Krakow, Wadowice & Rome

Catholic Pilgrimage to Krakow, Wadowice & Rome 10 days from Newark

Departure Date Cost Per Person
Double Occupancy
08/20/2008 $3699

Day 1 - DEPART USA - This evening, we depart Newark International Airport aboard our overnight flight to Krakow via Munich. We are served complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.

Day 2 - ARRIVE KRAKOW - On arrival today we enjoy a brief orientation tour of Krakow followed by a stop for lunch on our own and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - KRAKOW "THE POLISH ROME" - This morning we will celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Florian, where John Paul II served as a curate, and where he lived while university chaplain. Afterwards, we meet our guide and begin our sightseeing tour. Our first stop is the courtyard of 16th century Royal Castle, and Wawel Cathedral, where generations of Polish Kings are buried. We then take a walking tour of Old Town, visiting some of the treasures of this wonderful old city. We will view the Town Hall Tower and the Cloth Hall, located on the same site since the 14th century, the 15th century Collegium Maius in the oldest university area and St. Mary's Church. Here we enjoy the ancient tradition of the "Hejnal" or bugle call from the Tower, which warned residents of the coming of an enemy. We return to our hotel and this evening we enjoy a Polish folklore dinner in a typical restaurant of Krakow.

Day 4 - KRAKOW/WADOWICE - This morning, we visit Lagiewniki Sanctuary of His Divine Mercy, the convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy which houses the grace-working image of Merciful Jesus and the relics of the St. Faustina. It proclaims the message of Mercy, of great prayer for God's mercy for the world as well as acts of mercy towards people in need of moral support. It is also a place where apostles of God's Mercy receive their spiritual formation and where John Paul II visited out of the great need of his heart on 7 June 1997. This afternoon we travel to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. We celebrate Mass in the parish church where the Holy Father was baptized and afterwards we visit the museum in his small family home. We Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - KRAKOW/ROME - This morning we transfer to the airport in Krakow to board our short flight to Munich where we board our flight to Rome. On arrival, we are met and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - ROME - This morning, we go to the Vatican, where we celebrate Mass below St. Peters. Afterwards, we tour Rome's sites, we start with the Basilica of St. Mary Major, then on to the Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." This afternoon, we see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter's. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - ROME/ASSISI - This morning, we travel north from Rome through the Umbrian countryside to Assisi. Our first stop is in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. We then proceed to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. We begin our walking tour of the village with a visit to the Church of St. Clare and view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. We celebrate Mass here. We return to our hotel in Rome for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 - ROME - This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI if he is in residence. This afternoon, we visit the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran We continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. The huge, imposing Basilica, second only to St. Peter's and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at one of the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians. We celebrate Mass here and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 9 - ROME - Following Mass at our hotel, today is yours for shopping, personal adventure or optional excursions to Florence, Sorrento, Capri or elsewhere. We will have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Rome tonight as dinner will be on our own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 - ROME/USA - We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.