The Real Da Vinci Code - An AWT Grail Quest
This is no ordinary 'Da Vinci Code tour'.
AWT presents an exciting new tour: Grail Quest: The Real Da Vinci Code. Led by researcher and writer Andrew Gough, AWT takes you on a grail quest to the enigmatic sites featured in the blockbuster novel and film, The Da Vinci Code. Grail Quest also visits the mysterious and seldom frequented sites that inspired The Da Vinci Code's central theme; the search for the Holy Grail. Our quest commences in London, where we explore the ancient and esoteric city before moving on to the South of France; a land steeped in legends of the Holy Grail, religious heretics and military orders. Our journey concludes in Paris, where we walk in the footsteps of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu. Contemplate the mystery behind the hype. Experience the intrigue. Search for the Grail... Itinerary Saturday, September 30th 2006: London. Our journey begins in London, where we explore the primary Da Vinci Code sites, including Temple Church, built by the Knights Templar in 1185. Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu began their search for the Holy Grail here, and so shall we.
Knights Templar effigies - Temple Church, London. Continuing in the footsteps of Langdon and Neveu, we walk on hallowed ground as we visit Westminster Abbey and inspect the grave of Sir Isaac Newton, where the identity of "the Teacher" was first revealed. Afterwards, we examine the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, amongst others, in the National Gallery. A group dinner allows us to reflect on our day and discuss the eventful week ahead.
Sunday, October 1st 2006: London to Carcassonne. Today we travel to the South of France. This is Cathar country, and legends of the Holy Grail abound here. Tour the romantic walled city of Carcassonne, Europe's largest fortress and the inspiration for Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. In The Da Vinci Code, Robert Langdon wears a Mickey Mouse watch. Is this Dan Brown's secret nod to Carcassone; land of Gnosticism? In the evening we head south to Rennes-le-Château; the heart of our quest. Here we check into the enchanting hotel & castle; Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse, for a four night stay.
The Magic Kingdom.
Monday, October 2nd 2006: Rennes-le-Château Nestled near the Rose Line in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the sleepy hamlet of Rennes-le-Château rests quietly in a region known as the 'Valley of God'. This is the domain of the legendary priest, Berenger Saunière. His story inspired The Da Vinci Code (and Dan Brown named his character, Jacques Saunière, in his honour), the seminal Holy Blood and Holy Grail, as well as the work of Jules Verne.
Rennes-le-Château. Did the Abbe discover a treasure, or a religious secret, back in 1891? Why did he travel to St Sulpice in Paris to seek help in deciphering his find? Why did he decorate his village in macabre, esoteric symbolism? The answer to these and other questions will be debated. The visit includes a walk to a seldom visited grotto, purported to be the burial site of Mary Magdalene. In the evening we receive a lecture by a respected Rennes-le-Château insider.
Rennes-le-Château's two most famous residents, Asmodeous and Abbe Saunière.
Tuesday, October 3rd 2006: Rennes-le-Château, Rennes-les-Bains, & Coustaussa This morning we tour the mysterious spa town of Rennes-les-Bains, starting with a hike to the haunting Devil's Chair. Later we explore the villages and landmarks of Abbe Boudet, Abbe Gelies, and Abbe Saunière; three priests who appear to have guarded a secret about the Holy Grail and the bloodline of Jesus Christ. We examine the alleged setting of Nicolas Poussin's evocative painting, Shepherd's of Arcadia, which Abbe Saunière purchased from the Louvre after making his discovery. We also visit the Cathar castle of Arques, as well as the peculiar stone huts of Coustaussa. In the evening we receive a lecture from another Rennes-le-Château insider.
The Devil's Chair.
Wednesday, October 4th 2006: Rennes-le-Château to Perillos An early morning drive through the dramatic Gorge de Galamus leads us to the breathtaking cliff-top Cathar sanctuaries of Peyreperteuse and Queribus. Why did the Cathars chose death over compromising their beliefs? Why was the Catholic Church so fearful of their worship? After lunch we tour the soon to be off-limits village of Perillos, site of a fascinating new mystery; the discovery of the tomb of Jesus Christ on French soil, and much, much more.
The legendary Chapel Perillos of Grail lore.
Thursday, October 5th 2006: Rennes-le-Château to Montsegur This morning we drive to the legendary sanctuary of Montsegur, one of the last pockets of Cathar resistance during the Albigensian Crusade. What did the Cathar perfecti smuggle down the steep mountain cliff at night, just prior to the siege of 1244? Was it a secret? Was it the grail? Many historians believe that Montsegur is Munsalvaesche (Mountain of Salvation), the Grail castle in Wolfram Von Eschenbach's Parzival. In the afternoon we will discovery why as we explore some fascinating caves in the immediate vicinity, rich in grail legend. Is this the land of Parzival, the original Grail seeker?
The sanctuary of Montsegur.
A Grail cave and Cathar initiation centre near Montsegur.
Friday, October 6th 2006: Toulouse to Paris. Today we fly to Paris, where we will visit the legendary sites of the The Da Vinci Code novel and film, amongst other less-frequented gems. We tour the church of St Sulpice, where the Dan Brown character, Silas, looked for the keystone at the base of the obelisk. St Sulpice is on the Rose Line that runs from Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland to Rennes-le-Château in France, and it is at the heart of the enigma we are pursuing. In the evening, enjoy the unique mix of mystery and romance that only Paris can offer.
Outside St Sulpice.
Inside St Sulpice, facing the famous Gnomon.
Saturday, October 7th 2006: Day 8: Paris / Return to London This morning we visit the Louvre, the resting place of the Holy Grail according to Dan Brown and a fitting destination for the climax of our adventure. We will visit the Grand Gallery, the place of Jacques Saunière's ritualistic death, and study the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, amongst other masters. Does their work really conceal symbolic, heretical secrets? Like Robert Langdon, we conclude our journey at the sensational Pyramid Inversee, where we will pay our respects to the legend of Holy Grail, before flying back to London.
The Pyramid Inversee - site of Dan Brown's Holy Grail.
Price £1,499 (single supplement £382) For booking information please email or call Michael Ackroyd at Ancient World Tours If you have any questions about the tour, the itinerary, the sites we are visiting, or anything else at all, feel free to drop me a line at andy@andrewgough.co.uk.
|
 |
Copyright © 2006 - 2009 Andrew Gough. All rights reserved. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
