"You have nothing to worry about. The LORD is taking care of you on this journey" (Judges 18:6)
13 Days Journey to Motherland of Christianity - East Europe
POLAND (Krakow – Divine Mercy) CZECH REPUBLIC (Prague) CROATIA (Zagreb)
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA (Medjugorje) HUNGARY (Budapest)
Below are the places to be visited and more.....
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Auschwitz concentration camp
- Divine Mercy Sanctuary (St. Faustina)
- Our Lady of Medjugorje - Queen of Peace
- Cathedral of Zagreb - Assumption of Mary
- Holy Father John Paul II Museum in Wadowice
- Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague
- Jasna Gora Monastery Black Madonna - Our Lady of Czestochowa
- Guided Tour: Prague, Krakow, Zagreb, Medjugorje.
DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO PRAGUE.
Upon Arrival into Prague after completing the Immigration process then to hotel, stay.
DAY 2: PRAGUE - KRAKOW (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast followed by the Prague city tour, The Infant Jesus Shrine, the charming statue of the Child Jesus, displayed for people to venerate in the church of Our Lady of Victory in the Lesser Town district of Prague, receives visitors from all over the world every day. People come here to pray for help, healing, or peace; some come in trust expecting the birth of a child; and many return to give thanks. The sweet face of the Child Jesus attracts visitors through its beauty. The right hand of the child is raised in blessing, while his left hand holds a sphere surmounted by a cross – the whole of our universe rests in his hands and then we continue the city tour of Prague, The Old Town, Powder Tower, The Powder Tower is a one of the original medieval gates to the Old Town built by Matej Rejsek in the Gothic style in 1475. In the 18th century, it served as a gunpowder depot, giving it its current name. The Astronomical clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information Astronomical clock, Old Town Square, Tyn church and St.Nicholas church and then to Krakow, stay overnight at Krakow.
DAY 3: AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU - CZESTOCHOWA - KRAKOW (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner).
After Breakfast we visit the biggest concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz Birkenau that was established by the Nazis during the World War 2, where about 1.1 million people were murdered. During the guided tour you will see barracks where people had to live and work in terrible conditions and ruins of gas chambers and crematoria, where most of the imprisoned were killed, followed by the city tour of Krakow, proceed to the Market Square, which is the heart of the medieval city of Krakow, the biggest Square in Europe which is over 750 years old and was one of the biggest trade centre’s in Europe. By the Square is the famous St. Mary’s Church, one of the most beautiful in Poland with the biggest medieval altar in Europe and the famous trumpeter playing a symbolic tune every hour from one of the church towers etc, hotel and Stay overnight.
DAY 4: KRAKOW - WADOWICE - DIVINE MERCY - WIELICZKA - KRAKOW (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After Breakfast we will proceed to Wadowice – town where St. John Paul II spent his childhood. In his family home, where he was born and spent 18 years of his life, there is a Museum dedicated to John Paul II. It shows the whole life of the Pope and different objects collected by this institution that belonged to Karol Wojtyła and his family. Next to the Pope’s house is the church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary where the Pope was baptised. The baptismal basin is presents there until today. Next is the UNESCO listed world heritage site of the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sanctuary and a place of pilgrimage for many Catholics. Afternoon we visit Shrine of the Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow, Poland is a Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, as the resting place of Saint Faustina Kowalska, canonized on April 30, 2000. In March 1981, while praying at the tomb of St. Faustina at the church, Maureen Digan of Massachusetts reported a healing. Digan had suffered from lymphedema for decades, and had undergone 10 operations, including a leg amputation. Digan reported that while praying at Faustina’s tomb she heard a voice saying “ask for my help and I will help you” and her constant pain stopped, later we visit Salt mine of Wieliczka located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland, lies within the Krakow metropolitan area. The mine, built in the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world’s oldest salt mines still in operation. The mine’s attractions include dozens of statues, three chapels and an entire cathedral that has been carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The oldest sculptures are augmented by the new carvings by contemporary artists. The mine is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments and then to the Old Town in Krakow. Krakow is the former capital of Poland during the walking tour we will see the area of The Old Town so the oldest medieval part of Krakow, the Royal complex situated on a big hill called Wawel. The complex consists of the Royal Castle built in the 16th century by Italian architects and is one of the most beautiful renaissance palaces in Europe. Next to the Castle is the Cathedral – the church of Krakow archbishops and polish Kings. In this church all polish monarchs were crowned and buried, additionally the most important polish national heroes. After visiting the Hill we will go along the oldest medieval streets in Krakow to see Archbishops Palace, where the polish Pope resided, when he was the Archbishop and where he met with the believers during his stays in Krakow already as a Pope. The symbol of these meetings is a famous Pope’s Window of the Palace, from which he greeted all people waiting for him in front of the building. Next we will go to see the oldest polish university established in the 14th century, where the polish Pope studied. We will see this building and also the oldest ones from the medieval times. Finally we will proceed to the Market Square, which is the heart of the medieval city of Krakow, the biggest Square in Europe which is over 750 years old and was one of the biggest trade centre’s in Europe. By the Square is the famous St. Mary’s Church, one of the most beautiful in Poland with the biggest medieval altar in Europe and the famous trumpeter playing a symbolic tune every hour from one of the church towers etc, hotel and stay overnight.
DAY 5: IN and AROUND KRAKOW – CZESTOCHOWA – JASNA GORA (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After Breakfast departure to Czestochowa Jasna Gora Sanctuary It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most important destinations for Pilgrims. The Jasna Góra in Częstochowa – the Pauline cloister with the most venerated image in Poland of the Black Madonna. The Sanctuary was built in the 14th century and from the beginning it houses the image, that according to the tradition was painted by St. Lucas on the tabletop from the house of the Holy Family. Our Lady of Czestochowa (Black Madonna) is believed to be the Queen and the Protector of Poland. Every year several million pilgrims – commoners as well as celebrities – come here to pray before the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The faithful has believed for ages that St. Luke the Evangelist himself painted the divine icon on a tabletop from the Holy Family’s house. Over the last half-millennium great number of them had their prayers heard and, grateful, left innumerable votive offerings displayed in the sanctuary. Chapel with Miraculous Painting of the Black Madonna, The Basilica, and The Bell Tower that contains one or more bells or that is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. Modern bell towers often contain carillons. The bell is rung to signify the time, to call people to worship, for special events such as weddings and funerals, or historically to sound a civil defense or fire alarm. Knight’s Hall, followed by the city tour of Krakow, hotel and stay overnight at Krakow.
DAY 6: KRAKOW - BUDAPEST (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast we transfer to Budapest, upon arrival we visit the Heroes Square and City Park followed by the short city tour of Budapest. We will pass by the famous Opera House on the magnificent Andrassy Avenue and take an inside visit at St. Stephen Basilica. The Basilica is surrounded with some nice souvenir shops. We continue our trip with the Citadel panoramic view stop on the top of Gellert Mountain followed by the historical Buda Castle, on the Castle Hill. It was founded in the 13th century after the Mongol invasion. The historical castle and palace complex served as the main seat of the Hungarian kings for centuries. Today the Castle, often referred to as the Royal Palace (Budavári Palota), is the home to a number of cultural institutions, including the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, then to hotel, stay overnight at Budapest.
DAY 7: BUDAPEST – ZAGREB (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast we transfer to Zagreb, followed by the city tour of Zagreb includes visit to the historic center of Zagreb, KAPTOL with the Cathedral and the central market DOLAC. Then, passing through the TKALČIĆEVA STREET with charming little cafes in the 18th century surrounding we will cross a little street called the BLOODY BRIDGE and continue uphill towards the medieval STONE GATE with the sanctuary dedicated to St. Mary. After passing the Stone gate we arrive to GRADEC, another medieval center of Zagreb and we will make a stop at ST. MARK’S SQUARE with the famous ST. MARK’S CHURCH with multicolored tiled roof, the best known sign of Zagreb. This square is also a home of the Parliament and the Government of Republic of Croatia. This medieval part of the tour we will finish near the TOWER LOTRŠĆAK, the 13th century tower that still watches over Zagreb and the near-by cable-car USPINJAČA. From the hill we will take one of the numerous wooden 19th century stairs to the Square of ban Josip Jelačić, main square and the heart of Zagreb then transfer and stay overnight at Zagreb.
DAY 8: ZAGREB - MEDJUGORJE (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After Breakfast free at Leisure, afternoon we transfer to MEDJUGORJE en-route enjoy the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful, Upon arrival to MEDJUGORJE, hotel, and stay overnight at Medjugorje.
DAY 9: IN and AROUND MEDJUGORJE (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Full day activities in Medjugorje. Rising before it is light, those who wish may climb Mount Krizevac – the Hill of the Cross- treading the stony path and following the Way of the Cross to the summit, where you arrive as dawn breaks. This is an unforgettable experience reflecting the difficulties of our life’s journey culminating in our arrival at the foot of the cross bathed in the light of the Resurrection and rest of the day at Medjugorje, stay overnight at Medjugorje.
DAY 10: IN and AROUND MEDJUGORJE (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast we visit the St. James Parish Church of Medjugorje, consecrated in 1969, is the focus of worship and prayer for both the local parish and visiting pilgrims. A marble statue of the Queen of Peace, which became a symbol of the Medjugorje Shrine, was erected in 1987 at the square in front of the church. The Adoration Chapel was built in 1992 as a place for private prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Shrine also includes various prayer areas, a meeting hall for pilgrims, a cemetery, a gift shop, a first aid station, and an information booth and then we will climb to the hill of Crnica above the hamlet of Podbrdo – known as the Hill of the Apparitions. We will also visit and pray at “Blue Cross”, which is a very special place at the base of Apparition Hill where the visionaries would meet in the early days of the apparitions to avoid the Communist police. In the afternoon you can visit the Cenacolo Community, a drugs rehabilitation centre for young people, which uses prayer, fasting and physical work to heal young people from their addictions. You will hear an inspiring personal witness by one of the addicts. Evening back to Church followed by the Rosary and Holy Mass and stay overnight at Medjugorje.
DAY 11: MEDJUGORJE – SARAJEVO Airport
After breakfast we transfer to Sarajevo Airport to take the flight to home.
DAY 12: We arrive back home
We arrive back home.