Europe
First Day
We meet at Malta International Airport at 18:30 for flight FR7114 to Krakow, which departs at 20:35, and we arrive in Krakow at 23:10. Transfer by coach to the BW Old Town 3 Star+ hotel located in the city center, with room accommodation.
Second Day
Breakfast and City Tour where we explore the city of Krakow with a local guide to see the main attractions, including the Old Town, Royal Road, Wawel Castle, and Kazimierz (Old Jewish Quarter). The Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), as well as St. Mary's Basilica where we will see the famous altar by Veit Stoss. Free time for shopping. In the evening, we go out with the leader.
Third Day
After breakfast, a wonderful day where we will discover the beauty of the places associated with the great Saint Pope John Paul II. We visit the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, where Sister Faustina is buried, a place of great devotion, just outside Krakow. We continue our journey through the beautiful scenery leading us to the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Hill, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We also visit the monastery and the Sanctuary of the Miraculous Madonna, one of Karol Wojtyła's favorite places. The highlight of the day will be the stop at Wadowice, the picturesque village where Saint Pope John Paul II was born. Among the main sites, we will visit the basilica and the house where he was born, which is now a museum. We return to Krakow.
Fourth Day
An excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the most memorable places in modern European history. Today, we visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps (extra entry fee); a painful reminder of the Holocaust where millions of people lost their lives. Here we will see the death national memorials, the railway track, and the remains of hundreds of barracks. In the evening, we go for a drink.
Fifth Day
After breakfast, departure to Zakopane to enjoy the beauty of the Polish Alps, where we will also visit the Tatra Mountains. These mountains stretch along the border between Poland and Slovakia and are the highest in the Carpathian range. Zakopane is a well-known resort for skiing, and both in summer and winter, there are many tourists walking along the main Krupowski Street – filled with cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and horse-drawn carriages with large horses and costumes. We take a tour around Zakopane and visit the Modern Church dedicated to the Madonna, a gift to Pope John Paul II. We will also see typical wooden houses and buildings. Check-in at Hotel Logos 3*, located in the center. Later, we take the cable car up Mt. Gubałówka (extra cost) for a beautiful view of the town.
Sixth Day
Breakfast and a beautiful day in nature, where we will go to Dunajec for an adventure of 'Slow Rafting!' This is the largest attraction in the region, which you definitely cannot miss! The Dunajec Gorge offers beautiful landscapes, rich fauna, and the relaxing sound of the river. We also visit Niedzica Castle and the beautiful resort of Szcawnica.
Seventh Day
Zakopane is the perfect starting point for a day trip to the southern neighbor of Poland – Slovakia. Today, we will enjoy a wonderful view of the mountains and small villages, which will certainly be a beautiful experience. First, we will visit the medieval village of Poprad, the main "gateway" to the Tatra Mountain range, then continue to another medieval village, Spiska Sobota, where we will tour the village center and have free time. After, we head to Tatra Lomnica where we will have the opportunity to ascend to the top of Lomnicky Mountain (2634m). We return to Zakopane.
Eighth Day
Breakfast and then we visit the ‘Wieliczka Salt Mines,’ also known as the underground Salt Cathedral of Poland and one of the most spectacular mines in the world. Together with the local guide, we will visit the mines, which feature various salt sculptures, small chapels, including one dedicated to St. Kinga, and corridors extending over 300 kilometers. These mines are also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Afterward, transfer by coach to Krakow Airport for flight FR7115, which departs at 17:30, and we arrive back in Malta at 20:10.
