! Going Awayi We often write about various holiday amenities which have some pantcular religious interest. hut one is inclined occasionally to forget one can turn it round the other way—go to a place of pilgrimage for spiritual reasons and then combine it with a holiday: Lourdes is such a place. Not only has it great religious significance and an attraction of its own, but because of the great demand of pilgrims to visit the Shrine of Our Lady, the cost of going to Lourdes has become very reasonable, not only by sea and rail but even more so by air, as any advertisements in the Catholic Herald would show. However, despite what is often said about Lourdes and the commercialism surrounding it, a visit to the Grotto itself is a most moving experience.
What one is inclined to overlook is the surrounding country which is really beautiful, and without the Shrine being there would have a great attraction in itself. The wooded Pyrenees and the beautiful Gave de Pau river make an ideal setting. There are not many places so out of the way thai have their own airport. Tarbes, the airport of Lourdes, is only a few miles away. There is a selection of accommodation in Lourdes itself, from the most modest pensions to the most lavish luxury hotels. Within easy reach are many interesting excursions and coaches arc available for such outings.
Perhaps when next you see Lourdes advertised, you will remember that you can have a holiday there as well, afier von have made the pilgrimage.
Enquiries regarding travel should he accompanied by a stamped addressed 'envelope and sent to: Going Away, "Catholic Herald". .67 Fleet Street, London, E.C.4.