Pilgrimage to Poland

Day 1

Arrive Warsaw (2 Nights)

Welcome to Warsaw, where you begin your pilgrimage to discover Poland's deeply rooted faith and Christian heritage. Join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your spiritual journey.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Leonardo Royal

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2

Warsaw Sightseeing

Embark on a sightseeing tour of the Old Town in the company of a Local Specialist who will reveal how the city has re-emerged following the devastation of WWII. See the Market Square and the Barbican, then visit the site of the Warsaw Ghetto, shockingly evoked in Polanski's award-winning film 'The Pianist'. See St. James Church where Helena Kowalska prayed when she arrived into Warsaw, and the church in Źytnia Street, the Shrine of the Divine Mercy. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city on your terms or consider a visit to Wilanow Palace, followed by a Chopin Recital.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 3

Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Czestochowa

Journey to Niepolalanow to pay your respects to St. Maximilian Kolbe, founder of one of the largest Franciscan Monasteries and the martyr who was arrested by the Nazis and volunteered to die in place of a stranger at Auschwitz during WWII. End your day in Czestochowa, the spiritual capital of Poland and home of the Black Madonna. This icon is said to have been painted by Luke the Evangelist and discovered by St. Helen, then enshrined. Later, you'll ‘Dive into Culture' and attend a moving Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery with time left afterwards for personal reflection. Dine in your hotel this evening.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Mercure Czestochowa Centrum

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

Czestochowa – Wadowice – Kraków (4 nights)

Heading south, we travel to Wadowice this morning. While the history of the city dates back to the 13th-century, it is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla who later became Pope John Paul II. Delve into the early life of the former Pope during a sightseeing tour of the city with a Local Specialist. Visit the Basilica Minor, where he was baptised and attended mass as a child, and which he also awarded the title of Basilica Minor in 1982. See some of his family's possessions at his family home, turned museum. There's time for an exploration of the city on your own terms and perhaps an opportunity to sample his favourite cake, a kremowka. Later today, continue to Kraków for your four-night stay.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Qubus/Golden Tulip

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

Kraków Sightseeing

A leisurely start to your day could see you join an Optional Experience to the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, often referred to as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland. Admire the four chapels and dozens of sculptures carved from rock salt during this optional visit. Later today, you'll embark on a walking tour of the medieval Old Town with a Local Specialist and visit the Market Square with its Cloth Hall, Town Hall Tower and Burgher Houses. Visit the Mariacki Church with its famous wooden altarpiece designed by Wit Stwosz, then continue to Wawel Castle, which you'll have an opportunity to view along with the city's skyline. Visit Wawel Cathedral and take some quiet time to pray at the tomb of St. Stanislaus, Patron Saint of Poland. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish or consider learning about the region's colourful folklore.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 6

Kraków – Auschwitz Excursion

The tragic stories of Auschwitz take centre stage today on your sombre visit to the former Polish concentration camp which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of souls during WWII. Learn first-hand about the terrors and resilience of human spirit within its austere walls, before proceeding to the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, which houses the Saint's convent chapel and tomb. Here you have some solitary time for personal reflection after a poignant day.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 7

Kraków – Zakopane – Kraków

Venture to Zakopane, once a favourite retreat of Pope John Paul II and today a place of prayer for priests and bishops. Our first stop is at the wooden Jaszczurowka Chapel and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki, which was built by the people of Zakopane to thank God for sparing the life of Pope John Paul II after an attempt on his life in 1981. Ascend Gubalowka Mountain and admire the sweeping views of the Tatras before some last-minute shopping for arts and crafts made by the Highlanders (Gorale). Counting our blessings after a life-changing spiritual journey, we join our fellow travel companions and ‘Connect with Locals' over dinner.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dining

Day 8

Depart Kraków

Say a fond do widzenia to your companions after a memorable pilgrimage. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Buffet Breakfast