Group Pilgrimage Tours

Group Pilgrimage Tours
	Thousands flock each year to Czestochowa in Poland. Here they can see the Basilica, the Treasure House and the chapel of the Black Madonna. Poland has so much more to offer and a wonderful pilgrimage can combine a rich mixture of religion, history and culture. A visit to the Pope's home town, places associated with St. Faustina and the concentration camp of Auschwitz, are also included.
A Wonderful Pilgrimage *8 days from 415 €*
Day 1 Arrival to Warsaw. Meeting with local guide . Transfer to our hotel Day 2 We start with a visit to the house of the Congregation of the Divine Mother of Mercy on Zytnia Street, then a full sightseeing tour of Warsaw including the picturesque Old Town, the Cathedral and the Royal Route Day 3 We visit Niepokalanow to see the Franciscan Monastery and the Museum, then drive to Plock to visit the cathedral church from 12^th century, the Benedictine Abbey dated to 10^th century, and the house of the Congregation in Plock. Day 4 Depart for Czestochowa, en route we visit Glogowiec and Swinice Warckie, associated with Faustina Kowalska Day 5 A tour of basilica, Treasure House and the Chapel of the Black Madonna with the famous Icon of Blessed Virgin Mary. Depart for Krakow , where we have a tour including the Main Market Square and Wawel Cathedral with its Royal tombs. Day 6 Drive to the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Mother of Mercy in Lagiewniki, where Sister Faustina worked and died. Visit the famous Salt Mine in Wieliczka. Day 7 We start in Auschwitz, now preserved as a museum. Continue to Wadowice - the birthplace of the Pope John Paul II, and visit the house, which is now a museum. We contiune to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska to visit the Bernardine Monastery. Day 8 We transfer to the airport for our return flight. *Services:* 7 overnights in superior tourist class hotels, rooms with private facilities accommodation based on halfboard full assistance of local guide programm as described above air-conditioned coach on the whole route every 25^th person is free of charge in single room luggage handling in the hotels ( 1 pc per person ) ( Calculation is valid for min 35 pax ) "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE HOLY FATHER" *10 days from 498 €* Day 1 Arrival to Krakow. Meeting with local guide and transfer to our hotel. En route panoramic guided tour of the city including Old Town and the Jewish quarter and views and riding by the house where Karol Wojtyla spent the Krakow period of his life until ordination. When the Wojtylas, father and son, moved to Krakow, the set up housekeeping in the tiny basement of a gray two-story house at Tyniecka 10 Street, on the western bank of the Vistula. Karola's maternal uncle, Robert Kaczorowski, a master leather maker who built it after WW, owned the house. Day 2 Morning walking sightseeing tour of Krakow features guide who leads us to the center of the Old Town , Main Market Square, where we can see the 14^thcentury St. May's Basilica facing us from across Market Square. Note the uneven twin spires on this wonderful example of Gothic architecture, St Mary's Church ( entrance ), Renaissance Cloth Hall, the 13^th century Franciscan Church and Jagiellonian University, another innovation of Kazimierz the Great, in 1364. Two notable students are Nicolaus Copernicus, and Karol Wojtyla. The later also taught here. You should also see the Copernicus Globe, in the museum, Afternoon tour features the Wawel Castle ( entrance ) and Cathedral. Here Karol Wojtyla said his first mass after ordination, Church on the Rock and Kazimierz. Day 3 Morning visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine . Another important site and place in the history of Poland is the Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec, on the bank of the Vistula about 10 km from the center of Krakow. Proceed to Lagiewniki to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy and Sister Faustina's Convent. Day 4 Drive to Wadowice , the birthplace od Pope John Paul II. You will visit his Holiness' family house, now a museum, where Karol Wojtyla spent his formative years. Across the street is the parish church where he served and worshipped daily. Day 5 Morning drive to Czestochowa, visiting Jasna Gora Monastery where you will have a conducted tour and mass. Overnight in Czestochowa Day 6 You will drive to the beautiful Shrine of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, set in the Beskidy Mountains and a long time place of pilgrimage. This has always been one of the Holy Father's very favourite of all places. His father worked here as a tour guide, and he brought the nine-year-old Karol Wojtyla here soon after his mother died. This was also the very last place Pope John Paul visited on his last visit to Poland, Fall of 2002. Overnight in guest house or area hotel. Day 7 Auschwitz/ Oswiecim Concentration Camp . You journey the 25 min. to Oswiecim. While there you have the opportunity to recall the lessons of history, and you can also remember all of the saints who passed that way, including Edith Stein and maximilian Kolbe, whose cell was Block 11, Cell 18. Then you return to your lodging at Kalwaria. Day 8 This morning after breakfast you will proceed toward the wonderful mountain town of Zakopane, arriving in time for leisurely lunch on your own. Zakopane is both the highest and the southern most town in Poland. You will be here for one night, so there is time for you to take advantage of shopping for some of the unique arts and crafts only found in this part of Poland.There is also time for hiking and exploring this wonderfully picturesque are of the Tatra Mountains. The Holy Father used to come here regularly to hike and ski, until he was elected to the Throne of Peter and moved to Rome. Day 9 Late afternoon transfer to Krakow, giving you a large part of the day in this beautiful setting in the mountains. Day 10 Coach transfer to the airport for your return flight *Service :* 9 overnights in superior tourist class hotels and guest house ( Kalwaria Zebrzydowska ) rooms with private facilites accommodation based on halfboard full days assistance of local guide programm as described above every 25^th person is free of charge in single room transport per itinerary by modern A/C motor-coach luggage handling in the hotels ( 1 pc per person) ( Calculation is valid for min 35 pax )