Wine, chocolate and sweets – the unexpected delights of a visit to a monastery

 

BUCKFAST, Devon, 2024-Jul-29 — /Travel PR News/ — It might seem a contradiction for holidaymakers in search of fine foods and intriguing wines to head for Britain and Continental Europe’s monasteries and abbeys but, in fact, many have a tradition of brewing, confectionary-making and crafts stretching back many centuries. A leading holiday expert says that spiritual destinations and spirits seem to make a perfect mix.

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from Monasteries.com, says: ‘Whether you are holidaying in the UK or Europe, many monasteries are rightly famed for their handcrafted wines, beers, chocolates, spirits, cheeses and confectionary. It’s a tradition that dates back many centuries, to a time when most abbeys, monasteries and convents had to be entirely self-sufficient.

‘While the modern perception is that monks and nuns lead a frugal lifestyle, many religious establishments, in fact, continue to make wonderful drinks and foods famed both locally and internationally.

Buckfast’s tonic: In the UK, one famous example is Buckfast Abbey, not far from Torquay in Devon. A Benedictine abbey existed in Buckfast in 1018 and a stone abbey was built in the 1100s. It was closed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries but the remains were incorporated into a new monastery founded by French Benedictine monks in 1882. Like earlier monasteries, Buckfast Abbey is entirely self-sufficient and one of its most famous products is its remarkable tonic wine.

‘Legend has it that in 1892, the nephew of one of the French monks visited Buckfast Abbey and brought the secret recipe with him. The wine is infused with caffeine and fortified with additional nutrients. It has gained a slightly infamous reputation over the years, as the mixture of wine and caffeine is quite potent, yet it remains a beloved staple for many.

‘To really enter into the atmosphere of a visit to a working Benedictine monastery, it’s possible to stay in a number of religious establishments on your journey south-west. For example, in Salisbury you can stay at Sarum College, run by a Church of England Benedictine community and offering a friendly stay in historic buildings just opposite Salisbury Cathedral, within its 80-acre Close.

‘A number of other religious establishments across the UK also make their own beers, wines, spirits, cheeses and other products. Travellers to mainland Europe can also stay in many of the most famous monasteries that continue to produce world-famous drinks and foods.

The chocolates of the Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Paix: Straddling the French border in the Belgian province of Hainaut, the medieval city of Chimay is famed for its Trappist beers and cheeses. At Chimay’s Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Paix, the sisters and nuns craft food, clothing and candles from natural products. Delicious organic almond cookies are among the specialties and come in many delicious flavours including cinnamon, chocolate and orange peel.

‘Visitors can book a stay in the Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Paix. Its tranquil setting is the perfect base for exploring Chimay, Hainaut and the beautiful Belgian countryside.

Monastero Santo Spirito’s sweet Sicilian delights:  The ancient city of Agrigento is famous for two things: the magnificent 5th-century BC monuments of the Valley of the Temples and the exquisite nut-based sweets that are typical of this part of Sicily. The area is renowned for its historic confectionary tradition, which includes almond cookies, pistachio couscous and dolci misti (assorted sweets). Since at least the 13^th century, the nuns of Monastero Santo Spirito have been crafting delicious pastries and confections that combine traditional Sicilian ingredients with North African recipes.

‘Happily, it is possible to stay in the Cistercian Monastica Santo Spirito Guesthouse, ideally situated in the heart of the enchanting city.

Monte Pacis’ Sacred Wine: On the stunning Kaunas Lagoon peninsula in central Lithuania, wine-making has long been an art form. Since the 17th century, the Pažaislis Monastery’s Sisters of Saint Casimir have been producing wines that reflect the region’s unique landscape and climate and their commitment to their craft.

‘Visitors can stay at Monte Pacis’ own four-star hotel and restaurant, founded in the still functioning Pažaislis monastery. It boasts stunning Baroque architecture in an amazing natural landscape, making it one of the most memorable accommodation experiences in the Baltic region.

‘Booking a stay in an abbey or monastery that offers a tradition of great food or wines and spirits is surprisingly easy. The unique accommodation site Monasteries.com provides a booking platform for religious orders with stays across mainland Europe, Great Britain and Ireland. To discover more about the many foods and crafts products made in monasteries and how to stay in them, see Monasteries.com’s new guide at: https://www.monasteries.com/en-GB/travel-inspiration/craft-contemplation-products-made-in-monasteries

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