Poland of Saint Pope John Paul II

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Welcome to Poland!

  Arrival in Warsaw. Upon arrival, meet your English speaking driver and transfer to your accommodating hotel. Spend the day at leisure to relax and rest after your overseas flight. Lunch and dinner at the hotel is complimentary. Overnight in Warsaw.

  What's included?

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Polish capital - Warsaw

  Visit the Polish capital - Warsaw, and its main monuments and points of interest. The tour starts with a walk around the Lazienki Royal Park. Here we will see the famous monument of Frederic Chopin, the Palace on the Water, and the Theater on the Island. Transportation to the old Jewish part of the city: the former ghetto and monuments in honor of the martyrdom of the Jews during the Second World War, as the Umschlagplatz and the Ghetto Heroes Monument. We will continue to the Old Town (UNESCO) and a short walk around it: from the Royal Castle, passing next to the Saint John Cathedral, the Market Square, and the barbican to the New Town. Return to the Saski Garden and Pilsudskiego Square, where John Paul II celebrated Mass during his first pilgrimage to Poland, when he uttered his famous words: "Let your Spirit descend and renew the peace on earth, this earth". Such words found themselves out after the fall of communism in Poland. Overnight in Warsaw.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 3

  Franciscan catholic community in Niepokalanow

  Transfer from Warsaw to Niepokalanow, a Franciscan catholic community founded by Friar Maximilian Kolbe in 1927. Visit the Shrine of St Maximilian Kolbe – a great promotor of consecration and entrustment to Mary, who was later canonized as a martyr-saint for sacrificing his life in a Nazi death camp in Auschwitz for a fellow prisoner. This sanctuary is one of the 12 Stars in the Crown of Mary, Queen of Peace. Transfer back to Warsaw. Afternoon free. Overnight in Warsaw. Optional: Visit Zelazowa Wola mansion and park, Frederic Chopin birthplace with his museum.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 4

  Polish shrine of the Virgin Mary in Czestochowa

  Transport from Warsaw to Czestochowa, a site of pilgrimage related to John Paul II. There is located the most important Polish shrine of the Virgin Mary which attracts millions of pilgrims. Time to visit the monastery of Jasna Gora with the famous altar of the Black Madonna, the monument to the parents of the Pope, and the inscription over the door in his honor. Afternoon free to your leisure. Overnight in Czestochowa.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 5

  Museum of Auschwitz - Birkenau (UNESCO)

  Transfer to Oswiecim. Visit the museum of Auschwitz - Birkenau (UNESCO), the famous concentration camp and extermination, a symbol of terror, genocide, and the holocaust. Built by the Nazis in 1940 on the outskirts of the city, Auschwitz was the place of sacrifice of four million people from different European countries. Visit the place where St. Maximilian Kolbe was martyred and the monument to the victims, in which three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis prayed when they visited the camp during their first pilgrimage to Poland. Transfer to Krakow. Overnight in Krakow.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 6

  Old Polish capital Krakow

  Krakow, the old Polish capital, earned the title of World Heritage in the first list created by UNESCO. The city is extremely linked to the life of John Paul II, who lived there during his youth and where he was appointed bishop and metropolitan of Krakow. Visit Wawel Hill, where we can find the Royal Castle and its fortified courtyard - the former headquarters of the Kings of Poland - and also the cathedral. Our tour continues through the Market Square in the Old Town, with its iconic landmarks such as Sukiennice Cloth Hall, St Mary's Church, and Town Hall Tower. During the tour, you will see Barbican and defensive walls with Florian's Gate as well. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Lagiewniki, blessed by John Paul II. Although this is the latest sanctuary in Krakow, it attracts thousands of pilgrims due to the relics of St. Faustina. Visit the monastery where St. Faustina Kowalska lived and visit the basilica with the famous image of Merciful Jesus. Later visit the nearby sanctuary of Saint John Paul II. Overnight in Krakow.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 7

  The monastery of the Franciscans-Bernardines

  Visit Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (UNESCO) - the monastery complex of the Franciscans-Bernardines. The exceptional cultural monument conducted in natural scenery has attracted thousands of pilgrims from the very beginning. During this trip, you would visit the monastery complex with the early baroque church and dozens of chapels spread around in a beautiful countryside scenery. In the afternoon departure to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. Visit the Basilica where Karol Wojtyla was baptized and to the house where he spent his childhood converted into a biographical museum. Transfer back to Krakow. Overnight in Krakow.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8

  Day at leisure

  Day at leisure in Krakow.
  Optional: Full-day excursion to the Tatra Mountain - a beautiful section of the Carpathian mountain range and the only one of Alpine character in central Europe. The whole Polish Tatras area constitutes the Tatra National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). During this tour, you would walk through the village of Chocholow, take a trip by the cable and ground railway to Gubalowka Mountain and have a chance to stroll around the streets of Zakopane, a town that is the heart of this tourist region. Transfer back to Krakow.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Train
• DAY 9

  Krakow International Airport

  After breakfast, transfer to the Krakow International Airport.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer