When travellers look for vacations that allow them to relax their minds and refresh their bodies, they often forget that a holiday is the best time to nourish their soul. For the seasoned and world-weary traveller, premium tour operator Insight Vacations presents the 12-day In the Footsteps of Lord Buddha, a spiritual retreat that will leave you with more than just pretty photographs and fleeting memories. For some, it could even be life-changing.

The first highlight of the itinerary is the ancient city of Sravasti, where the Buddha passed the greater part of his monastic life at the Jetavana Monastery at its borders. His hut, the Gandhakuti, as well as the holy Anandabodhi tree, still stands within the ruins. It was also here that he performed the twin miracle, producing flames and streams of water from various sides of his body. Those familiar with the enchanting Jataka tales will also recognise Sravasti as the site where the ruthless mass murderer Angulimala, who collected his victims' severed fingers on a necklace, was reformed. The Buddha intercepted him while he was on his way to claim his mother as his thousandth victim, whereupon Angulimala renounced his ways and joined the Buddhist order as a monk. Devotees today still regularly visit this sacred site to chant and meditate.

The next stop is Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Born into the royal family as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, he was shielded by his father from the sufferings of the world until he was 29. On his first visit to his subjects however, the Prince witnessed disease, death and old age, and decided to leave the material world in order to pursue the life of an ascetic. His lifelong spiritual journey ends in Kushinagar, where the Buddha finally left his earthly body and attained parinirvana, or the complete release from karma and the cycle of rebirth.

Perhaps the most famous of the four traditional Buddhist pilgrimage sites is Bodhgaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment. After a period of starvation and emaciation, he sat beneath the Bodhi tree and meditated for 49 days before finally achieving enlightenment. The tree still stands today in the Mahabodhi Temple, a stunning amalgamation of Gupta and Dravidian architecture. Nearby is the Sujata Temple, commemorating the woman who offered the Lord alms during his period of self-mortification and led to his discovery of the Middle Way.

The pilgrimage ends in Sarnath, where the Buddha first preached the dharma, giving a discourse on the Noble Eightfold Path and elucidating the Four Noble Truths which lead to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is also where the Buddhist sangha, or the monastic community of ordained monks and nuns, was first formed with the enlightenment of his first disciple Kaundinya.

Ms Sheryl Lim, Regional Director of Asia for Insight Vacations, shared, "Many sophisticated Asian travellers are looking for a meaningful travel experience that allows them to rejuvenate themselves and find inner tranquillity. As one of the few Buddhist cultural tours conducted in English with professional local guides, Insight Vacations' In the Footsteps of Lord Buddha offers visitors a chance to truly rediscover and understand their spiritual roots."

Another Insight Vacations itinerary to the beautiful subcontinent of India is the 8-day Insight GOLD Wonders of the Taj & Tiger, on which travellers live like the maharajahs of old while exploring India's exciting Moghul heritage and Raj history.

Book and pay in full for the 12-day In the Footsteps of Lord Buddha (US$3,468) and 8-day Wonders of the Taj & Tiger (US$ 4,408) land tours before 31 August 2013 to enjoy savings of up to US$200 per person. Citibank cardholders will also receive an exclusive 28" trolley luggage if they spend over S$6,000 on Insight Vacations land tours and associated airfare.

For more information, please contact 6922 5950 / 6338 7338, email info@insightvacations.com.sg or see www.insightvacations.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow them on Twitter (@InsightVacation) or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/InsightVacations).

About Insight Vacations

Founded in 1978, Insight Vacations is Europe's premier escorted tour operator with offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and the UK. Insight provides premium escorted coach journeys throughout Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, North America and the Indian subcontinent. "The Art of Touring in Style" lies at the very heart of Insight's philosophy. Its travel programs are specially designed to showcase each destination while indulging guests with impeccable service standards. Uniquely, Insight delivers exceptional quality, unequalled value, and unforgettable escorted vacations that allow guests time to enjoy personal freedom while holidaying, at levels currently unrivalled elsewhere. Insight's international team of travel professionals plays host to over 100,000 guests each year. The company has appointed specialist travel agents throughout Asia in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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