POLAND JOHN PAUL II TOUR
(7 DAYS)
The Pope John Paul II, born Karol Jozef Wojtyla (May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005), was the Head of the Roman Catholic Church for almost 27 years, from 16 October 1978 until his death. He was the first non-Italian to serve in the Holy See since 1523. His reign was the third-longest in the history of the Papacy. John Paul II became known as the “Pilgrim Pope” for having travelled greater distances than had all his predecessors combined. According to John Paul II, the trips symbolized bridge-building efforts between nations and religions, attempting to remove divisions created through history. Poland, as his motherland, was the most frequently visited country. He came here 8 times out of 104 pastoral visits he did outside of Italy. This tour will remind you about his personality and take you to his favorite places in Poland, a country where all began.
Itinerary
Arrival to Warsaw; Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Warsaw.
DAY 2 – WARSAW
Warsaw bus sightseeing through the Royal Route, the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, and the Pilsudski Square, where during his first trip to Poland in 1979 John Paul II appealed to the crowd with his famous phrase: “Thy your Spirit come and change the outlook of land, This land”. Those days under communist rules no one believed it could ever be true, but 10 years later this wish fulfilled. Pilsudski Square was also a place of the funeral ceremony after his death; we continue the bus sightseeing passing Warsaw City with skyscrapers, Umschlagplatz and the Monument of Heroes of Ghetto – places commemorating the Warsaw Jewish in which our Pope prayed, then the Town Hall and a glimpse at the monumental architecture from communism time; walk around the Lazienki Royal Park with the Palace on the Water and the Island Theatre, open air Chopin’s concert (only summer); visit to the Royal Castle, walk around the Old Town (UNESCO Heritage) and the New Town: the Krasinski Palace, the Palace of Justice and the Monument of Warsaw Uprising; Overnight in Warsaw
DAY 3 – WARSAW – CZESTOCHOWA – KRAKOW
Transfer to the south of Poland to Czestochowa – pilgrimage’s place of John Paul II and the most important Saint Mary Sanctuary in Poland with the inscription over a gate devoted to the Pope, visit to the church with Black Madonna and the Pope’s Parents Monument; ride through the white rocky complex of Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska adorned with castles situated on the top of those rocks dominating over valleys; transfer to Krakow; overnight in Krakow.
DAY 4 – KRAKOW – WIELICZKA – KRAKOW
Krakow sightseeing, the most famous place linked with a history and life of the Pope John Paul II: former student of Polish Philology and Theology, actor, young priest, university lecturer, bishop and finally Pope!!!; walk through the “Path of John Paul II”; visit to the Wawel Royal Castle with the Cathedral and Krakow Old Town (UNESCO Heritage): the Sukiennice cloth hall, St Mary church, defensive walls, and Barbican; free time. Overnight in Krakow.
Optional: In the afternoon leave for Wieliczka, a home to a unique, over 300m deep UNESCO Heritage listed Salt Mine, to explore its magnificent underground chapels, lakes and chambers carved from salt. Wieliczka is the oldest salt mine in the world still in operation. Return to Krakow.
DAY 5 – KRAKOW – AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU – WADOWICE – KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA – KRAKOW
Transfer to Auschwitz-Birkenau, visit the concentration and extermination camp museum (UNESCO Heritage); transfer to Wadowice – the Pope John Paul II birthplace; visit to the basilica and Pope’s museum; transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (UNESCO Heritage) – place where the special worshiper Karol Wojtyla from his childhood days started pilgrimages with his father, visit to the monastery with dozens of chapels spread around in a beautiful countryside scenery; transfer to Krakow; overnight in Krakow.
DAY 6 – KRAKOW
Krakow – transfer to the Convent of Mercy of God in Krakow – Lagiewniki consecrated by John Paul II and dedicated to Mercy of God; time for holly mass; time to discover the charm of the city by night. Overnight in Krakow.
DAY 7 – KRAKOW
Transfer to the airport.
END OF OUR SERVICES
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Transportation during the trip
- 6 nights in hotels in double rooms (2 in Warsaw, 4 in Krakow)
- Breakfast
- English speaking guide
- All fees and entrances