Pilgrimages are a fast-growing phenomenon. In Europe and beyond, shrines associated with healing, beauty, peace and prayer are attracting record numbers of visitors, and people are increasingly taking time out of their busy lives for a journey of enlightenment.

Over 2 million people are expected to visit the Turin Shroud this year, and the Spanish pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela is celebrating a Holy Year with over 250,000 expected on July 25th.

Katie Derham travels to Santiago where she talks to the pilgrims, shares their stories, and touches the cloak of St James, as so many have done before.

She also gets advice on sustaining the pilgrim's appetite from Rick Stein, and meets the man who runs Santiago's pilgrims website.

We hear from listeners Duncan and Christopher Neil as they take a very special father and son pilgrimage to Iona.

And we also consider what is involved in the modern pilgrimage and how secular pilgrimages can in their own way be just as fulfilling.

Producer: David Prest
A Just Radio and Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4. Show less