Pilgrimage Tours
The traces of John Paul II. Poland Pilgrimage Tour
St. John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła) 1920-2005
He was born in 1920 in Wadowice, a small town near Krakow. In 1942 Karol acted on a calling and entered a clandestine underground theological seminary run by Cardinal Sapieha, the archbishop of Krakow. It was this same cardinal who on 1 November 1946 ordained him into the priesthood. Shortly afterward, Karol Wojtyła went to Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in theology. He returned to Poland in 1948 and went into the student chaplaincy. He also lectured in ethics at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and the Catholic University of Lublin. In 1963 he was nominated an archbishop, and four years later a cardinal. His entire life as a priest and bishop was spent under the oppression of the Communist regime. On 16 October 1978, at the age of 58, he was elected the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and took the name John Paul II.
Follow the footsteps of St. John Paul II. Get to know history and places that Polish Pope visited and loved.
Trip Highlights:
- Visit to the Palace of the Krakow’ Archbishops
- Visit to the cemetery Rakowice with the tomb of the Pope’s parents
- Visit the John Paul II biographical museum in his family house in Wadowice
- Cable car ride up to Gubalowka peak in Zakopane
- Trip to Auschwitz- Birkenau - the world’s largest Nazi extermination camp
- Visit to the Pauline Monastery at Jasna Gora in Czestochowa- the Polish Lourdes
Itinerary:
Day 1 Krakow
morning Arrival in Krakow and check-in your hotel.
afternoon Guided visit of Krakow including the Old Town with its Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe) where you can listen to the famous signal that is played every hour from the tower of St. Mary’ Church (visit to its altar - one of the largest Gothic altar in Europe). In this church Karol Wojtyla was a confessor from 1952 until 1957). Continue on to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Jagiellonian University - where Karol Wojtyla was studying, Collegium Maius, the Wawel Castle with its cathedral (presenting rich Polish history) - in a crypt of Saint Leonard young Karol Wojtyla celebrated his first Mass where he took as his motto “Totus Tuus”.
After the visit, we continue to Kazimierz - the former Jewish quarter which has become one of the most popular of the city, thanks to its atmosphere. There was a Jewish ghetto during the Second World War, and this is where Steven Spielberg shot scenes for his “Schindler’s List”
evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Krakow
morning & afternoon All-day tour around Krakow. On the program: the Palace of the Krakow’ Archbishops where John Paul II lived as the bishop and archbishop of Krakow, the Franciscan Church - opposite the Archbishop's palace where the Pope often came to pray. Here he even had his favorite bench. Departure to the church of St. Stanislav Kostka in Debniki where the Pope celebrated his first Mass and a visit to a house on Tyniecka street (outside) where Karol Wojtyla lived when he was a student. Visit to Blonia - a great place where every time when the pope arrived in Krakow took place the masses with the participation of the countless crowds. The church of Saint Florian where John Paul II worked with students. He traveled with them and these young people often called him Wujek (uncle).
Visit to the cemetery Rakowice - visiting the tomb of the Pope’s parents.
evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Krakow - Lagiewniki
morning “The world needs the love of God” - Visit to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy of God.
The Pope during his stay in Poland in August 2002 proclaimed the International Shrine of Divine Mercy. Next to the old church where the sister Saint Faustina is buried, rises a new basilica. Near the basilica, there is the highest point of Krakow, a tower of over 80m height. The largest mass is held on the second Sunday after Easter, the Sunday of Divine Mercy.
A Holy Mass in the chapel.
afternoon Drive to Nowa Huta - the best example of a socialist city, founded in 1949 and centered on Poland’s first integrated steelworks. During the sightseeing, You will have the opportunity to see the Central Square, then Mogila’s former village with the Cistercians Monastery as an example of sacral architecture preserved very close to grey blocks for inhabitants, entrance gate to Metal Steelworks, formerly named after Lenin, the Rose Avenue, Folk Theatre and the ‘Arka’ Church in Bienczyce.
evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Wadowice - Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - Zakopane
morning Departure to Wadowice - a Mass in the Basilica where Karol Wojtyla was baptized on May 20th, 1920.
Visit the John Paul II biographical museum in his family house.
Continue to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - often called the Polish Jerusalem. The 17th-century baroque church contains the famous miraculous painting of Our Lady of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. The so-called Calvary paths lined with shrines, chapels, and small churches are picturesquely set up on hills and in the stream valley. The most important processions are held here during Holy Week (Easter) and on Our Lady’s Assumption Day. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1999.
afternoon Departure to Zakopane - the ski resort located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Zakopane is a town presenting rich authentic mountaineer traditions, wood-made constructions, and rustic wooden architecture.
evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Zakopane
morning Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains were Bishop Karol Wojtyla’s favorite place to relax. The Tatra highlanders were equally fond of the Holy Father. We will attend Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, one of the most beautiful churches in Poland, founded by the residents of Zakopane out of gratitude that John Paul II’s life was spared in the assassination attempt. We will take the cable car ride up to Gubalowka peak for a magnificent view of the Tatra Mountains, and ride out to Chochołów, a remarkable village of traditional wooden houses, followed by a stroll up one of the valleys at the foot of the mountains.
afternoon Leisure time.
evening Dinner in a regional restaurant with the accompaniment of traditional highlander folk music.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Wieliczka - Auschwitz
morning Departure to the Wieliczka Salt Mine - one of the oldest mines in the world. In 1978, the mine was inscribed on the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO. The accessible route for tourists is divided into three levels going over 135 meters deep. The St. Kinga Chapel, located 110 meters underground, is one of the most beautiful in the world.
afternoon Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau camps created by the Nazis in 1940. Nowadays there is a museum holding evidence of Nazi crimes. In block number 11 called the Death Block, there is a cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Infamous Nazi concentration camp with gas chambers and morbid artifacts displaying horrors of the Nazi regime.
evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Krakow.
Day 7 Czestochowa
morning Departure to Czestochowa. Visit to the Pauline Monastery at Jasna Gora in Czestochowa- the Polish Lourdes - the most important pilgrimage site in Poland with its famous icon of the Black Madonna. At the monastery at Jasna Gora, we’ll see the hall of the knights, the treasury, the arsenal, and a museum.
afternoon Return to Krakow.
evening Night and dinner at the hotel.
Day 8
End of the programme. Departure.
Services included:
- 5 night's accommodation in Krakow in a hotel chosen by you on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 night's accommodation in Zakopane in a hotel chosen by you on bed and breakfast basis
- All transfers as per above mentioned itinerary
- Private English speaking guide as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees for all sightseeing
- Meals as per the itinerary
Services not included:
- The journey to and from Poland
- Tour guide
- Public transport
- Insurance
- Personal expenditure, tips, etc.
- All other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Price on request.