Ever dream of escaping your everyday life?

Would you like to escape to your own Magical Faraway Kingdom? Wand and princess outfit not required (although you can bring them if you wish).

Do you ever imagine yourself, swept away off on a medieval pilgrimage – such as the tales of old:

“In a faraway kingdom, in a mythical age – you arrive at the doors of the fort as the sun sets off in the distance. Your horses’ pace is ever steady, yet you know that he’s tired after a long days ride.   You’ve arrived at the right time of the day, as the tide is out and you are able to cross the causeway to the Monastery.  Where you leave your horse at the stable and find yourself a suitable room above the inn.”

*sigh, dream*, what one wouldn’t give for a horse and room at the inn…

Have you envisioned checking out of your life for a few days to escape to a place so far from your everyday reality? It’s just the break you need to give your mind, spirit, and soul a well-deserved break that it needs.

You might be asking yourself if places like this still exist, and if so where.

Let’s uncover where you can find the keys to this faraway kingdom and unravel some of its mystery, that magical kingdom is ‘Mont St. Michel’ in Brittany, France.

The Pilgrimage of Getting to Mont St Michel by Horse, Carriage or Magic Wand

The mini fairy tale above did happen, albeit without the horse, and it’s not as far away or impossible as you might think. Although it is a bit of an adventure to get there. So, be sure to bring a travelers knapsack in which you keep a good book and a jar of patience.

I brought a very special book on this journey, one that I’d been waiting to read till I was on a real pilgrimage of my own Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred.  This book was a perfect inspiration and gave me endless food for thought on my adventures during my stay at the Island.

The best route, depending on where you are coming from is via Paris, by air or over land.  Ideally, if you are able to hire a car or drive – as it’s a bit out of the way and a car gives you the extra freedom.

If, however, you are like me – the French and their style of driving are likely to have you in a panic – never fear, there are other options.

There is a train from Paris, to Rennes and from there you can catch the bus or shuttle.  Please find the most up-to-date options, and bus times here on Rome2Rio.

Do take heed: it is best that you are in time for the last bus, if the tide comes up you may otherwise find yourself stranded in Rennes for the night.

Or, if you are determined to get there as I was, it’ll cost you a small fortune for a taxi.

Is there a bed fit for a Princess above the Inn?

Perhaps you have a secret inkling that you too were once a prince or princess. Wishing that you could spend your time trekking across many lands on horseback – full of adventure, dwarfs, and elves…

You’ve seen the Hobbit, or read Sci-Fantasy books and there is always a wondrous room above the Inn.  These Inns do exist and there are a few of them located in Mont Saint Michel for you to stay in.

These are magical places to stay, firstly due to the fact that they are so quaint, that you half expect a Hobbit or Aragon to come walking in through the door. Secondly, most tourists come in during the day on a tour, if you are staying on the isle itself you’ll have the village streets to yourself in the evening and first thing in the morning.

I stayed at Le Mouton Blanc, which has since my stay been refurbished. The real experience is the view outside, the partly lit and magical windy paths upon which the tourists slowly exit the fortress.

Before you know it, it is evening and the streets have become quiet, the medieval shop fronts glisten and twinkle with mystery. The aromas from the Inns restaurant downstairs starts to travel up to your room. You can be lazy and glad to be able to eat downstairs at the Inns Resturant.

Like most restaurants on the island, it’s French – from the open fire to the wine, bread, and candles – it creates an atmosphere from times gone by. I tried the hearty French soup, that tasted as good today as it would’ve if you’d stopped at the Inn 500 years ago.

What’s a Princess to do, once she reaches the Fort

Sadly, Mont St. Michel doesn’t have dwarfs or elves. Better yet, it has a dragon!

St Michel, of course, was the angel who slew the dragon, so you’ll spot signs of their presence everywhere.

In the statues, shops, and artwork around the Abbey.

A word of wisdom on getting the best photos is set the alarm clock and get up early.

At the crack of dawn, there will be no tourists, and you’ll have the whole magical place to yourself.  You can meander down the cobblestoned streets, enjoy taking endless photos without anyone in them.

You may with a bit of imagination even envision King Arthur and his men riding out of the mists at any given moment.

Free Sunday Morning Recital in the church

The Abbey on Mont St Michel is a working one, Monks and Nuns still live there as the did once upon a time.  It means you’ll share the space with them, as well as the ringing bells that calls them to service.

If you are lucky enough to be there on a Sunday be sure to catch the mass, held at the main chapel at around 10 am.  The soft singing and chants of the choir ring out through the towers of the monastery and will leave you in tears and the purest state of bliss.

It will leave you with goosebumps and a peace in your heart that is not comparable with anything else.  While I didn’t intend to sit in on the mass, I am incredibly grateful that I did.

Tricks for avoiding the crowds without the Cloak of Invisibility

While Mont St. Michel is magical, the place is quickly overrun with hoards of people as soon as the morning tours start arriving.  It’s like a real-world Disney with real-world magic and that is something that everyone wants to come and experience.

If you’d rather not hang out with the masses – then this is the perfect time to head off and explore the rest of the area.  You can walk across the causeway and visit shops on the mainland, go hiking in the Dunes or visit other nearby historic villages such as Dinan.

The outer edges along the shoreline if the tide is out is also a great spot to wander and take photos of the iconic island rising up over the causeway.

The true Magic of Mont St Michel

The most enchanting aspect of Mont St Michel is simply Mont St Michel, whether it is strolling down its characterful alleys. Peering into the small shops selling trinkets and religious paraphernalia. The old-fashioned cafes serving delicious French pastries and restaurants lit with candle-light.  The magic hangs in the air and sweeps you away to a simpler era when like you, many pilgrims came by here looking to experience the magic and get a warm place to sleep.

Spending a few days is enough, especially when you sleeping on the island itself. You can make the most of the varies tides, the local wildlife and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Abbey.

The trick is to enjoy a touch of slow travel, let yourself be swept away to a place where little has been touched by the hand of time.

My last tip is to leave the real world at the threshold as you enter this enchanted place, and let the grace and magic in.

p.s. If you do see a dragon, Aragon or a hobbit, please be sure to let me know.

1. Everything is frequency. Sacred sites also hold a specific frequency stronger than most. And we all hold our own frequency.  Simply said some will resonate with you and some will not. Don’t take it personally.
2. Do to give yourself the time and space to sit and see if you connect to the place.

In the wise words of Manon Tromp:

“Let go of expectations, go with the flow and take your time to let Avalon do what it needs to do”.

I also agree with Freddy de Silva’s views on why we visit sacred sites (paraphrased):  Every sacred site we visit awakens a spark in us, and takes us forward on our journey of self-evolution.  As each of us is on our own unique life pilgrimage, we will each experience it in our own way.

Which is why I put together my own Seekers Guide to Glastonbury;

A Pilgrimage to Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a magical spot. To connect and feel the energy of the land, I choose to walk up to the top of the Tor barefoot. Being so steep, every step was a reminder of how unfit I was feeling – I ended up feeling more out of breath than enlightened.

To keep myself going I imagined all the pilgrims that had walked the path before me. All the ceremonies and processions that the hill must have seen over the ages.

I hoped that by the time I got to the top that the veils would lift and Avalon would appear before me.  Needless to say, that didn’t happen.

Instead I went and found a quiet spot to sit on the hill.  A quiet place to sit and feel all that I couldn’t see. To connect to the energy of the site.

It was pretty magic.

If you find yourself at a sacred site do find a quiet place away from everyone else. A place to connect, to go within and meditate on what you feel and what emerges within you. Churches are often built on Sacred Sites, which were often built on the earth’s energy or Ley Lines.

Sacred sites have also had people making pilgrimages to them for thousands of years. Using them for their intentions, prayers and ceremonies. Put all this together and you end up with a magical energy for us all to tap into. Sit in the glow of those energies and let them share some of that subtle to strong magic with you. It is free to visit the Tor,  you can find information on the National Trust’s Website here.

Getting your toes wet at Chalice Well

Chalice well sits at the bottom of the Tor, across the road from the White Springs. It is a small park that costs £4.50 to enter.  It’s a peaceful garden, well tended and with many areas to sit and reflect and meditate.

Chalice wellsprings is run by the trust, website here. Address: 85-89 Chilkwell Street.

Dive into the Sacred White Springs

The White Springs website can be found here. Address: Well House Lane.

Time Travel to Glastonbury Abbey

Alice was busy working and complaining about how a woman’s work is never done. Before beginning her story of the kitchens and abbey’s history. We sat down and had a nice long chat about ages past.

I heard that my fellow countryman from the Low Lands (Netherlands) visited the abbey in the 1500s.  Brought over for their skills in silk weaving with the intention to teach those skills to locals. It was believed they spent time living in the kitchen of the Abbey. They never did have the opportunity to pass on the skills. They fled when Catholic King Henry came into power. As did most Protestants to avoid prosecution.

I did the day tour with Alice later in the day, and also learnt that the Abbey was at once the richest in the country. Pilgrims and visitors coming from far and wide to visit the holy site, seeking to clear their sins.

Luckily the wealthy people had the most sins. Which they could absolve for the right amount of money. Which is why the wealthy landlords left all their holding to the abbey in the hope of eternal redemption.

Now in a cruel twist of fate, it is the same wealth that destroyed them. The greedy king, who had spent all his money on war decided to put the abbot on trial. The abbot was found guilty, hung and quartered at the top of the Tor. The Abbey ransacked and it’s wealth sold and left to ruin.

You can enjoy the interesting stories and rich history by taking one of the guided walking tours that is included in the entrance fee.  There is a tour every hour until 4 PM.

The Glastonbury Abbey website is here. Address: Magdalene Street.

St. Margaret’s Chapel and Almshouses

Wearyall Hill and the Holy Thorn

More Magical spots to visit

Glastonbury is full of unusual shops, people and places that you won’t find on your average High Street. From the magic shop like the Cat & Cauldron, where you can buy a real wand, staff or a host of other magic book and paraphernalia.

Lovers of the Esoteric and metaphysical books can visit Avalon Library.  In the same arcade 2-4 High street, is Star Child, an incredible essential oil and herb shop.  And upstairs you’ll also find the Goddess Temple. Which hosts speakers and events most nights of the week.

Anyone for cuppa tea & a scone?

The Abbey Tea Rooms has stunning views of the ruins and some of the best Tea + Scones with clotted cream and jam and other English goodies which will give you the energy to climb the Tor or walk the Abbey gardens.  Address: 15 Magdalene St.

For those that might be looking for a stronger sacred drink, the George’s hotel and Pilgrims Inn is a lovely old fashioned English Pub in a well preserved medieval building.

You can even book a night and stay over the inn,  if you dare, its known to be haunted and you can read about a few spectral accounts and ghost stories of the Inn.

Where to Stay in Glastonbury

I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks doing a work exchange through Workaway at Earth Spirit Centre. Incredibly lucky to met some truly magical people.  The centre also runs incredibly workshops throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s on.

AirBnb is also highly recommended, particularly Earth Mama’s House that is run by Manon Trump. Manon also runs tours to sacred sites including Stonehedge and Avesbury.

The Magic never ends

Glastonbury can be many things, quirky, magical, spiritual and at times over the top. Is it a reflection of our inner selves, is it whatever we want it to be (yes, be prepared for fairies and men with arrows and crossbows walking along the high street).

It can have moments of feeling like it is spirituality gone mainstream. Yet, it is still enchanting.  The people I met there is that they are all doing whatever they want, being whoever they want and living life as they want – blissfully content.

In this crazy world – maybe this is the sanity of it all.  There isn’t any seeking, but an authentic way of being.  And that, in itself is kinda Magical.

For Further reading:
Freddy de Silva’s Website.  Freddy de Silva’s book: The Divine Blueprint.
Manon Tromp’s Website, you can also find her on the Mystical Tours website.
Anyone interested in visiting Avesbury Stones can read more here.