SANCTUARIES OF POLAND – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF POPE JOHN POUL II

 Spend 9 days visiting Poland's sanctuaries, in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II

Day 1

Arrival at Warsaw airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 2

Warsaw – the Capital of Poland
Half day tour of Warsaw. Visit to the Castle Square, St. John’s Cathedral, walk through the Market Square. After lunch continue with sightseeing of Warsaw including places, connected with of John Paul II: Royal Castle, the former residence of kings, serves at present as a museum, there are several gifts from the Pope. We also visit Metropolitan Cathedral of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, Pilsudski Square, St. Anne’s Church, and Borch Palace – House of the Archbishops of Warsaw. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 3

Warsaw – Czestohowa (220 km/3 h) – Krakow (144 km/2 h)
On the way to Krakow we stop at the city of Czestohowa – a popular pilgrimage destination known for its monastery complex of Jasna Gora from the 16th century and the Black Madonna icon of the Virgin Mary from the 6th century, believed to be miraculous. The Pauline monastery of Jasna Gora including the gothic Chapel of The Virgin, the baroque Church of the Holly Cross and Nativity of Mary and defensive walls, gates and bastions. In the city there are amazing churches, beautiful town and parks. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 4

Krakow
A great historical city, Krakow is connected to the life of Pope John Paul II: Before having taken over the Holy See as Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla had lived in Krakow. It was here that he spent his formative years as a student, and a young priest.  Visit Archbishop’s Palace and  the Francis Basilica, then move to Wawel cathedral, where Pope John Paul said his first mass in the Crypt of St. Leonard (12th century). Also visit the Archdiocese Museum, exhibiting church art. Later move on to the Jagiellonian University, one of oldest European universities, here Pope John Paul II studied the Polish language, literature and drama. Finally see the Main Market Square, the biggest medieval square in Europe and St. Mary’s Church – one of the finest Gothic structures in the country. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 5

Krakow – Wadowice – Calwaria Zebrzydowska (80 km/1.20 min)
Visit the home town of Pope John Paul II to see for yourself places where he lived and spent his childhood before he took up his studies in Krakow. On the tour we visit the church where John Paul II was baptized, his family home and the museum devoted to him. Our tour will take You to places of a special spiritual character, directly linked to the history of Pope John Paul II. Later we move to Calwaria Zebrzydowska, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, built in 17th century by the Zebrzydowska family, and visit the Bernardine Church. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 7

Krakow – Zakopane (50 km/55 min)
Zakopane is a resort village, nestled in the splendor of the Tatras mountain region. Today we have an opportunity to enjoy a short walk on one of John Paul II’s favorite walking trails in Zakopane. We visit the Hermitage of Brother Albert, founder of the Albertine Order, before walking to the colorful Krupowki Street for some last minute shopping in the local bazaar. We shall see a typical wooden villa. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 8

Krakow – Wielicka (20 km/25min)
The Salt Mine in Wielicka village is one of the oldest mines in the world which has delighted numerous people from all over the World with its wonderful mineral rocks created by nature a million years ago. The Salt Mine date back to medieval times and about nine centuries of salt exploitation developed it into a vast underground city with 3 kilometers of tourist pathways, created in the 18th century.  The tourist route  for visitors is located 135 meters under ground level and covers 22 carved in rock chambers which are joined by corridors where You can see underground chapels, mysterious salt lakes and amazing sculptures of salt. Another key benefit of visiting the Salt Mine comes from the special climate and rich  micro elements, that are beneficial for Your health and comfort. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 9

leisure time, afternoon transfer to the airport for final departure.

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