Key Steps

Step 1

Participate in a McCabe Introductory Pilgrimage

Next available Introductory Pilgrimage yet to be announced.

For our church groups we invite members of clergy pilgrimage organisers to come and see the Holy Land. We will show you rather than tell you! The cost of this experience is heavily subsidised in the hope that you lead a future pilgrim party consisting of a minimum of 16 people. A McCabe introductory experience is conducted in the same way as a parish pilgrimage and is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to lead your own parish or community on pilgrimage. This is also an opportunity to meet McCabe staff and our partners in the Holy Land.

Step 2

Decide when you want to travel

Twelve to fifteen months preparation time is normal though we can accommodate shorter time periods if you feel the interest is there. Dates to travel will be influenced by factors such as your church calendar, school holidays and perhaps the length of time potential pilgrims will need to save. Consider planning your pilgrimage to celebrate an anniversary or other event in the life of your church. Ideal pilgrimage months are February to June and September to November, avoiding school holidays which can affect cost and availability.

Step 3

Discuss your itinerary with McCabe

We encourage input from the Group Leader regarding worship and the ‘feel’ of the pilgrimage or tour. We then produce a detailed itinerary incorporating your ideas. All created from our more than 40 years of experience travelling with church, faith, social and special interest groups to many countries across the world, as well as at home in the UK. These itineraries are created with the needs of your groups interests, requirements and budget in mind. At this stage, we make initial reservations with the airline and hotels.

You can see example itineraries of the Holy Land here.

You can find itineraries to other destinations here.

Step 4

Your personalised pilgrimage or tour brochure

McCabe will produce a personalised brochure containing the agreed itinerary, hotel details, the tour cost and all the information required to make a reservation. We will print as many brochures and posters as you require and more can be sent by return of post at any time. Once the brochure is published the pilgrimage/tour will take on a momentum of its own and firm dates and price will prompt people to pay a deposit. Flights need to be paid when booked and getting a minimum group of 15 together early secures the best possible flight prices and avoids possible additional charges for higher flight prices when booking later. Therefore you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by booking early.

Plan a brochure distribution among your followers and perhaps a meeting to launch the project.

Step 5

McCabe does the administration

You can choose to collect booking forms and deposits in the first instance so that you can keep a record of who is travelling or guests can book with us direct to save you the hassle and we then provide regular booking updates at 10, eight, six and four months before departure so you can see who has booked. You then send the booking forms and deposit cheques immediately after receiving to McCabe in freepost envelopes that we provide. From that point on, McCabe takes over the administration and deals directly with your people. You are not required to do any banking of cheques or corresponding with your pilgrims unless you wish to. We make it as hassle free as possible.

On receipt of the booking form and deposit, we send each traveller confirmation of their place on the pilgrimage. Two weeks before the final balance is due at 12 weeks before departure we send a final invoice and collect balance payments. Two weeks before you leave we send travel documents to each participant.

In the event that McCabe withdraws a departure due to insufficient numbers you have no financial liability. McCabe follows all Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office for all our departures. We have experience

Step 6

Group Leaders’ information

Before departure, we send you a comprehensive briefing pack containing passenger lists, local telephone numbers, details of your guide, tipping recommendations and notes on every aspect of the pilgrimage designed to keep you well informed and one step ahead of your party! You will also receive the same documentation that your group receive so you are aware of what is detailed.

Step 7

You are not alone!

A McCabe airport representative will meet you at your departure airport and assist with check-in formalities. On arrival in your destination, you will be met by your expert Local Guide who will accompany you throughout your pilgrimage. Our partners in your destination as well as the McCabe office have 24 hour emergency numbers that you will be provided with.