Pilgrimage to Poland & the Divine Mercy
8 days / 7 nights
UK - Krakow
Fly from London Heathrow to Krakow with British Airways. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel by coach. Check-in to our hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Wawel Cathedral/St Mary’s Basilica
After breakfast, we celebrate Mass at the sanctuary. We then travel by coach to Wawel Cathedral. Sightseeing tour of this magnificent cathedral including the chapel where St John Paul II celebrated his first Mass. We also see the tombs of many of Poland’s kings and queens and their greatest national heroes are located here. Afterwards walk to St Mary’s Square (Market Square) one of the largest and oldest squares in Europe where we will have a guided tour of St Mary’s Basilica - one of the finest Gothic structures in the country. Note: if you wish to take pictures inside the basilica there is a charge of 5 euros. We will have lunch in the square; there are many cafés and restaurants to choose from. If time permits, we can have a look at the covered market where you may purchase local produce such as jewellery, bags, and hand painted ornaments. Return to the hotel and evening dinner here.
Wawel Auschwitz/Birkenau
After breakfast we celebrate Mass at one of the chapels in the Sanctuary. We then travel to Auschwitz/Birkenau, visiting the former concentration camp which was the scene of terrible human suffering during the Second World War. We see the cell of St Maximillian Kolbe where he died giving up his life to save another. (Auschwitz) is not suitable for visitors under 15 years of age). Return to our hotel and evening dinner here.
Wadowice/Kalwaria
After breakfast we drive to Wadowice, the hometown of St John Paul II. We visit the Holy Father’s House, now a museum, and the parish church where he was baptised. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Poland. We will celebrate Mass here followed by a guided tour of this historic site. We stop at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - Poland’s first Calvary sanctuary, established in 1600. St John Paul II visited here with his father as a boy and often during his priestly life. On his first pilgrimage to Poland in 1979, he said, “I would like you to pray for me here, both during my life and after it." Dinner at the hotel.
Czestochowa - Black Madonna
After breakfast we travel by coach to Czestochowa - Home of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady, known as the Black Madonna, the Queen of Poland. This is considered the holiest place in Poland and is the third largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. The sanctuary is in the Pauline Monastery in Jasna Góra, which has been a major destination of pilgrimages for centuries. We will celebrate Mass here. Travel back to the hotel for a late dinner.
Wieliczka/Salt Mine
Breakfast at the hotel followed by Mass at the Sanctuary and afterwards we journey by coach to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine (a UNESCO world heritage site). There we will travel underground for approximately 2km to the oldest part of the mine and visit its subterranean museum. This mine has been worked for 700 years until the present day. Return to our hotel and evening dinner here.
Free Day at Leisure
After our breakfast we will have at the Sanctuary followed by a talk with a nun about St Faustina’s life. Free for the rest of the day to explore buzzling city of Krakow. We can take a tram-train 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel to the Main Market Square - the biggest medieval square in Europe and do some shopping here or revisit St Mary’s Cathedral and some shopping or simply relax and have coffee/tea in one of many cafés and restaurants to choose from. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Krakow/UK
Depending on the time of our flight departure, we may celebrate Mass in one of the Chapels in St Faustina’s Shrine. Proceed to the airport for our flight back to London. Note: this price is based on 25 pilgrims travelling. This itinerary is subject to change owing to circumstances beyond our control E&OE.
The booking deadline at this price is 15/02/2024. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £350 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. You have the option of purchasing cover from Global Travel Insurance when booking with us, or you can buy your insurance independently.