back to Greece

Greece

With Hugh-John Wilson: In The Footsteps of St. Paul from Philippi to Corinth

Prices from £3,260 pp

Single Supplement £780

Next available tour: Call for Details

Tour leader: Call for Details

St Paul is one of the towering figures of our Christian faith. He always seems to elicit profound emotions in those who are followers of Jesus, with some seeing him as a forward-thinking visionary, whilst others dismiss him as a somewhat bigoted and rigid personality.

We invite you to travel with us in the footsteps of St Paul, from landing in the northern port of Neapolis to preaching his famous sermon introducing the unknown God in Athens. We travel the length of Greece visiting Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens and Corinth and offer worship in some ancient and very special locations. As well as the Pauline sites and the history of Ancient Greece we see stunning landscapes as we journey through the Pindus Mountain Range to the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal and stay in the heart of Athens.

Highlights include the Meteora Monasteries; Delphi where the Oracle was consulted by both states and individuals and highlighted the religious background to St. Paul’s preaching of the gospel; from the Acropolis walk down to the site of St. Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (Aeropagus) where Paul had a mixed reception in making known the ‘Unknown God’. As we travel, we see how St Paul’s life and journeys enabled faith in the Resurrection of Jesus to spread beyond the confines of the Holy Land to the ends of earth.

Travel to London: Hugh-John Wilson will arrange coach travel from Haverfordwest and the M4 corridor to London with an overnight stay at the airport on 27 April and returning on 7 May. For anyone who is interested, he will advise the cost as soon as it is known. 

Click to view slideshow

Itinerary

  1. To Greece

    Early flight from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. We then drive to Kavala (previously the ancient port of Neapolis) where Paul landed arriving from Troas on his way to Philippi.

  2. Philippi & Lydia

    This morning, we visit Philippi, the first city in Europevisited by Paul and the city where he and Silas were imprisoned. The church of Philippi was perhaps the most supportive of all to Paul (Philippians 4). We then drive to Lydia where we share Holy Communion beside the stream, where Lydia of Thyatira was baptised, the first recorded baptism in Europe. Drive to Thessaloniki.

  3. Thessaloniki

    This morning our visits include St Demetrius Basilica, the largest church in Greece, and Agia Sophia, with its 10th Century mosaics. We will also see the White Tower and drive to the highest point to view the city. We have the afternoon free in Thessaloniki before retuning to our hotel for dinner.

  4. Verghina

    Morning visit to Verghina followed by a dramatic drive up a mountain to visit the very modern Monastery of St. John the forerunner high above Larissa. Here we will meet with the nuns and learn about their life in this very outgoing and welcoming monastic community. This afternoon we’ll drive to Kalambaka for a one night stay.

  5. Meteora

    This morning we travel to the breathtaking landscape of Meteora, where ancient monasteries rise dramatically from towering rock formations, creating one of the most striking spiritual sites in the world. Built high atop natural stone pillars, these

    remote sanctuaries have served as places of prayer, solitude, and refuge for centuries. We’ll explore two of the monasteries, each offering a glimpse into the rich tradition of Orthodox monastic life. Inside, we’ll find beautiful chapels adorned with centuries-old frescoes, peaceful courtyards, and stunning views over the Thessalian plain. After this memorable experience, we drive to Preveza and check into our hotel

  6. Nikopolis

    This morning we travel to the archaeological site of Nikopolis, founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Known as the “City of Victory,” Nikopolis became an important centre of early Christianity and is mentioned in the New Testament writings of St. Paul. We explore the ruins of the ancient city, including sections of the Roman walls, a wellpreserved theatre, Roman villas with mosaic floors and the impressive early Christian basilicas. A short walk brings us to the Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis, where artefacts from the site help bring the city’s rich history to life. This visit offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of Roman imperial power and the spread of the Christian faith in Greece. Drive to Delphi.

  7. Delphi

    This morning we have a tour of Delphi. Deeply engraved on the record of Greek history, Delphiwas a place of incalculable religious and political importance which attracted pilgrims from all over the Hellenic world. Here the Oracle was consulted by both states and individuals; it highlights the religious background to St. Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Walk around the sights and be guided as your guide brings this ancient site to life.

    This afternoon we leave for Athens, stopping at the Hosios Loukas Monastery meaning “Esteemed Saint Luke”, not built in honour of Luke the Evangelist, but was established by the Greek monk Loukas. He was buried in the crypt of the monastery when he died in AD 953. Attached to the abbey is a large church, Katholikon, which in its turn is attached to a smaller temple, or Theotokos, erected between 997 and 1011 to honour the Virgin Mary. The temples are beautifully decorated with numerous frescoes and mosaics, all preserved.

  8. Athens

    A full day tour of Athens. Athens for many is thecradle of civilization and democracy, although there are few remains of the former glories of the 5th Century BC. We visit the Acropolis, the foremost site of Classical Greece, with the Parthenon. We walk down to the site of St Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus). Paul had a very mixed reception here in making known the ‘Unknown God’ (Acts 17). We then visit the Agora, the centre of public life in Athens at the time of St Paul and include time for shopping in the “Plaka”.

  9. Athens & Corinth

    This morning we visit Corinth. Paul stayed here for 18 months and is the patron saint of Korinthos and Corinthians and they built an impressive church in his honour. A short stop at the site of the ancient Port of Cenchreae, where St. Paul departed for Ephesus. After lunch we have free time in Athens to explore this vibrant city. Holy Communion will be celebrated during the course of the day.

  10. Home

    After breakfast transfer to Athens airport for our return flight back to London Gatwick. Return transport will be offered by Hugh-John Wilson at an extra cost.

    Please note the itinerary may subject to change due to local conditions and flights can also be subject  to alteration but are correct at the time of printing.

    There will be quite a bit of walking on this pilgrimage, these historic sights are best explored on foot.

Essential Information

The cost is £3,260 per person sharing a double or twin room with en-suite facilities.

One night in Kavala, is followed by two nights in Thessalonika, one night in Kalambaka, one night in Preveza and one night in Delphi.  The final three nights are spent in Athens.  Hotels are of a good standard and locally graded three and four stars.

The tour includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Touring is by air-conditioned coach and we will be accompanied by our tour guide who will look after the formalities of hotel check-ins, etc.

All entrance fees are included as well as gratuities; these will be disbursed locally to those who help us on our journey.

The tour price also includes return flights to Greece, flying from Gatwick. Baggage allowance and all airport and security charges are included.

Not included

Travel insurance: this is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We are partnered with Holiday Extras. See the back cover for details.

Single rooms: a limited number of single rooms are available at a supplementary cost of £780. For single travellers who do require single accommodation this should be requested when making a booking and, if a single room is available, the supplement will be payable. If you would like to share a twin room with another traveller please contact Hugh-John Wilson.

Completing your booking: please ensure that we have your full name (as per your passport) correct address, email address and contact telephone numbers as soon as your booking is confirmed. We will need your passport details no later than ten weeks before departure.

Special Requests: should be noted at the time of booking.

Payments: a non refundable deposit of £500 per person. The final balance is due 12 weeks before departure.

Late Bookings: please note that for bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

Final Travel Documents: will be sent to you two weeks before departure.

Mobility: our tours are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We are happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of this tour for your needs.

 

Practical information

Entry requirements

British Citizen and EU Citizen Passport holders can currently enter Greece freely with no restrictions or other documentation required. Stays within the EU can be up to 90 days (can be spread over multiple visits) within any 180-day period.

Please note your passport must be valid for six months after your return from Greece.

Full details of entry requirements and any required vaccinations will be detailed in your final paperwork 14 days before departure.

For the latest and most up to date travel advice including entry requirements please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office travel advice website.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Health & wellbeing

For travel within the EU you should ensure that you have the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is free of charge.  You can apply for the GHIC card by calling 0191 218 1999 or applying on line at…

www.nhs.uk/ghic

The level of cover offered by the GHIC card varies by country visited and is only applicable in state-run health facilities. In some countries coverage may just be a partial contribution.

Adequate insurance cover will be required for all hospital emergencies and doctors’ visits.

Climate

In Thessaloniki and Athens the average daily lowest and highest temperature range during your tour in October should be around 18-24 degrees centigrade. When travelling in the Pindus Mountains temperatures will be a few degrees cooler particularly in the mornings and evenings. Rainfall is rare at this time of year and usually just the odd short thunderstorm.

Clothing

Dress is cool and casual throughout your time in Greece. You may wish to take one or two smarter items for the evenings. Casual clothing is recommended in the day-time with evenings being smart/casual. As this tour requires a certain amount of gentle to intermediate walking, we suggest you take a pair of lined shoes or boots with decent grip. Sports shoes or trainers are fine as well as walking boots. It is advisable to bring just a couple of warmer items for the evenings as well as coastal walks where the wind may reduce the temperatures.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking, light undulations with just one or two steep sections but a number of stairs involved on a daily basis during your time in Greece so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guide will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up then please make sure you tell your Local Guide who can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Some streets in towns and villages that you will visit will be cobbled and ancient sites can have some uneven ground. We suggest you take a pair of comfortable shoes with good grips or trainers.  You must be prepared to be on your feet for up to 90 minutes without the necessity to sit down and walk up to a mile miles unaided. Hiking sticks are fine.

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Travel insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

You can read McCabe reviews on the AITO website here

Read reviews

Dates

Upcoming Pilgrimages

We have no tours scheduled to this destination at present.

Contact us

Send to a friend




    With Hugh-John Wilson: In The Footsteps of St. Paul from Philippi to Corinth

    Prices from £3,260 pp

    Read more

    Fellowship Tours

    A portfolio of tours with regular travellers in mind

    Read more