Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s) to Warsaw. Your meals will be served on board.

Welcome to Warsaw, Poland! Upon arrival, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where your tour guide and/-or driver will greet you. Transfer to your hotel. Following check-in at your hotel, your pilgrimage will officially begin with Mass. Following Mass, enjoy a delicious dinner and have the opportunity to explore the city of Warsaw before retiring for a restful overnight.

Your day will begin with breakfast, followed by Mass at St. James Church, iconic for its tower and square base. This church is where Helena Kowalska prayed extensively upon entering Warsaw. Here she confessed all that burdened her soul and asked for the advice of Rev. James Dabrowski. It resulted in Helena entering the convent. Following this prayerful morning, a full day of sightseeing begins. Explore the Old Town, comprised of beautiful maze-like cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture that are symbols of Poland’s successful rebuild following its destruction during World War II. Sites will include the Market Square (the center of the city filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops), the Barbican, defense-like structures rebuilt following World War II, and the Warsaw Ghetto monument commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 during World War II. Walkthrough Lazienski Park. This beautifully landscaped park holds the Chopin Statue (a large bronze statue of musician Frederic Chopin). View the Royal Castle (the official residence of the Polish monarchs). In the afternoon, visit the Stanislaw Kostka Church and view a special exhibit dedicated to Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. This priest was a great personality of the Catholic Church and was killed by communists in 1984. In 1987, Saint John Paul II visited here to pray in front of Fr. Popieluzko’s tomb. Your tour of Warsaw will conclude by returning to the hotel for a delicious meal, followed by an overnight at your hotel.

This morning, enjoy breakfast followed by a transfer to Niepokalanow. This Franciscan Monastery is in the community of Teresin, and was founded by martyr St. Maximilian Kolbe. This remarkable Saint, arrested by the Nazis, died in Auschwitz, where he gave his life for the life of another prisoner. Following your visit to this Holy Monastery, transfer to the village of Swinice Warckie, to visit the church of St. Casimir. This historically rich parish is the baptism site for St. Faustina (formally known, as Helena Kowalska). At this parish, little Helena received her first confession, and First Holy Communion. She and her family attended Sunday Mass and other services at this church. After visiting this simple, yet elegant church, we will continue to Czestochowa. Upon arrival in Czestochowa, you will check in to your hotel, and enjoy a magnificent dinner, and a restful overnight.

Today awake in the home of the grandest pilgrimage shrine of Poland since the 14th century! Start your day with breakfast and Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery. This hill-top monastery is home to the beloved icon of the Black Madonna. Saint John Paul II is said to made frequent visits to this monastery throughout his life. Tradition tells us that this icon was painted by Luke the Evangelist, discovered by St. Helen, and later enshrined. Have the opportunity to venerate the Holy Icon and many other priceless treasures contained within. Have a prayerful visit to the Chapel of the Black Madonna. Continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul II). While in the small city of Wadowice, visit the church where this beloved Saint was baptized and attended Mass as a child. Following this historically captivating experience, continue to Krakow. Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant before resting up for the next day of activities.

After breakfast, you will drive through the mountains to the breathtaking yet small and remote village of Zakopane. Take a cable car ride to the nearby mountaintop. At the top, you will truly experience God’s magnificent Glory when you look out at the magnificent panoramic view. Following the many photos captured atop the mountain, head to the Jaszczorowka Chapel. The young Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul II) visited this architecturally distinct chapel often. As a young boy, Karol Wojtyla walked the paths surrounding the Jaszczorowka Chapel for prayer and reflection. After you experience this beautiful site that assisted in Saint John Paul II’s Holy journey, continue to the colorful Krupowki Street. Have the opportunity to do some shopping at the local bazaar before returning to Krakow. Enjoy a beautiful dinner and an optional stroll through the old city before retiring for the evening.

After breakfast, you will explore Krakow’s Market Square as the sound of the silver trumpet from St. Mary’s Tower fills the air. The captivating beauty of this square is grand since it has remained unchanged for almost 700 years. It contains several buildings that hold Historic value: the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall, and the Burgher’s houses. Following your time in this longstanding square, make your way to Wawel Hill, where you will visit the beautiful Cathedral and Coronation Chapel. Both are among the most important sites in Poland. The Cathedral was the coronation site of the Polish monarchs. It holds numerous pieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicist, and Modern art. Have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of the patron saint of Poland, St. Stanislaus. Next, a short drive to Auschwitz, notoriously known as a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Upon arriving at the former camp, feel the darkness and sorrow that overtake the atmosphere as numerous unspeakable atrocities occurred at this site. While on this visit, view the cell that imprisoned the Christ-like St. Maximilian Kolbe and visit the Martyrdom Museum. After this reflective day, return to your hotel in Krakow for dinner and a restful overnight.

On your last day of touring, after breakfast, depart for your excursion to Lagiewniki, the capital of the Divine Mercy. It was here that the message of the Divine Mercy originated, which Christ Himself wished to pass on to our generation through the mediation of Saint Faustina. Have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy where this Sanctuary houses images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, the Saint’s convent Chapel, and the Saint’s Tomb. Visit the newly constructed Shrine of Divinity dedicated to Saint John Paul II on his last visit to Poland in 2002. We will celebrate Mass at the Shrine before visiting the New “Have No Fear” Centre where we will pray by the relic of St. John Paul II. You will have free time to pray and reflect before we depart for Wieliczka to visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Return to Krakow for your farewell dinner and last overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the Krakow airport for return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.