Tracing the life of Pope John Paul II

Day 1: NORTH AMERICA - WARSAW. Board a transatlantic flight bound for Poland. Dinner served on board.

Day 2: WARSAW. Upon arrival, our guide and driver meets us at the airport and brings us to our hotel. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city on the way. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 3: WARSAW. After breakfast, we visit all the landmarks of Warsaw: Old Town, Market Square, the Barbican, St. John’s Cathedral and Holy Cross Church. Celebrate a Mass at a local church. The afternoon is at leisure for activities on our own. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 4: WARSAW - SWINICE WARCKIE - CZESTOCHOWA - KRAKOW. After breakfast, we travel to Czestochowa with a stop in Swinice Warckie to visit the parish church St Casimir where St. Faustina was baptized Helen Kowalska. Czestochowa is the site of Poland's greatest pilgrimage shrine - Our Lady of Czestochowa. Visit Jasna Gora Monastery with the Black Madonna picture, one of the most important places of religious worship in the Christian world with a tradition of pilgrimages that goes back to the 14th century. The Holy Father frequently visited Jasna Gorna Monastery, known as the Shrine of the Black Madonna. We celebrate Mass at the Pauline Monastery and view the priceless treasures contained within, including the Miraculous Icon. Then travel to Krakow for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 5: KRAKOW. After breakfast, we have a city tour focusing on the life of Pope John Paul who spent many years in Krakow. Visit St. Mary’s Church and hear the silver trumpet of the bugler from St. Mary's Tower. Within the Cathedral, we may pray before the extraordinary Wit Stwosz altar. The surroundings of the square have remained unchanged for almost 700 years and contain buildings of historic value such as St. Mary’s Church with the famous wooden altar, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and the burgher’s houses. Tour the Cathedral, Coronation Chapel and the Royal Chambers where a superb collection of Arras tapestries is on view. Then visit St. Florians Church where John Paul practiced after becoming priest. We also visit Jagiellonian University where John Paul studied. We celebrate Mass at a local church. Time this afternoon to explore Market Square on our own. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 6: KRAKOW - WADOWICE - PRAGUE. After breakfast, we travel to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul). Visit the house where John Paul II was born. It has since been turned into a shrine-like museum. We also visit the church he attended and was baptized as a child. Next we continue on to Prague. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 7: PRAGUE. This morning, we begin with Mass at a local church. Then, we visit the Prague Castle - the largest ancient castle in the world. Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Boøivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps the classical appearance it took on in the 18th century during the reign of Maria Theresa. We then visit the Infant Jesus of Prague in the church of Our Lady the Victorious. This afternoon is at leisure for activities on our own. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 8: PRAGUE - ROME. This morning, we continue our sightseeing in the city. We walk through this “Hradčany” district visiting the Loreto, the baroque church with the Casa Santa. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. Dinner at our hotel and then we visit the Trevi Fountain for relaxation. Return to our hotel for overnight.

Day 9: ROME. This morning after breakfast, we drive to Assisi to visit the Tomb of St. Francis and the Portiuncula where the great Franciscan family has its origins. We also see the relics of St. Clare, as well as her incorrupt body. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: ROME. A tour of Rome follows breakfast at the hotel. We visit the Catacombs, St. Mary Major Basilica, the Church of Angels and Martyrs next to the Roman Bath, the Coliseum, Forum and the Spanish Steps.

Day 11: ROME. This morning, we attend a Papal audience (if available, from 10:00 to 12:00 noon). Following this, we visit the Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and the Church of St. Peter. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Quo Vadis restaurant. Return to our hotel for overnight.

Day 12: ROME - NORTH AMERICA. We transfer to the airport for our departure from Rome to North America - the close of our unforgettable journey.