Board your overnight transatlantic flights from your hometown. Meals are served on board.

Arrive at the Dubrovnik airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon in this city overlooking the Adriatic at your leisure. Feel free to walk to the Old Town, also known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” This evening, you will have dinner at a typical Dalmatian restaurant that serves local delicacies and wines.

Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the Old City. It will begin at St. Blasius Church, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik. This Baroque-styled church was constructed by Venetian architect Marino Gropelli in 1715. It was styled after the Venetian Church, St. Mauritius. The masterpiece of this church is its large staircase leading to the ornamented main portal and the large dome that decorates the roof. Continue to the Gothic and Renaissance-styled Rector’s Palace, home to the History Department of the Museum of Dubrovnik. Next, stroll by the iconic Bell Tower Clock and Orlando’s Column. To the left of this column, is the Sponza Palace. In the sixteenth century, members of the Academia dei Concordi met on the palace’s first-floor hall to discuss literature. As a result, the palace is the most important cultural institution in Dubrovnik. Lastly, you will visit the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries. The Dominican Monastery is strategically located at the most sensitive point of Dubrovnik’s defense barriers. While at the Franciscan Monastery, you will have the opportunity to visit the Pharmacy. The founding of this Pharmacy was collaborative, as it served as a public pharmacy and for the needs of the monks. This afternoon, you will enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many small, family-owned restaurants along the narrow streets. The remainder of the day is to be enjoyed at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner and an overnight in Dubrovnik.

After breakfast, depart for the Republic of Montenegro, a Balkan country boasting a dynamic landscape of extremely high peaks juxtaposed beside deep canyons, caves, and bays. Begin your excursion by heading towards the mouth of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. Enjoy a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of two islets off the coast of Perast. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest building on the artificial island, which is made of rocks and old ships. The island was created by a local fisherman who found an icon of the Blessed Mother and Jesus on a rock here. Now, it is a tradition to throw rocks at the island to increase its size on July 22 each year. Upon return to the coast, we will stop in Perast, an old charming coastal town with just one main street, yet sixteen Churches! Spend time in the city of Kotor, famous for its winding streets and medieval charm, before returning to Dubrovnik for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast. Pass old fishing villages and new resorts before arriving in Croatia’s second-largest city, Split. The historic inner city of Split was built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. While exploring, you will have the opportunity to see remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, such as Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace, and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. The Temple of Jupiter was built around the third century and is dedicated to the highest Roman god, the god of the sky, and the god of thunder. The Diocletian’s Palace had two purposes: half was used for the Diocletian’s personal use, and the other half was used as a military garrison. Lastly, you will visit the Cathedral of St. Dominus, encircled by twenty-four columns. The oldest monuments in this Holy place are those depicting the life of Christ, which can be found on the entrance doors of the Church. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local Konoba (a restaurant in the coastal area of Croatia). Following dinner, you will continue to your hotel, where you will have a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we head north along the coast to Trogir, the center of artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint. Trogir is a small island connected to the mainland of Croatia by bridges. Some remnants of Medieval walls remain here, while much of the island boasts Gothic and Renaissance influences. Our journey continues towards the beautiful Plitvice Lakes where we will enjoy dinner and overnight after a full day of touring.

Today, we enjoy Plitvice National Park. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site — the breathtaking scenery is a natural wonder. The park was founded in 1949 and spans 295 square kilometers. It preserves an incredible landscape that includes 16 terraced lakes, countless waterfalls, mountains, and limestone canyons—the mountainous region of the park borders Bosnia and Herzegovina. Wildlife like the European brown bears, wolves, eagles, owls, lynx, and wild cats roam this scene. After a full day of exploring, enjoy dinner and overnight in Plitvice.

Today, we return to the coast to the beautiful bay of Kvarner and its popular tourist town, Opatija. An orientation tour of Opatija will present the highlights of this former Imperial resort city. After your visit this breathtaking place, we will drive across the border into Slovenia to Postojna Caves, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Here we will tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Over 38 million people have visited these caves in the past 200 years. In 1872, the first cave rails were laid, and overhead electric lighting was installed in 1884 – before electric lighting was added to the city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Afterward, we will continue to Bled for dinner and an overnight.

Bled is a stunning Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks in northwestern Slovenia at the southern foot of the Karawanks mountain, about 30 miles from Ljubljana. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and lakeshore, and visits Bled Castle, a medieval castle perched on a cliff high above the lake. Bled Castle is the oldest Slovenian Castle, first mentioned in a 1011 deed. This afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. View the Central open-air Market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba’s Fountain, the Three Bridges, and the Parliament here. The day will end with a farewell dinner and overnight in Ljubljana.

After breakfast, transfer to Ljubljana airport for your flight to Warsaw. 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, which is 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, which is comprised of beautiful maze-like cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture that are symbols of Poland’s successful rebuilding 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. Next, we will be able to walk through Lazienski Park. This beautifully landscaped park holds the Chopin Statue (a large bronze statue of musician Frederic Chopin). Here, you can also 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 to pray before 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 have 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 and 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 ) often visited this architecturally distinct chapel. Karol Wojtyla walked the paths surrounding the Jaszczorowka Chapel for prayer and reflection as a young boy. After you experience this beautiful site that assisted in Saint John Paul II’s holy journey, continue to the colorful Krupowki Street. Here, you will 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 Historic buildings: 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, which are among Poland’s most important sites. The Cathedral was the coronation site of the Polish monarchs. It holds numerous Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicist, and Modern art pieces. 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. Here, 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 the 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 overnight stay.

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.