THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II

Day 1: HOME CITY / KRAKOW

Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2: KRAKOW / CZESTOCHOWA / KRAKOW

Breakfast. In the morning, we will start by visiting Krakow, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. Highlights include Wawel Hill with Wawel Castle, the cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace of Krakow, and the Franciscan Church. We’ll stroll through the old town and admire Jagiellonian University, Europe’s largest market square, the Town Hall Tower, the Old Cloth Hall, the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary with the altar by the renowned sculptor Veit Stoss, and the ancient wall near St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican. Transfer to Czestochowa for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Pauline Monastery, home to the miraculous image of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, also known as “the Black Madonna,” the most important pilgrimage site in Poland. Attend Holy Mass in one of the chapels of the Sanctuary. Return to Krakow. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3: KRAKOW / AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU / LAGIEWNIKI / KRAKOW

Breakfast. Brief visit to the former Jewish quarter Kazimierz, the center of religious and social life of Jewish Krakow (if time permits, we’ll visit one of the synagogues in Kazimierz). Continue to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum to explore the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Lagiewniki to visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Saint John Paul II during his visit to Poland in 2002, and attend Holy Mass in one of the Sanctuary’s chapels. Return to Krakow. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4: KRAKOW / DUNAJEC / ZAKOPANE / KRAKOW

Breakfast. Early departure to Sromowce Wyzne for a traditional rafting trip on the Dunajec River, flowing through the picturesque Pieniny Gorge on the Poland-Slovakia border (from April to October, see note). Transfer to Zakopane for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki, built to thank God for saving the life of Saint John Paul II after the assassination attempt on May 13, 1983. Attend Mass at the Sanctuary. Free time and return to Krakow. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5: KRAKOW / WADOWICE / KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA / WIELICZKA / KRAKOW

Breakfast. Departure to Wadowice, with a stop in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska to visit its sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. Attend Holy Mass at the parish of Pope John Paul II and explore the city’s points of interest: the house where Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920, and the parish church where he was baptized on June 20, 1920. Lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Wieliczka to visit the salt mine, one of the world’s oldest salt mines, operating since prehistoric times and forming an underground city with chapels (the Chapel of St. Kinga is the largest underground chapel in the world), lakes, and tunnels. Return to Krakow. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: KRAKOW / HOME CITY

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

INCLUDES

• Airport-hotel-airport transfers.
• Bus or minibus throughout the tour.
• 6 days and 5 nights stay in selected hotels or similar on a half-board basis.
• 4 lunches.
• Visits to Krakow, Pope’s Museum House in Wadowice, Wieliczka Salt Mines, Zakopane, Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, Czestochowa Sanctuary, Lagiewniki, and Kalwaria.
• Tickets to Krakow Cathedral, Church of the Virgin Mary, and one synagogue.
• Entry to Wieliczka Salt Mines with descent on foot and ascent by elevator.
• Tickets for the Dunajec River descent.
• Entry to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, Czestochowa Sanctuary, Lagiewniki, and Kalwaria.
• Spanish-speaking tour guide.
• Basic travel insurance without cancellation (Please inquire about supplement for cancellation insurance, extended medical coverage, and COVID coverage).

DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International flight ticket.
• Drinks during meals.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Anything not described in “includes”.

PLANNED HOTELS

• Krakow: Viena House Easy Crown 3*

NOTES

• From November to March, the Dunajec River descents are not conducted. Instead, there will be a funicular ascent to Mount Gubalowka in Zakopane or a visit to the Schindler Factory in Krakow or the Czartoryscy Museum in Krakow.
• The itinerary and order of visits may be modified based on availability at Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, Pope’s Museum in Wadowice, and the Salt Mine.
• Masses can only be celebrated when the group is accompanied by a priest.
• The visit to the Salt Mines will be private for groups of at least 15 people. If the group is smaller, the visit will be shared with other groups.
• Group price is subject to availability with a minimum of 30 passengers. For smaller groups, please inquire about the price.
• The first night always excludes dinner, even if the reserved tour is with half board.
• Spanish-speaking driver during transfers is not guaranteed.
• The included transfers are only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour. Any other day will be charged as an additional transfer.

OPTIONAL SERVICES

• Polish Folklore Dinner: Please inquire about the price.
• Supplement for Golden Tulip Kazimierz 4* Hotel or similar: €250 per person/total in double room.

LA MERCA COMPANY LLC and its subsidiary TIERRA SANTA TRAVEL reserve the right to change the program sequence and hotels without prior notice.

No refunds will be given for unused hotel nights, excursions, or meals during the itinerary.