Poland
Wawel Cathedral, Krakow
Embark on a deeply transformative Catholic pilgrimage through the spiritual heart of Poland, where faith, history, and sacred memory come together to renew the soul. Beginning in Kraków, pilgrims explore one of Poland’s most important centers of Catholic life, celebrating Mass and visiting the Skałka Shrine, site of the martyrdom of St. Stanislaus, along with Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Castle, and St. Mary’s Basilica in the historic Old Town. The journey continues underground to the remarkable Wieliczka Salt Mine, where chapels carved in salt reflect centuries of devotion, before traveling to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a UNESCO-listed Marian sanctuary renowned for its chapels and prayerful landscape. In Wadowice, pilgrims walk in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, visiting his birthplace and baptismal church, and then gather at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Łagiewniki to pray at the tomb of St. Faustina Kowalska, where the message of Divine Mercy continues to inspire the world. Time in the Tatra foothills of Zakopane offers moments of natural beauty and prayer in the mountains so beloved by St. John Paul II, where he frequently hiked, skied, and found renewal throughout his life and priesthood. A solemn visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial follows, honoring the victims of the Holocaust and the heroic witness of saints such as St. Maximilian Kolbe. The pilgrimage reaches its spiritual summit at Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, home of the miraculous Black Madonna and the beating heart of Polish Catholic devotion. Concluding in Warsaw, pilgrims encounter historic churches and sites connected to St. Faustina and the city’s resilient Old Town, before returning home strengthened by daily Mass, prayer, and the enduring witness of Poland’s saints and sacred places.
Your trip includes
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Round-trip airfare from Dulles International Airport
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Motorcoach transportation from your parish to Dulles (IAD) and back.
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All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
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First Class Hotel Accommodations:
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4 nights: Krakow, Poland
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1 night: Zakopane, Poland
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1 night: Częstochowa, Poland
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2 nights: Warsaw, Poland
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Single supplements, while available
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Transfers as per itinerary
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Breakfast and dinner daily
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Wine and mineral water with dinners
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Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
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Tour escort throughout
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Assistance of professional local Catholic guide(s) as appropriate
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Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
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Mass daily and spiritual activities
Not included:
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Lunches and beverages not mentioned
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Travel Insurance
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Tips to your guide & driver. (est. $100 total)
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Church donations (budget $2.00-$5.00 per Mass)
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Passports, visas, and any required travel documentation
Itinerary
Dulles International Airport
Day 1
After a pilgrimage Mass at your parish, transfer by coach bus to Dulles International Airport to catch an evening flight for arrival in Krakow, Poland.
Day 2
Upon arrival in Kraków, pilgrims are warmly welcomed to Poland with time to settle in and enjoy lunch before beginning the spiritual heart of the journey. The afternoon pilgrimage begins at Skałka Shrine (Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Stanislaus), one of the most important sanctuaries in the nation. This sacred site marks the place of the martyrdom of St. Stanislaus, Bishop of Kraków and patron saint of Poland, who was killed in 1079 while defending the moral law of the Church. Time is provided for prayer and reflection at this deeply symbolic location, which for centuries has been a place of national repentance, reconciliation, and renewal, visited by saints, kings, and popes alike.
Following the visit, pilgrims transfer to their hotel for check-in and a brief rest before heading into Kraków’s beautifully preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An evening walking tour introduces the city’s medieval heart, passing historic squares, churches, and streets that have witnessed the faith of the Polish people through centuries of triumph and trial. The day concludes with a welcome dinner in Old Town, offering time for fellowship and reflection as pilgrims begin their journey through Poland’s rich Catholic heritage, grounded in the witness of saints and sustained by living faith.
Skałka Shrine Krakow
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Day 3
After breakfast, the day begins with Morning Mass in Kraków at the chapel where St. John Paul II was ordained to the priesthood—an intimate and spiritually powerful setting that anchors the pilgrimage in prayer. The morning continues with a guided exploration of the city’s historic core, starting on Wawel Hill, including the Royal Castle courtyard and Wawel Cathedral, the coronation and burial place of Poland’s kings and bishops. Walking through the Old Town (Stare Miasto), pilgrims encounter centuries of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture in Rynek Główny, the largest medieval market square in Europe. Highlights include the Town Hall area, Collegium Maius, the historic Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), and St. Mary’s Basilica with its magnificent altarpiece by Veit Stoss. A walk along the ancient city walls passes Florian Gate and the Barbican, followed by meaningful stops at the Archbishop’s Palace, the Franciscan Church where Karol Wojtyła often prayed, and sites connected to his student years and pastoral ministry—earning him the affectionate title “Uncle.” Kraków’s Old Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a vivid backdrop to this living history of faith.
After lunch, the pilgrimage journeys to the remarkable Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the oldest functioning salt mines in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descending underground with a local guide, pilgrims discover vast chambers, chapels carved from salt, and intricate sculptures that testify to centuries of labor and devotion. The mine has welcomed many notable visitors over the centuries, including St. John Paul II, and stands as a powerful witness to human creativity shaped by faith. The day concludes with dinner, offering time for reflection and fellowship after a richly layered day of prayer, history, and Polish Catholic heritage.
Day 4
After breakfast, the pilgrimage departs Kraków for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the third-most important sanctuary in Poland and one of its most profound places of prayer. Pilgrims visit the Bernardine Monastery complex, a vast Marian sanctuary renowned for its network of chapels and pathways modeled on the Passion of Christ and the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Set amid rolling hills and forested paths, the entire sanctuary and park form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a deeply contemplative environment that has drawn pilgrims for centuries, including St. John Paul II, who frequently prayed here. Time is provided to experience the spiritual atmosphere of this sacred landscape, where devotion, nature, and architecture come together in harmony.
The journey then continues to Wadowice, the hometown of St. John Paul II. After lunch, pilgrims visit the Pope’s family home, now a museum dedicated to his life and vocation, followed by a visit to the parish church where he was baptized, marking the beginning of his journey of faith. The day reaches its spiritual high point with Holy Mass at the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where Karol Wojtyła was baptized and where he returned often in prayer throughout his life. Following the visit, the group returns to Kraków, concluding the day with dinner and reflection after a pilgrimage rich in Marian devotion and the early spiritual roots of Poland’s beloved saint-pope.
Bernardine Monastery, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
Rakowicki Cemetery, Krakow
Day 5
After breakfast, the pilgrimage begins with a visit to the cemetery where the parents of St. John Paul II are buried, offering a quiet moment of prayer and gratitude at the roots of his family life and faith. The day then continues to the Church of Our Lady Queen of Poland (Arka Pana) in Nowa Huta, the planned communist workers’ city built without churches. This striking “Ark Church” stands as a powerful symbol of the triumph of faith over oppression, born from the perseverance of the faithful and strongly supported by Karol Wojtyła as Archbishop of Kraków. From there, pilgrims visit the St. John Paul II Center at Białe Morza, exploring both the upper church and the lower Sanctuary of St. John Paul II, a major international shrine dedicated to his life, teaching, and enduring spiritual legacy.
After lunch, with time for personal prayer and devotional stops, the pilgrimage turns toward the message of Divine Mercy. Pilgrims gather to venerate the relics of St. Faustina Kowalska and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy before the image of the Merciful Jesus. A guided visit follows at the Divine Mercy Shrine, Łagiewniki, including the original convent chapel where St. Faustina lived and prayed, and where her relics are enshrined. The day reaches its spiritual high point with Holy Mass at the shrine, uniting the themes of mercy, trust, and hope that shaped modern Polish Catholic spirituality. The evening concludes with dinner, allowing time for reflection after a deeply prayerful day centered on St. John Paul II and the Divine Mercy devotion that continues to radiate from Kraków to the world.
Day 6
After breakfast, the pilgrimage explores the mountain landscapes so beloved by St. John Paul II, often described as his earthly paradise. Pilgrims ascend Gubałówka Hill by cable railway for sweeping panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains, a setting that invites both awe and contemplation. Returning to town, time is provided to stroll and shop along Krupówki Street, the lively heart of Zakopane, followed by lunch and the chance to experience the unique culture and craftsmanship of Poland’s highlands.
The afternoon includes a meaningful visit to the Ursuline Convent, where St. John Paul II stayed during his time in Zakopane, offering a glimpse into his simple rhythm of prayer and rest in the mountains. The day’s spiritual focus continues with Holy Mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary, uniting Marian devotion with the Pope’s deep trust in Our Lady. The pilgrimage concludes with dinner in a traditional mountain restaurant, accompanied by regional music, providing a joyful and memorable celebration of faith, culture, and the natural beauty that so profoundly shaped Poland’s beloved saint-pope.
Tatra Mountains
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Day 7
After breakfast, the pilgrimage departs for a guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the infamous concentration camp that stands as a solemn witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. Walking the grounds, pilgrims are invited to pray and reflect on the dignity of every human life and the cost of hatred unrestrained. Special attention is given to the witness of the saints who suffered here, including St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose heroic sacrifice is remembered through a visit to the cell where he was imprisoned. This deeply moving experience invites quiet prayer, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to faith, hope, and charity in the face of evil.
From Auschwitz, the journey continues to Częstochowa, Poland’s most important pilgrimage destination. Upon arrival, pilgrims are welcomed to the Jasna Góra Monastery, home of the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary known as the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. A guided tour introduces the spiritual and historical significance of this national shrine, followed by Holy Mass in the main chapel, placing the day’s suffering and remembrance into the loving hands of Our Lady. The evening concludes with hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight in Częstochowa, offering time for rest and reflection at the feet of Poland’s Queen and Protector.
Day 8
After breakfast, the pilgrimage begins with a visit to the Archcathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, the mother church of the local archdiocese, where the faithful gather around the heart of diocesan life. Nearby, pilgrims also visit the historic Church of Saints Barbara and Andrew the Apostle, traditionally associated with a holy spring and centuries of local devotion. Departing the region, the group stops for lunch en route before continuing to Niepokalanów, the “City of the Immaculate,” founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe. Here, pilgrims visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Niepokalanów and monastery complex, a major Marian and Franciscan sanctuary, and celebrate Holy Mass in a place deeply marked by Kolbe’s missionary zeal and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The journey then continues to Warsaw, Poland’s capital and a city profoundly shaped by faith, suffering, and rebirth. After hotel check-in, pilgrims visit Piłsudski Square, formerly Victory Square, the site of St. John Paul II’s historic 1979 Mass that helped ignite spiritual renewal in Poland. A walk along Krakowskie Przedmieście follows, with short visits to St. Anne’s Church, St. John’s Archcathedral, and the Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary, before arriving in Warsaw’s meticulously reconstructed Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rebuilt through the determination of the Polish people after its complete destruction in World War II. The day concludes with dinner in Old Town and an overnight stay in Warsaw, offering time for reflection on Poland’s enduring faith and resilience.
Archcathedral Basilica of the Holy Family
Day 9
After breakfast, the pilgrimage begins with a visit to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, a powerful modern shrine and the spiritual home of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, the martyr-priest of Solidarity. Pilgrims celebrate Holy Mass here, praying at the place where Fr. Jerzy preached courage, truth, and non-violent resistance during the communist era and where his tomb continues to draw pilgrims from around the world. The morning continues with a visit to St. James Church, Warsaw, the parish to which St. Faustina Kowalska belonged during her time in Warsaw, offering a meaningful connection to her hidden life of prayer and service that gave rise to the Divine Mercy devotion.
The day unfolds with a guided tour of Warsaw, beginning at the Church of the Holy Cross, Warsaw, famed for housing the embalmed heart of composer Frédéric Chopin. Pilgrims also visit the Church of the Visitationists, Warsaw, before confronting the sobering history of the Warsaw Ghetto and Umschlagplatz, from which thousands of Jews were sent to extermination camps. Stops at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Warsaw and views of the Royal Castle lead into Warsaw’s meticulously rebuilt Old Town, where lunch, sightseeing, and free time allow pilgrims to experience the beauty born from national sacrifice and faith. The pilgrimage concludes with a farewell dinner, reflecting on a day that united modern sainthood, national memory, and the enduring Christian witness of Poland’s capital.
Day 10
Departing Warsaw on a morning flight to Washington Dulles International Airport, pilgrims begin their return home carrying the spiritual fruits of the journey. Upon arrival, a private motorcoach transfers the group back to the originating parish, providing time to reflect on the holy sites visited, the saints encountered, and how the graces of pilgrimage can continue to shape everyday life.
AMDG Travel Disclaimer
From time to time, local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the sequence of activities or result in the omission of certain sites or events. While every effort will be made to operate the itinerary as planned, the itinerary should be understood as an indication of the planned schedule rather than a binding guarantee of specific stops or events. Hotels listed on the itinerary have been carefully selected and contracted in advance for this pilgrimage. However, due to availability changes, operational requirements, or circumstances beyond our control, it may occasionally be necessary to substitute a hotel. In such cases, AMDG Travel will secure accommodations of equivalent or higher quality, consistent with the overall standard, location, and character of the pilgrimage.
