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Day 1 Arrival in Warsaw, Poland Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 Arrival in Warsaw, Poland Upon arrival in Warsaw, transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D) Day 3 Warsaw. Niepokalanow Excursion Guided sightseeing of Warsaw includes the CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN, Lazienki Palace, and the WARSAW GHETTO. Also enjoy an excursion to Niepokalanow (City of the Immaculata,) and visit the FRANCISCAN FRIARY, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe who was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II. (BB) Day 4 Warsaw–Czestochowa Journey to Czestochowa, one of the world’s most famous Marian shrines. Afternoon at leisure to explore the SHRINE and see the famous BLACK MADONNA, an image and devotion Pope John Paul II held very close to his heart throughout his life. (BB,D) Day 5 Czestochowa–Auschwitz–Krakow Travel to Auschwitz and visit the remains of the former CONCENTRATION CAMP as well as the MARTYRDOM MUSEUM and ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE’S CELL. Continue to Krakow. Guided sightseeing of the city where Pope John Paul II served as archbishop, including WAWEL ROYAL CASTLE and ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Balance of the day is at leisure. (BB,D) Day 6 Krakow This morning, enjoy guided sightseeing and visit the world-famous SHRINE OF DIVINE MERCY, home to the revelations by St. Faustina (Helen Kowalski), a Sister of Mercy nun who Jesus appeared to in 1931. Pope John Paul II both canonized St. Faustina and instituted the Feast Day of Divine Mercy (the Pope passed away the day before Divine Mercy Sunday). Afternoon is at leisure to explore Krakow on your own. (BB) Day 7 Krakow. Excursion to Wadowice and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Journey to the Pope’s hometown of Wadowice and visit his BIRTHPLACE and BOYHOOD HOME. Also visit KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA, one of Poland’s most famous shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which played a pivotal role in the Pope’s spiritual life. The Calvary Sanctuary was established in the 1600s for pilgrims as a substitute Jerusalem. It has grown to be the biggest shrine grounds of its type in Europe with 42 churches and chapels of all shapes and sizes scattered on the slopes of the Zar Mountain. The central basilica and Franciscan monastery still welcome pilgrims from all over the world today. Enjoy this evening’s farewell dinner. (BB,D) Day 8 Krakow Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW Legacy of Pope John Paul II |
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Vacation Overview Enjoy a week in Pope John Paul’s Poland. Start in Warsaw with a welcome dinner and guided sightseeing featuring the Cathedral of St. John and the Warsaw Ghetto, followed by an excursion to Niepokalanow and its Franciscan Friary, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe. In Czestochowa, visit the Shrine and the famous Black Madonna, an image and devotion Pope John Paul II held very close to his heart throughout his life. Visit the remains of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz as well as the Martyrdom Museum and St. Maximilian Kolbe’s cell. Next is Krakow, the city where Pope John Paul II served as archbishop. Guided sightseeing includes Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Church, and the world-famous Shrine of Devine Mercy. Also enjoy an excursion to the Pope’s hometown of Wadowice. Visit his birthplace and boyhood home, as well as Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of Poland’s most famous shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back in Krakow, enjoy a farewell dinner.
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