Pilgrimage to Poland in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II

Morning: Arrival in Krakow, check-in at the accommodation.
Afternoon: Guided tour of Krakow. In the programme: the Old Town with the biggest Main Square in Europe where, every hour, the St. Mary's Trumpet Call is played from the church’s tower in the direction of the four corners of the world; St. Mary’s Church with the triptych carved in woods by Veit Stoss where Karol Wojtyła served as a confessor from 1952 to 1957; the Cloth Hall; the Jagiellonian University where Karol Wojtyła did his studies; Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University where Nicolaus Copernicus’ remembrances are stored; the Wawel Castle and its cathedral full of relics. On 2 November 1946 in the St. Leonard’s Crypt, young Karol Wojtyła celebrated his first Mass as a priest during which he has taken the phrase "Totus Tuus" as his motto.
After exploring the Wawel Hill, the next stop is Kazimierz – a historic Jewish neighbourhood which has become one of the most popular parts of the city, thanks to its unique atmosphere. During the Second World War, it was transformed into the Jewish ghetto, and it has served as a backdrop during the filming of Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: An all-day guided tour of Krakow.
In the programme: the Bishop’s Palace where John Paul II lived during his time as the bishop and archbishop of Krakow; the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, vis-à-vis the Bishop’s Palace where the Pope often came to pray. He even had "his bench" – his favourite place in the church. Departure to St. Stanislaus Kostka’s Church in Dębniki where the Pope celebrated his second Mass on 3 November 1946 and a visit to the house on Tyniecka Street where Karol Wojtyła lived during his student years / from the outside /. A visit to the Błonia Park – a huge city meadow where each time the Pope has come to Krakow, the Holy Mass was held, drawing enormous crowds.
The Church of St. Florian where John Paul II worked with students. He travelled with them to many places and was given a nickname "Wujek" (uncle).
The visit ends on the Rakowicki Cemetery where the Pope’s parents are buried.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: The world needs God’s mercy – a visit to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow-Łagiewniki, known for the image of the Divine Mercy with the phrase “Jesus I trust in you”. The Sanctuary was proclaimed a Centre of World Mercy by the Pope during his visit to Poland in August 2002. Next to the old church where saint sister Faustina Kowalska, who preached Divine Mercy, lies, stands the new basilica. Close to it, the highest view point of Krakow, an 80 meters tall tower. The biggest Holy Mass takes place on the second Sunday after Easter, on the Divine Mercy Sunday.
Coach tour of Solvay Soda Factory where Wojtyła has worked between 1940 and 1941.
Afternoon: Departure to Nowa Huta district for a visit to the Church of Our Lady Queen of Poland, known as The Ark of the Lord Church.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: Departure to Wadowice. Holy Mass in the Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or in the Chapel of the Holy Family where Karol Wojtyła was baptised on 20 May 1920. Visit to the family home of John Paul II.
Afternoon: The tour heads to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – the “Polish Jerusalem”, known for its Passion plays and indulgence celebrations. The largest processions take place during Holy Week. The Stations of the Cross. A baroque church from the 18^th century with the painting of the Holy Virgin of Kalwaria. The Cultural and Landscape Complex of the Cloister and Pilgrims’ Park of the Order of Saint Bernard which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Departure to Zakopane – a winter resort at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Zakopane as a city has its own unique, quirky charm thanks to the ornated wooden buildings, rustic decor and true highland traditions.
Evening: Check-in at the accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Zakopane.

Morning: Funicular ride to the Gubałówka Mountain. Visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in Zakopane, which was built to express the gratitude for saving the life of John Paul II.
Afternoon: Leisure time for a walk in Zakopane. Return to Krakow.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: Departure to the salt mine in Wieliczka, one of the oldest mines in the world. It was included in the very first UNESCO World Heritage List from 1978. The path open for tourists is spread across three levels and goes as deep as 135 metres underground. Located 110 metres underground, the Chapel of Saint Kinga is considered to be one of the most beautiful chapels of its kind in the world.
Afternoon: Departure to Oświęcim. Visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, created by the Nazis in 1940. Nowadays, the site is home to a museum that preserves evidence of Nazi crimes. The prisoners were executed in the Block 11, known as the "Death Block". One of them was Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe who had a cell there. The gas chambers, which were used by the Nazis to murder over 70 000 people between the years 1940 and 1943, are located outside the camp.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: Visit to Częstochowa or "Polish Lourdes", the most important pilgrimage destination in Poland and one of the main places of worship in the Christian world. The Black Madonna of Częstochowa icon. Visit to the Jasna Góra Monastery. Each year, 5 million of Catholics come to pray and worship the Black Madonna.
A guided tour of the Pauline fortified monastery which includes the Knight’s Hall, the Treasury, the Armoury and a museum where Lech Wałęsa’s Nobel Peace Prize is displayed.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Morning: Check-out and departure from Krakow.