Krakow - POLAND

Visiting:

Krakow.  Auschwitz, Birkenau,  Weiliczka Salt Mines, Wadowice,

Zakopane, Tatra Mountains....

Leave your homeland and travel to the charming country of Poland. Land in Krakow and make your way straight away to the comfort of your hotel, centrally located on purpose so that you will be able to enjoy the city’s beauty in your free time too.

Start falling in love with one of the oldest and the second largest city in Poland, the enchanting Krakow. Accompanied by a local guide,  visit the Old Town, the Royal Road and Wawel Castle, represtenting three architectural styles – medieval, renaissance and baroque.  Meet Jewish culture at Kazinierz, an old Jewish Quarter. Enhance your city tour by calling at the Sukiennice, the Cloth Hall of Krakow. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary and marvel at the intricate masterpiece of Veit Stoss Altarpiece.

Although your journey’s joyful atmosphere will be dampened when visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, this may be the most impressive part of the whole trip and for sure not one to be left out. The fear for death by the millions of victims of the Holocoust  can be felt when you come close to the Death Wall, the national memorials,  the railway track and the barracks. All in all, one can say that this will be an experience that you will never erase from your memory, thus showing respect to all sufferers.

Put your mountain clothes on as you will travel to the Tatra Mountains and visit the skiing resort of Zakopane. Walk freely amongst other tourists in the main street of Krupowki and move out of the way from the horse driven carriages.  Look out for the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, a modern architecural building featuring beautiful stained glass. Sip a hot coffee before you hop on the cable car which will take you to the top of the mountain to see a bird’s eye view of the city.

Focus on the spirituality of Saint Faustina Kowalska, who rests peacefully at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, just on the outskirts of Krakow. Continue to the Calvary Santuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a vast complex hosting many churches and chapels which complement the central basilica and the Franciscan Monastery.  Spend the better part of the day at the welcoming village of Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II.  Wander about until you come across the house, today a museum, where Karol Wojtyla was raised.

Look forward to explore the winding saline corridors of Wieliczka Salt Mine.  Be appalled by the massiveness of this underground Salt Cathedral and appreciate the saline sculptures and small chapels. Be grateful that you had the opportunity to spend time in the most spectacular mine in the whole world.

End your wonderful trip by a taste of spirituality. Travel to Czestechowa, well renouned for Marian Pilgrimages to pray to the Black Madonna at the Jansa Gora Santuary where we will also visit the Monastery and the Baroque Church.  Following this, commence your journey back home, fulfilled by the polish experience.