Pilgrimage to Poland & The Divine Mercy

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

After breakfast, coach transfer 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. Return to the hotel for Mass and a talk with one of the nuns at the sanctuary about St Faustina. Dinner at hotel.

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 our hotel for dinner.

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 for evening dinner.

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 travel to St. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception where we celebrate Mass followed by lunch. Travel back to our hotel and evening dinner here.

We have breakfast 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. We return to the Sanctuary and join the nuns at 3pm to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, after which we will participate in the Mass for the pilgrims at the Basilica. Dinner at the hotel and dinner here.

Free day to explore the Sanctuary. Holy Mass will be arranged in the morning. You can take public transport to 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. Return to hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, travel by coach to Zakopane, a mountain resort located in the southern part of Czestochawa. This beautiful mountain resort was one of St John Paul II’s favorite places, which he visited regularly. Skiing was among many things he enjoyed here. The tranquil Tatra Mountains and nearby Dunajec river forms an idyll for pilgrimage prayer and reflection. We also visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki, a beautiful wooden church built in dedication to Our Lady to give thanks for saving the life of Pope John Paul II in 1981. If time allows, we visit the Statue of Our Lady Gazdziny in Podhale. This is a 600-year-old parish, the oldest in Podhale, of which St John Paul II was a regular visitor. Return to your hotel for evening dinner and your last night in Krakow.

We check-out of our hotel and celebrate your final Mass of the pilgrimage. Free time before your transfer to Krakow airport for your flight back to the uk.