10 Day Eastern European Pilgrimage

DAY 1, Monday - Depart the USA
Depart USA for your flight to Prague. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Prague, Time at leisure, Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Prague and transfer 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: Prague
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Prague City Tour, Time at leisure in Prague
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 Theater, 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 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 4, Thursday - Krakow Scenic Drive, Time at leisure in Krakow
After breakfast depart for Krakow. Upon arrival, 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 dinner.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday - Krakow City Tour, Time at leisure in Krakow
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 join us for 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, Lunch

DAY 6, Saturday - Auschwitz, Wadowice, & Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Tours
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. Maximilian. 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, Lunch

DAY 7, Sunday - Czestochowa Sightseeing Tour
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 8, Monday - Time at leisure in Warsaw
After breakfast, we'll head to Warsaw. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, freshen up, and enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own. In the evening join us for dinner.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Warsaw City Tour, Time at leisure in Warsaw
Wake up and join us for a guided city tour of Warsaw. View St. Kosta Church, the Cathedral of St. John, Chopin's Monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, Lazienki Park, and other historic landmarks for which this capital city is famous. Continue to visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Polish monarchs since the 17th century, located at the Plac Zamkowy. Take the balance of the day to venture on your own.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Wednesday - Depart for USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast