St Paul – The Apostle to the Gentiles – PFP

With quality accommodation, included sightseeing, time for Mass, prayer and reflection, and a relaxed touring pace, this special pilgrimage brings the remarkable story of our Christian faith vividly to life.

Tour commences Athens and concludes Rome.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tuesday: Athens

Arrive in Athens, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. There is time to settle in and relax before joining your fellow travellers for dinner.

This evening, we begin our pilgrimage with a special welcome devotion introducing the missionary journeys of St Paul and the remarkable story that will unfold as we visit many of the places associated with his ministry.

Accommodation: Athens Gate Hotel or similar. D

Day 2 – Wednesday: Athens & Mars Hill

Today we discover ancient Athens, beginning with a guided visit to the magnificent Acropolis, one of the great landmarks of the ancient world.

A particularly meaningful moment follows at the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, where St Paul addressed the people of Athens and spoke of the “Unknown God”, as recorded in Acts 17.

Standing here, with views across the ancient city, gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Paul’s courage and the beginnings of Christianity in Greece. B,D

Day 3 – Thursday: Ancient Corinth

We travel to Corinth, where St Paul lived and preached for around 18 months, establishing one of the most important early Christian communities.

Explore the fascinating archaeological site and walk amongst the remains of this once-prosperous Roman city. As we visit the places associated with Paul’s ministry, we reflect on his letters to the Corinthians and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the first Christians.

We return to Athens later in the day. B,D

Day 4 – Friday: Ephesus

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Türkiye and continue to the remarkable ancient city of Ephesus.

One of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean, Ephesus played an important role in St Paul’s missionary work. Walk along its ancient streets and see impressive landmarks, including the Library of Celsus and the vast Great Theatre, where events associated with Paul are recorded in Acts 19.

It is an extraordinary place where the world of the New Testament can still be vividly imagined.

Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar. B,D

Day 5 – Saturday: House of the Virgin Mary

This morning we visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, traditionally believed to be where Mary spent her final years. Set amongst wooded hills above Ephesus, this sacred place offers a lovely opportunity for quiet prayer and personal reflection.

We continue our exploration of the region’s important early Christian sites, including ancient ruins and basilicas that reveal how Christianity grew and flourished here during the centuries that followed St Paul. B,D

Day 6 – Sunday: Istanbul

Today we continue to Istanbul, one of the world’s great historic cities. Formerly Constantinople, the city became the heart of the Byzantine Empire and played an enormously important role in the development of Christianity.

Our sightseeing includes the magnificent Hagia Sophia, whose extraordinary history stretches back more than 1,500 years. As we explore Istanbul, we discover another chapter in the story of Christianity and its spread across different cultures and empires.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet or similar. B,D

Day 7 – Monday: Istanbul

We have a free day in Istanbul today. Tonight, we enjoy a cruise and dinner on the Bosphorus and experience the beauty of Istanbul by night. B,D

Day 8 – Tuesday: Istanbul to Rome

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for our flight to Rome, the city where St Paul spent the final years of his life and where both St Peter and St Paul were martyred.

On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for a three-night stay, giving us time to enjoy Rome at a comfortable pace. This evening, we gather for dinner and reflect on the next chapter of our pilgrimage as we follow St Paul to the Eternal City.

Accommodation: Hotel Colonna Palace or similar. B,D

Day 9 – Wednesday: The Vatican & St Peter’s Basilica

Today is devoted to the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church – Vatican City.

We visit magnificent St Peter’s Basilica, built over the traditional burial place of St Peter. Inside, see Michelangelo’s beautiful Pietà, the great dome and the tombs of the Popes.

We also visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of religious art. There will be time for prayer and quiet reflection during our visit.

Where the Vatican schedule permits, we can also include a Papal Audience if our day in Rome coincides with an audience. B,D

Day 10 – Thursday: St Paul & Christian Rome

Today we follow the story of St Paul to its conclusion, beginning at the magnificent Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, built over the traditional burial place of the Apostle.

We continue to the impressive Archbasilica of St John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome, before visiting the nearby Holy Stairs, traditionally associated with Christ’s Passion.

Another moving experience is our visit to one of Rome’s ancient Catacombs, where early Christians buried their dead and where the underground passages offer a fascinating insight into Christianity during the Roman era.

Our day also includes St Mary Major, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas and one of the city’s most beautiful and important places of Christian worship. B,D

Day 11 – Friday: Rome to Assisi – St Francis

After breakfast, we leave the bustle of Rome behind and travel through the beautiful countryside of Umbria to Assisi, one of Christianity’s most treasured pilgrimage destinations.

Here our focus turns to St Francis, whose simple message of faith, peace and compassion continues to inspire people throughout the world.

We visit the magnificent Basilica of St Francis, where the saint is buried. There will be time for prayer and reflection, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Assisi’s medieval streets and squares. B,D

Day 12 – Saturday: Assisi – St Francis, St Clare & Carlo Acutis

A full day allows us to experience Assisi without rushing.

Visit the beautiful Basilica of St Clare, home to the tomb of St Clare and the San Damiano Cross associated with St Francis.

We continue to San Damiano, where Francis is traditionally believed to have heard Christ calling him to rebuild His Church. This peaceful sanctuary later became home to St Clare and her community.

Another highlight is the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built around the tiny Porziuncola Chapel, one of the places most closely associated with St Francis.

We also visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, associated with the dramatic moment when the young Francis renounced his worldly possessions. Today, the sanctuary is also an important pilgrimage destination associated with St Carlo Acutis, whose devotion and use of modern technology to share his faith have inspired Catholics around the world.

There will be time during the day for Mass, prayer and personal reflection. B,D

Day 13 – Sunday: Assisi to Rome

After Mass, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before leaving Assisi and travelling back to Rome.

Rather than heading directly to the airport, we enjoy a final night in the Eternal City. This provides a much more relaxed conclusion to our pilgrimage and avoids the pressure of travelling from Assisi to Rome to connect with an international flight on the same day.

Depending on our arrival time, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy a final stroll through Rome, visit a favourite church or simply relax at our hotel.

This evening, we gather for a special Farewell Dinner, sharing memories of the remarkable places, experiences and friendships that have been part of our journey. B,D

Day 14 – Monday: Rome

After breakfast, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for onward flights.

Our pilgrimage has followed an extraordinary path through the history of Christianity. We return home with treasured memories, new friendships and a deeper understanding of the people, places and events that helped shape the Christian faith. B