Day 1 – May 19
Evening departure from Toronto to Prague.
Day 2 – May 20
Afternoon arrival in Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – May 21
Full day in beautiful Prague. We celebrate Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Victory and see the renowned statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. We visit the Old Town by the way of Golden Lane and then go to the Lesser Town to see the medieval Charles Bridge. We also see St. Nikolas Church, the Astronomic Clock and the Castle District where we tour St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica and Wenceslas Square. Some free time in the afternoon for shopping and rest. Dinner and overnight in Prague.
Day 4 – May 22
This morning we depart for Budapest inn Hungary. En route we stop in Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia where we celebrate Mass at St. Martin’s Cathedral (time permitting). Continue to Budapest for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – May 23
Our tour of Budapest, the capital of Hungary includes a view of the 13th century St. Matthias Cathedral, the Citadel on Mt. Gellert, the Royal Castle, the Parliament, Hero’s Square and the St. Stephen Basilica. Afternoon Mass, some free time for leisure, dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – May 24
This morning we travel to Zakopane, Poland’s “winter capital”. En route we visit Orava Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia built in 13th century. Continue to Zakopane for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 – May 25
Zakopane is a lively resort and the best-known mountainous town located in a valley surrounded by the impressive Tatra mountains and the tiny hillside village. Our tour of the resort includes walk along famous Krupowki Street and old part of the town with wooden houses in Zakopane’s architecture style, funicular train ride to Gubalowka Hill to admire the panorama of Tatras, visit Wooden Church and Old Cemetery. Afternoon time for shopping at local flea market, Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – May 26
This morning we depart for Krakow. En route we embark on a raft ridedown a mountain river on a wooden boat through breathtaking Dunajec River Gorge and Pieniny Mountains. Continue to Wieliczka where we visit the world-famous salt mines. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.
Day 9 – May 27
After breakfast we travel to Czestochowa – the site of Poland’s greatest shrine – Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the “Black Madonna”. We celebrate Mass and venerate the priceless and miraculous icon. Continue to Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp. We visit a cell in which St. Maximilian Kolbe died and also the Martydom Museum recalling the horrors of the Holocaust. Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 – May 28
Today we visit Lagiewniki – world known as “Divine Mercy Shrine”. This is where St. Faustina had had numerous visions of Christ, who told her to keep a diary of their encounters, during which he spoke to her of the Divine Mercy. We celebrate Mass at the sanctuary and visit the convent of St. Faustina, her tomb and relics. After lunch we embark on a tour of Krakow, the old capital of Poland. We visit the Market Square where we hear the silver trumpet of the bugler from the tower of St. Mary’s Church. We discover Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and most of all the Wawel Royal Castle and the cathedral. Some free time for leisure or last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight.
Day 11 – May 29
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Toronto. Evening arrival.
EXTENSION TO LVIV IN WESTERN UKRAINE – $590.00
Day 11 – May 29
This morning we travel to beautiful city of Lvov in Western Ukraine. En route we visit Łańcut Castle, one of the most beautiful aristocratic residences in Poland, famous for its excellent interiors and extraordinarily interesting collection of horse-drawn carriages. Continue to Lvov for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – May 30
Full day in Lviv. The unique historic city centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city was on the crossroads of Western, Orthodox and Jewish cultures and historical heart of the city with its old buildings and cobblestone roads has survived World War II and ensuing German and Soviet occupation largely unscathed. We visit the Latin Cathedral, St. George’s Greek Catholic Cathedral, Armenian Cathedral and Orthodox Dormition Cathedral. We enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the High Castle Mound. Some leisure time around Market Square before returning to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – May 31
After breakfast some free time for last minute shopping. Later transfer to the airport for a flight to Toronto. Evening arrival.