Day 1 – July 4
Morning departure from Calgary via Toronto to Vienna.
Day 2 – July 5
Upon arrival in Vienna we are transferred by bus to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – July 6
Full day in spectacular Budapest. Our tour of Budapest starts with a visit to the 13th century St. Matthias Church, the Citadel on Mt. Gellert, the Royal Castle, the Parliament, Hero’s Square and the St. Stephen Church. Afternoon some free time for leisure. Evening a dinner cruise on Danube river before returning to our hotel for overnight.
Day 4 – July 7
This morning we leave for Krakow, the ancient capital of Poland. En route we stop at the world-famous salt mines in Wieliczka for a tour and Mass. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.
Day 5 – July 8
This morning we visit Lagiewniki – world known as “Divine Mercy Shrine”. This is where St. Faustyna 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 visit the convent of St. Faustyna, her tomb and relics. After lunch we explore Krakow’s Old Town. We visit the Market Square where we hear the silver trumpet of the bugler form the tower of St. Mary’s Church. Many of the buildings around the square and in the Old Town are over 700 years old and include marvels such as the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and most of all the Wawel Royal Castle. Some free time for leisure before returning to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – July 9
Today we visit Czestochowa – the site of Poland’s greatest shrine – Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the “Black Madonna”, a pilgrimage destination that goes back to the 14th century. We venerate the priceless and miraculous icon. Afternoon we travel 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 7 – July 10
This morning we travel to Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, the “Golden City”. En route we visit Wadowice, the birthplace of St. John Paul II. Upon arrival in Prague time for rest, dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – July 11
Full day in beautiful Prague. We visit 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, Wenceslas Square and the Castle District with St. Vitus Cathedral and St. George’s Basilica. Some free time in the afternoon for shopping and rest. Dinner and overnight in Prague.
Day 9 – July 12
Today we depart for Vienna, the capital of Austria. En route we stop in Melk and visit magnificent Benedictine monastery. Continue to Vienna for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 – July 13
Morning tour of the city takes us to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera and the Schonbrunn Palace. In the afternoon some free time for leisure or shopping. Dinner and overnight. In the evening an optional concert.
Day 11 – July 14
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Vienna for a flight to Sarajevo in Bosnia. Upon arrival we board to bus a travel to Medjugorje. Some free time for rest, dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – July 15
Full day in Medjugorje. Time to visit the famous mountain of the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary Mountain and “Blue Cross”, a place of healings and graces. Mass, time for individual prayer, dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – July 16
Another full day in Medjugorje, time for individual prayer and reflection. Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 14 – July 17
Another day in Medjugorje. For those interested there will be an optional trip to Dubrovnik, one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. We visit the mediaeval old town surrounded by walls, we see Bell Tower, Pile Gate, Onofrio Fountain and Placa Stradun. Return to Medjugorje for dinner and overnight.
Day 15 – July 18
This morning we transferred to the airport for a flight to Calgary via Toronto. Evening arrival.