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; greet the tour guide and/or driver. Transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, 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 stay.

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. Also, it is where she confessed all that burdened her soul and asked for the advice of Rev. James Dabrowski, which eventually resulted in the saint entering the convent. Following this prayerful morning, sightseeing begins. The group will 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. Some of the sites will include the Market Square (the center of the city filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops), the Barbican, defense-like structures that have been rebuilt following World War II, and the Warsaw Ghetto monument that commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 during World War II. also take in the Lazienski Park, a beautifully landscaped park, the Chopin Statue (a large bronze statue of musician Frederic Chopin), and 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. The tour of Warsaw will conclude by returning to the hotel for a delicious meal, followed by an overnight stay at the 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. Celebrate Mass here. This remarkable saint was arrested by the Nazis and died in Auschwitz, giving his life for the life of another prisoner. Following your visit to this Holy Monastery, transfer to the village of Swinice Warckie. In Swinice Warckie, visit the church of St. Casimir. This historically rich parish is the site of baptism for St. Faustina (formally known as Helena Kowalska). Little Helena received her first confession and First Holy Communion at this parish. Additionally, 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, check in to the hotel, enjoy a magnificent dinner, and have a restful overnight stay.

Today, awake in the home of the grandest pilgrimage shrine of Poland since the 14th century! Begin the day with breakfast and Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery. This hill-top monastery is home to the beloved icon of the Black Madonna. Additionally, 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. While here, you will have the opportunity to venerate not only the Holy Icon but also many other priceless treasures that are contained within. Following your prayerful visit to the Chapel of the Black Madonna, you will continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul II). While in the small city of Wadowice, you will have the opportunity to 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 hotel.

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 many times. Karol Wojtyla often used the walking paths surrounding the Jaszczorowka Chapel for prayer and reflection as a young boy. Celebrate Mass there. After you experience this beautiful site that assisted in Saint John Paul II’s Holy journey, you will continue your tour to the colorful Krupowki Street. While on this street, 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 largely due to the fact that it has remained unchanged for almost 700 years. It contains a number of buildings that hold important historic value, such as the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall, and the Burgher’s houses. Following your time in this longstanding square, you will make your way to Wawel Hill, where you will visit the beautiful Cathedral and Coronation Chapel. Celebrate Mass there. These are among the most important sites in Poland as the Cathedral has been the coronation site of the Polish monarchs and has held numerous pieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicist, and Modern art. Also, at this site, you will 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 the Second World War. Upon arriving at the former camp, you can feel the darkness and sorrow that overtake the atmosphere as there were numerous unspeakable atrocities that occurred at this site. Additionally, while on this visit, you will have the opportunity to 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. Through the mediation of St. Faustina, Christ passed on the message of Divine Mercy at Lagiewniki. While here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy that contains images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, as well as the saint’s convent chapel and her Tomb. Visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Divinity, which was visited by Saint John Paul II in 2002. Following Mass, have the opportunity to pray by a relic of Saint John Paul II. Continue to Wieliczka and visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Return to Krakow for your farewell dinner and spend the last night in Poland.

After breakfast, depart for Prague. On arriving in the city, enjoy a scenic motor coach ride in the enchanting city of Prague, a city of domed rooftops, soaring steeples, and countless spires. Celebrate Mass in Prague upon arrival. Dinner and an overnight in Prague.

After breakfast, make your way to the Church of Our Lady Victorious, home of the famous Child Jesus statue called the Infant Jesus of Prague. The statue, a 16th-century depiction of infant Jesus holding a globus cruciger (an orb and cross), was donated to the Carmelite friars in 1628. Following Mass, enjoy a walking tour of Old Town Prague. Walk along the Royal Route to the Old Town Square. In beautiful Prague Castle District, visit St. Nicholas Church, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica, Loreto Church, and Strahov Monastery. Continue along Karlova Street to Charles Bridge, crossing the Vltava River adorned with many baroque statues. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the magical Prague Castle. View the Astronomical Clock of Prague and walk in Wenceslas Square, one of the main city squares. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic center of Prague, a World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel for dinner and a restful overnight.

After breakfast, travel to the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Here, the Polish Paratroopers who assassinated the leader Heydrich hid from the Nazi’s until they were discovered. Then, walk to the Church of St. Ignatius, one of the earliest Baroque buildings in Prague and the third-largest Jesuit complex in Europe. Enjoy Mass here, and then the rest of the day is yours to take in the city. Meet back together for a farewell dinner.

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