THE EMPATHY SCHOOL
For people interested in our planet and connections to the humans living on it.
Cross Cultural Journeys provides socially and environmentally responsible travel experiences for individuals and organizations interested in global awareness, indigenous wisdoms and societies at the crossroads.
Cross Cultural Journeys and Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation - a partnership for a more sustainable way of traveling
Whether you book yourself on one of our open enrollment trips, or book a private journey for your party of 5 or more, Cross Cultural Journeys allocates a percentage (depending on trip cost and size of group) to our sister nonprofit, the Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation.
All of the global projects CCJF sponsors either have a social justice component - typically focusing on youth education - and/or focus on sustainability efforts that help mitigate climate change and its impacts on the planet and its people. Common for all such projects is that they are started and run by local people who live there. They know their needs and we support them in achieving their goals.
ICELAND
Geology, Mythology and the Northern Lights
November 9 - 14, 2021
$3,195
Iceland is a country of stark yet beautiful contrasts. Formed by volcanos and tectonic plates, the land can be harsh, yet it is home to towering fjords, spectacular waterfalls and steaming clear hot spring lagoons. Currently known as a place that celebrates environmental protection and women's rights, it has a strong religious history that stretches back to the first century AD. Scientifically minded, the Icelandic people retain a strong connection to the folklore and mythology that resonates in their landscapes and the culture. In every fjord and rock formation lurks a story and every legend still holds sway even in the modern world. Iceland manages to marry the ancient with the new, the myths with the contemporary, creating a cultural rich and geographically astounding experience. In the dead of winter, there are 17 hours of dark night, yet it boasts of the planet's best natural fireworks, the Aurora Borealis, that lights up the sky in otherworldly colorful magnificence.
CUBA
Havana Jazz Fest 2022
Havana, Matanzas
January 15 - 22, 2022
$3,995
Experience the 2022 Havana Jazz Festival - a one of a kind music experience never to forget! Held annually since 1979, the festival is a six-day feast of spellbinding performances by some of the best musicians in the world. Meet local musicians and artists as you take in the historical and cultural wonders of Havana, Cuba's gritty, bustling capital.
MOROCCO
Imperial Cities, Mountains and Desert
March 19 - 30, 2022
$3,495
Join CCJ president Cilla Utne and our Moroccan guide Abdou on a "flying carpet" adventure across Morocco. One of the most diverse African countries, Morocco is home to majestic high mountains, sweeping desert dunes, rugged and fertile coastline, and labyrinthine alleyways in historic medina cities and open air markets.
SCOTLAND
Wild Highlands
Heart, Soul and Spirit
2022 dates coming soon
$3,995
Join us on a journey into the beating heart of Scottish culture and a unique encounter with the soul of the wild highlands. Travel from the Edinburgh Festival to our ‘highland home’ at Eagle Rock – an award-winning, eco-luxury lodge situated in the small village and six thousand year old Sanctuary of Applecross. Day trip to the magical Isle of Skye, with its green-blue Fairy Pools, and castles drenched in historical drama. And of course a whisky distillery tour, and endless views of hills and lochs that will take your breath away!
GUATEMALA
Time, Space and the Maya
2022 dates coming soon
$3,395
Join CCJ CEO Cilla Utne on our next CCJ Signature Series to the highlands of Guatemala, where we will learn about the Mayan ancient view of time and space through the teachings of the Mayan calendar. Through rituals and fire ceremonies we will get an understanding of the indigenous ways of living in harmony with Earth.
Private Journeys
Flexible dates
Price depends on group size and length of trip
Soccer trip to England? Family reunion? Corporate incentive trip? Weather it is a soccer club or a family reunion, Cross Cultural Journeys can customize an cultural immersion and people-to-people experience for a group of up to 40 people, to the destination of your choice, tailored just for you and your interests!
INDIA
Spiritual Pilgrimages
Kerala, Delhi, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Mansurpur
POSTPONED to 2023 (dates TBA)
$4,795
Join us on a deep dive into the culture and people of India. The journey will take us to the retreat center AyurSoma Ayurvedic Resort & Clinic and the backwaters of Kerala in the South; to Agra (Taj Mahal), Varanasi, and (or) Rishikesh in the North.
Birthday coming up?
Treat a loved one to a gift card to redeem for one of CCJ's 2021 or 2022 open enrollment journeys!
Cross Cultural Journeys and COVID-19
Cross Cultural Journeys is carefully monitoring the worldwide pandemic, and will resume travel only when it's deemed safe to do so.
For anybody joining Cross Cultural Journeys open enrollment retreats and journeys in 2021 and 2022, we will require that you at the time of departure can show either a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 48 hours prior to departure OR proof of full COVID vaccination. We will also kindly ask that you bring your favorite mask and un-scented hand-sanitizer.
To review how the COVID situation is developing in each of our destinations, please follow the WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard.
