Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary with Fr. Steven Borello | April 1, 2024
Join Fr. Steven Borello on a Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary starting at $3998 Chicago, IL, on April 1, 2024. You will see the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora, Krakow, St. Mary’s Basilica, Walwel Hill, the Market Square, the Cloth Hall, the Wieliczka Salt Mines, walk the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, the Martyrdom Museum, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Zakopane, train ride to the top of Mount Gubalówka, and more!
What's Included
- All Inclusive Pricing
- First Class Hotels
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
- International Airfare
- Entrance and Program Fees
- Overseas Airport Transfers
- Domestic Airfare
- Administrative Fee
- Hotel Gratuities
- Select Meals on Itinerary
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 April 1 -Depart the USA
Depart the USA
Day 2 April 2 - Arrive in Krakow
Arrive in Krakow today. Celebrate Mass at a local church and then check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3 April 3 - Krakow – Czestochowa - Jasna Gora - Wieliczka
Begin the day visiting Our Lady of Czestochowa and then continue to the Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora, home to the Black Madonna. Founded in 1382, the Madonna was a gift just two years later. Visit also the armory and treasury at the monastery. Travel back to Krakow and visit St. Mary’s Basilica. The trumpet blast from her tower every hour remembers the fall of the trumpeter who warned the city of a Mongol attack. See Walwel Hill, which sits along the Vistula River. Here, the Royal Place and Walwel Cathedral stand. Father Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) gave his first Mass here and later served as the Archbishop of Krakow. Enjoy the Market Square, with the Cloth Hall providing opportunities to purchase Polish folk art and jewelry. Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines and descend via the stairway into the depths of the earth to see the wonders left behind by the miners, including chapels and chandeliers made from the salt, and the famous Blessed Kinga Chapel. (B)
Day 4 April 4 - Auschwitz – Divine Mercy – Have No Fear
Walk the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, in remembrance of those who lost their lives there. Visit the Martyrdom Museum and then drive to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary and enjoy a talk given by one of the nuns about St. Faustina. Celebrate Mass at one of the chapels here, before visiting the new center “Have no Fear” where you may pray by the relic of Saint Pope John Paul II. Return to Krakow for an overnight stay. (B)
Day 5 April 5 - Krakow - Zakopane
After breakfast, travel to Zakopane, a town in the magnificent Tatra Mountains. Your sightseeing tour of the town will include a funicular train ride to the top of Mount Gubalówka. Here, you will enjoy a panoramic view as well as a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, built as a votive offering of thanks to her for saving the Pope’s life after the assassination attempt of May 13, 1981. Karol Wojtyla’s love of the region was fostered in his youth when he used to trek through the mountains with his father and brother. Return to Krakow for one last night. (B)
Day 6 April 6 - Krakow – Wadowice - Prague
Travel to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, to see the Holy Father’s home and the Minor Basilica that he attended in his youth. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary where the Saint Pope was baptized. Journey to Prague and check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 7 April 7 - Prague
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Prague focusing on Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Castle, St. George’s Basilica and the Church of Our Lady Victorious; cross the Charles Bridge visiting the Old Town, the Market Square, “Astronomical Clock”, Wenceslas Square and Josefov, the Jewish quarter. (B)
Day 8 April 8 - Prague – Kutna Hora - Budapest
Leave Prague today and journey to Kutná Hora, the city of silver with a unique late Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara, which was formerly a royal residence and mint built at the end of the 13th century. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Barbara and then arrive in Budapest. Check into your hotel for overnight. (B)
Day 9 April 9 - Budapest
Your city tour begins at Budapest’s Great Market Hall, where you’ll discover plenty of delicious food and shopping. Afterward, you’ll visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. You’ll see the 19th-century Chain Bridge, which connects the Buda district with Pest; and the UNESCO-designated Castle Hill district, which contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Danube. Enjoy local food and folklore entertainment as you sail past Buda & Pest’s illuminated historic buildings. (B, D)
Day 10 April 10- Return to the USA
Return to the USA
Enhance Your Journey
Croatia Extension
April 10 -15, 2024 | Starting at $1,799
April 10 – Zagreb
This morning, depart to Marija Bistrica, the Marian Shrine of Croatia and home to the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. Celebrate Mass in the Shrine and then continue to Zagreb. Enjoy a walking tour of Zagreb’s historic upper and lower towns. The upper town is on a high plateau above the lower town and home to the Cathedral and Parliament building. The lower town is a more modern area known for museums and the Croatian National Theater. The Ban Jelacic Square is the main square where the upper and lower towns meet. (B, D)
April 11 – Zadar
After breakfast, depart for Zadar. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of Zadar. Zadar is very important city of Croatian history and culture. The first University in Croatia was founded here and one of the oldest Universities in Europe (14th century). Visit the famous unique feature, the sea organ, and possibly one of the most impressive museums in the whole country, the Gold & Silver of Zadar kept and taken care of by Benedictine nuns. Holy Mass in one of the churches in Zadar. (B, D)
April 12 - Split
This morning, after breakfast, continue to Split, for a half-day guided tour. Split is a city full of the ancient Roman Empire’s dominance over the region. The Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace is Split’s most famous landmark. With the palace walls extending throughout the city, many residents still live in the old towers and houses (from the 17th century). Then, visit the Peristil Square and St. Duje’s Cathedral (patron Saint of Split), Diocletian’s mausoleum, the Temple of Jupiter, the Vestibul, the Golden Gate, the underground vaults and the beautiful city waterfront. Celebrate Mass in one of the churches in Split. In the late afternoon, continue to Medjugorje. (B, D)
April 13 – Medjugorje
During your stay in Medjugorje, you will meet and share your faith with pilgrims from all over the world. Attend the morning English Mass at St. James Church. In the afternoon, follow the path up the Apparition Hill where the young visionaries encountered Our Lady. Touch and pray before the Cross and the Statue of the Blessed Mother, commemorating the spot where Mary appeared to the visionaries. Your guide will arrange a meeting with one of the visionaries in front of their homes or in a public place (subject to their health and schedule). (B, D)
April 14 - Dubrovnik
Enjoy some more time in Medjugorje. This afternoon, you will depart Medjugorje to visit historical Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” You will visit the Basilica of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, the medieval walls, the historical buildings, and one of the world’s oldest pharmacies. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this fascinating city.
April 15 - Return to the USA
Board your flights for your return trip home to the US.
Departure Dates
-
Monday, April 1, 2024From $3998 Registration closed
