – TBD. (B)
• May 18^th - Sunday. Morning services at 1^st Unitarian Church followed by a reception with the minister and members of the congregation. Free afternoon to continue your exploration of the city and take in a Danube cruise. Overnight Budapest – hotel TBD. (BL)
• May 19^th – Monday. Travel day to Transylvania. En route we enjoy a traditional Hungarian gulas lunch and have a discussion about village life in Transylvania, the current structure, beliefs and challenges of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church. Evening arrival in Kisskapus (just outside of Kolozsvar) in time to watch the water buffaloes come home for the evening. Dinner & overnight Unitarian B&B – Kisskapus. (BLD)
• May 20^th - Tuesday. Morning Unitarian tour of Kolozsvar including 1^st Church (which houses the famous Francis David rock), the Unitarian HQ & High School, and Matyas Church where Francis David once preached. Group lunch. Free afternoon to explore, shop, or catch up on your email before returning to Kisskapus for dinner & overnight at Unitarian B&B. (BLD)

• May 21^st – Wednesday. Departure after breakfast for Bethlenszentmiklos via scenic backroads. En route we will stop in Torda to visit the “Church of the Edict” where the Edict of Torda was issued in 1568 by the Unitarian King Janos Sigismund, and the Alabaster Village of Meszko to hear the story of Ferenc Balazs. We will also take a hike and enjoy a picnic lunch in the spectacular Torda Gorge. Evening arrival in BSM. Dinner/reception with minister and host families. Overnight BSM – home stays. (BLD)
• May 22^nd - Thursday. Village day. Morning tour of BSM. Get to meet members of your partner congregation & get introduced to rural village life. Meetings with minister & lay leaders to prepare for the work project and discuss partnership issues. Overnight BSM – home stays. (BLD)
• May 23^rd – Friday. Work day. Morning & afternoon work sessions. Group lunch. Evening program TBD. Overnight – BSM – home stays
• May 24^th – Saturday. Work day. Morning & afternoon work sessions. Group lunch. Evening program TBD. Overnight – BSM – home stays. (BLD)
• May 25^th – Sunday. Morning services with our partner congregation at the Bethlenszentmiklos Unitarian Church – reception following. Depart for medieval walled-city of Segesvar, purported birthplace of Vlad Tepes – aka “Dracula”. Free afternoon/evening to explore the city, shop, and visit the museum of your choice. Sandwich lunch en route. Dinner on your own. Overnight – Segesvar/Sighisora – Hotel Claudiu***(BL)
• May 26^th - Monday. Work day. Return to BSM after breakfast in Segesvar. Group lunch. Afternoon work session. Farewell dinner with minister & host families. Overnight BSM – home stays. (BLD)
• May 27^th – Tuesday. Free morning to pack and say our good-byes. Group lunch before we begin our return home. Evening arrival Kolozsvar – hotel TBD. (BLD)
• May 28^th - Wednesday. Depart Kisskapus for Budapest after breakfast. Shopping stop in the embroidery village of Korosfo. Early evening arrival in Budapest. Farewell dinner with UUPCC staff. Overnight Budapest – hotel TBD. (BLD)
• May 29^th - Thursday. Transfer to airport for return flights to US. If you wish to extend your stay in Budapest or elsewhere in Europe (Vienna is just 3 hours away by train, Prague 7) the UUPCC Pilgrimage Service can assist you with your travel arrangements. (B)

15 days/13 nights Land package offered by UUPCC Pilgrimage Service $1,550 (double occupancy) + $150/person non-refundable registration fee*. (add $150 for single supplement). Children 12 and under sharing accommodations with 2 adults are ½ price and not subject to the registration fee. Land package includes transportation, accommodations, meals (as indicated above), guide(s), interpreter(s), and entrance fees to programmed tourist sites. The package does NOT include airfare or other transportation to/from Budapest, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses incurred during free programs, and airport transfers before/after specified trip dates or different from main party. *UUPCC registration fee pays for your membership in the UUPCC, the cost of processing your application & mailing your travel packet, and an impact fee paid to the Transylvanian Unitarian Church.