Testimonials

Anne of Green Gables

“I have loved “Anne of Green Gables” since childhood and it had always been a dream of mine to visit Prince Edward Island. It wasn’t a trip I would ever put together myself so I immediately jumped on the chance to join the Anne pilgrimage as soon as it was announced. The theme of friendship wasn’t just relevant to the book—it was something that every pilgrim was sitting on in so many different ways. Coming together in meaningful conversation in such an idyllic and serene setting made this experience so unforgettable. I felt so well taken care of by the Common Ground team and I know I am walking away from this experience with lifelong friends.”

“This experience was all I hoped it would be and more. The level of care and community built in a short span of time by coming together with a shared interest, walking & talking deeply, encouraged by the practices and ethos of the pilgrimage, was more than a wee bit magical. The faculty and staff did an amazing job and it was incredibly special to ‘walk in the shoes’ of a beloved character. If I could repeat the trip, I would not hesitate to do so.”

“By the end of the trip I felt like I had a community of people who fully embraced all parts of me and allowed me to be fully myself. I met a new version of myself that I hope to see again soon”

A Duke by Default

“It is an uncommon gift to spend time in such a diverse, judgement-free space to discuss the things that are most important to us. I'm grateful to Common Ground Pilgrimages for creating space and rituals that forge connection, invite introspection and risk-taking, and foster exploration of meaningful texts in community.”

A Room With A View

“A truly amazing experience. Discussing a fabulous book with smart people and thoughtful guides in a gorgeous setting. Just a dream combination. And the food was just terrific. Grazie to all who make this trip happen.”

“A Common Ground pilgrimage is an experience that feeds your body, your mind, your heart, and your soul. Each trip has its own distinct character, but I always come away filled with joy and connected to thoughtful, delightful people.”

Frankenstein

“If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate! This trip has transformed my thinking on reading, talking, and just existing in community with each other. This week of walking, talking and reading stories together was a much needed reset button after a tough few years.”

“Sometimes you need to travel halfway around the world to find yourself again. If you love intellectually stimulating conversations, hiking in stunning places with supportive peers who won't leave you behind, and delicious meals that are all exquisitely managed by the Common Ground team, then do yourself a favor and join a pilgrimage. I will for sure be back for more!”

Harry Potter

“This trip surpassed my highest expectations for how meaningful and delightful the time away from "normal life" would be. The walks were breathtakingly beautiful, the conversations with an incredible group of pilgrims were insightful, thought-provoking and amazingly vulnerable. The food and location were both amazing. And needless to say the presence of the OG hosts Casper and Vanessa gave the whole trip an electric vibe, like we were in the podcast come to life. Truly life-changing experience”

“Reading and walking are my favorite things, so I knew I’d enjoy this experience. I was, however, wary of reading and walking with other people, especially after two years of complete isolation. It turns out that the other people were my favorite parts of the trip because everyone was so gracious and kind. I’ve never felt more at peace within myself as I did with this loving group of individuals. Final scores, if I had to score: Sacred reading, 10. Hiking, 10. The people, 11.”

“This trip was a truly transformative experience. The retreat really encourages thoughtful contemplation and I left with a different perspective on the world around me, and there was balance between engaging in sacred practices and having downtime to bond with the other participants. Plus, getting to be in a room full of Harry Potter book nerds is always a treat.”

“The team behind Common Ground is amazing. They were able to work with me and my financial situation so I was able to go on a Pilgrimage without incurring any debt. Once I got there, I felt welcomed into a family I had never met before and was able to deep dive into a text that had meant the absolute world to me. The food was amazing, the walks were fantastic, the hotel was beautiful, everything about this experience is the good memories and happy thoughts that Patronuses are made of. I'm so, so, so grateful I was able to go and have this experience.”

Jane Eyre

“The pilgrimage left me with a deeper understanding of Jane Eyre, brought up questions/emotions I didn’t know I had or had forgotten in the humdrum of everyday life, and am 20+ friends richer. In some ways I feel like the pilgrimage is just starting, and I’m so glad and grateful to have taken this leap.”

“If you’re considering saying yes to a Common Ground trip, do it wholeheartedly. The leadership of this organization is outstanding in every way—you will walk, reflect, connect, and be encouraged beyond your wildest musings. Trust the process of pilgrimage, lean into the sacred practices that are designed for true intentionality and meaning making, and open yourself to the kindred spirits you are sure to find as you explore a beloved (or complicated) text with sacred practices. Have hope lead your choice.”

“I’m always wary of going into events with high expectations, but with this trip it was somewhat inevitable - a book I loved, hosted by a person I’ve been listening to (and falling in love with) for years; in a beautiful place among nature and wildlife, in a cottage, in a foreign land. And yet somehow, it still managed to exceed all my expectations, because while I was prepared for some of the physical realities, the spiritual and personal experience was impossible to prepare for. ”

Little Women

“I was so apprehensive about this trip and it ended up being the most significant thing I’ve ever done. I returned home with more knowledge about my favorite book, more appreciation for the author, and with twenty new friends. I feel I’m a more confident person because I took this chance and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. I can’t wait to travel with Common Ground again!”

Northanger Abbey

“A good book, great food, and warm company--these are all things I found on my journey to Bath. I've been wanting to join a pilgrimage for a couple of years now, and I'm so glad I finally did it (though now I'm a little sad about the ones I missed). Lots of repeat pilgrims are a sign that these trips are fantastic and not to be missed. The moment I got home, I started planning my next pilgrimage with Common Ground (and inviting my friends to join me). Cannot wait to do it again!”

Persuasion

“These pilgrimages are so deeply meaningful and have become essential for my mental well-being. I might have to schedule at least one per year, ensuring Vanessa, Julia, and the whole team get quite tired of seeing me year after year!”

Pride & Prejudice

“This pilgrimage was a masterclass in intentional design and radical hospitality. Every detail—from the flow of the days to the way space was held for reflection—was crafted with such care. I left restored, reconnected to what matters most, and inspired by how belonging can be built through shared experience.”

“The trip was transformative, and I'm trying so hard to keep a hold on all the feelings and thoughts and experiences and people I encountered along the way. It was more than a book group of literary enthusiasts, and it was more than just walking. Somehow, the staff and the pilgrims created something else entirely, and I can't wait to do it again!”

“This pilgrimage was a balm for my soul. I got to spend five days with the most amazing people who loved the same things as I did. We were able to share ourselves and our passions and be inspired by each other. 10/10 would pilgrimage again.”

“The P&P pilgrimage was a birthday gift to myself, and it exceeded my expectations. I knew the other pilgrims would be kindred spirits in our love for the novel and author, but I found deeper connections than just literary taste. I knew the Peak District would be scenic, but it took my breath away with its idyllic rolling hills and sweeping hues of green. Being in community with this group and setting aside time to delve into individual words from a favorite story were luxuries I didn’t know I needed, but I felt so renewed and enriched as a result. Thank you!”

“Amazing experience with a caring, compassionate and committed team of people truly passionate about the work they do. If I could, I would become a “groupie,” participating in as many of these experiences as I could. Thank you for an experience I will carry with me always.”

“This was a totally transcendent experience. I like walking. I love reading. I knew it would be a unique and fun adventure, but it really exceeded my expectations.”

Rebecca

“As Vanessa frames for us on day one, these trips allow you to live ‘as if’ and embody the possible and the true of who you are, all while in company of a rich text and fellow humans.”

“New friends and meaningful conversation amidst beautiful scenery, and an excuse to reread my favorite book—what more could I ask for?”

Remains of the Day

“This pilgrimage was the greatest gift. I came back from the trip feeling a deeper sense of connection, gratitude and optimism. The careful curation of every element of the 5 days created a once in a lifetime experience that filled my intellectual, spiritual and physical coffers for years to come.”

Taylor Swift

“I loved the way the Common Ground team so intentionally created space for deep connection and rest. The pilgrimage experience felt so immersive. I had forgotten that feeling I used to have at summer camp where you can be fully present with the place and people around you, because all the logistics are taken care of and normal life distractions are stripped away. I want more of that in my life, so I already signed up for my next pilgrimage.”

To The Lighthouse

“Common Ground pilgrimages are a unique, precious opportunity to put your life on pause, immerse yourself in a specific text and a specific place, and emerge clear-eyed and bright-hearted.”

“At the beginning of this pilgrimage, I knew that there would be walking, talking, and reading. I didn’t expect to meet a group of the kindest and most generous people I’ve ever encountered. I didn’t expect to feel fully at home in my body for the first time as I ran up a chalky white cliff overlooking the sea. I didn’t expect that reading in community would be a thousand times more fun, funny, and rewarding than reading as a solitary exercise. My undying gratitude to everyone who made this trip happen—thanks for walking with me.”

Upstream

“By participating in a Common Ground pilgrimage, you’re committing to a life-changing experience unlike any other. This team does such a phenomenal job of crafting such thoughtful, meaningful, and artfully designed experiences that are meant to connect each pilgrim more deeply with themselves, each other, and the setting they are visiting. The practice of connecting a piece of text/media with a space and treating that experience as sacred is magical. 10/10, would recommend to any and everyone wondering if they should sign up!”

Wuthering Heights

“There is no amount of reading Wikipedia, looking at online images, watching YouTube videos, or anything else that could have allowed me to understand the moors the way that actually walking over them did. For hours each day, sometimes in conversation and sometimes in silence, in the rain, through bogs, against the wind, we walked the land that Emily Brontë and her sisters did, the land where she imagined Cathy and Heathcliff running towards and away from each other. Yes, reading takes you places, but if you can actually go to those places you'll understand what you're reading on a whole other level.”