About this tour
Day 1, September 08th, 2024 (Sunday) Departure
- Depart US for your overnight flight to Germany. Meals will be served on board the flight.
Day 2, September 9th, 2024 (Monday): Frankfurt arrival – Bad Kreuznach
- Arrival at Frankfurt Airport and transfer to Bad Kreuznach (app. 1h drive)
- The first days are intentionally planned to help participants experience the greening region that so influenced St. Hildegard. We will engage physically in our environment and allow the Land of Hildegard, the river country, rolling hills and forests, and the special places where Hildegard lived to deeply nourish us. This is part of the path of joy and awe and of the outward journey.
- Enjoy lunch at the hotel, nearby restaurant [or room service if available]
- We invite you to have a slow relaxing arrival with a walk in the beautiful park adjoining the hotel,
- Enjoy dinner at the hotel as a group
- Participate in retreat welcome and group introductions.
- After dinner together at the hotel, Michael M. Conti will host a screening of his film “The Unruly Mystic: Saint Hildegard” and Q&A session
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach(D)
Attention: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details
Day 3, September 10th, 2024 (Tuesday): Bad Kreuznach – Bingen am Rhein – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- We invite you to ease into our Land of Hildegard experience with a relaxing morning in the own of Bad Kreuznach. Bad Kreuznach is noted for having several public spa pool bathhouses, lovely parks and walking trails along the river Nahe, a remarkable Roman archeological museum (Museum Römerhalle), and a variety of nice restaurants and shops along the river and in the quaint downtown section (time to explore on your own).
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on your own in Bad Kreuznach.
- Transfer to Bingen am Rhein, and go across the river to Rüdesheim am Rhein by ferry for a river cruise.
- Downstream from Bingen am Rhein, as the Rhine River flows through the scenic Rhine Gorge, you’ll encounter a breathtaking array of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and charming towns.
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Dinner at the hotel
- We will come together after dinner for a Hildegard discussion with Dr. Annette Esser, the author and scholar who instigated the Hildegard Way, Dr Esser will talk about her work designing the Hildegard Way trail and writing the texts of the film and book “Hildegard Speaks”.
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach (B,D)
Day 4: September 11th, 2024 (Wednesday): Bad Kreuznach – Idar Oberstein – Herrstein – Niederhosenbach – Bergen – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Today we will travel by coach to the start of the Hildegard Way in Idar Oberstein, and explore the gem shops and the gem museum. Many of the precious stones that Hildegard speaks of in the “Heavenly Jerusalem” are mined in the mountainous Idar Oberstein area. Although the famous “church in the rock” above Idar Oberstein is no longer open to the public, we will be able to see the church from the town square, and it is here that we will begin our Hildegard journey.
- Lunch will be in Idar Oberstein at a famous local restaurant (3-course menu incl. water)
- Then travel by coach to the picturesque village of Herrstein and visit the Schlosskirche.
- Scivias Institute Guide will accompany.
- Walk from Herrstein to Niederhosenbach, then Bergen to Kirm.
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Dinner at the hotel
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach (B,L,D)
Attention: Today will be a walking day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, water, and appropriate weather gear.
Day 5, September 12th, 2024 (Thursday): Bad Kreuznach – Dhaun – Bad Sobenheim – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Today we will travel by coach to visit a beautiful Hildegard inspired garden in Dhaun, Hochstetten-Dhaun
- We will have lunch together in Bad Sobenheim (3-course menu incl. water)
- See Dr Esser’s sculpture at Biergarten Disibodenberg Chapel and visit synagogue.
- Transfer to Vineyard
- Visit a famous vineyard in the Nahe region which promises a memorable journey through centuries of winemaking tradition.
- Transfer to Bingen (30 minutes)
- Dinner together at the Hildegard Forum with a typical Hildegard vegetarian dish, served with a glass of fortified wine, and a film screening of “Hildegard Speaks “and a Q&A session afterward with Dr. Annette Esser and Michael M. Conti
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach(B,L,D)
Attention: Today will be a walking day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, water, and appropriate weather gear.
Day 6, September 13th, 2024 (Friday): Bad Kreuznach – Disibodenberg – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to Disibodenberg.
- Today we visit one of the most significant locations of Hildegard’s Homeland, the sacred site of Disibodenberg, at the top of the hill next to the rivers Glan and Nahe.
Although the Disibodenberg today is a ruin, the sacred atmosphere of this forested hilltop is unmistakable and will take you under its spell. It is indeed a “thin veil” place, even before the construction of the Benedictine monastery in the early 10th century, it had already been a sacred Roman and Celtic site. It is here where Hildegard spent most of the first half of her life (1112 – 1147), together with her relative and mentor, Jutta.
- Scivias Institute Guide accompanies
- Enjoy box lunch while on the grounds of Disibodenberg
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Optional time for pool time, or spa treatments in Bad Kreuznach
- Opening of the International Hildegard Week Conference, reception starts 5 PM
- Dinner that night will be with the larger Int’l HIldegard Conference group, and an music concert following dinner.
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach(B,L)
Attention: Today will be a walking day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, water, and appropriate weather gear.
Day 7, September 14th, 2024 (Saturday): Bad Kreuznach – Duchroth – Sponheim – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Coach to Duchroth.
- We will start our day with a walk through the beautiful and charming village of Duchroth, an historic architectural treasure trove, parts of which date from 1335.
- We will then continue on by coach to Bergsponheim, where we’ll climb to the top of the tower, walk the trail over the hill into the town, and explore the ancient Romanesque Sponheim church, one of the only churches still remaining from Hildegard’s lifetime.
- Scivias Institute Guide
- Traditional German lunch together at a famous local restaurant at (3-course menu incl. water)
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Dinner that night will be on your own with options of staying at the hotel or one of the many restaurant options in Bad Kreuznach
- Transfer to Disibodenberg.
- Evening Concert as part of the International Hildegard Week – 7 PM
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach (B,L)
Attention: Today will be a walking day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, water, and appropriate weather gear.
Day 8, September 15th, 2024 (Sunday): Bad Kreuznach – Bingen am Rhein – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Pilgerstunde Worship Service at Pauluskapell at 9 AM – Walk from hotel
- Attend a presentation of Liber Divinorum Operum by Sara Salvadori at 11 AM
- Lunch at Haus of Gastes with other Hildegard Week attendees
- After lunch we travel by coach to the Rupertsberg Ruins. Although the church building constructed by Hildegard no longer exists, we will be allowed to go down the stairs into the large cellar area and crypt, and which are still in use for concerts and special events.
In 1147 at age 52 Hildegard left the Disibodenberg Abbey with about twenty of her fellow nuns and founded the first of her own abbeys, the Rupertsberg Monastery, built above the chapel of Saint Rupertus. Hildegard lived and worked at the Rupertsberg Abbey until her death in 1179 at age 81.
- Transfer to Rochusberg to visit the Rochus Chapel to view in particular the two side altars consecrated to Saints Hildegard and Rupert. The Hildegard altar by Jakob Busch shows scenes from the life of Saint Hildegard on eight reliefs.
- Scivias Institute Guide
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Transfer or walk to Zentrum St. Hildegard in Bad Kreuznach
- Dinner at the Zentrum St Hildegard
- International Hildegard Week Evening Program
- Transfer or walk back to hotel
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach (B,L,D)
Attention: Today will be a walking day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, water, and appropriate weather gear.
Day 9, September 16th, 2024 (Monday): Bad Kreuznach – Stromberg to Bingerbruck Forest Walk (Rhine Reveal, & Hildegard Forum) – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to St. Jakobus Church in Stromberg.
- Today is long pilgrimage walking day, and we will hike in the morning through an “enchanted” forest with cleverly carved spirits, gnomes, and woodland creatures hidden within the trees and along the path. This will be the longest walk of the retreat and your efforts will be rewarded by our first view of the Rhine, with its beautiful scenic vistas and busy river traffic.
- Enjoy box lunch along the trail at one of the local Jägerhauses or at a beer garden above the river.
- Scivias Institute Guide
- Schoenberg Hildegard Garden
- Walk thru Bingen Forest to Rupertsburg. Transport will pick up.
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- Dinner on your own in Bad Krueznach
- Evening Concert at Kleinkunstbühne (Haus de Gausts) as part of the International Hildegard Week at 7 PM
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach (B,L)
Day 10, September 17th, 2024 (Tuesday): Saint Hildegard Feast Day – Rüdesheim am Rhein – Bad Kreuznach
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to Rüdesheim am Rhein.
- Today is the Feast Day of Saint Hildegard, with Hildegard groups throughout Germany and from around the world gathering together with Vatican officials to honor her at the pilgrimage church. The ultimate highlight of the retreat, rain-or-shine this event of remembrance and pageantry is unforgettable.
- An outdoor morning mass will be held in German at the Wallfahrtskirche St. Hildegard, followed by a community lunch
- The ornate Hildegard reliquary is then carefully brought outside and taken in procession through the village streets.
- In the afternoon we spend time at Abtei St. Hildegard, visiting the grounds, the gift shop and having wine and treats in the café.
- Return to Bad Kreuznach
- In the evening we will gather for our final dinner together to discuss and reflect upon our experiences of the past 9 days.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Overnight in Bad Kreuznach(B,L,D)
Day 11, September 18th, 2024 (Wednesday): Bad Kreuznach – Frankfurt departure
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
- Transfer to Frankfurt
- Arrive at the Frankfurt Airport three hours prior to departure! (B)
Attention: The schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details.
