World Youth Day | July 30, 2027
"Take courage! I have overcome the world" - Jn 16:33
This is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 2027 International World Youth Day, and it invites young people from around the world to become witnesses of hope, carrying the joy of the Risen Christ to the ends of the earth.
Join the Diocese of Joliet for World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027! Prices are coming soon. You will visit destinations such as Seoul, the DMZ, Yeoncheon, Chonjinam, Mount Seoraksan, Nami Island, and participate in World Youth Day Events like daily Masses and Catechesis, the Evening Vigil, and closing Mass with Pope Leo!
Young adults must be age 18-35 as of August 1, 2027.
What's Included
- All Inclusive Pricing
- First Class Hotels
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
- International Airfare
- Entrance and Program Fees
- Guided Tours
- Administrative Fee
- Hotel Gratuities
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 July 30 – Depart the USA
Depart the USA
Day 2 July 31 – Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in South Korea, where your tour manager will greet you at the airport. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and rest. Overnight: Seoul.
Day 3 August 1 – Rest Day and Market Tour
Enjoy a day to rest or explore Seould on your own today. Later in the day wander charming streets with art galleries, antique shops, and artisanal boutiques, witnessing the fusion of old and new. Discover the hidden gem of Ikseon-dong Alley, where past and present coexist in narrow alleys, traditional hanok houses, and trendy cafes. Hear fascinating stories of the neighborhood’s history and resurgence as a hip cultural destination. Experience the lively Gwangjang Market, dating back to the early 1900s, where you’ll find a bustling marketplace with local delicacies, textiles, and handmade goods to savor and enjoy and sample a bunch of local dishes.
Day 4 August 2 – DMZ Zone & Yeoncheon
Visit the demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea at the Ganghwa Peace Observatory, with views of North Korean villages. Continue to the Ganghwa Dolmen Sites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing ancient megalithic tombs that date to the prehistoric period. After lunch, visit the Augustinian Retreat House in Yeoncheon for Holy Hour and Mass.
Day 5 August 3 – Seoul Tour & Evening Welcome Mass
Travel to Gahoe-dong Church, the site of the first Mass of the Korean Catholic Church, for Mass. Enjoy a tour of Seoul’s main historical attractions, starting with Gyeongbokgung Palace, and bring you all the way up to its futuristic street art scene in Ihwa Mural Village. Along the way, your guide will give you historical information on all the points of interest and offer local recommendations on what to see, eat, and do. Finish at the Starfield COEX Mall. The COEX shopping mall, located beneath the Korea World Trade Center, is one of the largest underground shopping centers in South Korea. It features international brand-name stores, a concert hall, and an extensive food court, and restaurant options. It even has a full aquarium, movie theater, and an arcade. Visit the Bongeunsa Temple, a Buddhist temple located in the city’s Gangnam district. Transfer to the Opening Mass Location to celebrate with Pope Leo and other pilgrims from around the world. Overnight in Seoul.
Day 6 August 4 – WYD: WYD Events
Join Catechesis and Mass this morning and participate in other World Youth Day events. Transfer back to your hotel afterward. Overnight: Seoul.
Day 7 August 5 – WYD: WYD Events
Join Catechesis and Mass this morning and participate in other World Youth Day events. Transfer back to your hotel afterward. Overnight: Seoul.
Day 8 August 6 – WYD: WYD Events
Join Catechesis and Mass this morning and participate in other World Youth Day events. Transfer back to your hotel afterward. Overnight: Seoul.
Day 9 August 7 – WYD: Chon Jin Am & Evening Vigil
Take a day trip to Chon Jin Am, the birthplace of Korean Catholicism. Contemplate the Korean martyrs’ imitation of Christ at the Chon Jin Am Way of the Cross and gardens. Celebrate Mass and a Holy Hour, with time for hiking and exploring the vast and serene grounds of the shrine. Return to Seoul and join in the Vigil this evening. Overnight in Seoul.
Day 10 August 8 – WYD: Closing Morning Mass, Mount Seoraksan & Nami Island
After attending the closing Mass this morning, visit UNESCO–listed Mount Seoraksan and Nami Island, which attract visitors keen to enjoy an up-close brush with nature in South Korea. Visit Seoraksan National Park and Shinheungsa Temple inside Seoraksan National Park. You can hike or take the cable car to Mount Seoraksan. Travel to Nami Island and stroll among native cherry and ginkgo trees. Visit the beautiful Garden of Morning Calm. The garden design focused on curves, spaces, and asymmetric balance, drawing on Korea’s unique beauty to express classic elegance and a sense of fantasy. The garden founder and the employees have strived to embrace the natural beauty of Korea, the oriental mystique, and the spirit of the Korean people in the garden. Return to Seoul for a farewell dinner.
Day 11 August 9 – Return to USA
Transfer back to the airport to fly home. Bring with you the wonderful memories of your time here and the blessings of your Korean brothers and sisters in Christ!
Enhance Your Journey
South Korea Pre-Tour
July 26-August 1, 2027 | Price TBD
July 26 – Depart the USA
July 27 – Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in South Korea, where your tour escort at the airport will greet you. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and rest.
Overnight: Seoul.
July 28 – Yondangri, Solmoe & Gongseri
Venture out from Seoul, beginning with a Holy Hour at the burial spot of St. Andrew Kim Taegon at Mirinae Holy Site. Then, continue to the Solmoe Cathedral and village, renowned as the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean Catholic priest. Conclude the day at Gongseri Catholic Church and celebrate Mass, considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Korea, which beautifully combines traditional Korean elements with Western influences, and is the site of 32 martyrs.
Overnight: Cheonan.
July 29 – Haemi, Daegu & Hanti
Spend the morning at Haemi Catholic Martyrs’ Shrine, where thousands of nameless Catholic martyrs are memorialized, including Mass and time to explore the shrine. Then, drive to Daegu Cathedral. Continue to Hanti Martyrs’ Shrine, a pilgrimage site commemorating 37 Catholic martyrs killed during the 19th-century persecution of Christians. Located in a mountain valley where early Korean Catholics sought refuge, it features a cemetery with the graves of these martyrs, a 14-meter crucifix, and the “Hanti Trail” pilgrimage route that leads to the shrine.
Overnight: Daegu.
July 30 – Busan
Travel to Busan and enjoy a highlights tour of Headong Yonggungsa Temple, Taejongdae Monument, the Busan Gamcheon Culture Village, and the Songdo Skywalk with amazing views of Songdo Beach.
Overnight: Busan
July 31 – Free Day in Busan
Enjoy a day in Busan to relax at the beach or explore the city on your own today.
August 1 – Travel back to Seoul
Travel back to Seoul via high-speed rail. Meet up with your other pilgrims for dinner tonight.
Overnight: Seoul.
Vietnam Post-Tour
August 9 - 15, 2027 | Price TBD
August 9 – Fly to Da Nang
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. After you are picked up at the airport, travel north to Hue. Visit Phu Cam Cathedral, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hue, which is one of the largest, most famous, and oldest churches in Hue. The cathedral was built on a hill where an orange plantation once stood. Construction on the property began in 1963, with further additions made in 2000. It is built in the style of Modern Architecture, designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ. Then pay your respects at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, another architectural treasure of Hue. Discover its significance within the Catholic community, appreciate its artistic beauty, and then check into your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
August 10 – Our Lady of La Vang
Take the Journey North! We’ll embark on a scenic drive to Our Lady of La Vang, a prominent pilgrimage site not only for the Vietnamese but also for everyone worldwide. Here, you’ll have ample time for prayer and reflection, soaking in the spiritual significance of this revered location. Return to Hue city for lunch. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in tranquility at Thien An Monastery. Nestled amidst a breathtaking pine forest in Thuy Bang, this serene haven boasts an intimate atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. Explore the grounds, find a quiet corner for meditation, or appreciate the peaceful environment. Then, we will dive into the vibrant local scene at Dong Ba Market! As Hue’s oldest market, Dong Ba offers an unforgettable cultural experience. Explore the labyrinthine aisles brimming with an array of goods, from fresh produce and local crafts to clothing and delicious street food. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.
August 11 – Bana Hills & Hoi An Town
Traveling National Highway 1 south to Hoi An is around a 4-hour drive. We’ll stop by Lang Co Beach, followed by a scenic drive over the stunning Hai Van Mountain Pass. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level). Hai Van is translated as “Sea Clouds,” since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea. The views over Lang Co Bay and Da Nang are stunning. We’ll make stops along the way for photos and refreshments as required. Passing by Da Nang, we head to the Ba Na Hills. This hill resort, inherited from the French, has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views. Until World War II, the French were carried up the last 20 kilometers of a rough mountain road by sedan chair, but now a 5.7-kilometer (the world’s longest) cable car system has opened access. The ride involves a rise of almost 1,400 m, a truly spectacular trip through dense jungle and past waterfalls. Walk the Golden Bridge. This remarkable construction has attracted visitors worldwide, eager to see a novel piece of architecture renowned for its distinctive design. The bridge was designed to evoke the image of the ‘giant hands of God,” pulling a strip of gold out of the ground, and to connect the cable car station with the gardens, and to provide a fantastic scenic overlook. Continue to Hoi An and check into your hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An.
August 12 – Our Lady of Tra Kieu
In the morning, visit Our Lady of Trà Kiệu. In this holy mountain church, pilgrims gather to pray and commemorate the glory and victory that Our Lady gave to the faithful during the war of self-defense against the Can Vuong Movement in 1885. In the afternoon, take the Hoi An walking tour. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving trading port, with a diverse range of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, as well as Westerners (Dutch and Spanish), during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside, and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for a three-hour walking tour, offering a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past. You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chinese, and an old merchant’s house—Tan Ky is a beautiful town of all lanterns by night. In the evening, immerse yourself in a spectacular cultural experience with the “Hoi An Memories” Show. This breathtaking outdoor performance brings Hoi An’s heroic and romantic history to life, taking you on a journey through its rich heritage and vibrant identity. Featuring over 500 talented dancers and actors, stunning props, and mesmerizing stage effects, the show captivates with its impressive choreography and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Set on a grand 25,000 square-meter stage, “Hoi An Memories” promises an unforgettable evening that will leave you in awe of Hoi An’s timeless beauty.
Overnight in Hoi An.
August 13 – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. After you are picked up at the airport, enjoy lunch and then embark on a half-day tour to explore the city’s historical and cultural attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Learn about the city’s influences and history, from Chinese rule to French colonialism to the Vietnam War, as you check out landmarks such as Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. Enjoy a magical evening on a Saigon River dinner cruise! Watch the city sparkling at night as you relax on board, feeling the cool breeze and hearing the gentle waves. Savor a delicious dinner with carefully selected local and international dishes, perfect for couples and travelers seeking a unique experience. Let soft music and a cozy atmosphere create unforgettable memories. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
August 14 – Mekong Delta
Experience the best of the Mekong Delta on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City and explore the distinctive delta landscape by motorized river boat and rowboat. You’ll visit a traditional temple, a canal island, and a local home along the way, then stop in a restaurant for a delta-style lunch. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
August 15 – Return to the USA. Enjoy leisure time until you transfer to Da Nang Airport to begin your journey home.
Departure Dates
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Friday, July 30, 2027COMING SOON





