Poland &
Central Europe

Day 1: Depart USA

Our spiritual pilgrimage begins today as we board our transatlantic flight to Warsaw. 

 

Day 2: Arrive in Warsaw

Welcome to Poland. Upon arrival in Warsaw, we will be met at the airport and then transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to recover from our flight and explore the city on our own. B/D

 

Day 3: Warsaw

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where martyred Solidarity priest Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko worked and was buried. After Mass, we tour the city of Warsaw, starting at the Old Town with a walking tour: Barbican, Market Square, St. John's Cathedral, Royal Castle Square, and Royal Castle (exterior view). Lunch is on our own. Following lunch, we drive along the scenic Royal Route through the charming Nowy Swiat shopping street, mostly rebuilt after WWII, ending at Lazienki Park with its gardens, palaces, and Chopin Monument. We also visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum chronicling the Warsaw Uprising events that began on August 1, 1944. Using interactive displays featuring uprising weapons, love letters, actual footage, and many other artifacts, relive one of the most harrowing events in Polish history. Tonight, we have our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Warsaw. B/D

 

Day 4: Warsaw / Krakow 

Depart Warsaw this morning and drive to Czestochowa, which is the most popular pilgrimage site in Poland. Here we will visit the Jasna Gora Monastery, where we will see the Treasury, the Knight's Hall, the Refectory and the Basilica of the Holy Cross, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The highlight of our visit will be viewing the famous icon of the Black Madonna to which miraculous powers are attributed. After Mass, we will proceed to Auschwitz for a guided tour of the infamous death camp where millions were killed during World War II by the Nazis, including St. Maximillian Kolbe, who starved after volunteering life for that of a fellow prisoner. Continue to Krakow, our home for the next three nights. B/D

  

Day 5: Krakow    

Following breakfast, proceed to Wawel Hill and visit the Cathedral of St. Stanislaw, Poland's second most important pilgrimage shrine. Then visit Krakow's Old Town to see the central Market Square, the Church of St. Mary, Cloth Hall, City Hall Tower, and Kanonicza Street, where Pope John Paul II resided while living in Krakow. This afternoon we will visit the Divine Mercy Shrine in Lagiewniki, where Saint Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. Mass. B/D

 

Day 6: Krakow

This morning we will drive to the Wieliczka to visit Europe's oldest salt mine, which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We will then see Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a favourite Pilgrimage place for Pope John Paul II when he was a young man. In the 17th century, the Palatine of Krakow founded a Franciscan Monastery. Proceed to Wadowice to visit the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, including his childhood home, which is now a museum and the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. B/D

 

Day 7: Krakow / Prague 

Depart this morning for the Czech capital of Prague, one of Europe's most attractive capitals. En route, stop in Brno to visit the Old Town and the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. Upon arrival in Prague, one of Europe's most attractive cities. We will check-in at our local hotel. B/D

 

Day 8: Prague

Today we will enjoy a full-day tour of Prague, starting with a visit to Loreto Shrine, one of the most important pilgrimage shrines in the Czech Republic. Then visit Prague Castle, where we will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, the picturesque Golden Lane, the Royal Palace, and St. George's Convent. Then proceed to Mala Strana, "the Little Quarter," with its beautiful architectural buildings. Here we will visit the Church of St. Nicholas and then the Church of Our Lady Victorious, where we will see the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague and celebrate Mass. B/D

 

Day 9: Prague

This morning we will cross the Charles Bridge to visit the Old Town, which is considered one of the best historic city centers in Europe. Visit the Old Town Square, the Town Hall with its famous Astronomical Clock, which comes alive when the hour strikes and the twelve disciples appear to bless the crowd, the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, and the Church St. Nicholas. The remainder of the day is free for personal activities. B/D

 

Day 10: Prague / Budapest

This morning we will depart Prague and drive to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Here we will visit the picturesque Old Town, Michael's Gate, Bratislava Castle, and St. Martin's Cathedral. Then cross the border into Hungary and continue to lovely Budapest. B/D

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Day 11: Budapest

This morning we will visit Hero's Square, one of the largest and most inspiring spaces in Budapest, with its towering stone column and statue of the Archangel Gabriel. Then proceed to St. Stephe. Then continue to St. Stephen's Cathedral, where we will celebrate Mass. Next, discover the magic of Fishermen's Bastion, with its seven stone towers overlooking the famous river, and the distinctive Castle District with

St. Mathias Church. This evening enjoy dinner and a folklore show at a local restaurant. B/D

 

Day 12: Budapest

Walkthrough the Parliament Building, the center of the Hungarian government. We'll then be taken to visit Buda Castle Hill, a limestone plateau more than half a mile long, which is situated 557 feet above the Danube and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, we will enjoy a relaxing cruise on the scenic Danube and admire a panoramic view of this fantastic city from our boat. B/D

 

Day 13: Budapest / USA

This morning transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.