Pilgrimage to Poland & The Divine Mercy (from Luton)

Fly from London Luton direct to Krakow. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel by coach.

After breakfast, we walk to Wawel Cathedral. Sightseeing tour of this magnificent cathedral including the chapel where St John Paul II celebrated his first Mass. We also visit Sigismund Chapel, a masterpiece of Renaissance art and architecture. 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 about 5 euros. We will have lunch in the square; there are many cafes 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. After lunch, you will travel by coach to the Divine Mercy sanctuary. You will celebrate Mass here followed by a talk with one of the nuns about St Faustina. Return to your hotel and evening dinner at a local restaurant.

We have breakfast and travel by coach 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). We celebrate Mass at a local church followed by lunch there. Travel back to your hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

We have breakfast and 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. Mass will be arranged at a local church to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Free day to explore. You can take a short tram ride back to the Sanctuary or spend your time in the Main Market Square - the biggest medieval square in Europe and do some shopping here or revisit St Mary’s Cathedral and do some shopping or simply relax and have coffee or tea in one of many cafes and restaurants. Mass will be arranged at a local church near your hotel. Evening dinner at a local restaurant.

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 Go ra, which has been a major destination of pilgrimages for centuries. We will celebrate Mass here. Travel back to the hotel and evening dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast we drive to Wadowice, the home town 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." We return to your hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

We check-out of our hotel and final Mass of the pilgrimage. Free time in the afternoon. Early dinner at a local restaurant and then transfer to Krakow airport for your flight back to the UK.