Itinerary

Sunday August 23 | Day 1 | USA – Warsaw, Poland

Depart from USA to Warsaw. Meals will be served aboard your transatlantic flight.

Monday August 24 | Day 2 | Arrival in Poland – Warsaw
Upon arrival today in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw, you will be met by your Escort who will be with you throughout the entire trip. Departing the airport, we will drive the beautiful Royal Route. This afternoon we visit the Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego or Warsaw Uprising Museum. The Museum is a tribute of Warsaw’s residents to those who fought and died for independent Poland and its free capital. This evening, check in to your hotel in Warsaw and enjoy a delicious Polish dinner together before retiring to your room to rest. (D)

Tuesday August 25 | Day 3 | Warsaw – Niepokalanów – Warsaw

After breakfast depart to nearby Niepokalanów- The City of the Immaculata founded by St. Maksymilian Kolbe, The Shrine of Our Mary Immaculate and St. Maximilian Kolbe. Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984, Maximilian Kolbe dedicated his life to bringing souls to God through Mary and is known by many titles: Martyr of Charity, The Saint of Auschwitz, Founder of the Militia Immaculata, Apostle of Mary, Patron Saint of the 20th Century. Celebrate Holy Mass in the chapel here, built by the Saint. After lunch return to Warsaw to tour the Old City, the beautiful Old Town Quarter, Market Square, the Barbican and medieval defense walls. Dinner on your own and overnight in Warsaw. (B)

Wednesday August 26 | Day 4 | Warsaw – Głogowiec – Licheń Stary – Toruń 

This morning we depart to Głogowiec to visit the family home of Saint Maria Faustyna Kowalska. Continue on to Licheń Stary to visit the Basilica here, one of the tallest and largest churches in the world. Our path travels north to Torún, the birthplace of the great astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Dinner and overnight in Toruń. (B, D)

Thursday August 27 | Day 5 | Toruń – Pelplin – Gdańsk

We start our morning at the Chapel of Remembrance in the Temple of Our Lady the Star of New Evangelization and St. John Paul II- the only memorial of its kind in the world. It was created to pay tribute to these Poles who risked their lives and the lives of their family members to save Jews during World War II. Visit the Old Town and tour the museum inside the House of Nicolaus Copernicus. This afternoon continue north toward Gdańsk on the baltic coast. On the way, stop in Pelplin for Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption or Pelplin Abbey. Dinner as a group and late arrival in Gdańsk for overnight. (B, D)

Friday August 28 | Day 6 | Gdańsk – Oliwa – Gdańsk 

Today we slow our pace and enjoy this historic city on the sea. Today’s itinerary includes Westerplatte, The Museum of WWII, the gate of Gdańsk Shipyard-Solidarity, and the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The nearby harbor town of Gdynia is the youngest member of the “tri–city complex” of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. Though the youngest, Gdynia is a major seaport with beautiful beaches. Gdańsk, the oldest of the three, is a magnificent restoration of a Hanseatic port city with a stunning Town Hall, Neptune’s Fountain, Gothic churches, romantic cobblestone alleys, and breezy harbor promenades. Time permitting, we venture to the outskirts of the city to Oliwa, a village with rich history since the Cistercians established a monastery here in AD 1186. Dinner on your own, overnight in Gdańsk. (B)

Saturday August 29 | Day 7 | Gdańsk – Frombork – Lidzbark Warmiński – Święta Lipka – Olsztyn

Today we head east from Gdańsk to Frombork, an old historic town surrounded by walls with a beautiful Cathedral and the tomb of Copernicus. Continue to Lidzbark Warmiński, a town with a massive Bishop’s castle and museum. After lunch visit nearby Święta Lipka with a unique history and Marian sanctuary. Dinner and overnight in nearby Olsztyn. (B, D)

Sunday August 30 | Day 8 | Gietrzwałd – Malbork – Gdańsk 

After breakfast we visit the very special ‘Lourdes of Poland’- Gietrzwałd. Perhaps not as well known as Lourdes, this shrine is a major pilgrimage destination in Poland. The history dates at least as far back at the 16th Century although the apparition itself took place between June 27 and September 16 of 1877, within a few years of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes and La Salette. Our Lady appeared to a young girl on that first day and although she was with her mother at the time, only she saw the apparition. Our Lady requested that she return the next day, and she did, but with a friend as well, and appeared to both of them, holding the baby Jesus in her lap. For the next 10 weeks the apparitions took place daily, always with the same message: “Pray the Rosary”. Later, head north to visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, the largest brick castle in the world measured by land area. Completed in the early 1400’s by the Teutonic Knights and originally named Mary’s Castle (Marienburg), the mammoth complex served as the headquarters of the crusaders. This afternoon we arrive back in Gdańsk for last minute shopping and enjoy a special farewell dinner together. Overnight in Gdansk. (B,D)

Monday August 31 | Day 9 | Gdansk – USA
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)