Poland & the Marian Shrines of the Alps with Dan & Stephanie Burke

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart from our local airport for our overnight flight to Warsaw, Poland (flights not included, see “Group Flights” section below.) Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.

Upon arrival at the Warsaw International Airport, our local professional tour escort will greet us and take us by deluxe motorcoach to our first visit: St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. We continue to Niepokalanow. There, we will visit the Franciscan Monastery founded by St. Maximillian Kolbe. Later, we travel to Swinice Warckie to see the parish church St. Casimir where St. Faustina was baptized. We check into our hotel and then enjoy our welcome dinner. Overnight Swinice Warckie

Following breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Czestochowa, one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Poland. We celebrate Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery where the portrait of the “Black Madonna” (also known as Our Lady of Czestochowa) is located. The monastery has a pilgrimage tradition that goes back to the 14th century. St. John Paul II was known to make frequent visits to the monastery throughout his life. We end the day with dinner this evening. Overnight Czestochowa

We continue on to Zakopane, with a stop along the way in Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II) to visit the church he attended and was baptized in as a child. This afternoon, we arrive in the resort village of Zakopane, where we will we will visit the Jaszczurowka Chapel which was visited several times by young Karol Wojtyla, as it lies on the walking paths he frequented. We’ll then have some free time to explore the colorful Krupowki Street. Dinner and fellowship. Overnight Zakopane

This morning we enjoy a relaxing cable car ride to the nearby mountaintop which boasts extraordinary views of the area, followed by a hike down the trail as we remember how Pope John Paul II often walked these same mountains. We stop at the amazing Wieliczka Salt Mines on our way to Krakow. Upon arrival, we particpate in Mass at the oldest shrine there, the Skalka, which is dedicated to the bishop and martyr, St. Stanislaus. Dinner and fellowship. Overnight Kraków
 

Following breakfast, we depart for a visit to Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp, where unspeakable atrocities once occurred. We will see the cell that imprisoned St. Maximillian Kolbe and the Martyrdom Museum recalling the horrors of the Holocaust. On our return trip back to Krakow we will visit Calvary Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska to view the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Kalwaria. We’ll have dinner together this evening. Overnight Krakow
 

This morning, we visit the convent at Lagiewniki where St. Faustina spent the last two years of her life. There will be time to pray before the miraculous image of the Divine Mercy as well as in the chapel which contains the tomb of St. Faustina. While here at the shrine our chaplain will celebrate Mass for our group. We then proceed to the John Paul II Centre and visit its “Chapel of the Relics.” We end the day with dinner. Overnight Krakow

Today we tour Krakow, which stands as a medieval treasure house, full of architectural and artistic heritage. We’ll visit the imposing Wawel Castle, former seat of Polish regal authority and see the Coronation Cathedral with its tombs of Polish monarchs. We’ll also have free time to explore Krakow’s Market Square and hear the silver trumpet of the bugler from St. Mary’s Tower. We participate in Holy Mass at St. Mary’s. Overnight Krakow

With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, and many new friends, the pilgrimage comes to a close today.

This morning, we will take an early flight to Munich. Upon arrival, we travel to Altotting, a major pilgrimage site in Germany. We celebrate Mass in the Chapel of Mercy, home to a revered 13th-century statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary known as the Black Madonna, a site of many miraculous healings. Our visit also includes the Basilica, Panorama of the Crucifixion, and St. Konrad’s Monastery, offering us time for prayer and reflection. Later, we head to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, enjoying the scenic views of the Eastern Alps. We end the day with free time before dinner. Overnight Salzburg

We begin the day with breakfast and Mass at St. Peter’s Abbey, a spiritual center for over a millennium. A walking tour follows, taking us through Salzburg’s historic old town, including the Archbishop’s Residence and the serene Mirabell Palace gardens. We visit the grand Romanesque Cathedral, Nonnberg Convent, and Mozart’s birthplace. The day concludes with a delightful tour of Hellbrunn Palace, famous for its trick fountains, before we gather for dinner to share our day’s experiences. Overnight Salzburg

After breakfast, we depart Salzburg and travel through the Austrian mountains to Mariazell, a revered pilgrimage site. We visit the Mariazell Basilica, home to a miraculous statue dating back to 1157. Our journey continues to Melk, where we explore the baroque Melk Abbey, overlooking the Danube River. The Abbey is a site of deep spiritual significance and historical importance. We then proceed to Vienna, Austria’s capital, where we enjoy dinner and rest for the next day of exploration. Overnight Vienna

Our day in Vienna begins with breakfast and a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a Gothic icon housing the miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariapoch. We explore the cathedral, with an option to climb its spire. Next, we visit Schonbrunn Royal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Hall of Mirrors. Our tour includes stops at Belvedere Palace, Karlsplatz, and the Church of St. Charles Borromeo. We take a break to enjoy Viennese pastries like the Sacher cake before concluding the day with dinner, reflecting on our experiences in this historic city. Overnight Vienna

With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, and many new friends, we board the plane for the return flight home from Vienna.