12 Day Central Europe & Passion Play

DAY 1, Saturday – Depart the USA
Depart USA for your flight to Krakow, Poland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Sunday – Arrive in Krakow, Krakow Panoramic City Tour, Time at leisure, Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Krakow and enjoy a scenic drive through the city en route to your hotel. Once at your hotel take some time to explore on your own. This evening, join us for an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner where you'll sample some of the local cuisine.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3, Monday – Mass, Krakow City Tour
Celebrate morning Mass with fellow pilgrims, then take a guided tour in one of Poland's most important religious cities. You'll start your tour in the Old Town area with its Market Square which is considered one of the largest squares in Europe. From there head to St. Mary's Basilica. Here you will see the famous Gothic wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss. Continue on to observe several impressive architectural buildings for which Krakow is known including the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall, and Burger houses. While there be sure to listen for the Hejnal which is the famous bugle call to the four corners of the world from the high tower of St. Mary's Basilica. Now take a brief lunch followed by a relaxing ride to the Lagiewniki district. Upon arrival visit the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. Return to Krakow this afternoon.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Tuesday – Visit to Auschwitz, Wadowice, & Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
Today's sightseeing includes a full day excursion to the cities of Auschwitz, Wadowice, and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. We'll start at the death camp of Oswiecim, known as Konzentrationslager Auschwitz. This was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps. On this tour you will observe several units used to house prisoners, including the largest at Brzezinka (Birkenau), as well as the cell of the martyred St. Maximilia. Continue on to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla, formally known as Pope John Paul II. Visit the museum located in his family's house before venturing to Kalawaria Zebrzydowska, also known as the “Polish Jerusalem.” Here you will see a number of chapels modeled against those of the Holy Land. Before returning to Krakow, visit the 17th century Franciscan Monastery to view its Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary and decorative cloisters.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Wednesday – Visit to Our Lady of Czestochowa, Time at leisure
This morning, depart Krakow and drive to the city of Czestochowa, the principal center of the Catholic religion in Poland for the last 600 years. Upon arrival, enjoy a visit to one of the world's most famous shrines, Our Lady Of Czestochowa, within the Jasna Gora Monastery. Highlighting the religious, historic, and artistic values of Poland, Jasna Gora is frequented by pilgrims from all over the world, owing to its sheer structural majesty and its prized historical possessions. Enter the oldest building, the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, where you'll encounter the shrines most prized belonging, the sacred icon of the Black Madonna. Take some time to explore on your own before dinner.
Overnight: Czestochowa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday – Time at leisure in Prague
After breakfast, Depart for Prague. Admire the sights while en route and take a brief stop for lunch. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some time on your own before joining us for dinner.
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday – Prague City Tour, Visit to Our Lady Victorious
This morning we'll take you on a delightful city tour of Prague. Travel by motorcoach to view some of the most historical buildings, including the National Theatre, Charles Bridge, Belvedere, Loreta, Prague Castle, Lesser Town, The House of Artist, the Church of our Lady Victorious, and the Old Town Square: a 12th Century marketplace, noted for its beautiful Baroque and Gothic-style structures. Continue by foot to view the Prague Castle are and St. Vitus' Cathedral, where the remains of several Bohemian Kings are interred. Next visit the Church of Our Lady Victorious which houses the Holy Infant Child of Prague on its marble altar enclosed in a crystal box. This statue serves as one of the most famous and beloved devotions in the world and one of the most recognizable images in the Catholic Faith.
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Saturday – Altoetting Sightseeing, Traunstein Sightseeing en route to Oberammergau
Depart Prague and head for Marktl am Inn (Diocese of Passau), where Pope Benedict XVI was born and baptized in 1927 as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger. View the house of his birth, then continue on to the tiny pilgrimage city of Altoetting . Upon arrival, visit the Chapel of Grace which is one of the most visited religious shrines in Germany. Here you will find the sacred icon of the Black Madonna. Celebrate Mass and then take a brief lunch on your own. After lunch, continue to Traunstein, a small village near the Austrian border, where Pope Benedict XVI spent his childhood and youth. Proceed to the alpine village of Oberammergau and join us for dinner.
Overnight: Oberammergau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Sunday – Mass, Village Tour, Time at leisure, Passion Play
Attend morning Mass and then join us for a walking tour of the village. Then take some time to enjoy this quaint mountain village on your own. After lunch take your premium seats for the world famous Passion Play. The play has a running time of approximately 5 hours. Dinner is served during a 3 hour intermission.
Overnight: Oberammergau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Monday – Neuschwanstein Castle Tour, Visit to Weiskirche
This morning, venture into the densely forested mountains of southwest Bavaria. Here you'll see the dream-like castle of Neuschwanstein. This castle was built by the “Mad King” Ludwig and is known for its extraordinary architectural feats. Following Neuschwanstein proceed to a World Heritage Site, the Pilgrimage Church of Weis which houses the statue of the scourged savior. Complete your visit with a brief stop for lunch followed by a soothing drive to Munich.
Overnight: Munich
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Tuesday - Munich City Tour, Dinner at a Bavarian Restaurant
After breakfast, take a morning city tour of Munich. Today you'll visit two of the city's most important churches that Pope Benedict XVI served before being appointed Archbishop. From there continue on to the University of Munich and then to the 15th Century Church of Our Lady in the city centre. You'll also partake in a scenic drive through the city where you'll see such sights as the Baroque Nymphenberg Palace, the former summer residence of the Wittlesbach dynasty, and the Marienplatz with its famous Glockenspiel clock. Afterwards join us for a farewell dinner at a Bavarian restaurant. (B,FD) Munich
Overnight: Munich
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart for USA
Transfer to Munich Airport for your flight back to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast