Poland & Rome 2025 – in the footsteps of faith.

USA- CRACOW

We begin our journey with the meeting of the group at the airport. After passport and baggage check-in, we fly to Poland –Cracow.

Poland & Rome 2025 – in the footsteps of faith

KRAKOW- KAZIMIERZ

Day of arrival. After lunch, we start exploring Kazimierz, which is a special place shaped by the several centuries-old Christian-Jewish neighborhood. We go for a walk along the narrow, cobblestone streets which have retained their former names: Szeroka, Wąska, Izaak, or Estera. We see some synagogues that have changed their purpose – the High Synagogue is a place of concerts, promotional meetings, and exhibitions, and you can learn about the history and culture of Cracow’s Jews at the Museum in the Old Synagogue. The church and the museum’s functions are combined in the church on Skalka which, according to a legend, is the sanctuary of the martyrdom of St. Stanislaw and plays the role of the National Pantheon with the crypts of distinguished Poles. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the local restaurant. Free time.

OVERNIGHT: KRAKÓW

KRAKOW (Wawel, Old Town, St. Mary’s Church)

Morning visit to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki for Holy Mass in front of the image of the Merciful Christ or at the grave of St. Faustina Kowalska. City tour of Poland’s historic capital, including Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral – the venue of the coronations and burials of the Polish kings, and the site of the relics of St. Stanislaus the bishop, the patron saint of Poland. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we explore the Old Town with Europe’s largest market square, St. Mary’s Church with its famous altarpiece, the Gothic masterpiece by Veit Stoss, the medieval Jagiellonian University, and the charming streets of the Old Town. Dinner at a local restaurant. Free time.

OVERNIGHT: KRAKÓW

WIELICZKA – WADOWICE

Transfer to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, situated on the outskirts of Cracow, for a tour of this unique UNESCO-listed relic of European medieval technology. Explore several kilometers of chambers and chapels hollowed out from rock salt, with the world-famous St. Kinga’s Chapel being foremost in terms of its ornate beauty and size. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we depart for the city of Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, where a Holy Mass will be held. Dinner at the hotel and free time.

OVERNIGHT: KRAKÓW

KRAKÓW – STRACHOCINA – KRAKÓW

After breakfast transfer to Strachocina where in 1591, Saint Andrew Bobola was born. We visit the Sanctuary of Saint Andrew Bobola, which also houses the parish of Saint Catherine. The Sanctuary features a bell tower, a monument with a statue of the Saint, and a statue of Christ the King of the Universe. Holy Mass. A walk in the park where the Bobola manor, known as “Bobolówka,” used to be located. Then we drive to Kalwaria Pacławska, where a church and monastery complex with a pilgrim house is situated on a hill. We visit the Sanctuary of the Passion of the Lord and Our Lady of Kalwaria, which holds the miraculous image of Our Lady of Kalwaria. On this picturesque hill, there are also 35 brick and 7 wooden Calvary chapels. Transfer to a hotel in Krakow for dinner and overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT: KRAKÓW

KRAKÓW- AUSCHWITZ -CZESTOCHOWA

After breakfast, we go to the Auschwitz–Birkenau Memorial Museum for the tour of the former concentration camp Auschwitz I, including the starvation cell where St. Maksymilian Kolbe died a martyr’s death. The Nazis murdered over a million people in the gas chambers, most of them Jews. Among them was the Christian-Jewish patron saint of Europe, Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross). Lunch at a local restaurant, and then transfer to Czestochowa, where at 9 pm, we join the famous “Closing of the Black Madonna Icon.” Dinner at the hotel before visiting Jasna Góra. Free time.

OVERNIGHT: CZĘSTOCHOWA

CZESTOCHOWA- WARSZAWA

Morning visit to the Pauline Monastery at Jasna Góra in Czestochowa with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Czestochowa (the Black Madonna). It is one of the foremost Marian sanctuaries in the world and Poland’s national sanctuary. Tour of the monastery, prayer in front of the icon, and a Holy Mass in one of the chapels. Lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to Warsaw. We visit the National Sanctuary of Saint Andrew Bobola, where the body of the Saint is laid to rest, and tour the museum dedicated to his life and martyrdom, for which he was posthumously awarded the Cross of Independence. Holy Mass by the relics of Saint Andrew. Free time in the evening.

OVERNIGHT: WARSAW

WARSAW       

After breakfast, we visit Wilanow Palace – the former summer palace of the kings and its gardens, as well as Łazienki Park – the most beautiful one in Warsaw. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our day with a walk around the Old Town, which has been rebuilt from the ruins left at the end of World War II. Sites on our route will include the reconstructed Royal Castle, the Sigismund Column, St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral, the Old Town Square, the Barbican, and the imposing Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street. Dinner at a local restaurant.

OVERNIGHT: WARSAW

WARSZAWA-ROME

Morning or early afternoon flight to Rome. After lunch we see the Colosseum where Christians were once thrown to the lions. Afternoon at leisure.

OVERNIGHT: ROME

ROME

Tenth, eleventh and thirteen day of our pilgrimage will be dedicated to exploring other significant tourist attractions in Rome.

 OVERNIGHT: ROME

ROME

Eleventh day of our pilgrimage will be dedicated to exploring the most significant tourist attractions in Rome:  Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine commemorating the victory of Constantine the Great, Palatine Hill.

OVERNIGHT: ROME

VATICAN

This day will be dedicated to participating in the General Audience with the Pope at the Vatican. This includes exploring the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter and the Saint Sebastian Chapel with the Tomb of John Paul II. After lunch, visits to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel. In the evening, the group will return to the hotel for dinner.

OVERNIGHT: ROME

ROME

Rome – another day of exploring one of the most beautiful European cities. Piazza Navona with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Piazza Venezia with its main features

OVERNIGHT: ROME

ROME-USA

Breakfast at the hotel, check out. Transfer to the airport, check-in and return to the USA.

See also:

• Pilgrimage to Canada – Discovering Faith and Culture
• Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu, Paraty: Jewels of Brazil 2024/2025