Trips Pilgrimages Krako · Weekend in Krakow Cultural trip through Malopolska called Lesser Poland in 4 days. The programme includes mentioned places: Krakow, Kazimierz – the former

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Auschwitz-Birkenau

Welcome to the latest brochure from our travel agency, Ernesto Travel, the result of our efforts undertaken especially for you. Here you will find destinations ideal either for your holidays or for pilgrimages, school trips, incentive events, city breaks, meetings and conferences.

The Ernesto Travel team is a group of 12 people who are at your service 24 hours a day to guarantee that you have a safe and unforgettable travel experience within Central and Eastern Europe.

We offer a combination of beautiful medieval towns together with the modernity and energy characteristic of this part of Europe. All of this at affordable prices and with top-quality services, delicious meals, new coaches and superb hotels.

Dear Friends and Travel Partners

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Central Europe is distinguished by its modern hotels, most of which have been recently built.

We co-operate with a group of verified hotels in different cities. We check their quality ourselves, and feedback from our clients is greatly valued.

We offer a range of three-, four-, and five-star hotels.

In our opinion you cannot say you are satisfied with your travels unless you eat well.

All of our guests share our views, and so for them we specially prepare traditional local meals in accordance with their needs. From our experience we know that the best option is to eat enough and to eat well.

Our coaches and minibuses offer the best in comfort, and they keep journey time to a minimum.

We have been working with courteous, experienced drivers for years and they have every concern for your complete safety. Journeys with them are always pleasant, and we always arrive on time.

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Krakow is often called the City of a Thousand Churches, and since the 16th century has been called the Second Rome. Krakow is distinguished for its architecture, both ancient and modern. It is also a place of religious and cult interest for the majority of its inhabitants.

It was Krakow which Karol Wojtyla left in 1978 to become the head of the Church as Pope John Paul II.

Pilgrims from all over the world come to visit:• Saint Mary's Church with the

Veit Stoss altar • Wawel Cathedral • St Adalbert's Church• The Papal Window• The Church of Saint Michael the

Archangelo• Tyniec Abbey• The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in

Łagiewniki, dedicated to the cult of St Faustina Kowalska.

KrakowKrakow is my hometown, the place where I was born and grew up. My family and friends come from this city as well. I believe that my life will always be associated with this city.

Krakow is a marvellous place, full of exciting contrasts. While preparing tour programmes, I always make use of every opportunity to reveal this variety. It is definitely important to know something of the history of this city of Polish kings, rich as it is in architectural treasures and monuments. Krakow's preserved medieval Old Town joined the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978.

Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest and most highly rated universities in Europe, was founded here in 1364. As a result, even today Krakow is known for being a student city, with over 20 universities and colleges and over 200,000 students from Poland and the rest of Europe.

Sacred Krakow:The Second Rome

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Dagmara Nanuś

CITY BREAKS

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Weekend in KrakowCultural trip through Malopolska called Lesser Poland in 4 days. The programme includes mentioned places: Krakow, Kazimierz

– the former Jewish district in Krakow, Wieliczka – The Salt Mine, Auschwitz – Birkenau, Czestochowa.

st 1 day Arrival to Krakow x Arrival to Krakow by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in the

hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant in the centre of Krakow (depends on the arrival time). Stay in Krakow.

nd2 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – Jewish district and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside) and its beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside).

Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the

deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues). Short stop in the front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj

Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO .

20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Krakow.

rd3 day Krakow – Oswiecim (Auschwitz – Birkenau) – Krakow7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. 10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of

Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of The UNESCO.13.00 Lunch at a restaurant. 14.00 Return to Krakow.17.00 Arrival in Krakow. Free time in Krakow. Dinner at the hotel.

th4 day Departure from Krakow and from Poland.x Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.y Transfer to the airport.

Krakow

PILGRIMAGES

Following John Paul II – an 8 days pilgrimageAn 8 day pilgrimage following Pope John Paul II. The programme includes the following places: Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow,

Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Pieniny – sailing on wooden rafts on the Dunajec River, Debno Podhalanskie, Wadowice – the hometown of John Paul II, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Zakopane, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Czestochowa, Warsaw. There is a possibility to realise the programme in 7, 6 or 5 days by the elimination or

addition of other places. (According to the flight schedule and arrival destination).

st1 day Arrival in Krakow x Arrival in Krakow by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto

Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the centre of Krakow (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Krakow.

nd2 day Krakow – the diocese of Monsignor Karol Wojtyla8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. The Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing

inside), its beautiful courtyard and the Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest medieval market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town with Florianska Gate and the Barbican. The Archbishop's Palace, where Karol Wojtyla lived as a cardinal and as Krakow's archbishop. The Franciscan Church, where he prayed. His favourite pew is located there. Sightseeing Krakow's Old Town and the Jagiellonian University, where Karol Wojtyla studied in 1938 - 1939 before World War II. Karol Wojtyla worked with students at Saint Florian's Church school, situated at the Matejko Square. He travelled a lot with his students, who called him “their Uncle”.

During sightseeing, there will be a multimedia presentation about the history of amber called “Polish Gold”. In 1978 Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. [There will also be a mass in one of the churches related to the Pope].

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow's Old Town.17.00 Sightseeing in the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was

the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing inside 1 or 2 synagogues). A short stop in the front of Schindler's Factory.

20.00 Dinner with typical Polish food at the hotel or at a restaurant combined with a Jewish music (Klezmer)concert in Krakow.

22.00 Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

rd3 day Krakow – Lagiewniki – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Wieliczka – Krakow

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.30 Departure to Lagiewniki.9.00 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Sightseeing at the

Monastery in Lagiewniki. The monastery features the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On Divine Mercy Sunday (a week after Easter), thousands of people come there to participate in masses and pray in the antique church, where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried.

11.00 Transfer to Wadowice, where John Paul II was born in 1920. 12.00 Visiting the Pope's home and the church where he was baptized. 13.00 A mass in the Pope's parish.14:00 Lunch at a restaurant.15:30 Transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.16.00 Visiting the Bernardine Monastery complex in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the 3rd

most famous sanctuary in Poland. The entire Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and the park) is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

17.00 Departure for Wieliczka Salt Mine. 18.00 Guided tour in Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Many famous people have visited the place such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978 year, Wieliczka Salt Mine is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20:00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. The last night in Krakow.

th4 day Krakow – Dunajec – Debno Podhalanskie – Zakopane8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.9.00 Departure by coach to Sromowce Wyzne.11.00 Sailing on traditional wooden rafts down the Dunajec River, across the Pieninski

National Park. Enjoying the beautiful view of the natural environment of the Pieniny Mountains.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Szczawnica (or in Wadowice, or Zakopane if there is no rafting).

15.00 Transfer to Debno Podhalanskie. Sightseeing in the wooden Gothic church: one of the 6 wooden churches in southern Poland listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

17.00 A mass in Saint Michael the Archangel's Church in Debno Podhalanskie.18.00 Departure for the capital of the Polish Mountains – Zakopane – a town filled

with beautiful and unique national-style wooden houses.

19:00 Arrival in Zakopane. Check-in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner at the hotel or local restaurant. Overnight stay in Zakopane.

th5 day Zakopane and Tatra Mountains – the mountain-loving Pope's paradise8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Sightseeing in Zakopane: Jaszczurowka, Peksowy Brzyzek, Villa Atma,

Krzeptowki – Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. The sanctuary was founded as a token of gratitude for saving the Pope’s life after the assassination attempt onn 13th May, 1983. [There will be a mass in the sanctuary]. Visiting the Krupowki promenade with many souvenir shops. Free time.

13.00 Lunch at a traditional Goral restaurant.15.00 Going up to top of the Gubalowka by cable railway. Enjoying an amazing

view of the Tatra Mountains. Walking downhill through a passage. Return to Zakopane.

20.00 Dinner at an old-fashioned restaurant in Zakopane combined with a traditional Goral music concert.

22.00 Return to the hotel. The last night in Zakopane.

th6 day Zakopane – Oswiecim (Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau) – Czestochowa7.30 Breakfast at the hotel.Check-out from the hotel.8.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (in Oswiecim). 11.00 Guided tour around the area of the former concentration camp in

Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. More than a million people of different nationalities were killed in this place, the majority were of Jewish origin. Today this place is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

14.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Oswiecim (or somewhere nearby).15.00 Departure for Czestochowa.17.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the Jasna

Gora Monastery in Czestochowa with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary called the Black Madonna.

19.00 A mass in Sanctuary. 20.30 Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Czestochowa.

th7 day Czestochowa – Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Departure for Warsaw.13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.00 Sightseeing inside the Royal Castle. 15.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin

monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, and Umschlagplatz – thousands of Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street., the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Castle (without entering) and St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was fully destroyed during World War 2 and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the entire Polish nation. [A mass is also planned in one of Warsaw's churches].

20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants (optional). The last night in Warsaw.

th8 day Departure from Polandx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel.y Transfer to the airport. Departure.


We promise you an unforgettable adventure!

Over a million tourists from Poland and other countries visit this unique place each year – which is not surprising, as this outstanding salt mine has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1978.

This astonishing underground world, sculpted out of the rock salt by miners, is completely different from the world above. The labyrinth of passages, beautiful chambers, lakes and salt sculptures create an atmosphere which will remain in your memory for a long time.

UNDERGROUND PILGRIMAGEDuring the pilgrimage to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you have a chance to admire outstanding sights: marvellous chapels, sacred sculptures made of salt, chambers, halls and passages. The most important part of your visit is the marvellous Chapel of St Kinga, with the altar and pulpit sculpted in salt. In the chapel you will also see a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper carved in salt.

If your group is accompanied by a priest, it is possible to finish your pilgrimage with the Holy Mass.

Enjoy! You're on holiday!

Food, drink, music and dance all create a great entertainment opportunity, while at the same time providing an unusual context in which to discover the culture and history of Krakow.

The Krakowiak is a folk dance from Krakow which originated in the 17th century and, together with the traditional Krakow costume, is one of the symbols of Poland.

Krakow takes pride of place in a number of legends, the most popular being those of the Wawel Dragon, the bugle call from St Mary's, and the Lajkonik. There are other interesting symbols of the city, like obwarzanki (a kind of bagel), bead necklaces, amber, horses and carts in the Main Market Square, street artists, colourful student parades, and Christmas Nativity scene competitions, held annually since 1937.

There are many more symbols, and new ones still appear, because Krakow is a city full of history and culture. It is also well known for parties which continue into the wee hours!

FolkloreWieliczka

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Tomasz Stala

The concentration camp in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) is a place of huge significance, a symbol of 20th-century terror, cruelty and homicide. It was the biggest extermination camp established by German soldiers in the 1940s. At first it was supposed to be one of many work camps created at that time. However, after its development in 1942, it became a place of the so-called Final Solution: the plan to exterminate people of Jewish origin living in the territory under Nazi occupation.

It is impossible to estimate the precise number of victims, as the SS destroyed almost all the documents and the rest were taken by the Soviets. Nevertheless, the number of victims is estimated at 1.5 million.

After the war, the camp was transformed into a museum and memorial. It was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979 as a witness to the consequences of fanaticism, extreme nationalism and racism, and to sustain the memory of crimes committed by the Nazi soldiers.

Auschwitz - BirkenauKazimierz is Krakow's Jewish Quarter, perfectly preserved and full of history and culture. For many years it was the centre of Jewish public and religious life, until the mass deportation of Jewish society during the Nazi occupation.

You will be enchanted by the magical atmosphere of this place, where you may encounter synagogues and traces of the life of Jewish people. During the day you can visit galleries featuring local artists, or a colourful flea market. In the evening numerous bars and restaurants are full of cheerful crowds, which makes Kazimierz a favourite place for students and music lovers.

We will invite you to a klezmer music concert so that you can experience even more vividly the unique atmosphere of this district. The combination of live music and the moving history in the lyrics is a guarantee of unbeatable entertainment.

Kazimierz

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Debora Mirosław

PILGRIMAGES

Following Maximilian Kolbe and Faustina Kowalska

Saints among usFollowing the Polish Saints – Maximilian Kolbe and Faustina Kowalska. The

programme includes the following places: Warsaw, Niepokalanow, Plock, Glogowiec, Swinice Warckie, Czestochowa, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Krakow,

Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow, Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Lagiewniki, Wadowice – the hometown of Pope John Paul II, Kalwaria

Zebrzydowska.

st1 day Arrival in Warsawx Arrival in Warsaw by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto

Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel reataurant or at a restaurant in the centre of Warsaw (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Warsaw.

14.00 Lunch at the hotel.15.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin

monument, The Warsaw Ghetto and Umschlagplatz – thousands of The Jews were deported to the concentration camps from here – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Castle (without going inside) and St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

18.00 Free time in the Old Town.20.00 Dinner combined with a music concert in one of the local restaurants (optional).

The last night in Warsaw.22.00 Return to the hotel.

nd2 day Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Plock – Warsaw 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Visiting Saint Stanislaw Kostka's Church. It's the burial site of Father Jerzy

Popieluszko, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by communist militia officers in 1984. ( There will be a mass to attend there.) The theme of this part of the journey is: 'The Church during Communism'.

11.00 Departure for Niepokalanow.12.00 Sightseeing in the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was founded

by Father Maximllian Kolbe. 13.30 Lunch in Sochaczew near Niepokalanow.14.30 Departure for Plock.16.00 Arrival in Plock and sightseeing in the 17th century Cathedral Basilica, 10th

century Benedictine Abbey and the Congregation House (where Faustina worked and experienced her first revelation of Divine Mercy in 1931).

18.30 Departure for Warsaw.20.00 Arrival in Warsaw. Dinner at the hotel or a restaurant in the city center.

Overnight stay in Warsaw.

rd3 day Warsaw – Glogowiec – Swinice Warckie – Czestochowa7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.8.00 Departure for Glogowiec. 10.00 Visiting Glogowiec and Swinice Warckie: two places important to St. Faustina

Kowalska. Glogowiec was where she was born, and Swinice Warckie was where she was baptized.

13.00 Lunch in Swinice Warckie.14.30 Departure for Czestochowa.18.30 Arrival in Czestochowa, check-in at the hotel.19.30 Dinner at the hotel.20.30 An evening walk to Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa and prayer in front

of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary called the Black Madonna. 22.00 Return to hotel. Overnight stay in Czestochowa.

th4 day Czestochowa – Auschwitz – Birkenau – Krakow 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery

in Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna.

13.00 Lunch at a traditional restaurant in Czestochowa.14.00 Departure for Auschwitz – Birkenau. 16.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-

Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

19.00 Departure from Oswiecim (Auschwitz) for Krakow.20.00 Arrival in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel.20.30 Dinner with typical Polish food at the hotel or at a restaurant, combined with a

Jewish music (Klezmer) concert in Krakow.

th5 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – Jewish district and Wieliczka – The Salt Mine

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.

9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. The Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside), its beautiful courtyard and the Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with Veit Stoss's famous altar. Walking to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. Sightseeing will include a multimedia presentation about the story of amber called “Polish Gold”. In 1978, Krakow was put on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was

the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing inside 1 or 2 synagogues). A short stop in front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in

the world. Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Dinner at the traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

th6 day Krakow – Lagiewniki – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure for the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki (a district in

Krakow) – after breakfast.9.00 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting the

monastery in Lagiewniki. The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On Divine Mercy Sunday (a week after Easter), thousands of people come there to participate in masses and pray in the antique church where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried.

12.00 Departure for Wadowice, where John Paul II was born in 1920. 13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Wadowice.15.00 Visiting the Pope's house and the church where he was baptised. 16.30 Departure for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.17.00 Visit at the Bernardine Monastery in Kalwaria, the 3rd most famous

shrine in Poland. The whole Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and a park) is also listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

18.30 Return to Krakow. Free time.20.00 Dinner with typical Polish food at a restaurant in Krakow.22.00 Return to the hotel. The last night in Krakow.

th7 day Departure from Krakow and from Polandx Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Poland.

Contact us: [email protected] Contact us: [email protected] us: [email protected]

STUDY TOURS

AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STUDY TOUR To keep it in our memories

Auschwitz was established by Germans in 1940, in Oswiecim, a Polish city that was annexed to the Third Reich by the Nazis. Its name was changed into Auschwitz. Nowadays it is known all over the world as a symbol of terror, genocide, and the Holocaust. The direct reason for the establishment of the camp was

the fact that mass arrests of Poles were increasing beyond the capacity of existing local prisons. In 1942, it became the largest death camp in Europe.

st1 day Arrival to Krakow x Arrival in Krakow by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel

or at a restaurant in the centre of Krakow (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Krakow.

nd2 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – Jewish district and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside) and its beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic,

Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called "Polish Gold". In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues). Short stop in front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang

von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

rd 3 day Krakow – Auschwitz – Birkenau – Krakow7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a

World Heritage Site of The UNESCO.13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Oswiecim.14.00 Continuation of the visit at the former concentration camp. 16.00 Departure to Krakow. Free time.20.00 Dinner with typical Polish food at the hotel or at a restaurant with a Jewish music (Klezmer) concert in Krakow.

th4 day Departure from Krakow and from Poland.x Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.y Transfer to the airport.

fot. Giulio Napolitano

Following in the footsteps of John Paul II, you will visit remarkable places, like Wadowice, Krakow, Łagiewniki, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Częstochowa, and discover all that is connected with the Pope's life from his birth to his pontificate and pilgrimages.

Following in the Footsteps of John Paul II

Contact us: [email protected] us: [email protected]

PILGRIMAGESth In the footsteps of John Paul II on his 100 birthday

16-24 May 2020

th16 May Arrival in Krakow – Lagiewniki and the Kazimierz quarterSat Arrival in Krakow and meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and

transfer by coach to Lagiewniki. Sightseeing with tour guide, Sister from the Divine Mercy Congregation: the

Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is the world center of veneration of the image of Divine Mercy and where St. Faustina Kowalska, lived, died, and is buried. After St. Faustina’s canonization, a basilica was built and was consecrated by John Paul II in 2002. The essense of this message the Lord Jesus gave to this Apostle of Divine Mercy is complete trust in His mercy and practicing mercy towards other. Visit the original Chapel with the Saint’s relics. Holy Mass and afterwards visit in the John Paul II Center. Lunch in the restaurant.

Return to the hotel. Check in. Afternoon Visit and sightseeing in the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of

Krakow was the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing inside 1 synagogues). A short stop in the front of Schindler's Factory.

Evening Dinner in the restaurant in the city center with music concert. Return to the hotel.

th17 May Krakow – visit: the city center and Wieliczka (Salt Mine)Sun Breakfast at the hotel.09:00 Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town

(Stare Miasto), the biggest medieval market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town with Florianska Gate and the Barbican. The Archbishop's Palace, where Karol Wojtyla lived as a cardinal and as Krakow's archbishop. The Franciscan Church, where he prayed. His favourite pew is located there. Sightseeing Krakow's Old Town and the Jagiellonian University, where Karol Wojtyla studied in 1938 - 1939 before World War II. Karol Wojtyla worked with students at Saint Florian's Church school, situated at the Matejko Square. He travelled a lot with his students, who called him “their Uncle”. In 1978 Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13:00 Lunch in a restaurant (Biała Róża) 14:30 Transfer to Wieliczka. Guided tour in Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Many famous people have visited the place such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978 year, Wieliczka Salt Mine is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Holy mass in the underground chapel and afterwards dinner in the restaurant (Halit combined with a folk music concert).

th18 May Krakow – Wadowice – Kalwaria – Krakow Mon Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure to Wadowice where John Paul II was born in 1920. 11.00 Visiting the Pope's home and the church where he was baptized. Afterwards the

Holy Mass. 13.30 Lunch at a restaurant (Dworek Mikołaj in Wadowice).15.00 Transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.15.30 Visiting the Bernardine Monastery complex in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the 3rd

most famous sanctuary in Poland. The entire Marian complex (including the sanctuary and the park) is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

16.00 Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and rosary before one of the altars.17.00 Return to Krakow. Free time in Krakow. 19.00 Dinner in the restaurant (Tradycja). The last night in Krakow.

th19 May Krakow – Debno Podhalanskie – ZakopaneTue Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.9.00 Departure by coach to Debno Podhalanskie.10.30 Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and sightseeing in the wooden Gothic church

in Debno: one of the 6 wooden churches in southern Poland listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to availability: rosary and mass in Saint Michael the Archangel's Church in Debno Podhalanskie (Debno: 0048 18 275 17 97). Only possible if there is no rainy weather!

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant (U borzanka in Nowy Targ)14.30 Departure for the capital of the Polish Mountains – Zakopane – a town filled with

beautiful and unique national-style wooden houses. 16.00 Arrival in Zakopane. Check-in at the hotel. Free time. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Zakopane.

th20 May Zakopane and Tatra Mountains – the mountain-loving Pope's paradiseWed Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Going up to top of the Gubalowka by cable railway. Enjoying an amazing view of

the Tatra Mountains. Walking downhill through a passage. Sightseeing in Zakopane: Jaszczurowka, Peksowy Brzyzek, Villa Atma. Visiting the Krupowki promenade with many souvenir shops.

13.00 Lunch at a traditional Goral restaurant. 15.00 Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Krzeptowki – Sanctuary of Our Lady of

Fatima. The sanctuary was founded as a token of gratitude for saving the Pope’s life after the assassination attempt onn 13th May, 1983.

16.00 Holy mass in the sanctuary (0048 18 2066420).17.00 Leisure. 20.00 Dinner at an old-fashioned restaurant in Zakopane combined with a

traditional music concert. Return to the hotel. The last night in Zakopane.

th21 May Zakopane – Oswiecim (Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau) – CzestochowaThu Breakfast at the hotel.Check-out from the hotel.8.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (Oswiecim). 11.00 Guided tour around the area of the former concentration camp in

Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. More than a million people of different nationalities were killed in this place, the majority were of Jewish origin. Today this place is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at the restaurant (Imperiale)14.30 Departure for Czestochowa. 16.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the Jasna

Gora Monastery in Czestochowa with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary called the Black Madonna.

17.30 A mass in Sanctuary: Chapel of the Black Madonna.20.00 Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Czestochowa.

th22 May Czestochowa – Lichen – Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen –

Niepokalanow Fri Warsaw7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Lichen. The Basilica is Poland’s largest Church.12.00 Mass at the Basilica.13.00 Lunch (at the Basilica – Dom Pielgrzyma Arka).14.00 Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and tour the Basilica.16.00 Transfer to Warsaw via Niepokalanow. Short visit of the church in

Niepokalanow. 20.00 Arrival in Warsaw. Check in and dinner at the hotel.

th23 May WarsawSat Breakfast at the hotel.8.00 Visit of the Church of fr. Jerzy Popieluszko.9.00 Holy Mass at the Church of fr. Jerzy Popieluszko and visit in the museum

of Fr. Jerzy. Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, and Umschlagplatz – thousands of Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street., the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Castle (entrance included) and St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was fully destroyed during World War 2 and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the entire Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch in the restaurant (Bazyliszek). 18.00 Free time in Warsaw. 18.30 OPTIONAL: Chopin music concert in Schustra Palace.20.00 Farewell dinner in restaurant (Halka). The last night in Warsaw.

th24 May WarsawSun Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport.

Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, is where everything began, the small city where you will start to follow in the footsteps of this great pope. The house in which Karol Wojtyla was born and grew up has been converted into a museum that presents his life and papacy.

WADOWICE

Pope John Paul II consecrated the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in 2002, which is where the image of Merciful Jesus and St Faustina's relics are kept. The Sanctuary is visited by pilgrims from 89 different countries, which makes it the only Sanctuary visited by so many nationalities.

ŁAGIEWNIKI

The Częstochowa Sanctuary, with its image of the Black Madonna, is one of the most important places on a pilgrim's itinerary of Poland. Every year, 4 million people travel on foot to Czestochowa, taking part in a tradition that dates back to medieval times. During his pontificate, John Paul II visited this sanctuary six times and presented it with a Golden Rose and his blood-spoilt papal belt, which he'd been wearing during the assassination attempt in 1981.

CZĘSTOCHOWA

[email protected]


Ernest Mirosław

PILGRIMAGES

The Divine Mercy Pilgrimage Day 1 Arrival to Vilnius airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania. Breakfast at the hotel. An encounter between Orient and Occident' – a walkabout through the

magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List.

During the sightseeing visit to the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – build in Gothic style, The Gate of Dawn with the Chapel and the painting of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy, the university, the Market Square.

Lunch in the city center and the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner. Overnight in Vilnius.

Day 3 Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius Breakfast at the hotel. Visiting Trakai: the former capital of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania with its

beautiful lakeside setting and the insular red brick castle in Galve Lake. The Castle museum of Trakai offers an exhibition of the history of Lithuania and prehistoric findings. Located 27 km away from Vilnius, Trakai is a wonderful place to have a rest. It is a small and very quiet town - there is no heavy traffic. Trakai Castle enchants with its magic - having entered the main gates to the castle you will feel like returning back to the ancient times. You will admire a spectacular view of the Trakai area. You will hear interesting legends and stories about Trakai and its famous castle.

Free time for lunch in Trakai. Return to Vilnius. Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant. The last night in Vilnius.

Day 4 Vilnius – Bialystok Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure to Białystok. Afer arrival free

time for lunch and next visit in the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Bialystok, which is the culmination of the desires and aspirations of the Blessed Fr. Michał Sopocko (the confessor of St Faustina) erected after his death. Today he is present here in relics and in remembrance of prayers, given with his intercession to the merciful God.

Walk along the streets of Białystok: the Branicki Palace with the beautiful garden, Kosciuszko market, cathedral complex.

Arrival to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Białystok – Góra Kalwaria – Warsaw Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure to Warsaw. We stope in Góra

Kalwaria to visit the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Shrine of St Stanislaw Papczynski.

Free time in Góra Kalwaria. Drive to Warsow, accomodation in the hotel, dinner overnight.

Day 6 Warsaw – Convent on Zytnia Street We begin our day with visiting at St. James Convent where St. Faustina entered

the Monastery. After receiving direction from the Lord in Lodz’s Cathedral, St. Faustina arrived here at this church in the outskirts of Warsaw, where the priest assisted her by directing her to the home of a Catholic woman for lodging. During her stay with the Lipzye family, Faustina discerned her religious vocation with the Congregation of the Sisters of our Lady of Mercy. We will visit this convent on Zytnia Street. Time for the lunch. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Poland’s capital. Drive along the royal route through the glamorous Nowy-wiat shopping street mostly rebuilt after WWII. Continue to the Old Town, painstakingly rebuilt after World War II. Its charming little streets are home to many cafes and galleries, and during the summer, the Old Town Square fills with vibrant activity. Beyond the Barbican gate that sealed the old city walls, you will visit the Royal Castle. The palace is surrounded by a historical park, and boasts an excellent museum on its grounds, which showcases the work of great Polish artists. Proceed to St. John’s Cathedral, which was completed in the XVth century and became a cathedral in 1798. Many important events took place there, including the coronation of Stanislaw August Poniatowski in 1764. The evening at leisure.

Arrive to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Warsaw – Plock – Warsaw Breakfast at the hotel. We start our visit in Płock from Monastery of the Congregation of the Sisters of

Our Lady of Mercy. The place of the first revelation of Merciful Jesus Saint. Sister Faustyna Kowalska, during which she received the order to paint a painting with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. The event took place on 22 February 1931. Here, too, she heard from Jesus words referring to the establishment of the Feast of Divine Mercy. Free time for lunch.

Next we will admire the old town full of charm and historical curiosities can take pride in many interesting monuments and places. The Cathedral Basilica – one of the oldest building in Plock, the God's Mercy Sanctuary are just some of must-see places in Płock.

Departure from Płock to Warsaw Dinner at the hotel or at the local restaurant.

Day 8 Warszawa - Glogowiec – Swinice Warckie – Czestochowa Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel. Departure for Glogowiec. Visiting Glogowiec and Swinice Warckie: to related S. Faustyna Kowalska

places. Glogowiec where she was born and Swinice Warckie where she was baptized. Time for lunch in Swinice Warckie.

Departure for Czestochowa. Arrival to Czestochowa, check – in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Optionaly vening walk to Jasna Gora Monastery in

Czestochowa and praying in front of miraculous icon of Virgin Mary called The Black Madonna.

Return to hotel. Stay in Czestochowa.

Day 9 Czestochowa – Auschwitz – Krakow Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel. Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery

in Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with miraculous icon of Virgin Mary – The Black Madonna. Time for lunch in Czestochowa.

Departure for Auschwitz – Birkenau. Guided tour of the area of ex-concentration camp in Auschwitz - Birkenau.

This camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a part of The World Heritage of The UNESCO.

Departure from Oswiecim (Auschwitz) for Krakow. Arrival to Krakow. Check – in the hotel. Dinner.

Day 10 Krakow – Łagiewniki - Kraków Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour around Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional entrance) and

its beautiful yard and the Cathedral (entrance). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of The Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest Market Square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), The Town Hall, Collegium Maius – the ancient building of The Jagiellonian University, The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – entrance) with the famous Wit Stwosz' altar. Walk to the antique walls of The Old Town with Florianska Gate and The Barbican.

Time for the lunch in Krakow Old town. Second part of the tour: visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This

part of Krakow was a centre of religious and social life of the Jewish community in Krakow until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (entrance to 1 or 2 synagogues). A short stop in front of The Schindler's Factory.

Departure for The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki (district in Krakow) 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting Monastery in Lagiewniki. There is a Sanctuary of Divine Mercy where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by The Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On The Sunday of Divine Mercy (a week after Easter) thousands people arrive here to participate in The Mass and pray in the antique church where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried.

Return to Krakow. Dinner. Return to the hotel. The last night in Krakow.

Day 11 Departure Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel. Transfer to the airport.


City BreaksWould you like to spend a weekend in the historic centre of a beautiful city? We can offer you trips to Polish cities as well as others in Central Europe.

Consider Krakow, a marvellous city of art and culture; Warsaw, Poland's capital, where you will encounter both modernity and history; beautiful Gdansk, set on the Baltic Sea; and finally Wrocław, often referred to as a Venice of the North.

Or you may decide to visit one of the European capitals, like Tallin in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, or Vilnius in Lithuania, with beautiful centres dating back to the Middle Ages. Prague, Vienna and Budapest also await you.

These places are so famous they don't need to be advertised. Whichever you decide to visit, you will discover new places ripe with history, see interesting sights and monuments, relax and eat well.

ICORTAPIII International Congress of Religious

Tourism and PilgrimagesKraków, 6-10 November 2019

Come and visit: Krakow and Malopolska Region (Krakow Old Town,

John Paul II Center, Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Salt Mine in Wieliczka,

former German Nazi Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau,

the church and museum of Wadowice - Karol Wojtyla's birthplace,

the Basilic in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and the Black Madonna

Sanctuary in Czestochowa)

More info and registration on website: www.ICoRTaP.com

Organisers & Partners

Trips and Pilgrimages to Poland and Europe

John Paul II`s secretary Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz

Jacek KrupaMarshal of the Małopolska

Region

CITY BREAKS

Weekend in WarsawA 4 day trip to Poland. The programme includes the following places: Warsaw's attractions: Lazienkowski Park, monuments and squares in the city, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, St. John's Cathedral, the Main Market Square, museums and the

Royal Castle; Zelazowa Wola Frederic Chopin's birthplace, Wilanow – the residential estate of the Polish Kings.

st1 day Arrival in Warsawx Arrival in Warsaw by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Warsaw. Check-in at

the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the centre of Warsaw (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Warsaw.

nd2 day Warsaw – the capital of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were

deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Warsaw. 14.30 Visiting the Royal Castle (sightseeing inside). 16.30 Leisure time in the centre of Warsaw. Optionally – a concert at Warsaw's Grand Theatre.20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants (optional). The last night in Warsaw.

rd3 day Warsaw – Zelazowa Wola – Wilanow – Warsaw 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure for Zelazowa Wola – Frederic Chopin's birthplace. Visiting the famous Chopin House Museum and attending a concert of his music

(depending on the tourist season). Departure for Wilanow and visiting the residential estate of the Polish Kings – the Palace and park.13.00 Return to Warsaw. Lunch at a restaurant in the Old Town. 14.30 Free time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel. The last night in Warsaw.

th4 day Departure from Poland.x Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Warsaw.y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Poland.

CITY BREAKS

Gdansk - city breakCultural trip thruogh Kashubian region with the main focus on the polish metropoly called Tricity. The programme includes

guided tour of Gdansk, the heartland of the Solidarność, Sopot – the most popular resort on the polish seaside and Gdynia with its harbour, Malbork – the castle – the UNESCO Heritage.

st1 day Arrival in Gdanskx Arrival in Gdansk by plane or coach. Meeting with the driver from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Gdansk. Check-in at the

hotel. Dinner at a hotel or at the restaurant. Overnight in Gdansk.

nd2 day Gdansk and Solidarnosc8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Gdansk, meeting with the guide (tour in English), which was one of the richest cities in the XVII century. In the programme: the

Cathedral of Oliwa with the famous organ. Concert of the organ music, the Main Town Hall, the Fish Market, the Old Harbour, Saint Mary's Church (sightseeing inside), the Long Market with Neptune's Fountain, and Artus Court.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Gdansk.14.30 “Solidarnosc”: visiting the Solidarnosc Museum in the Gdansk Shipyard and the Monument of the Fallen Gdansk Shipyard Workers from the year

1970. Transfer to Sopot and walk along the pier of Sopot: the capital of the Polish sea. (If there is free time left, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War II began on the 1st of September, 1939).

18.00 Leisure time in the centre of Gdansk. 20.00 Dinner at a restaurant in the city centre. Overnight in Gdansk.

rd3 day Tricity8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure for Malbork.10.00 Visiting the Malbork Castle Museum. The Teutonic Order started to build it in the year 1380. This monument is inscribed on UNESCO's List of

Human Heritage. 13.00 Lunch at a restaurant near the castle. 14.00 Departure for Gdynia and Sopot. 16.30 Arrival to Gdynia. Short sightseeing tour of Gdynia's harbour. After one hour tour departure for Sopot – the most popular polish resort city with the

longest wooden pier in Europe. 19.00 Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner with folclore. Overnight in Gdansk.

th4 day Departure from Gdansk and from Polandx Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel. y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Poland.

Gdansk


CITY BREAKS

Prague in 4 days4 days in Prague. The programme includes the following places: The House of Nazareth – Prague's Loreto, St. George Basilica,

the Golden Lane, the Little Quarter, Charles' Bridge, the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and the New Town.

st1 day Arrival in Prague x Arrival in Prague. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Prague. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner at a restaurant or at the hotel. Overnight stay in Prague.

nd2 day The Castle of Prague and its surroundings and the Little Quarter8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Going up to the Castle Hill by coach. The rest of the sightseeing will be done by foot. Sightseeing starts in the Starahov Monastery which was

founded in 1140 by King Vladislav II. Back then, it was bigger than the castle in Prague. Sightseeing at St. George's Basilica, the Church of the House of Nazareth – Prague's Loreto. According to the legend, the Golden Lane was a place where alchemists lived and practised their magic. Nowadays the street holds numerous souvenir shops. Passage down the Castle Steps towards the Little Quarter.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in the Little Quarter.15.00 Sightseeing in the Little Quarter, starting with the church of the Virgin of Victory, with the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. At the

beggining, it used to be a protestant church. Charles' Bridge is considered one of the most important Bohemian costructions from medieval times. The Little Quarter is surrounded by the Castle from the North and the Petrin Hill from the South. St. Nicholas' Church with a 79-meter bell tower is located in the Old Town's centre.

17.00 Optionally: a classical music concert. Leisure time. 20.00 Dinner at a restaurant in the city centre or on a boat on the Vltava River.22.00 Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Prague.

rd3 day The Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and the New Town8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing Prague: the Old Town with its Market Square and Municipal House, the Church of Our Lady of Týn, St. James' Basilica – the longest

church in this area, the Powder Tower – all these monuments are examples of Prague's magnificent architecture.11.00 The former Jewish Quarter dates back to the 11th century. This part of the city was developed in the 12th century. It is known for its ghetto situated

in the centre of the Old Town. The New Town was founded by Charles IV of Luxembourg in the 19th century. We will also view the famous Wenceslas Square, where Czech citizens welcomed major political changes in the years: 1918, 1945, 1968 and 1989.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant.14.00 Leisure time. 19.00 Optionally: a Black Light Theatre spectacle. 21.00 Dinner and the last night in Prague.

th4 day Departure from Prague and from Czech Republicx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel in Prague.y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Prague and from Czech Republic.

CITY BREAKS

Budapest in 4 days4 days in Budapest. The programme includes the following places: the neo-gothic Parliament, St. Margareth Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Matthew's Church, the citadel, Heroes' Square, Basilicas of Pest, the city of Szentendre and

the thermal baths of Budapest.

st1 day Arrival in Budapest x Arrival in Budapest. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Budapest. Arrival and check-in at the

hotel.20.00 Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the city centre. Overnight stay in Budapest.

nd2 day Budapest 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Budapest – the magnificent neo-gothic Parliament (the largest building in Hungary. It lies near the Danube River and was built

between 1884 and 1902. There are 691 rooms in the building, it is 268 m long and its dome is 96 metres high). Crossing the Danube via St. Margareth Bridge, walking to Buda, to the castle and the most famous monuments of Budapest. Visiting the Fisherman's Bastion with a splendid view of Budapest and the St. Matthew's Church – the centre of Buda, the coronation place of the Hungarian kings and queens. The Citadel. Crossing The Elisabeth Bridge on the way back to the centre.

13.30 Lunch in the city centre.15.00 Continuation of sightseeing; Pest: Heroes' Square, City Park, Andrássy Avenue, the 36 metre-high Millenium Monument with Archangel Gabriel

holding a holy Crown and the Patriarchal Cross. Walking to the Main Market Square, passing the Opera and St. Stephan's Basilica. Shopping in the most famous shopping place in Budapest, on the Main Market Square, which was built in 1890 by Samu Pecz.

20.00 Dinner on a boat (May through October) or at a restaurant in the city centre (November through April).22.00 Overnight stay in Budapest.

rd3 day Szentendre – city of museums, the thermal baths of Buda8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Just 20 km from Budapest, there is a picturesque little town called Szentendre, which still preserves its ancient character, and dates back to the

18th and 19th centuries. Many painters, sculptors, and other artists live in this city because of its ambience, beautiful location by the Danube River, as well as its architecture and monuments.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Szentendre and return to Budapest.15.00 Leisure time. Optionally: the thermal baths in Budapest: Rudas, Rác, Király and Császár thermal baths are examples of Turkish thermal bath

architecture. The Romans initiated the thermal bath culture in the 2nd century. 20.00 Dinner at a restaurant with Gipsy music and a folk programme. The last night in Budapest.

th4 day Departure from Budapest and from Hungaryx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel in Budapest.y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Budapest and from Hungary.


Relax and have some time just for yourself! Among many interesting places to visit, we also offer spa resorts. Some of them are conveniently located in city centres, others are on the outskirts with a lot of green space, peace and quiet. All the resorts provide high-quality services and exceptional treatments.

High quality for moderate prices. Professional dentists and clean, well-equipped surgeries meet the highest standards and give you a good reason to take care of your teeth while on holiday. What's more, all the staff speak English.

Spas Dentistry

Nowadays, more and more companies decide to get involved in corporate events and incentives. We at Ernesto Travel understand the need to reward and motivate staff, which results in more efficient work and improved profits overall. Let us organise

corporate events for your clients, partners and staff – in Poland or elsewhere in Europe. Keeping in mind all of your needs, we will aim to create the most rewarding and unforgettable event, a source of future benefits for your company.

Corporate Events & Incentives

The Tatra Mountains, the most picturesque place in Poland, are known for their outstanding natural qualities. Their peaks are the highest and the prettiest in the country. The different heights of the numerous mountain ridges make them ideal for hiking.

Zakopane lies at the foot of the Tatras and is often called the winter capital of Poland. Known as a town of artists, it hosts a number of cultural events,

concerts and exhibitions. The town attracts all who are looking for work- and life-friendly surroundings.

Tradition is alive and well in Zakopane: people still dwell in wooden houses, men work as shepherds, and women are occupied with knitting. In their homes people speak the local dialect, and for religious occasions they wear traditional costume. At Krupowki, the town's commercial centre, local

products are sold, e.g. oscypek (ewe's milk cheese), kierpce (sheepskin shoes), sweaters, gloves, scarves and hats made of pure wool.

One of the biggest adventures in the mountains – a truly unforgettable one – is the Dunajec River tour through the valleys of the Pieniny Mountains. The journey is aboard traditional boats (basically log rafts) which are steered by experienced raftsmen.

Zakopane

TREKKING AND NATURE

THE POLISH MOUNTAINS AND THE SOUTH OF POLANDTrekking in the Tatras and Pieniny

14 day trekking trip through the southern part of Poland. The programme includes the following places: Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish

district in Krakow, Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wadowice – the hometown of Pope John Paul II,

Zakopane, Chocholowska Valley, Tatra Mountains, Spis, Pieniny – sailing on wooden rafts on the Dunajec River, Debno Podhalanskie, Krakow,

Czestochowa, Warsaw.st

1 day Arrival in Krakow x Arrival in Krakow by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel

and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant in the centre of Krakow (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Krakow.

nd2 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – the Jewish district and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside) and its

beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called "Polish Gold". In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was the centre of

the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues). Short stop in front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

rd3 day Krakow – Oswiecim (Auschwitz-Birkenau) – Krakow 7.30 Breakfast at the hotel.8.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The

camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant. 14.00 Departure for Krakow.15.00 Free time.20.00 Dinner at a restaurant in Krakow.21.00 Overnight stay in Krakow.

th4 day Krakow – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Wadowice – Zakopane – Chocholowska Valley.

7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.8.00 Departure for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.9.00 Visiting the Bernardine Monastery complex in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of the

most famous sanctuaries in Poland. The whole Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and a park) is also listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

9.30 Departure for Wadowice.10.00 Visiting the Pope's home and the church where he was baptised. 11.00 Continuation of the trip. We bring along lunch box lunches to eat during

the trip.14.00 Arrival in Zakopane and an appointment with the guide. Sightseeing in Zakopane:

Jaszczurowka, Peksowy Brzyzek, Villa Atma, Krzeptowki – the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Krupowki Street.

17.00 Transfer to the Chocholowska Valley.18.00 Walking to the refuge.21.00 Arrival in the refuge. Dinner. Overnight stay in the refuge.

th5 day The Tatra Mountains and their surroundingsall day Breakfast at the refuge. Hiking in the Tatra Mountains.We bring along lunch box

lunches to eat during the trip.evening Return to the refuge and dinner.

th6 day The Tatra Mountains: Chocholowska Valley – Zakopane – Polish and Slovak Spis – Zakopane

all day Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the refuge. Departure by coach for Spis in Slovakia. Sights to see: Kismark Town, Spiska Sobota, Stara Lubovna. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during the trip.).

evening Arrival in Zakopane, check-in at the hotel or refuge.

th 7 day Zakopane – the Tatra Mountains – Zakopane all day Breakfast at the hotel or refuge. Excursion to the mountains. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during

the trip.).evening Return to the hotel or to the refuge in Zakopane. Dinner.

th8 day Zakopane – the Tatra Mountains – Zakopane all the day Breakfast at the hotel or refuge. Excursion to the mountains. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat

during the trip.).evening Return to the hotel or to the refuge in Zakopane. Dinner.

th9 day The Tatra Mountains – the Pieniny Mountains8.00 Breakfast at the hotel or refuge. Check-out from the hotel or refuge.8.30 Departure for Sromowce Wyzne.10.00 Sailing on traditional wooden rafts down the Dunajec River, across the Pieniny

National Park.13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Szczawnica.afternoon Check-in at the refuge/hostel in Szczawnica. 20.00 Dinner. Overnight stay in Szczawnica.

th10 day The Pieniny Mountainsall day Breakfast. All-day excursion to the Pieniny Mountains. Lunch (we bring along

lunch box lunches to eat during the trip.).evening Dinner. Overnight stay in Szczawnica.

th11 day The Pieniny Mountains – Krakow 8.00 Breakfast and check-out from the refuge/hostel.9.00 Departure for Krakow. On the way, a short stop and sightseeing inside the castle

in Czorsztyn and a Gothic wooden church: one of the 6 wooden churches in the south of Poland listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

afternoon Arrival in Krakow and check-in at the hotel. Leisure time. 20.00 Dinner. Overnight stay in Krakow.

th12 day Krakow – Czestochowa – Warsaw 8.00 Breakfast and check-out of the hotel.9.00 Departure for Czestochowa.12.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery in

Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna.

13.30 Lunch at a traditional restaurant. 14.30 Departure from Czestochowa for Warsaw.19.30 Arrival in Warsaw and check-in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner. Overnight stay in Warsaw.

th13 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument,

the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14.30 Visiting the Warsaw Rising Museum. Optionally: Sightseeing inside the Royal

Castle.16.30 Leisure time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants (optionally). The last

night in Warsaw.

th14 day Departure from Warsaw and from Polandx Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.y Transfer to the airport.


The Mazury region, together with the National Parks of the North, is one of the prettiest places in the world – and that's official! It is a little-known fact that in the contest for the New Seven Wonders of the World, Mazury was rated as one of the 28 prettiest places in the world, famous for its lakes and rivers.

Situated in the north-east of the country, down the ages the region has always been of interest to both Poland and Germany. It is characterised by a

rich diversity of flora and fauna and by numerous lakes which cover a huge surface area. This natural Polish treasure consists of small, medium and huge lakes connected by a number of canals.

Natural parks, pristine rivers, alleys of old trees and huge European bison make the Mazury region a paradise for those who are thrilled by the beauty of the natural world and by magnificent, untouched landscapes.

Mazury

[email protected]


Karolina Jachymczyk

TREKKING AND NATURE

Bison and beaver – two Polish symbolsThe national parks of Poland

A trip through the greenest areas of Poland in 11 days. The programme includes mentioned places: Warsaw, Bialowieza (Bialowieski Park), Hajnowka, Narewka, Kruszyniany (Kruszynski Forest), Krynki, Kopna Gora, Bialystok,

Kurowo (Narew Park), Pentowo, Tykocin, Kiermusy (Biebrzanski Park), Goniadz, Augustow, Gizycko, Gierloz, Olsztyn, Torun, Malbork, Gdansk

st 1 day Arrival to Warsaw x Arrival in Warsaw. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and

transfer by coach to the hotel in Warsaw. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the centre of Warsaw (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Warsaw.

nd2 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin

monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14.00 Leisure time.16.00 Departure for Bialowieza.20.00 Arrival in Bialowieza and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. After dinner,

participation in a workshop.

rd3 day Bialowiezamorning Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing at the Museum of Nature in Bialowieza.

A 3-hour walk through the park. Lunch at the hotel.afternoon A visit at the ZOO of Bialowieza with European bison. A visit at an

orthodox and catholic church on the way to the hotel. Dinner at a restaurant in Bialowieza.

th4 day Bialowiezamorning Breakfast at the hotel. Free time. Optionally: 3 hours of cycling or a

carriage tour.all day Departure for Hajnowka – Topilo. Short trip through the forest by tourist

train.evening Return to the hotel and a traditional dinner with a barbecue.

th5 day Bialowieza – Narewka – Kruszyniany – Krynki – Kopna Gora – Bialystok

morning Breakfast at the hotel. all day A short trip to Narewka. Departure for Kruszyniany and sightseeing at the

traditioanl settlement located on the top of the Sokolskie Hills (with a mosque and islamic cemetery – mizar). Transfer to Krynki and sightseeing in the synagogues and the Jewish cemetery – kirkut, with about 3 thousand tombstones – macew). The orthodox church near the Knyszyn Forest. Walking to the Arboretum between Krynki and Bialystok. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during the trip).

evening Arrival in Bialystok. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner.

th6 day Bialystok – Kurowo (Parco di Narew) – Pentowo – Tykocin – Kiermusy

morning Breakfast at the hotel. all day Departure for Kurowo and visiting the Narew National Park. Because of its

history and shape, it is called “the Polish Amazon”. Here you can see ca. 200 types of birds and 154 of them have nests there. Departure for Pentowo and visiting the stork village. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during the trip). Transfer to Tykocin. Visiting the village and check-in at the pension in Kiermusy.

evening Dinner. Overnight stay in Kiermusy.

th7 day Kiermusy – Goniadz (Augustow)morning Breakfast at the hotel. all day Departure for Goniadz along the rivers Narew and Biebrza with beautiful

views. Arrival to Goniadz and visiting the town and the Russian fortifications Osowiec. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during the trip) . Visiting the Bebrza National Park – the biggest national park in Poland created the protect the biosphere and maitain it at the primary level. It is the perfect place for a photo tour with a camera and microphone.

evening Arrival in Goniadz and check-in. Dinner.

th8 day Goniadz (Augustow) – Gizycko – Gierloz – Olsztynmorning Beakfast at the hotel. Departure for Gizycko and a boat cruise on Lake

Dobskie and visiting the island of cormorants. Lunch (we bring along lunch box lunches to eat during the trip) .

afternoon Visiting the fortifications Wilczy Szaniec in Gierloz – the place where Hitler had his refuge during World War II. Departure for Olsztyn. Visiting the town and the castle.

evening Arrival to Olsztyn. Check-in the hotel. Dinner.

th9 day Olsztyn – Torun – Malbork – Danzicamorning Guided tour of Torun: a medieval town on the UNESCO World

Heritage List. Visiting the house of Copernicus, the most famous Polish astronomer. Visiting the cathedral built in the years 1250-1500 and the fortified walls with the Leaning Tower.Departure for Malbork. Lunch in Malbork.

afternoon Visiting the Malbork Castle Museum. The Teutonic Order started to build it in the year 1380. This monument is on UNESCO's List of Human Heritage.

Departure for Gdansk.evening Arrival in Gdansk. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a

restaurant.

th10 day Gdansk and Solidarnosc8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 A guided tour of Gdansk, which belonged to the richest cities in the

XVII century. The programme includes: Oliwa Cathedral (sightseeing inside) with its famous pipe organ. Organ music concert, the Main Town Hall, the Fish Market, the Old Harbour, Saint Mary's Church (sightseeing inside), the Long Market with Neptune's Fountain, Artus Court.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Gdansk.14.30 “Solidarnosc”: visiting the Solidarnosc Museum in the Gdansk

Shipyard and the Monument of the Fallen Gdansk Shipyard Workers from the year 1970. Transfer to Sopot and a walk along its pier: the capital of the Polish sea. (If there is free time left, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War II began on the 1st of September, 1939.)

18.00 Leisure time in the centre of Gdansk. 20.00 Dinner at a restaurant.22.00 The last night in Gdansk.

th11 day Gdansk – (Warsaw) – departure from Polandmorning Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by airplane from the airport in

Gdansk or Warsaw.


Gdansk was one of Europe's richest cities in the 17th century. With its thousand-year history it was one of the most important cities in the Hanseatic League, a union of towns which had a monopoly on trade on the Baltic Sea and covered a large part of Northern Europe.

It was here in 1980 that the independent trade union Solidarity emerged, led by Lech Wałesa, later the President of Poland. Solidarity was adamantly opposed to the Communist government, and this led to the fall of the regime and finally to the introduction of democracy in Poland, changing the history of Europe.

Nowadays Gdansk is a very modern city, yet full of cosy streets and squares, which are trade centres. One of its treasures is amber, also known as Polish gold.

Gdansk

A city of great charm and a unique, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Warsaw boasts modern skyscrapers, spacious parks and huge shops. It is the beating heart of a young and dynamic Poland, always proud of its history.

This is modern Warsaw, a city which, completely destroyed during the Second World War, was rebuilt thanks to the huge efforts of the Polish nation, always defending its roots. While walking along its wide, majestic streets, you may still sense the atmosphere of the post-war city.

Nowadays, Warsaw is the capital of Poland and its biggest city. It is also the main trade and business centre of the country, which is ready to meet the future.

Is this New York? Shanghai?No, it's Warsaw!

The Gothic castle of Malbork, set on the Nogat River a few kilometres from Gdansk, is known for its massive brick towers. It was built around 1300 by Teutonic Knights who, for over 150 years, ruled the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Malbork Castle is said to be the biggest brick fortification in Europe and one of the biggest castles in the world. Despite stormy historic events, the castle has preserved its charm and every year it attracts thousands of tourists.

Malbork

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Przemysław Gądek

CULTURAL TRIPSPOLAND IN 12 DAYS: 11 nights and 9 places listed as World Heritage Sites

by UNESCO

All of Poland in just one trip

A cultural journey across Poland in 12 days. The programme includes the following places: Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow, Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Pieniny – sailing on wooden rafts on the Dunajec River, Debno Podhalanskie, Wadowice – the hometown of Pope John Paul II, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska,

Auschwitz-Birkenau, Czestochowa, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gniezno, Torun, Gdansk, Sopot, Malbork, Gietrzwald, Olsztyn, Bialowieza, Grabarka, Warsaw.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Gdansk.14.30 “Solidarnosc”: visiting the Solidarnosc Museum in the Gdansk Shipyard and the

Monument of the Fallen Gdansk Shipyard Workers from the year 1970. Transfer to Sopot and a walk along one of its piers: the city is called the capital of the Polish sea. (If there is free time left, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War II began on the 1st of September, 1939).

18.00 Leisure time in the centre of Gdansk. 20.00 Dinner at a restaurant.22.00 The last night in Gdansk.

th8 day Gdansk – Malbork – Gietrzwald – Olsztyn 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Gdansk.8.00 Departure for Malbork.10.00 Visiting the Malbork Castle Museum. The Teutonic Order started to build it in the

year 1380. This monument is inscribed on UNESCO's List of Human Heritage. 13.00 Lunch at a restaurant near the castle. 14.00 Departure for Gietrzwald.16.00 Visiting Gietrzwald, which is called “the Polish Lourdes”, and is a unique place

in Poland where the Virgin Mary appeared. A short visit. Departure for Olsztyn. 19.00 Arrival in Olsztyn and check-in at the hotel. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the city. Overnight stay in Olsztyn.

th9 day Olsztyn – Bialowieza7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Olsztyn.8.30 After breakfast: sightseeing in Olsztyn, the old town and the castle. 13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Olsztyn.14.30 Departure for Bialowieza.18.00 Arrival in Bialowieza and check-in at the hotel. 20.00 Dinner at a local restaurant in Bialowieza. Overnight stay in Bialowieza.

th10 day Bialowieza – Grabarka – Warsaw 7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Bialowieza.8.30 Visiting the Museum of Nature in Bialowieza. Walking in the Bialowieski

National Park (3 hours). Visit at the Bialowieza zoo, where there are European bisons. Afterwards: visiting the orthodox church in the park. The Bialowieski National Park is the biggest national park in this part of Europe and it is on the List of World Biosphere Reserves and Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant or at the hotel in Bialowieza.15.00 Departure for Warsaw. On the way to Warsaw, a short stop in Grabarka, the

most important orthodox shrine in Poland. 20.00 Arrival in the capital of Poland and check-in at the hotel.20.30 Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Warsaw.

th11 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument,

the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at one of the restaurants in the city centre. 14.30 Sightseeing inside the Royal Castle. 16.30 Leisure time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants (optional). The last

night in Warsaw.

th12 day Departure from Poland.x Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Warsaw.y Transfer to the airport. Departure from Poland.

st1 day Arrival in Krakow x Arrival in Krakow by plane or coach. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to

the hotel in Krakow. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the centre of Krakow (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Krakow.

nd2 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – the Jewish district and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside) and its beautiful yard and

Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was the centre of the Jewish community's

religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues). Short stop in front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Many famous people have

visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a folk music concert. Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

rd3 day Krakow – Pieniny and Dunajec – Debno Podhalanskie – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure by coach for Sromowce Wyzne.10.00 Sailing on traditional wooden rafts down The Dunajec River, across The Pieninski National Park.

[Attention: if rain makes it impossible to sail rafts down the Dunajec river, a trip to the Polish mountain capital – Zakopane - will be arranged instead, which will include visiting the town and riding the funicular railway or chairlift up to Gubalowka for a beautiful view over the Tatra Mountains.]

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Szczawnica (or Wadowice or Zakopane, if there is no raft trip).14.00 Transfer to Debno Podhalanskie. Visiting the wooden Gothic church: one of the wooden churches

on the south of Poland listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. 15.00 Transfer to Wadowice, where Pope John Paul II was born in 1920. 17.00 Visiting the Pope's home and the church where he was baptised. Transfer to Kalwaria

Zebrzydowska.18.30 Visiting the Bernardine Monastery complex in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of the most famous

sanctuaries in Poland. The whole Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and a park) is also listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

19.30 Departure for Krakow. 20.00 Dinner with typical Polish food at the hotel or at a restaurant with a Jewish music (Klezmer) concert

in Krakow. The last night in Krakow.

th4 day Krakow – Oswiecim (Auschwitz-Birkenau) – Czestochowa – Wroclaw7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.8.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. 10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was

built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of The UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant. 14.00 Departure for Czestochowa.16.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery in Czestochowa:

Jasna Gora with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna. 18.00 Transfer to Wroclaw.21.00 Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Wroclaw.

th5 day Wroclaw – Poznan 8.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Wroclaw.9.00 Guided tour of Wroclaw: the Gothic Town Hall, the University, the Ostrow Tumski complex with the

Cathedral, the Leopoldine Hall. Because of the bridges and islands on the Odra River, Wroclaw is nicknamed “the Venice of Poland”. The tour ends at the Market Square.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.00 Departure for Poznan.17.00 Arrival in Poznan and check-in at the hotel. Sightseeing in the city.20.00 Dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town of Poznan.

th6 day Poznan – Gniezno – Torun – Gdansk7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Poznan.8.00 Departure for Gniezno – the first capital of Poland.10.00 Sightseeing in Gniezno. Visiting the Cathedral, where the first Polish kings were crowned.11.30 Departure for Torun. 14.00 Lunch at a restaurant.15.00 Arrival in Torun. Guided tour of Torun, a medieval town listed as The World Heritage site by

UNESCO. Visiting the house of Copernicus, the most famous Polish astronomer. Sightseeing at a cathedral built in the years 1250-1500, as well as the fortified walls with the Leaning Tower.

17.00 Departure for Gdansk. 20.00 Arrival in Gdansk. Check-in at the hotel. 20.30 Dinner at a restaurant in the city or at the hotel. Overnight stay in Gdansk.17.00 A mass in Saint Michael the Archangel's Church in Debno Podhalanskie.18.00 Departure for the capital of the Polish Mountains – Zakopane – a town filled with beautiful and

unique national-style wooden houses.

th7 day Gdansk and Solidarnosc8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Gdansk, which was one of the richest cities in the XVII century. The programme

includes: the Cathedral of Oliwa (sightseeing inside) with its famous pipe organ, an organ music concert, the Main Town Hall, the Fish Market, the Old Harbour, Saint Mary's Church (sightseeing inside), the Long Market with Neptune's Fountain, and Artus Court.

CULTURAL TRIPS

LITHUANIA AND POLAND IN 12 DAYS2 multifaceted countries

A journey across Poland and Lithuania in 12 days. The following towns and places are included in the programme: Vilnius, Siauliai, Kaunas, Augustow, Olsztyn, Torun, Danzica, Malbork, Warsaw, Plock, Niepokalanow, Glogowiec, Swinice Warckie, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow, Wadowice – the hometown of John Paul II, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. or 5 days by the elimination or addition of other places. (According to the flight

schedule and arrival destination). st

1 day Arrival in Vilniusx Arrival in Vilnius at x, flight number y. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and

transfer by coach to the hotel in Vilnius. Arrival and check-in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel restaurant or at a restaurant in the centre of Vilnius.

nd2 day Vilnius8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Sightseeing in Vilnius: a visit to an antique city with many churches of different religions. Saint

Mary's Church with the icon of Madonna, the famous Virgin on the Gate of Dawn, the orthodox monastery of the Holy Spirit, the Basilian Order, the Jewish quarter, Bernardynska Street, Saint Anna's Church, the university, the cathedral.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant of Vilnius.15.00 Prayer at the most famous place of the Marian cult in Lithuania: in the chapel of the Virgin on

the Gate of Dawn. Free time.20.00 Dinner at a restaurant in Vilnius or at the hotel. Overnight stay in Vilnius.

rd3 day Vilnius – Siauliai – Kaunas – Augustow7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Vilnius.8.00 Departure for Siauliai and a visit to the Hill of Crosses: there are thousands of crosses up on

the hill, and one of them is the cross that John Paul II left here during his pilgrimage to Lithuania. Afterwards, departure for Kaunas.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Kaunas.14.00 Visiting the city of Kaunas: the first capital city of the country. Departure for Poland (Augustow).20.00 Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel in Augustow.

th4 day Augustow – Gietrzwald – Torun – Gdansk7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Augustow. 8.00 Departure for Gietrzwald, which is called the “Polish Lourdes” - it is a unique place of

revelations of the Virgin Mary in Poland. Departure for Torun.13.00 Arrival in Torun and lunch at a restaurant.afternoon Sightseeing in Torun – a medieval city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit in

Copernicus' home. Copernicus was born in Torun in 1473. Sightseeing inside a 13th century cathedral. Departure for Gdansk.

evening Arrival in Gdansk, accommodation at the hotel, and dinner.

th5 day Gdansk and Solidarnosc8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Gdansk, which was one of the richest cities in the XVII century. The programme

includes: the Cathedral of Oliwa (sightseeing inside) with its famous pipe organ, an organ music concert, the Main Town Hall, the Fish Market, the Old Harbour, Saint Mary's Church (sightseeing inside), the Long Market with Neptune's Fountain, and Artus Court.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.30 “Solidarnosc”: visiting the Solidarnosc Museum in the Gdansk Shipyard and the Monument of

the Fallen Gdansk Shipyard Workers from the year 1970. Transfer to Sopot and a walk along one of its piers: the city is called the capital of the Polish sea. (If there is free time left, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War II began on the 1st of September, 1939).

18.00 Leisure time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner at a traditional restaurant with regional music.22.00 Last night in Gdansk.

th6 day Gdansk – Malbork – Warsaw7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Gdansk.8.00 Departure for Malbork.10.00 Visiting the Malbork Castle Museum. The Teutonic Order started to build it in the year 1380.

This monument is inscribed on UNESCO's List of Human Heritage.13.00 Lunch at a restaurant near the castle. 14.00 Departure for Warsaw.20.00 Arrival in the capital city of Poland and check-in at the hotel.20.30 Dinner at a restaurant or at the hotel.

th7 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument, the Warsaw

Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.30 Visiting the Warsaw Rising Museum or the Royal Castle. 16.30 Leisure time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner combined with a music concert.22.00 Last night in Warsaw.

th8 day Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Glogowiec – Swinice Warckie – Czestochowa7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Warsaw.8.00 Departure for Niepokalanow.10.00 Visiting the Sanctuary of Immaculate Conception founded by Maximilian Kolbe. Departure for

Glogowiec. 12.30 Stop in Glogowiec and Swinice Warckie: two important places for Saint Faustina: Glogowiec,

where she was born, and Swinice Warckie, where she was baptised. 14.00 Lunch at a restaurant.14.30 Departure for Czestochowa.18.30 Arrival in Czestochowa, accommodation at the hotel. 19.30 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Czestochwa.

th9 day Czestochowa – Auschwitz – Krakow8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Czestochowa. 9.00 After breakfast: guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland - the Monastery in

Czestochowa: Jasna Gora, with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant of Czestochowa. 14.00 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. 16.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The

camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

19.00 Departure for Krakow. 20.00 Arrival in Krakow and accommodation at the hotel.20.30 Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the city centre. Overnight stay in Krakow.

th10 day Krakow – the heart of Poland and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing inside) and its

beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called "Polish Gold". In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was the centre of

the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues). A short stop in front of Schindler's Factory on the way to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with a traditional folk music concert. Return to the hotel and the night is spent in Krakow.

th11 day Krakow – Lagiewniki – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.30 Departure for Lagiewniki - the world's Divine Mercy centre. 9.00 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting Monastery in

Lagiewniki. There is a Sanctuary of Divine Mercy where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by The Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On The Sunday of Divine Mercy (a week after Easter) thousands people arrive here to participate in The Mass and pray in the antique church where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried.

11.00 Transfer to Wadowice, where Pope John Paul II was born in 1920. 12.00 Visiting the Pope's home and the church where he was baptised. 13.30 Lunch at a restaurant.15.00 Transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.15.30 Visit at the Bernardine Monastery in Kalwaria, the 3rd most famous shrine in Poland.

The whole Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and a park) is also listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

16.30 Departure for Krakow. Free time in the centre.20.00 Dinner with typical Polish food in Krakow. 22.00 Last night in Krakow.

th12 day Departure from Krakow and from Polandx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.y Transfer to the Balice airport. Departure from Krakow and from Poland.


Lithuania is known for its sandy beaches, golden amber and delicate flax. The life here, between stork nests and green forests, is slow.

Vilnius, the capital of the country, is one of the prettiest examples of Baroque style, as in each square you will meet a genuine example of the period.

Latvia sings from dawn to dusk. Love of singing is what most characterises the Latvian people, and UNESCO has declared it to be their national heritage.

Riga Old Town is always full of life, where you will hear not only traditional music, but also modern tunes and rhythms, as in the newest clubs anywhere.

Lithuania Latvia

You can be sure you won't get lost in Estonia. All you need is a device with Internet access, because Wi-Fi services cover 95% of the country. It's not surprising that Skype was invented here. The country is also famous for dozens of lakes, huge areas of forests and its 1,521 islands.

While visiting Tallin, the capital of Estonia, stroll the streets of the Old Town and you will find yourself back in medieval times. The heart of the city is the Market Square, where a Christmas tree was displayed for the first time in 1441.

EstoniaFinland constitutes a border between Scandinavian harshness and Baltic vitality.

You will be enchanted with Helsinki, its monumental architecture, a harbour full of yachts, and delicious cuisine dominated by salmon and berries. Tourists are usually fascinated with the Finnish language, which is the most difficult and exotic of any in Europe.

Finland

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Dagmara Nanuś

CULTURAL TRIPS

3 Baltic Countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Helsinki

An 8-day cultural journey across the three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Helsinki – capital city of Finland. The programme includes the following places: Lithuania: Siauliai, Vilnius, Trakai; Latvia: Sigulda,

Riga, Rundale; Estonia: Tallinn; Finland: Helsinki.st1 day Arrival in Vilnius

x Arrival in Vilnius at x, flight number y. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Vilnius. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Vilnius.

nd2 day Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 'Vilnius – an encounter between the Orient and the Occident' – a

walking tour through the magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing includes a visit at the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – built in the Gothic style, the Gate of Dawn with its Chapel and the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, the university, and the Market Square.

12.30 Departure for Trakai.13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Trakai.15.00 Sightseeing in Trakai: the former capital of the Grand Duchy of

Lithuania with its beautiful lakeside setting and the insular red brick castle on Galve Lake. The Castle museum of Trakai offers an exhibition of the history of Lithuania and prehistoric findings. Located 27 km away from Vilnius, Trakai is a wonderful place to rest. It is a small and very quiet town - there is no heavy traffic. Trakai Castle enchants with its magic – upon entering the main gates to the castle, you will feel like you are going back to ancient times. You will have the opportunity to admire a spectacular view of the Trakai area. You will hear interesting legends and stories about Trakai and its famous castle.

20.00 Return to Vilnius. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant. The last night in Vilnius.

rd3 day Vilnius – Siauliai – Rundale – Riga7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Riga via Siauliai. Visiting the pilgrimage site - the Hill of

Crosses – which is on the UNESCO Heritage List. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. It is estimated that 100,000-200,000 crosses are to be found on the mountain. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant.15.00 Sightseeing in Rundale: it is famous for its splendid Baroque Palace,

which was built in 1736 – 1767 as the summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The palace was regarded as a Latvian counterpart to the French Versailles and the German Sans Souci. Departure for Riga.

20.00 Arrival in Riga. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Riga.

th4 day Riga 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Riga – the capital city of Latvia. Riga is one of the

biggest cities in the Baltic states and is situated at the mouth of the Daugava. It once belonged to the Hanseatic League. Riga is known for its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Sightseeing in the Old Town, the university, the opera and the cathedral.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.15.00 Second part of sightseeing: Jurmala and its beautiful, wooden Art

Nouveau architecture. Jūrmala is situated 25 km west of Riga and it is a resort town stretching for 32 kilometres (20 miles), placed between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. Jūrmala has also gained a reputation as a health spa.

20.00 Dinner at the hotel and the last night in Riga.

th5 day Riga – Sigulda – Tallinn 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Departure for Sigulda.10.30 Arrival in Sigulda and sightseeing in the city. Sigulda is

situated in the heart of the Gauja National Park, where you can admire the ruins of medieval castles. Sigulda was formerly called the 'Livonian Switzerland', because of its beautiful landscapes with cliffs, hills, and valleys. Sightseeing in the Turaida Castle.

12.30 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.30 Departure for Tallinn.20.00 Arrival in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay

in Tallinn.

th6 day Tallinn8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Tallinn: Tallinn is a so-called museum town,

which has preserved the features of a 15th century trading city and the general look of a typical hanseatic town. Sightseeing includes the city's most charming places, including the Dome Hill, the Dome Cathedral, the Town Hall, and St. Nicholas' Church.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14.30 A visit at one of Tallinn's museums. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Tallinn.

th7 day Tallinn – Helsinki – Tallinn 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Departure by boat for Helsinki.10.00 All-day sightseeing in Helsinki.17.30 Return to Tallinn.20.00 Dinner at an excellent restaurant called Olde Hansa in Tallinn.

th8 day Tallinn – departurex Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel in Tallinn.y Transfer to the airport.

CULTURAL TRIPS

THE PROGRAMME FROM KRAKOW TO HELSINKIst1 day Arrival to Krakow Airport (KRK) – transfer to the hotel

15.25 Arrival to Krakow by plane. Meeting with an English speaking tour leader and transfer by coach to the hotel in Krakow. Check-in in the hotel.

19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Krakow, Poland.

nd2 day Krakow – the cultural heart of Poland - The Salt Mine in Wieliczka8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Krakow's guided tour. Wawel Hill with the castle and its beautiful yard and The

Cathedral (entrance). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of The Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest Market Square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), The Town Hall, Collegium Maius – the ancient building of The Jagiellonian University, The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – entrance) with the famous Wit Stwosz's altar. Walking to the antique walls of The Old Town with Florianska Gate and The Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In the year 1978 Krakow was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO.

13.30 Free lunch. 15.00 Transfer to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka. 15.30 Guided tour in Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. There are

many famous people who visited the place such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978 year, Wieliczka Salt Mine was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO.

19.00 Dinner at the traditional Polish restaurant - the concert of the folklore music. Return to the hotel and overnight in Krakow, Poland.

rd3 day Krakow – Pope's John Paul II hometown in Wadowice – the museum Auschwitz-Birkenau – the Black Madonna Sanctuary in Czestochowa – arrival to Warsaw

7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. 8.00 Departure by coach to Wadowice. 8.30 Visiting John Paul's II home and parish in Wadowice where he was born. 11.00 Guided tour of the area of ex-concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. This camp

was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a part of The World Heritage of The UNESCO.

13.30 Free lunch. 16.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery in

Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with miraculous icon of Virgin Mary – The Black Madonna. 19.00 Dinner. Transfer to the hotel in Warsaw. Overnight in Warsaw, Poland.

th4 day Sightseeing in Warsaw – transfer to Suwalki 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the monument of

Frederic Chopin, The Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz – from here thousands of the Jews were deported to the concentration camps, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, The Old Town (inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO). The St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during The II World War and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the whole Polish nation.

13.00 Free lunch. Afternoon Departure to Suwalki. 19.00 Arrival to Suwalki. Accomodation, dinner.

th5 day Suwalki – sightseeing in Vilnius 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Departure to Vilnius – the capital of

Lithuania. 13.00 Arrival to Vilnius – an encounter between Orient and Occident' – a

walkabout through the magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List. During the sightseeing visit to the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – build in Gothic style, The Gate of Dawn with the Chapel and the painting of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy, the university, the Market Square.

18.00 Arrival to Vilnius. Check-in in the hotel. 19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Vilnius, Lithuania.

th6 day Vilnius – Siaulai – Rundale – Riga 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. 8.00 Departure to Siaulai. 10.30 Visiting the pilgrimage site - The Hill of Crosses – inscribed on the

UNESCO Heritage List. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The number of crosses estimates between 100,000 and 200,000. In 1993 Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

13.00 Free lunch. 14.00 Visiting Rundale: it is famous for its splendid Baroque Palace, which

was build in 1736 – 1767 as a summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The palace was regarded as a response from Latvia to French Versailles and German Sans Souci.

17.30 Arrival ro Riga. Check-in in the hotel. 19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Riga, Latvia.

th7 day Sightseeing in Riga – the capital of Latvia – excursion to Jurmala in the afternoon

8.00 Brekafast at the hotel. 9.00 Visiting Riga – the capital city of Latvia. Riga is one of the biggest cities in the

Baltic states and situated on the mouth of the Daugava. Once it belonged to the Hanseatic League. Riga is known for its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Visiting The Old Town, the university, the opera and the cathedral.

13.00 Free lunch. 15.00 Second part of visiting: Jurmala and its beautiful Art Nouveau wooden

architecture. Jūrmala is situated 25 km west of Riga and it is a resort town stretching 32 kilometres (20 miles) and sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. Jūrmala also gained a reputation as a health spa.

18.00 Return to the hotel in Riga. 19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Riga, Latvia.

th8 day Riga – sightseeing in Tallin 8.00 Brekafast at the hotel. Check-out. Departure to Tallin – the capital of Estonia. Afternoon Visiting Tallinn: Tallinn is so called museum-town, that has preserved the features

of the15th century trading city and the general look of a typical hanseatic town. Visiting the most charming places including Dome Hill, Dome Cathedral, Town Hall, St. Nicholas Church.

18.00 Check-in in the hotel in Tallin. 19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Tallin, Estonia.

th9 day Tallin – cruise excursion to Helsinki in Finland – sightseeing in Helsinki 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. 9.00 Transfer to the harbour and amazing cruise from Tallin to Helsinki the capital of

Finland. 12.30 Free lunch. 14.00 After lunch visiting Helsinki: among others you will see: the Senate Square, which

is supposed to be the historical centre of the city, the City Hall, the Parliament, Opera House, Presidential Palace.

Afternoon Free time in Helsinki. Then accomodation in a hotel. 19.00 Dinner. Overnight in Helsinki, Finland.

th10 day Helsinki – Helsinki Airport (HEL) Morning Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. At the proper time transfer to the Helsinki

Airport.


One of the prettiest capitals in Central Europe. During the day the city is dominated by the marvellous neo-Gothic Parliament building, while at night it glitters with a thousand lights reflected in the Danube River.

Budapest, as well as the whole of Hungary, is known for delicious cuisine (especially goulash), good wines, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the Csardas, the traditional folk dance. All of this awaits you, so come and experience for yourself this remarkable city.

BudapestYou cannot visit Europe without seeing this historic city and trade centre, famous all over the world. Prague is particularly significant for its history, culture and art. Each district has its own special atmosphere, making this a city of a thousand faces, distinguished by multiple architectural styles.

Among the places which are a must on any tourist itinerary, consider taking in the Charles Bridge, which joins the Old Town with Mala Strana district; the Castle, built in the 9th century; the famous Golden Lane; St. Vitus gothic cathedral; and the John Lennon Wall, which in the '80s became the symbol of freedom.

Prague

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Dominika Najder

CULTURAL TRIPS

POLAND AND PRAGUE IN 8 DAYSPrague, Krakow and Warsaw – 3 capital cities of 2 countries

Cultural trip through Poland and Czech Republic in 8 days. The programme includes the following places: Prague, Wadowice – the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow, Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Auschwitz-

Birkenau, Czestochowa, Warsaw.

st1 day Arrival in Praguex Arrival in Prague at x, flight number y. Meeting with the tour leader

from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Prague. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the city centre (depending on the arrival time). Overnight stay in Prague.

nd2 day Sightseeing in Prague in 2 parts8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.

st9.00 1 part of sightseeing: religious Prague: the church of the House of Nazareth – Prague's Loreto, visiting the castle and St. Vitus Cathedral with the funeral chapel of St. Venceslao, Czech Republic's patron saint. The cathedral is also the eternal resting place of St. John Nepomucen. Visiting St. George's Basilica, the Golden Lane, Starahovski's convent, the church of the Virgin of Victory with the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant.nd15.00 2 part of sightseeing: bohemian Prague: walk to Jozefov, the former

Jewish quarter. Charles' Bridge, a walk along the Royal Route: Celetna Street, Na Prikope Street. Market Square with the Municipal House.

18.00 Leisure time. 19.00 Dinner at a restaurant. 20.30 Black Light Theatre spectacle (optional).22.00 The last night in Prague.

rd3 day Prague – Wadowice – Kalwaria – Krakow7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Prague.8.00 Departure for Krakow. 14.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Wadowice. 16.00 Visiting Pope John Paul II's home and the church where he was

baptised. 18.00 Transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.18.30 Visiting the Bernardine Monastery complex in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska,

one of the most famous sanctuaries in Poland. The whole Mannerist complex (including the sanctuary and a park) is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

19.30 Departure for Krakow. 20.30 Arrival in Krakow and check-in at the hotel. 21.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Krakow.

th4 day Krakow – the heart of Poland and Wieliczka – the Salt Mine 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional sightseeing

inside) and its beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called "Polish Gold". In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was

the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues).

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka.17.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in

the world. Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka combined with concert of Jewish music called klezmer.

22.00 Return to the hotel.

th5 day Krakow – Oswiecim-Brzezinka (Auschwitz-Birkenau) – Krakow7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.8.30 Departure for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. 10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in

Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant. 14.00 Departure for Krakow.15.00 Arrival in Krakow and leisure time.20.00 Dinner in Krakow. 22.00 Return to the hotel.

th6 day Krakow – Czestochowa – Warsaw 7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Krakow.8.30 Departure from Krakow for Czestochowa. 11.00 Arrival in Czestochowa and a guided tour of the most important

pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery in Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna.

14.00 Lunch at a rustical restaurant in Czestochowa.15.30 Departure for Warsaw.19.30 Arrival in Warsaw and check-in at the hotel. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Warsaw.

th7 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin

monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John's Cathedral.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.14.30 Sightseeing inside the Royal Castle.16.30 Leisure time in the city centre.20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants

(optional). The last night in Warsaw.

th8 day Departure from Warsaw and from Polandx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel in Warsaw.y Transfer to Okecie airport. Departure from Warsaw and from Poland.

PILGRIMAGES

PILGRIMAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE

Marian ShrinesCatholic pilgrimage in Europe: Prague, Zakopane, Wadowice – John Paul II home town, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Krakow, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district

in Krakow, Wieliczka – The Salt Mine, Lagiewniki, Czestochowa, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Vienna, Melk, Krems, Mariazell.st 1 day Arrival to Prague

xx.yy Arrival to Prague by plane. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel in Prague. Check-in the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Prague: Charles Bridge, The Old Town. Dinner in a restaurant of the hotel or in the restaurant in the centre of Prague. Stay in Prague.

nd2 day Prague8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 1st part of visiting: religious Prague: the church of The House of Nazareth –

Prague's Loreto (entrance), visiting the castle and St. Vitus Cathedral with the funeral chapel of St. Venceslao, the patron of Czech Republic. The cathedral is also a place of eternal rest of St. John Nepomucen. Visiting The St. George Basilica, The Golden Lane, Starahovski's convent, church of The Virgin of The Victory with famous statue of The Infant Jesus of Prague, Mass as far as the church is available. Free time for lunch.

15.00 2nd part of visiting: bohemian Prague: walk to Jozefov, the former Jewish quarter. Charle's Bridge, walk on Royal Route: Celetna Street, Na Prikopie Street. Market Square with The Municipal House.

18.00 Leisure. 19.00 Dinner at the restaurant or in the hotel. The last night in Prague.

rd3 day Prague – Zakopane 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel.8.00 Departure for Zakopane (Poland).15.00 Arrival to Zakopane. Check in the hotel. 16.00 Zakopane's sightseeing (with tour-leader): Jaszczurowka, Peksowy Brzyzek, Villa

Atma, Krzeptowki – The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Krupowki street. Free time.

20.30 Dinner in the hotel or in the restaurant. Stay in Zakopane.

th4 day Zakopane – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel.9.00 Optional: tour by cable cart on the top of Gubalowka Mount (if there is a good

weather).11.00 Departure for Wadowice and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. 13.00 Visiting the church where the Pope John Paul II was baptized (with tour-leader).16.30 Departure for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.17.00 Visit (with tour-leader) to the monastery of Bernardines in Kalwaria, the 3rd most

famous shrine in Poland. All the complex (sanctuary, park) is inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO.

18.00 Departure to Krakow. Arrival to Krakow. Checkin the hotel.19.30 Dinner with the typical Polish food at the restaurant in Krakow or in the hotel.

th5 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – Jewish district 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour around Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (no entrance) and its

beautiful yard and the Cathedral (entrance). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of The Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest Market Square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), The Town Hall, Collegium Maius – the ancient building of The Jagiellonian University, The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – entrance) with the famous Wit Stwosz' altar. Walk to the antique walls of The Old Town with Florianska Gate and The Barbican. During the visit: multimedial presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In the year 1978 Krakow was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO.

15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was a centre of religious and social life of the Jewish community in Krakow until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (entrance to 2 synagogues). Leisure.

19.00 Dinner at the hotel or in the restaurant in the city centre. Stay in Krakow.

th6 day Lagiewniki – The Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy and Wieliczka – The Salt Mine

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure for Lagiewniki, for The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki (district

in Krakow).9.30 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting Monastery in

Lagiewniki. There is a Sanctuary of Divine Mercy where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by The Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On The Sunday of Divine Mercy (a week after Easter) thousands people arrive here to participate in The Mass and pray in the antique church where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried. Visiting with tour-leader.

15.00 Transfer to Wieliczka. 10 km from Krakow.15.30 Guided tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. This

salt mine is famous for its long tourist tradition. There are many famous people who visited the place: Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In the year 1978 Wieliczka Salt Mine was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO. Return to Krakow.

18.00 Dinner at the traditional Polish restaurant in Wieliczka with the concert of the folklore music. Return to the hotel and the night in Krakow.

th7 day Krakow – Auschwitz-Birkenau – Czestochowa – Krakow 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure for The Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. 10.00 Guided tour of the area of ex-concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau.


13.30 Departure for Czestochowa.15.00 Arrival to Czestochowa. Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place

in Poland – the monastery in Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with miraculous icon of Virgin Mary – The Black Madonna. The Holy Mass.

19.00 Return to the hotel. Diner at the hotel or at the restaurant in the city centre of Krakowa with klezmer music concert. The last night in Krakow.

th8 day Krakow – Vienna7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel.8.00 Departure for Vienna.15.00 Arrival to Vienna. Holy Mass in the St. Stephans Cathedral or other church

in the centre (depends on the availability of the church). 20.00 Check in the hotel. Diner at the hotel or at the restaurant in the city. Stay in

Vienna.

th9 day Vienna8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Vienna sightseeing: visiting by coach: “Ringstrasse” with its fantastic

monuments and buildings such as The Opera, museums, The Parliament, The Town Hall, National Theatre and Imperial Palace of Hofburg (entrance). Visiting Schoenbrunn (entrance), Prince Eugen Belvedere Palace (no entrance).

15.00 Leisure in the city centre.20.00 Dinner at the restaurant or at the hotel. Stay in Vienna.

th10 day Vienna – austrian marian shrines: Melk, Krems, Mariazell – Vienna 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Krems. Visiting The Danube's Valley (Ybbs and Krems is one

of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe). 10.00 Visiting Melk: The Benedictine Abbey of Melk – the biggest Benedictine

Convent in Europe – a masterpiece of Austrian Baroque architecture. Mass.

13.00 Melk – Krems: romantic boat cruise on The Danube. Lunch on the boat available but not included in The Ernesto Travel services.

15.30 Departure for Mariazell.17.00 Visiting Mariazell (with tour-leader): the sovereign Magnus brought here the

statute of The Virgine Mary and founded The Sanctuary Mariazell. In 1377 Louis I, the king of Hungary, who won the battle against Turkey, attributed the success to The Virgin Mary. Mariazell is also famous for the cakes and herbal liqueur.

19.00 Departure for Vienna.20.00 Dinner at the hotel. The last night in Vienna.

th11 day Departure from Austria and from Europexx.yy Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure from Austria and Europe.


An amazing country in the centre of Europe. Austria, with its charming landscapes, historic sites, art and delicious cuisine, is an ideal destination for any tourist. Vienna, the capital, is a magnificent city in the heart of Europe. Full of history, it has a lot to offer those who are fascinated by art and architecture.

This former capital of the Habsburg Empire is also famous for its cuisine. Here you can enjoy meals from

different countries which used to form part of the Empire. Most characteristic of Austrian cuisine are its various soups, Wiener Schnitzel (breaded and fried veal steak), and many desserts, like strudel and Sachertorte with its secret recipe. When in Salzburg – “the kingdom of Mozart” – you might like to try Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls), traditionally made of marzipan covered with nougat, placed on a stick and dunked in chocolate.

On the Beautiful Blue Danube… Austria

Germany is the country of beer, Currywurst, autobahns and many impressive monuments. In October there's the famous Octoberfest, the festival of beer and sausage. In winter, you can visit Nuremberg and its Christmas market, the oldest one in Europe. With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI being a native of Germany, it is also worth visiting places of religious interest, like Altoetting or Schönstatt.

Ulm is where the tallest church in the world is situated. Its steeple is over 530 feet (162 meters) tall and has 768 steps.

The nation's capital, Berlin, is symbolised by the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. The city boasts a double number of theatres, opera houses and museums, because until 1989 Berlin was divided in half. Even today, in different areas of the city,

parts of the Berlin Wall remain. Another symbol of the city is the Red City Hall, built in the 1860s, which is home to the mayor and the government of the Federal State of Berlin.

From Berlin you can go to Potsdam and visit beautiful Sanssouci Palace, surrounded by its grand garden and vineyard, the most northerly one in Europe.

The twin-spired cathedral in Cologne is a World Heritage Site. It is the second biggest in Germany, built in 1890.

And you cannot neglect the state of Bavaria with its fairy-tale castles. One of the most widely recognised buildings in the country is Neuschwanstein Castle, situated two hours by bus from Munich. This was Walt Disney's inspiration for his castles in Disneyland and the company's famous logo.

Germany

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Dagmara Trojan

PILGRIMAGES

Great Sanctuaries of Central and Eastern EuropeA pilgrimage that during 12 days will take you to many places related to the two popes: starting in the Alps´ footsteps in Bavaria (Germany) – Benedict XVI homeland,

visiting also Munich and Bavarian sanctuaries then continues through fairytale Alpine landscapes to millenary monasteries like Melk in Austria upon the vine covered banks of Danube River or Pannonhalma in Hungary, continuing to “the distant land” of Poland, visiting Karol Wojtyla´s hometown Wadowice, his former diocese city Krakow with the Divine Mercy Sanctuary and Black Madonna Sanctuary of Czestochowa. It also includes 4 capital cities of these countries: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Warsaw.

Day 1. Munichxx.yy Arrival to Munich (Germany). Meeting the Ernesto Travel tour leader. Transfer to the city centre. /40km/ Visit city of Munich. It is one of the best places to visit in Germany with a great culture scene. The capital of the Bavarian

region, seen by many as a World Capital of Beer, at least during the famous Oktoberfest. You will stroll through the Munich Old Town, admiring the Marienplatz, the Town Hall and the tall towers of Frauenkirche Church – Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, city´s landmark, hiding an intriguing curiosity – Teufelstritt, the Devil's footprint.

20.00 Welcome dinner in a traditional Bavarian restaurant, with local dishes. Overnight in Munich.

Day 2. Munich – Neuschwanstein – Oberammergau – Ettal – Munich7.30 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.8.00 Departure to Neuchwanstein. /130km/10.30 Arrival and visit to the impressive Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein is seen as a symbol of Southern Germany, the

most romantic of all the romantic castles. Its history is related to the eccentric person of a duke, exceptional location on a top of a high rock, its mysterious silhouette overlooks the surrounding lands and mountains.

13.00 Lunch in nearby Füssen.14.30 Departure to Oberammergau. /50km/15.30 Arrival to Oberammergau, short visit. This village is world renowned for its Passion Plays, performed every 10 years since

the 17th century, engaging many (if not all) inhabitants – around 2.000 persons in one play. Between the two Plays there is also much to see – the houses of Oberammergau are beautifully painted with scenes from The Holy Bible and other the religious motives.

16.30 Transfer to Ettal. /5km/16.45 Visit to the Ettal Abbey. It's an interesting fact, that in a village with less than 800 inhabitants stands such a grand

benedictine abbey. It was founded back in 1330, as a simple and small convent. However, a reconstruction after a fire in 1744 turned it into what can be admired today – an impressive baroque construction. The abbey has been a pilgrimage spot for many generations of the Bavarians for centuries, being one of the most important sanctuary of the Alps.

18.00 Return to Munich. /85km/.19.30 Arrival to Munich. Dinner. Overnight in Munich.

Day 3. Munich – Altötting – Marktl – Salzburg7.30 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.00 Departure for Altötting. /96km/9.30 Arrival to Altötting. Visit to the Sanctuary of Altötting. Benedict XVI called it the heart of Germany and one of the

hearts of Europe, it's one of the Europe's oldest Marian sanctuaries. Every year more than 1 million of pilgrims come here to visit the Black Madonna in the Chapel of Grace. The first baptistery was built here 1300 years ago, in the end of the 7th century, the cult of Virgin Mary has always been present here since that time. The place was visited by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI many times – well, it's only 16km from his birthplace, Marktl.

11.00 Transfer to Marktl. /16km/11.30 Arrival to Marktl, visit to the museum of Josef Ratzinger – pope Benedict XVI. 13.00 Lunch in Marktl.14.30 Departure for Salzburg. /70km/15.30 Arrival to Salzburg. Visit of the city. Not forgetting about it picturesque location, Salzburg is firstly known as the

city of Mozart. We will visit the old town as well as the Saint Peter Abbey, established in 696, probably the oldest convent in the northern part of Alps.

18.00 Check in. Dinner. Overnight in Salzburg.

Day 4. Salzburg – Melk – Krems – Vienna7.30 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.00 Departure for Melk, passing through the region of Salzkammergut – a lake district, classified World Heritage by

UNESCO in 1997. /215km/11.30 Arrival to Melk. Visit of Melk: the Melk Abbey is a magnificent baroque monastery, the biggest benedictine

convent in all Europe. Its terrace offers a great view over the Danube River and its vine covered banks. Transfer to the ferry port.

13.50 → Cruise down the Danube River through the romantic landscapes of the wine region Wachau with a lunch on board.

→ 15.35Arrival to Krems. Free time.16.30 Continue to Vienna. /80km/18.00 Arrival in Vienna. Check in. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Vienna.

Day 5. Vienna 8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visit of Vienna. The Austrian capital city remembers the times of its glory, of a capital of a great Habsburg

Empire which used to unite many nations and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe. We will roam the Ringstrasse which circles the Old Town, with its interesting spots, such as the Vienna State Opera, Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History in the Museum Quarter, the Houses of Parliament, the Town Hall and the Imperial Palace Hofburg. Later we will continue on foot, visiting the St Stephen Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, Belvedere Palace Gardens.

13.00 Lunch.14.30 Transfer and visit to the Schönbrunn Palace. The kings of France had the Versailles, the Austrian Emperors had

their Schönbrunn. A palace which through its dimensions reflects the power of the old empire. Built on the fringes of the city, on a hill, occupies a vast area. Nowadays it's a trace of the old times and also a place for an afternoon rest time for many Viennese. It is also an obligatory spot for tourists who come here for the fine views of Vienna. Return to the centre.

19.30 Dinner. Overnight in Vienna.

Day 6. Vienna – Bratislava – Pannonhalma – Budapest8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.30 Departure for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. /85km/10.00 Arrival. A walk through the streets of Slovak capital. Between the two greater powers – Austria and Hungary,

Bratislava (Pressburg, Pozsony along the centuries) was one of the most significant cities in the Austro-Hungarian empire. However, after the World War II, it was left in the Soviet sphere of influence which might be seen in today's city architecture. We'll stroll around the Old Town – a mixture of the old monuments and the communist era buildings plus the recent years modern constructions.

13.00 Lunch.14.30 Continue to Pannonhalma. /95km/16.00 Visit to the Pannonhalma monastery: since its foundation some ten centuries ago, the abbey occupied a special

role in the history of Hungary. It has been a pilgrimage destination for ages, visited by many remarkable pilgrims like the first king of Hungary – Saint Stephen, Saint John Paul II or Dalai Lama. It was founded in 996 where according to the legend, St Martin – the bishop of Tours was born. In 2011, the Basilica's cript became a place of eternal rest of Otto von Habsburg's heart, fulfilling his wish.

18.00 Departure for Budapest. /130km/20.30 Arrival to Budapest. Dinner. Check in. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 7. Budapest8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.9.00 City sightseeing. The Hungarian capital is a city of many influences: Hungarian, German, Turkish, Slovak. Today

we'll know the main attractions as well as the the tasteful and spicy cuisine of the Attila's country. We'll see the exceptional Houses of Parliament buildings, the best view from the Citadella on the top of the Gellért Hill along with other places. We'll go past the Chain Bridge and the Isabel Bridge to pass from Buda to Pest – earlier two independent cities. We won't forget to include the famous Váci Utca, known for its shops and stalls. At the end of the street you'll find the vibrant Central Market Hall – Nagycsarnok, with countless opportunities to spend some money on tacky souvenirs. Not forgetting about the religious side of the trip, we will visit Matthias Church and impressive St Stephen Basilica – the biggest church in Budapest.

13.30 Lunch.15.00 Continue of the visit.17.00 Free time.19.30 Dinner with traditional Hungarian dishes (semi-Oriental cuisine). Overnight in Budapest.

Day 8. Budapest – Esztergom – Krakow8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.30 Departure for Esztergom. /50km/9.30 Visit to the Esztergom Basilica – the biggest church in Hungary, the See of the primate of the Catholic Church in

Hungary.

11.00 Continue to Cracow, passing across Slovakia /360km/. Lunch in a restaurant on the way to Poland.18.30 Arrival to Krakow. Check in. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Krakow. Day 9. Krakow – Lagiewniki – Wieliczka – Krakow8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Visit of Krakow. The old capital of the Polish Kingdom, one of the Europe's biggest empires in the

Middle Ages: we will walk up the Wawel Hill to see the Royal Castle and the Cathedral – the place of coronation and last resting of many Polish kings. Also here, in the Roman Cript of Saint Leonard, Fr. Karol Wojtyla celebrated his first holy mass on the 2nd November 1946.

We will continue to the Old Town with its lively Main Market Square Rynek – the biggest medieval market square in Europe, embellished by many monuments, including the Cloth Hall Sukiennice and the Saint Mary Church with its fine wooden altar carved by the medieval master, Wit Stwosz. We will continue to places related with Fr. Wojtyla, Franciscan Church with a bench where he used to pray and the nearby Papal Window where he used to talk with the youth who gathered below, during his pilgrimages to Poland. Krakow Old Town was declared the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.

13.30 Lunch in the centre of Krakow.15.00 Transfer to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki, located on the Krakow outskirts. /9km/15.30 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. A visit to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary with the famous painting Jesus, I trust in you. Place related

with the life of St Faustina who founded and strengthened the cult of the Divine Mercy in the World. Lagiewniki is also a place of her last resting. During his visit in 2002, John Paul II called Lagiewniki the centre of the Divine Mercy. He died on the Divine Mercy Sunday's Eve – an annual celebration which he introduced.

17.30 Departure for Wieliczka. /13km/18.00 Wieliczka is one the most beautiful places listed by UNESCO in Poland. You'll see a hidden

underground world, a true labyrinth of over 300 kilometers of tunnels drilled in rock salt. Chapels, lakes, chambers and even an underground church – hidden deep beneath the surface. The place has a long tourism tradition – the remarkable visitors list is long and includes, naming just these three: Goethe, Copernicus, John Paul II.

21.00 Dinner. Return to hotel. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 10. Krakow – Oswiecim/Auschwitz – Wadowice – Krakow8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Transfer to the museum of the former camp in Auschwitz. /50km/10.00 Guided tour at the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp was built by Nazis

during the Nazi occupation of Poland. More than a million people from different nationalities were killed in this place, the majority of Jewish origin. Today this place is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch in Oswiecim.14.30 Transfer to Wadowice, Karol Wojtyla's homeland. /35km/15.30 Visit to the parish church where Karol was baptized on 20th November 1920.16.00 Visit to the house-museum of John Paul II. Here, in a small town of Wadowice, surrounded by the

gentle hills of Beskidy, Karol Wojtyla was born. The museum tells the story of his life.17.30 Return to Krakow. /50km/ 18.30 Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 11. Krakow – Czestochowa – Warsaw8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.30 Transfer to Czestochowa. /140km/10.30 The sanctuary of Black Madonna with its famous painting (said to be the work of St Luke) is a

symbolic place for all the Poles. Along many, sometimes difficult, centuries of the Polish country, the Polish arrived and still arrive here to ask for help of the Blessed Virgin. The Mother of God was pronounced the Queen of Poland by the King John Casimirus in the 17th century. It is one of the main European pilgrimage destinations, receiving between 3 and 4 million of pilgrims every year. The Sanctuary is also a fortress, an interesting architectural complex.

13.00 Lunch.14.30 Continue to Warsaw, the capital city of Poland. /220km/18.30 Arrival to Warsaw. Check in. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 12. Warsaw8.00 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Panoramic visit of Warsaw: the capital of Poland should be perceived through the history that it

shaped. From the 17th century on, the official residence of Polish kings. It was completely destroyed during the last months of World War II.. It was later reconstructed with all the details of the old buildings which was recognised by the UNESCO giving it the World Heritage status. Other parts of the city reflect its postwar history – almost 50 years of communism. However, the new face of Warsaw is of a dynamic, modern metropolis with new skyscrapers scaling the sky.

We will start the visit in the charming Lazienki Park with the famous Palace on the Water and Chopin monument, we will later continue to the former ghetto of Warsaw, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science and Krakowskie Przedmieście getting to the narrow cobbled streets of the new Old Town. It hides colorful brick houses and a charming market square. On its southern end stands the Royal Castle – reconstructed building of the old residence of Polish kings.

13.00 Lunch. Free time.xx.yy Transfer to the airport and departure of the flight back home.

CULTURAL TRIPS

TRIP TO CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPE IN 11 DAYS11 days trip through Central-Eastern Europe. The programme includes mentioned places: AUSTRIA: Vienna, Melk, Krems; HUNGARY: Pannonhalma, Esztergom, Budapest; POLAND:

Krakow, Wieliczka – The Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau; CZECH REPUBLIC: Prague, Svata Hora.

st1 day Arrival to Vienna x Arrival to Vienna. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.y Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant.

nd 2 day Vienna 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Vienna sightseeing: visiting by car: “Ringstrasse” with its fantastic monuments

and buildings such as The Opera, museums, The Parliament, The Town Hall, National Theatre and Imperial Palace of Hofburg; after that walking to: Schonbrunn Palace (entrance), Belvedere Gardens, The Estate Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Lunch not included (free time for lunch).

15.00 St. Stephen's Cathedral, imperial monuments and the principal avenues such as Kartnerstrasse. Entrance to The Sissy's Museum.

18.00 Leisure in Vienna.20.00 Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant in Vienna. Stay in Vienna.

rd3 day Vienna – austrian sanctuaries: Melk, Krems – Vienna 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Krems. Visiting The Danube's Valley.10.00 Visiting Melk: The Benedictine Abbey of Melk – the biggest Benedictine

Convent in Europe – a masterpiece of Austrian Baroque architecture. 13.00 Melk – Krems: romantic boat cruise on The Danube. Lunch on the boat

available but not included in The Ernesto Travel services.15.30 Departure for Vienna. Arrival to Vienna. Free time in Vienna.20.00 Dinner at the hotel. The last night in Vienna.

th4 day Vienna – Pannonhalma – Esztergom – Budapest 7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel. 8.00 Departure for Budapest through the picturesque region of Danube with its

beautiful villages. Visiting The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma. The outlook of the monastery dates back to the times of the first christians in Hungary.

Lunch not included (free time for lunch). 16.00 Visiting Esztergom: the first seat of The Catholic Church in Hungary, dedicated

to Sant Andrew. Departure for monumental and beautiful capital city of Hungary – Budapest. Check-in the hotel. Leisure.

20.00 Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant in Budapest. Stay in Budapest.

th5 day Budapest8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visiting Budapest – the city divided into 2 separated parts by The Danube River.

In Buda we will see The Old City, in Pest the cultural and imperial part. We visit The Fisherman's Bastion with a splendid view on Budapest and The St. Matthias Church in front of The Holy Trinity Square – the centre of Buda, place of incoronation of Hungarian Kings and Queens, St Stephen's Basilica in Pest, shopping at The Main Market (traditional art-crafts, souvenirs), Franciscan Square, lunch not included (free time for lunch).

20.00 Dinner at the restaurant on the boat. After dinner boat cruise on Danube River. Return to the hotel. Stay in Budapest.

th6 day Budapest – Krakow

7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel.8.00 Departure for Krakow via Slovakia. Lunch not included (free time for lunch).16.00 Arrival to Krakow and check-in the hotel. Leisure. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel in Krakow. Stay in Krakow.

th7 day Krakow – the heart of Poland, Kazimierz – Jewish district and Wieliczka – The Salt Mine

8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Krakow's guided tour. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional entrance) and its

beautiful yard and the Cathedral (entrance). Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest Market Square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), The Town Hall, Collegium Maius – the ancient building of The Jagiellonian University, The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki – entrance) with the famous Wit Stwosz's altar. Walking to the antique walls of The Old Town with Florianska Gate and The Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In the year 1978 Krakow was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO.

13.30 Free time for lunch.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow was a centre

of religious and social life of the Jewish community in Krakow until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (if there is time left, visiting one or two the most important synagogues). Short stop in front of The Schindler's Factory on the way to The Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

17.00 Transfer to Wieliczka (10 km from Krakow).

17.30 Guided tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. This Salt Mine is famous for its long tourist tradition. There are many important people who visited the place: Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In the year 1978 Wieliczka Salt Mine was inscribed on The World Heritage List of The UNESCO. Return to Krakow.

20.00 Dinner at the restaurant or at the hotel and stay in Krakow.

th8 day Krakow – Oswiecim (Auschwitz-Birkenau) – Prague7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel in Krakow.8.00 Departure for The Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. 10.00 Guided tour of the area of ex-concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau.


13.00 Free time for lunch. 14.00 Departure for Prague. 19.30 Arrival to Prague. Check-in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Stay in Prague.

th9 day Visiting Prague divided into 2 parts8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 The first part of the tour around Prague: religious Prague: the church of

The House of Nazareth – Prague's Loreto, Visiting the castle (no entrance) and of St. Vitus' Cathedral (entrance) with the funeral chapel of St. Venceslao, the patron of Czech Republic. The cathedral is also a place of eternal rest of St. John Nepomucen. Visiting The St. George's Basilica, The Golden Lane (entrance), Starahovski's convent, The Church of Our Lady of Victory with famous statue of The Infant Jesus of Prague.

13.30 Free time for lunch.15.00 Second part of the tour: Bohemian Prague: walking through The Paris

street to Jozefov, the former Jewish Quarter. Charle's Bridge, walking The Royal Route: Celetna Street, Na Prikopie Street. Market Square with The Municipial House.

18.00 Leisure. 19.00 Dinner at the restaurant in the city centre. 20.30 Black Light Theatre spectacle (optional).22.00 Return to the hotel. The last night in Prague.

th10 day Prague – Svata Hora – Vienna7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out the hotel in Prague.8.00 Departure for Svata Hora. 9.30 On the way to Austria, visiting Svata Hora: Holy Hill. There is a sanctuary

built in 1260. Now it is under Jesuits' protection. Continuation of the trip to Vienna.

11.00 Departure for Vienna via Brno.14.00 Lunch at the restaurant in Brno.

th11 day Departure from Viennax Breakfast at the hotel. y Transfer to the airport in Vienna. Departure from Vienna.


Russia sheds a new light on what we have already seen. Moscow and Saint Petersburg represent the exotic face of Europe, especially with its precious amber, exquisite vodka, and splendid buildings dating back to the Russian Empire. A fast train will take you from Moscow to St Petersburg, and our guides will show you the world of Orthodox churches and Cyrillic writing. You cannot resist such a trip!

Russia

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Dagmara Nanuś


CULTURAL TRIPS

RUSSIA

AND

BALTICS

st1 day MOSCOW Arrive Moscow. We will be welcomed to Russia by our guide and bus driver. Transfer to the hotel for rest and later dinner and overnight.

nd2 day MOSCOW After breakfast, our tour of Moscow will take us to the Metro and Old Arbat Street. Then to the Red Square walk with views of St. Basil Cathedral, Lenin mausoleum and

then visit GUM. Walk along Alexandrowsky garden to Kutafia Tower (it is an entrance into the Kremlin). Excursion in the Kremlin, and Cathedrals including the Armor chamber. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

rd3 day MOSCOW/ST. PETERSBURG Breakfast at our hotel. Our morning excursion will take us to Sergiev Posad with Trinity Sergiev Lavra. Tahn we will take fast train at 17:30 o'clock to Petersburg. We will

have meal on board and arrive to Moscow at 21.30 o'clock. Transfer to the hotel and check in. No dinner.

th4 day ST. PETERSBURG Breakfast at our hotel. We will be met by our tour guide and bus driver and start by taking the hydrofoil to Peterhof to see the Grand palace, Park and Fountains. Return by

bus and tour the Hermitage Museum. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

th5 day ST. PETERSBURG After breakfast at our hotel our guide and bus will take us around with photo stops at different sites. Then an excursion to St. Isaac's Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress,

Alexander Nevsky Monastery and more. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

th6 day ST. PETERSBURG/TALLIN Breakfast at our hotel. Depart St. Petersburg for Tallin. In the afternoon, after checking into our hotel, we see St. Brigid's Church and panoramic tour of Tallin. Dinner at our

hotel.

th7 day TALLIN After breakfast, we will enjoy a guided tour of Tallin. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the Gulf of Finland – then reaching Historical Tallinn seeing its fortifications and then we will

have a walking tour seeing the historic city center Toompea, palace of Toompea, Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, Dome Church and many other sights of the UNESCO World Heritage of Tallinn ie, the Old Town, the Town Hall interiors and Freedom Square. In the afternoon visit Kadriorg Palace, considered to be the grandest example of palace and park design in Estonian architectural history. The palace, originally an imperial summer residence, has been extremely well preserved since the early 18th century. Dinner at our hotel.

th8 day TALLIN/RIGA After breakfast, we depart Tallinn to Riga. En route we stop for Gauja National Park, the oldest national park in Latvia. Proceed to Riga and to our hotel for dinner and

overnight.

th9 day RIGA After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and depart for Riga. In the afternoon, we visit Riga – the skyline of the Old City is dominated by the steeples of three very

different and beautiful churches: The Dom Cathedral, St. Peter's and St. Jacob's. Riga is distinguished by being the site of the only Catholic seminary to remain open in the days of the Soviet Union. We also see the national Theater where Latvia's independence was declared on November 18, 1918, and Freedom Monument. In the afternoon we will enjoy Riga Balzam tasting on the Sky Bar of Radisson hotel. Dinner with a traditional folk performance. Overnight in Riga.

th10 day RIGA/VILNIUS Breakfast at our hotel. Our morning begins with a visit to the lovely beaches of the Jurmala, once a favorite Soviet getaway spot. Then we set our through the lush, fertile

Zemgale region of Latvia for Lithuania. Along the way we visit the Hill of Crosses near the city of Siauliai. A place for pilgrimage for centuries. It is covered in thousands of crosses, large and small, many in an elaborate folk-art style. Despite being bulldozed three times by the Soviet authorities, the crosses quickly reappeared each time. Celebrate Holy mass here. Continue to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

th11 day VILNIUS After breakfast at our hotel we will have a guided tour of Vilnius. Vilnius was the center of the Lithuanian fight for independence from the Soviet Union. Its long history as a

center of faith and freedom is seen in the presence of a church spire at every turn. Today we see the major sites including the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, the Church of St. Anne, the Cathedral of St. Stanislas, the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. View the Dawn Gate with its miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. Afternoon excursion to visit Trakai Castle. It is the only insular castle throughout Eastern Europe – Island Castle is one of the most visited historical-architectural monuments in Lithuania. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

th12 day VILNIUS - departure Transfer to the airport.

Russia


CULTURAL TRIPS

3 Baltic Countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the North of

Poland

Baltic Roads

A cultural journey across the three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as the North part of Poland. The programme includes the following places:

Estonia: Tallinn; Latvia: Sigulda, Riga, Rundale; Lithuania: Siauliai, Vilnius, Trakai; Poland: Olsztyn, Gdansk, Malbork, Torun, Warsaw.

st1 day Arrival in Tallinn x Arrival in Vilnius at x, flight number y. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and

transfer by coach to the hotel in Tallinn. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Tallinn.

nd2 day Tallinn8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Tallinn: Tallinn is a so-called museum town, which has

preserved the features of a 15th century trading city and the general look of a typical hanseatic town. Sightseeing includes the city's most charming places, including the Dome Hill, the Dome Cathedral, the Town Hall, and St. Nicholas' Church.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. 14.30 Visiting one of Tallinn's museums. 20.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Tallinn.

rd3 day Tallinn – Sigulda – Riga 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel.9.00 After breakfast departure for Sigulda (Latvia).13.00 Lunch at a restaurant.14.00 Arrival in Sigulda and sightseeing in the city. Sigulda is situated in the

heart of the Gauja National Park, where you can admire the ruins of medieval castles. Sigulda was formerly called the 'Livonian Switzerland', because of its beautiful landscapes with cliffs, hills, and valleys. Sightseeing in the Turaida Castle.

17.00 Departure for Riga.19.00 Arrival in Riga. Check in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

th4 day Riga8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Riga – the capital city of Latvia. Riga is one of the biggest

cities in the Baltic states and is situated at the mouth of the Daugava. It once belonged to the Hanseatic League. Riga is known for its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Sightseeing in the Old Town, the university, the opera and the cathedral.

13.00 Lunch at the restaurant in the city centre.15.00 Second part of sightseeing: Jurmala and its beautiful, wooden Art Nouveau

architecture. Jūrmala is situated 25 km west of Riga and it is a resort town stretching for 32 kilometres (20 miles), placed between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. Jūrmala has also gained a reputation as a health spa.

20.00 Dinner at the hotel and the last night in Riga.

th5 day Riga – Rundale – Siauliai – Vilnius7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel.8.00 Departure for Vilnius via Rundale and Siauliai.10.00 Sightseeing in Rundale: it is famous for its splendid Baroque Palace,

which was built in 1736 – 1767 as the summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The palace was regarded as a Latvian counterpart to the French Versailles and the German Sans Souci.

12.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Rundale.13.30 Departure for Siauliai (Lithuania).16.00 Visiting the pilgrimage site - the Hill of Crosses – which is on the UNESCO

Heritage List. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. It is estimated that 100,000-200,000 crosses are to be found on the mountain. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

20.00 Arrival in Vilnius. Check in and dinner at the hotel.

th6 day Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 'Vilnius – an encounter between the Orient and the Occident' – a walking

tour through the magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing includes a visit at the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – built in the Gothic style, the Gate of Dawn with its Chapel and the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, the university, and the Market Square.

12.30 Departure for Trakai.13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Trakai.

15.00 Sightseeing in Trakai: the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with its beautiful lakeside setting and the insular red brick castle on Galve Lake. The Castle museum of Trakai offers an exhibition of the history of Lithuania and prehistoric findings. Located 27 km away from Vilnius, Trakai is a wonderful place to rest. It is a small and very quiet town - there is no heavy traffic. Trakai Castle enchants with its magic – upon entering the main gates to the castle, you will feel like you are going back to ancient times. You will have the opportunity to admire a spectacular view of the Trakai area. You will hear interesting legends and stories about Trakai and its famous castle.

20.00 Return to Vilnius. Dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant. The last night in Vilnius.

th7 day Vilnius – Olsztyn – Gdansk7.30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Departure for Poland.13.00 Arrival in Olsztyn. Lunch at a restaurant.14.30 Sightseeing in Olsztyn. Afterwards, departure for Gdansk.20.00 Arrival in Gdansk and check in at the hotel. Dinner at a restaurant or at the

hotel. Overnight stay in Gdansk.

th8 day Gdansk and Solidarnosc8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Gdansk, which was one of the richest cities in the XVII century.

The programme includes: the Cathedral of Oliwa (sightseeing inside) with its famous pipe organ, an organ music concert, the Main Town Hall, the Fish Market, the Old Harbour, Saint Mary's Church (sightseeing inside), the Long Market with Neptune's Fountain, and Artus Court.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Gdansk.14.30 “Solidarnosc”: visiting the Solidarnosc Museum in the Gdansk Shipyard and the

Monument of the Fallen Gdansk Shipyard Workers from the year 1970. Transfer to Sopot and a walk along one of its piers: the city is called the capital of the Polish sea. (If there is free time left, transfer to Westerplatte, where World War II began on the 1st of September, 1939).

18.00 Leisure time in the centre of Gdansk.20.00 Dinner at a traditional restaurant with regional music.22.00 The last night in Gdansk.

th9 day Gdansk – Malbork - Warsaw7.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel in Gdansk.8.00 Departure for Malbork.10.00 Visiting the Malbork Castle Museum. The Teutonic Order started to build it in the

year 1380. This monument is inscribed on UNESCO's List of Human Heritage.12.00 Departure for Torun.14.00 Lunch at a restaurant in Torun.15.00 Sightseeing in Torun.17.00 Departure for Warsaw.20.00 Arrival in Warsaw and check in at the hotel.21.00 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Warsaw.

th10 day Warsaw – the capital city of Poland8.00 Breakfast in the hotel. 9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument,

the Warsaw Ghetto, Umschlagplatz (thousands of the Jews were deported from there to the concentration camps), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO), St. John’s Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant in the centre of Warsaw. 14.30 Sightseeing inside the Royal Ccastle. 16.30 Leisure time in the centre of Warsaw.20.00 Dinner with a music concert at one of the local restaurants (optional). The last

night in Warsaw.

th11 day Departure from Warsaw and from Polandx Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel in Warsaw.y Transfer to the Okecie airport. Departure from Warsaw and from Poland.

PILGRIMAGES

Italy in 12 days st1 day Arrival to Rome

x Arrival to Rome. Meeting with the tour leader from Ernesto Travel and transfer by coach to the hotel. If possible – early check in. If not, the group leaves their luggage at the hotel and continue to visit the city.

Meeting the guide and going to The Vatican Museums. Guided visit: The Vatican Musems (the Sistine Chapel where popes

are elected) and to St. Peter's Square and Basilica and The Popes' tombs (John Paul II tomb).

Dinner at the hotel or in the restaurant near the hotel.

nd2 day Rome – 2nd part of the visit8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Rome: Eternal City, St.John Lateran, Papal Sanctuary

od the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), The Saint Mary Major Basilica (where you can attend the Mass) and St. Paul outside the Walls.

15.00 On the way to The Catacombs short stop in front of The Basilica of Saint Paul.

16.00 Transfer and visiting The Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus are among the greatest and most important catacombes in Rome. They are dated to the middle of the second century and are part of the cemetery complex – the large area of nearly 90 acres of land, half of which occupied by catacombs. The galleries, sometimes in four levels, are 12 miles long. In this place were buried dozens of martyrs, 16 popes and many Christians.

19.00 Dinner at the hotel or in the restaurant near the hotel.

rd3 day Rome – 3rd part of the visit8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Free time. 12.00 Regina Coeli. 13.00 Sightseeing in Romanian and Baroque Rome: The Colosseum

(without entrance), The Roman Forum (optional entrance), Burial Placeof St. Paul the Apostle, The Capitoline Hill, Piazza Venezia, The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna.

19.00 Dinner at the hotel or in the restaurant near the hotel.

th4 day Rome – Monte Cassino – Pietrelcina – San Giovanni Rotondo8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. 9.00 Departure for Monte Cassino. Stop at Monte Cassino to see the

monastery and visit the Abbey perched above the valley. Stop in the quaint of Pietricina birthplace of Padre Pio Journey to San Giovanni Rotondo home to the beloved St. Pio from

1916 to 1968 Check in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

th5 day Monte Sant' Angelo – San Giovanni Rotondo8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Attend Mass in the morning at Santa maria Delle Grazie (Old Church) Visit the Friary of Padre Pio including his tomb, cell, confessional and

Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church (New church). Visit Shrine of Monte Sant'Angelo, one of Christendom's most

celebrated shrines where St Michael the Archaengel appeared in 490, 492 and 1656

Back to Rotondo for overnight. Dinner at the hotel.

th6 day San Giovanni Rotondo – Lanciano – Manopello – Loreto8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Visit St.Francis Church in Lanciano and attend morning Mass. Visit in Manopello. Arrival in Loreto. Mass at Our Lady of Loreto. Pray at the Holy House,

one of the most revered Marian Shrines in the world. Since medieval times, the House has been belevied to be the very home in which the Virgin Mary lived, conceived and raised the young Jesus.

Overnight in Loreto. Dinner at the hotel.

th7 day Loreto – Padua 8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Departure from Loreto. Transfer to Padua. Visit of Padua – the lovely Basilica of St. Anthony and enjoy some free

time in the main square. Overnight and dinner in Padua or somewhere in between Padua and

Venezia.

th8 day Venezia8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Venezia. Guided tour of Venezia: Departure by local ferry from Tronchetto

to st. Mark Square and visit of Venice: colorful and romantic City of canals and gondolas. Holy Mass at St. Mark Basilica – possible.

Overnight in Venezia or near Venezia. Dinner.

th9 day Venezia – Florence – Siena8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Transfer to Florence. Guided tour of Florence: the fabulous Renaissasnce city on the

Arno River. Take a walking tour to include the Academy (entrance), Michelalngelo's famous David and Holy Cross Chcurch. See the main square, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Duomo and Baptistery. Holy Mass during the visit.

Departure to Siena. Overnight and dinner and Siena.

th10 day Siena – Assisi8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Guided tour of Siena, where Saint Catherine, a Doctor of the

Church, lived and composed her moving writings. See the main square, famous for its horse races, and St. Catherine Convent.

Transfer to Assisi. Visit of Assisi: the basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare and our

Lady of the Angels Church.17.00 Holy Mass at st Caterina altar. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

th11 day Assisi – Cascia – Rome8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Holy Mass at Porziuncola, Our Lady of Angels, (Santa Maria

degli Angeli Porziuncola, Piazza Porziuncola, 1 – 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli – Assisi (PG).

Travel to Cascia this morning, home of St. Rita Visit Sanctuary and Major Basilica

Transfer to Rome or outskirts of Rome. Dinner.

th12 day Rome – departure Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel. Transfer to the Airport.


Pilgrimage to Central Europe, Croatia and Medjugorje Day 1 DEPART CT BY

COACH.

Day 2 ARRIVE IN PRAGUE. Meet English-speaking

guide and coach, and enjoy an orientation tour of the vibrant capital of the Czech Republic, a city that has experienced a great renewal since the early 1990's. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy free time to relax. Celebrate Mass, then transfer to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Return back to hotel.

Day 3 PRAGUE. Enjoy a morning tour of

Prague's Old Town, with visits to St. Nicholas Church, Church of the House of Nazareth and

Charles Bridge. Free time for lunch, then celebrate Mass at and the Virgin of Victory Church to pray at the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Dinner at a local restaurant before returning to hotel for overnight.

Day 3 PRAGUE/BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST. Morning departure to Budapest, stopping en-route in

Bratislava for a guided tour of the city center with its' many baroque palaces and beautiful St. Martin's Cathe-dral. Free time for lunch, then depart to Budapest, the vibrant capital of modern Hungary, often called the “Paris of the East”. Check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 BUDAPEST. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour to see St. Matthew's

Church, Buda Center, and Fisherman's Bastion with its' wonderful views of the city. Cross the Danube for a tour of the modern center of Pest with the Heroes Square and famous central market. Celebrate Mass then enjoy a festive dinner with Hungarian folk music at a local restaurant.

Day 5 BUDAPEST/MARIJA BISTRICA/ZAGREB. After breakfast, depart to Zagreb, crossing the Hungarian

border into Croatia. En-route, stop in the small town of Marija Bistrica, home to Croatia's most visited Shrine, which houses a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Marija Bistrica). Continue on to the capital city of Zagreb and check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 ZAGREB/ZADAR. After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the city center. Visit

it's 13th century Cathedral, St. Mark's Church and King Tomislav's Square, which houses the famous monument to Croatia's first King, the work of the sculptor Robert Franges. Free time for lunch, celebrate Mass, then continue on to Zadar. Check-in to your hotel for dinner and over-night.

Day 7 ZADAR/MEDJUGORJE. Morning departure to Medjugorje in Bosnia and

Herzegovina, where Apparations of Our Lady started on June 24, 1981 and continue to this day. Visit the Church of San Jacobo, and perhaps climb Apparition Hill where the young visionaries first encountered Our Lady. Pray before the statue which commemorates the spot where Our Lady first appeared to the visionaries. Visit and pray at "Blue Cross", a very special place at the base of Apparition Hill. Have the opportunity to join the villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary. Be present in the church during the time of the apparitions at 6:40pm and perhaps stay for the Croatian Mass and the Blessing of the Sick. Time permitting, climb Krizevac Mountain, where in 1933 the villagers built a 30' high cross on the anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion. This Cross contains a relic from the actual Cross of Christ given to the villagers by the Pope. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8 MEDJUGORJE/DUBROVNIK. Morning departure to the coastal city Dubrovnik, often

referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Enjoy a guided tour of the city center, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Cathedral, Knezev Dvor Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, the oldest pharmacy in the world, and the Rector's Palace. Check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 DUBROVNIK/SPLIT. Depart to picturesque Split, situated on Croatia's

Dalmation Coast. En-joy a guided city tour of this historical and cultural city. Visit Diocletian's Palace, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check-in to your hotel, then transfer to a local restaurant for a festive farewell dinner.

Day 10 DEPART SPLIT AIRPORT FOR RETURN FLIGHT.

PILGRIMAGES

Pilgrimage to Lourdes and

Fatima st1 day Arrival to Europe – Portugal

Arrival to Lisbon, the group will be welcomed by the english speaking tour leader. Transfer to the hotel in Lisbon. Free time. Short city tour of Lisbon.

Dinner at the hotel.

nd2 day Lisbon – Santarem – Fatima Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will go back to Lisbon to do the

sightseeing. After about 1,5 hours you will reach this beautiful city – capital of Portugal. During your sightseeing tour you will see: the Cathedral, St. Jerome's Monastery, Saint Anthony's Church, Belem Quarter, the Belem Tower, 25 April Bridge as well as Discoveries Monument. Later on this day you will see the Basilica of the Star, Rossio Square, Commerce Square and Marquee of Pomba Square. During the sightseeing there will be free time.

On the way to Fatima short stop in one of the oldest cities – Santarem – visit in St Stephan Cathedral with your TL where you will see the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle.

This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269 A.D. It is possible to celebrate the Mass here.

Evening - Arrival to Fatima. Check in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

rd3 day Fatima Breakfast at the hotel. During your stay in Fatima you will visit: the Little Chapel of the Apparitions,

Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel (where the children lived), and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way), culminating in the Chapel of Calvary that overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary.


th4 day Fatima Breakfast at the hotel. Free time. Dinner at the hotel.

th5 day Fatima – Porto/Bom Jesus do Monte – Santiago de Compostela Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Santiago de Compostela. On your way to Santiago short stop in

Porto or Bom Jesus do Monte. Near the city of Braga there is very famous portuguese Sanctuary – Bom Jesus do Monte – a short visit with your TL. You can choose between them.

Arrival to Santiago de Compostela. Dinner at the hotel.

th6 day Santiago de Compostela Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the cathedral and the city of Santiago de Compostela. It will be possible to participate in the Way of St. James. Dinner at the hotel.

th7 day Santiago de Compostela Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Burgos. Visit in Burgos – the historic capital of Old Castile, visit to the magnificent

limestone cathedral (on your own or with TL)

th8 day Burgos – Lourdes Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Lourdes, France. En route possible stop in Loyola, the birthplace

of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we'll see the 17th Century Basilica dedicated to St Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the family home of St. Ignatius, which we'll visit during our stop.

After the stop in Loyola drive through the Pyrenees Mountains into Lourdes. Here, standing between the spectacular mountain-river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Settle into your hotel, explore before dinner, followed by a candlelight procession (every evening from Apr through Oct) before retiring for the evening.

th9 day Lourdes Breakfast at the hotel.

During you stay in Lourdes you will visit: the sanctuary; the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church; and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring,pray at the Grotto and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception." Attend the blessing of the sick and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady, and take time for private devotions. Each evening dinner and overnight at your hotel.


th10 day Lourdes Breakfast at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

th11 day Lourdes Breakfast at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

th12 day Lourdes – Paris Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Paris. On the way to Paris a short stop for a lunch.

th13 day Paris Breakfast at the hotel. Panormaic tour: sightseeing tour which includes the Notre Dame

Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and the Louvre. Free time in Paris.


th14 day Paris Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Montmartre. One of the oldest churches in Paris, St-

Pierre-de-Montmartre was consecrated in 1147. Inside the Romanesque church are 7th-century capitals and an early ribbed vault. Visit to: St. Catherine labourer, St Vincent de Paul, St. Theresa of Liseaux

Free time in Paris. Dinner at the hotel.

th15 day Paris Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Paris. Dinner at the hotel.

th16 day Paris – departure Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the airport. Depart from Europe.

PILGRIMAGES


CULTURAL TRIPS

The greatest Europe!A long trip to eastern-southern Europe through 10 different

countries, more than 25 cities!Day 1 Arrival to Helsinki (Finland)X Arrival to Helsinki by plane. Meeting with tour leader from Ernesto Travel.

Transfer by coach to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel or at the restaurant. First night in Helsinki.

Day 2 Helsinki – Tallin (Estonia) Breakfast at the hotel.11.30 Transfer to the city centre.12.00 Lunch at the restaurant.13.00 Sightseeing tour in Helsinki.16.30 Transfer by ferry to Tallin.18.30 Arrival to Tallinn. Transfer to the hotel. First night in Tallin.

Day 3 Tallin (Estonia) Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in Tallinn: Tallinn is a so-called museum town, which has preserved

the features of a 15th century trading city and the general look of a typical hanseatic town. Sightseeing includes the city's most charming places, including the Dome Hill, the Dome Cathedral, the Town Hall, and St. Nicholas' Church.

14.00 Lunch at the restaurant.15.30 Free time in Tallin. Last night in Tallin.

Day 4 Tallin – Sigulda – Riga (Latvia) Breakfast at the hotel. Check out the hotel.9.00 Deaprture to Sigulda.14.00 Arrival to Sigulda. Lunch at the restaurant.15.30 Visit of Sigulda: Arrival in Sigulda and sightseeing in the city. Sigulda is situated

in the heart of the Gauja National Park, where you can admire the ruins of medieval castles. Sigulda was formerly called the 'Livonian Switzerland', because of its beautiful landscapes with cliffs, hills, and valleys.

17.30 Transfer to Riga.19.30 Arrival to Riga and check in the hotel. First night in Riga.

Day 5 Riga (Latvia) Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visit of Riga: the capital of Latvia. Sightseeing in Riga – the capital city of Latvia. Riga is

one of the biggest cities in the Baltic states and is situated at the mouth of the Daugava. It once belonged to the Hanseatic League. Riga is known for its Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Sightseeing in the Old Town, the university, the opera and the cathedral.

15.00 Lunch at the restaurant.16.30 Free time in Riga. Last night in Riga.

Day 6 Riga – Rundale – Siauliai – Vilnius (Lithuania) Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Transfer to Rundale.11.00 Vitsit in Rundale: it is famous for its splendid Baroque Palace, which was built in 1736 –

1767 as the summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The palace was regarded as a Latvian counterpart to the French Versailles and the German Sans Souci.

12.30 Transfer to Siauliai.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.30 Visiting the pilgrimage site - the Hill of Crosses – which is on the UNESCO Heritage

List. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. It is estimated that 100,000-200,000 crosses are to be found on the mountain. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love and sacrifice.

17.00 Transfer to Vilnius.20.00 Arrival to Vilnius and check in the hotel. First night in Vilnius.

Day 7 Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius (Lithuania) Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing tour of Vilnius: 'Vilnius – an encounter between the Orient and the Occident' – a walking tour through the magnificent Old Town – a quarter with numerous

churches, narrow streets with tiny houses. Owing to its uniqueness, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing includes a visit at the Cathedral in the city centre, St. Anne's Church – built in the Gothic style, the Gate of Dawn with its Chapel and the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, the university, and the Market Square.

13.00 Lunch in the restaurant.14.00 Departure to Trakai.15.00 Visit in Trakai: Sightseeing in Trakai: the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with its beautiful lakeside setting and the insular red brick castle on Galve

Lake. The Castle museum of Trakai offers an exhibition of the history of Lithuania and prehistoric findings. Located 27 km away from Vilnius, Trakai is a wonderful place to rest. It is a small and very quiet town - there is no heavy traffic. Trakai Castle enchants with its magic – upon entering the main gates to the castle, you will feel like you are going back to ancient times. You will have the opportunity to admire a spectacular view of the Trakai area. You will hear interesting legends and stories about Trakai and its famous castle.

17.00 Trnasfer back to Vilnius. Last night in Vilnius.

Day 8 Vilnius – Warsaw (Poland) Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure to Warsaw.13.00 Lunch in the restaurant on the way to Warsaw.18.00 Arrival to Warsaw. Check in the hotel. First night in Warsaw.

Day 9 Warsaw – the capital of Poland Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visit of Warsaw.13.00 Lunch at the restaurant.14.30 Transfer to Wilanow Palace.15.00 Visit in Wilanow – the summer Palace of polish Kings. Visit in the

palace and the marvelous garden.17.00 Transfer back to the city centre. Last night in Warsaw.

Day 10 Warsaw – Czestochowa – Krakow Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure to Czestochowa.13.00 Lunch at the restaurant.14.30 Visit in the Monastery of Jasna Góra – the most important place of

pilgrimages in Poland.16.30 Deaprture to Krakow.19.00 Arrival to Krakow. Check in the hotel. First night in Krakow.

Day 11 Krakow and Kazimierz – jewish quarter Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. Wawel Hill with the castle (optional

sightseeing inside) and its beautiful courtyard and Cathedral (sightseeing inside). The Wawel Castle with the famous Leonardo Da Vinci painting “Lady with an Ermine”.Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki – sightseeing inside) with the famous altar by Veit Stoss. A walk to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. During the sightseeing: multimedia presentation about the story of amber called Polish Gold. In 1978, Krakow was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.30 Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow.15.00 Visiting the former Jewish district – Kazimierz. This part of Krakow

was the centre of the Jewish community's religious and social life until the deportations during the Nazi occupation (sightseeing in 1 or 2 synagogues).

17.30 Free time in Krakow. Second night in Krakow.

Day 12 Krakow – Wieliczka – Łagiewniki – Nowa Huta – Krakow Breakfast at the hotel.10.00 Departure to Wieliczka.

CULTURAL TRIPS10.30 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Many

famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch in the restaurant.14.30 Departure to Łagiewniki, the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki (a district in Krakow) –

after breakfast.15.00 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting the monastery in Lagiewniki.

The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. On Divine Mercy Sunday (a week after Easter), thousands of people come there to participate in masses and pray in the antique church where Saint Faustina Kowalska (founder of the cult of Divine Mercy) was buried.

17.00 Panoramic visit of Nowa Huta – nowadays a quarter in Krakow, which was build in the 50. XX Century, when Poland was a communistic country. You will see the typical socialistic architecture.

19.00 Transfer back to the city centre of Krakow. Last night in Krakow.

Day 13 Krakow – Auschwitz-Birkenau – Prague Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure for Oswiecim (Auschwitz-Birkenau).10.00 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The camp

was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of The UNESCO.

13.00 Lunch in the restaurant.14.00 Departure to Prague.20.30 Arrival to Prague. Check in the hotel. First night in Prague.

Day 14 Prague – first part of sightseeing tour Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Going up to the Castle Hill by coach. The rest of the sightseeing will be done by foot.

Sightseeing starts in the Starahov Monastery which was founded in 1140 by King Vladislav II. Back then, it was bigger than the castle in Prague. Sightseeing at St. George's Basilica, the Church of the House of Nazareth – Prague's Loreto. According to the legend, the Golden Lane was a place where alchemists lived and practised their magic. Nowadays the street holds numerous souvenir shops.

14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.30 Free time in Prague. The second night in Prague.

Day 15 Prague – second pard of sightseeing tour Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing in the Little Quarter, starting with the church of the Virgin of Victory, with the

famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. At the beggining, it used to be a protestant church. Charles' Bridge is considered one of the most important Bohemian costructions from medieval times. The Little Quarter is surrounded by the Castle from the North and the Petrin Hill from the South. St. Nicholas' Church with a 79-meter bell tower is located in the Old Town's centre.

13.00 Lunch in the restaurant.14.30 Free time in Prague. Third night in Prague.

Day 16 Prague – third part of sightseeing tour Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Sightseeing Prague: the Old Town with its Market Square and Municipal House, the Church

of Our Lady of Týn, St. James' Basilica – the longest church in this area, the Powder Tower – all these monuments are examples of Prague's magnificent architecture.

11.00 The former Jewish Quarter dates back to the 11th century. This part of the city was developed in the 12th century. It is known for its ghetto situated in the centre of the Old Town. The New Town was founded by Charles IV of Luxembourg in the 19th century. We will also view the famous Wenceslas Square, where Czech citizens welcomed major political changes in the years: 1918, 1945, 1968 and 1989.

13.00 Lunch at a restaurant.14.00 Leisure time. The last night in Prague.

Day 17 Prague – Cesky Krumlov Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure to Cesky Krumlov.12.00 Arrival to Cesky Krumlov. Check in the hotel.13.30 Lunch in the restaurant.15.00 Visit the city centre of Cesky Krumlov, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage

List.18.00 Free time in Cesky Krumlov. First night in Cesky Krumlov.

Day 18 Cesky Krumlov – Vienna – Budapest Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure to Vienna.13.00 Arrival to Vienna. Lunch in the city centre.14.30 Visit of Vienna – panoramic tour.17.00 Departure to Budapest.20.00 Arrival to Budapest. Check in the hotel. The first night in Budapest.

Day 19 Budapest – first part of sightseeing tour Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visiting Budapest – magnifique neo-gothic Parliament (the largest building in Hungary. It is near The Danube River and it was built between 1884 and 1902. There are 691

rooms in the building, it is 268 m long and its cupola is 96 metres high). Crossing Danube on St. Margareth Bridge walking to Buda, to the castle and the most famous monuments of Budapest. Visiting The Fisherman's Bastion with the splendid view of Budapest and The Church of St. Matthew – the centre of Buda, place of incoronation of Hungarian Kings and Queens. The Citadel. Crossing The Elisabeth Bridge we go back to the centre.

14.30 Lunch in the city centre.16.00 Free time in Budapest. Cruise on Danube River. Second night in Budapest.

Day 20 Budapest – second part of sightseeing tour Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Pest: Heroes Square, Municipal Parque, Andrássy Avenue,

Millenium Monument of 36 metres high, where Archangel Gabriel holds The Saint Crown and The Patriarchal Cross. Walking to The Main Market Square, passing The Opera and St. Stephan's Basilica. On The Main Market Square, built in 1890 by Samu Pecz, shopping in the most famous shopping place in Budapest.

13.30 Lunch in the city centre.15.00 Free time in Budapest. Third night in Budapest.

Day 21 Budapest – Szentendre – Budapest Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Just 20 km from Budapest there is a pictoresque small town

Szentendre that still preserves its ancient character dated to XVIII-XIX centuries. Many painters, sculptors and other artists live in this city because of its ambience, beautiful location by The Danube River and its architecture and monuments.

14.00 Dinner at the restaurant in Szentendre.16.00 Visit in the scansen of typical hungarian architecture.18.00 Transfer back to Budapest. Last night in Budapest.

Day 22 Budapest – Ljubljana Breakfast at the hotel.8.00 Departure to Ljubljana.13.00 Arrival to Ljubljana and check in the hotel.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.30 Visit of Ljubljana – the capital of Slovenia. First night in

Ljubljana.

Day 23 Ljubljana – Postojna – Zagreb Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Departure to Postojna.10.00 Visit in the cave of Postojna – the most popular as well as most

visited cave in Europe.12.00 Lunch in the restaurant.13.30 Departure to Zagreb.17.00 Arrival to Zagreb and visit the city. First night in Zagreb.

Day 24 Zagreb – Plitvice – Zadar Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Departure to the National Park of Plitvice.11.30 Visit of the National Park Of Plitvica Lakes.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant. Departure to Zadar.18.30 Arrival to Zadar and check in the hotel. First night in Zadar.

Day 25 Zadar – Sibenik – Trogir – Split Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Visit of Zadar.11.00 Departure to Sibenik.12.30 Visit of Sibenik.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.00 Departure to Trogir.16.00 Visit of Trogir.18.00 Departure to Split.18.30 Arrival to Split and check in the hotel. First night in Split.

Day 26 Split – visit of the city Breakfast at the hotel.10.00 Visit in Split – visit to the cathedral and to the Palace.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.30 Free time.20.00 Concierto de folclor local. Second night in Split.

Day 27 Split – Dubrovnik Breakfast at the hotel.7.00 Departure to Dubrovnik.9.30 Transfer by ferry from Ploce to Trpanj.10.30 Arrival to Trpanj. Transfer to Dubrovnik.12.30 Arrival to Dubrovnik and check in the hotel.14.00 Lunch in the restaurant.15.30 Visit of Dubrovnik. First night in Dubrovnik.

Day 28 Dubrovnik – Elafiti archipielago – Dubrovnik Breakfast at the hotel.10.15 Transfer to the harbour in Dubrovnik.10.45 Cruise to the Elafiti archipelago. The boat stops in three

different islands: Koločep, Šipan and Lopud.13.30 Lunch on the boat during the cruise.17.30 Return to Dubrovnik. Transfer to the hotel. Free time in

Dubrovnik. Last night in Dubrovnik.

Day 29 Dubrovnik – departure Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Dubrovnik.


Would you like to discover Polish culture? You can do this like other people, by visiting museums, or… by eating! Below, especially for you, we describe the best dishes, because we want you to discover the taste of Poland. Our specialities are the following:

Pierogi — served savoury or sweet, these are dumplings made of dough stuffed with cottage cheese, mushrooms, meat or fruit.

Żurek — a soup made in various ways, depending on the region. It is slightly sour and often served with halved hard-boiled eggs, bits of sausage or potatoes. It is also a typical dish served at Easter.

Potato pancakes — grated potatoes fried in oil, often served with different types of sauce (usually a meat and mushroom sauce).

Bigos — a stew of sauerkraut and different types of meat, mushrooms, onions, seasoning and sometimes prunes. It is always made for Christmas.

Kremowka — cream cake consisting of two layers of puff pastry with a deep filling of pastry cream in between, sometimes with a portion of alcohol.

Cuisine

Following the footsteps of John Paul II, Saint Faustina and St. Maximilian Kolbe

A pilgrimage that during 9 days will take you to many places related to the Polish Saints –John Paul II, Maximilian Kolbe and Faustina Kowalska. The program includes the following places: Warsaw – the capital of Poland, Niepokalanow, Glogowiec, Swinice Warckie, Czestochowa – is the center for pilgrims from

and outside of Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Krakow – the culture and intellectual center of country, Kazimierz – the former Jewish district in Krakow, Nowa Huta, Wieliczka – the Salt Mine, Lagiewniki – the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy, Wadowice – the hometown of Pope John Paul II, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska,

Zakopane.

Day 1. Arrival in Warsawxx.yy Arrival in Warsaw. Meeting the tour guide. Transfer to the city centre.17.00 Holy Mass at St James Church in Ochota, Warsaw. This is the church where St.

Faustina went after arriving in Warsaw for the first time, called by the voice of the Lord.

18.30 Check in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 2. Warsaw8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Warsaw: Lazienkowski Park with the Frederic Chopin monument,

The Warsaw Ghetto and Umschlagplatz – thousands of The Jews were deported to the concentration camps from here – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Castle and St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed thanks to the commitment of the Polish nation.

12.00 Holy Mass at St Faustina Church at Zytnia St.13.00 Free time for lunch.15.00 Visiting Saint Stanislaw Kostka's Church. It's the burial site of Father Jerzy

Popieluszko, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by the communist militia officers in 1984. The theme of this part of the journey is: 'The Church during Communism'. The true story of his martyrdom has probably been not revealed yet. Holy Mass.

17.00 Free time.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 3. Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Glogowiec – Swinice Warckie – Czestochowa8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out.8.30 Transfer to Niepokalanow. /55km/9.30 Visit at the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was founded by

Father Maximllian Kolbe. Holy Mass.11.00 Continue to Swinice Warckie. /130km/13.00 Arrival. Visiting Glogowiec and Swinice Warckie: two places important to St.

Faustina Kowalska. Glogowiec was where she was born, and Swinice Warckie was where she was baptized. Free time for lunch during the visit.

16.00 Continue to Czestochowa. /200km/18.30 Arrival. Check in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Czestochowa. Optional: An evening walk to Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa and prayer

in front of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary called the Black Madonna.

Day 4. Czestochowa – Oswiecim/Auschwitz – Zakopane7.30 Breakfast at the hotel.8.00 Guided tour of the most important pilgrimage place in Poland – the monastery in

Czestochowa: Jasna Gora with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary – the Black Madonna. Holy Mass at the Sanctuary.

10.30 Continue to Oswiecim / Auschwitz. /100km/12.30 Arrival. Free time for lunch in the city.14.15 Guided tour of the area of the former concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The camp was built by Nazis during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Today this place is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

16.45 Continue to Zakopane, in the Tatra Mountains. /130km/19.00 Arrival. Check in at the hotel.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Zakopane.

Day 5. Zakopane – Wieliczka – Krakow8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out.9.00 Visit to the so called the capital city of the Polish mountains. A famous ski resort,

but also a place of interesting architecture, traditions and of faith. We will visit the traditional Jaszczurowka Chaplet, then continue to Krupowki Street, where you can buy anything from smoked cheese to jewelry. Afterwards, we will continue to Krzeptowki Sanctuary, built to thank God for saving John Paul's life in the 1982 attempt. It was designed and built in the local architecture style. Holy Mass here or in Wieliczka or in Zakopane.

13.00 Free time for lunch in Zakopane centre.14.30 We will take the Gubalowka funicular to see the spectacular view of the Tatra

Mountains range.16.00 Continue to Wieliczka. /96km/18.05 Guided tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Many famous people have visited this place, such as Mikolaj Kopernik, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dmitrij Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Karol Wojtyla, etc. In 1978, Wieliczka Salt Mine was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

20.00 Transfer to Krakow centre /15km/, check in, dinner and overnight in Krakow.

Day 6. Krakow8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Guided tour of Krakow. The Wawel Hill with the castle, its beautiful

courtyard and the Royal Cathedral. Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), the biggest market square in Europe (Rynek Glowny), the Town Hall, Collegium Maius – an ancient building belonging to the Jagiellonian University, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Saint Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki) with Veit Stoss's famous altar. Walking to the antique walls of the Old Town through Florianska Gate and to the Barbican. We will also see places related to the life of Karol Wojtyla, the bishop of Krakow, like to Franciscan Church. In 1978, Krakow was listed as the UNESCO's World Heritage.

13.00 Free time for lunch.14.30 Continue of the visit: St Stanislaus Church, optionally: Kazimierz – the

Jewish Square. Holy Mass at one of Krakow churches.16.00 Free time in Krakow centre.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 7. Krakow – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.8.30 Transfer to Wadowice. /53km/9.30 Arrival. We will visit Karol Wojtyla's hometown. Before the WWII, it was a

town with a significant Jewish community. Karol grew up in the house next to the parish church. We will visit the church where he was baptised and the museum, recently reopened, presenting the life of the Greatest of the Poles, as many call him – from his first days in Wadowice till his death as a bishop of Rome. Holy Mass.

13.00 Free time for lunch in Wadowice14.30 Transfer to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.15.00 Situated some 15km from Wadowice, also among the hills of Beskidy

Mountains, Kalwaria Sanctuary is where young Karol would peregrinate. He visited this place with his father after his mother's death and from that time on, Our Lady became his new mother. He would come back here many times, as a priest, bishop of Krakow and also Pope. The place itself is a charming Bernardine Monastery, dating back to the 17th century, with “meditation paths” spread among the surrounding hills and forests. It is a perfect place for a prayer and listening to the Lord.

17.00 Continue to Krakow. /40km/17.30 Arrival. Free time.20.00 Dinner. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 8. Krakow – Divine Mercy and John Paul II Sanctuaries – Nowa Huta8.00 Breakfast at the hotel.9.00 Transfer to Lagiewniki, 20 minute ride from the city centre.9.30 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. Visiting the

monastery in Lagiewniki. The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is where Saint Faustina Kowalska lived and died. This Monastery was proclaimed 'The center of Divine Mercy' by Pope John Paul II during his stay in Poland in 2002. It is also a place related to Karol Wojtyla. He would pass here every day on his way to work at the local quarry during the WWII German occupation of Poland. A new Sanctuary was built recently at this place, called the White Seas (Biale Morze), commemorating the Saint John Paul II. Holy Mass at one of the sanctuaries.

13.00 Return to the centre and free time for lunch.15.00 Continue to Nowa Huta.15.30 Nowa Huta (literally New Ironworks) was to be a city WITHOUT God. It was

designed and built during the communists regime, to be an alternative for the antiquated and conservative Krakow. Karol Wojtyla, during his bishopric in Krakow, struggled the local authorities and finally made it to the first church to be built here. It is called Arka Pana, the Lord's Ark.

17.00 Return to the centre, free time.20.00 Farewell dinner in the city centre. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 9. Krakow – and the trip back home8.00 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. If there is time, we can celebrate a Mass

this morning.xx.yy Transfer to the Krakow Airport and check in for the flight back home.

PILGRIMAGES


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Trips Pilgrimages Krako · Weekend in Krakow Cultural trip through Malopolska called Lesser Poland in 4 days. The programme includes mentioned places: Krakow, Kazimierz – the former