A Pilgrimage to Poland, Czech Republic & Austria Under The Spiritual Direction Of Rev. Engelberto Gammad

Today we board our overnight transatlantic flight to Krakow, beginning our spiritual pilgrimage through Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria.

Upon arrival in Krakow, we are greeted by our tour manager and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest and prepare for the inspiring days ahead.

After breakfast, we depart for Czestochowa, Poland's most important Catholic pilgrimage destination. We visit the renowned Jasna Gora Monastery and participate in the unveiling of the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. Our guided visit includes the Gothic Chapel of Our Lady, the Treasury, and time for Mass at this sacred shrine. Following lunch, we continue to Auschwitz for a guided tour of the former concentration camp where millions perished during World War II. This moving visit offers an important opportunity for reflection before returning to Krakow.

This morning we visit historic Wawel Hill and celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Stanislaw, one of Poland's most significant pilgrimage churches. We continue to Wawel Cathedral, the spiritual heart of Poland and the site of numerous royal coronations and burials. Our tour of Krakow's Old Town includes Kanonicza Street, where Pope St. John Paul II once lived, the Collegium Maius courtyard, Market Square, and the famous Cloth Hall. This afternoon we visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy dedicated to St. Faustina in Lagiewniki before continuing to the nearby Shrine of St. John Paul II, where we celebrate a private Mass before returning to our hotel.

Following breakfast, we travel to the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of Europe's oldest operating salt mines. During our guided tour we discover an extraordinary underground world of chambers, chapels, sculptures, and salt lakes, including the magnificent Chapel of St. Kinga. We then continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit the museum located in his family home. Later we journey to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a beloved pilgrimage site frequently visited by the future pope during his youth. Here we visit the Franciscan Monastery and explore the remarkable complex of chapels and churches representing the Stations of the Cross.

After breakfast we depart Poland and travel toward the Czech Republic. En route we stop at Velehrad, home to the shrine honoring Saints Cyril and Methodius, the missionaries who brought Christianity to the Slavic peoples. In recognition of its importance, Pope St. John Paul II awarded Velehrad the prestigious Golden Rose, a distinction shared by only a handful of major pilgrimage sites worldwide. We then continue to Prague, often called the "Golden City," and one of Europe's most beautiful capitals.

Today we explore the magnificent city of Prague. Our sightseeing includes Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, masterpieces of Gothic architecture. We visit the Church of Our Lady Victorious to venerate the famous Infant Jesus of Prague and celebrate Mass. We then cross the historic Charles Bridge, admired for its beautiful Baroque statues and panoramic views of the city. Later we visit the Loreto Shrine, one of the most important Marian pilgrimage destinations in Central Europe. Throughout the day we admire Prague's remarkable architecture, historic squares, and cultural treasures.

This morning we depart Prague and travel through the scenic Czech countryside to Cesky Krumlov, a charming Renaissance town recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following a guided walking tour through its picturesque streets and historic center, we continue into Austria and arrive in the elegant imperial city of Vienna.

After breakfast we enjoy a comprehensive tour of Vienna, one of Europe's grandest capitals. Highlights include the Town Hall, State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, St. Charles Church, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, and the Imperial Crypt. We conclude with a visit to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg emperors, featuring lavishly decorated rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flights home. As we journey back, we carry with us treasured memories, lasting friendships, and the spiritual blessings received throughout our pilgrimage.