pilgrimage to central europe and oberammergau

Departure from Canada

Evening departure from Toronto to Prague.   

Prague

Noon arrival in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, the “Golden City”. Transfer to our hotel for some rest, dinner and overnight.

Prague

Full day in beautiful Prague. We visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory and see the renowned statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. We visit the Old Town by the way of Golden Lane and then go to the Lesser Town to see the medieval Charles Bridge. We also see St. Nikolas Church, the Astronomic Clock, Wenceslas Square and the Castle District with St. Vitus Cathedral and St. George’s Basilica. Some free time in the afternoon for shopping and rest. Dinner and overnight in Prague.

Czestochowa - Krakow

This morning we travel to Krakow in Poland. En route we visit Czestochowa – the site of Poland’s greatest shrine – Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the “Black Madonna”, a pilgrimage destination that goes back to the 14th century. We venerate the priceless and miraculous icon. Continue to Krakow for dinner and overnight.

Wieliczka salt mine - Auschwit

This morning we visit the world-famous salt mines in Wieliczka, one of the oldest salt mines in Europe, beautifully decorated with hand carved salt sculptures. We celebrate Mass underground. Afternoon we travel to Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp. We visit a cell in which St. Maximilian Kolbe died and also the Martyrdom Museum recalling the horrors of the Holocaust. Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight.

Lagiewniki Divine Mercy - Krak

This morning we visit Lagiewniki – world known as “Divine Mercy Shrine”. This is where St. Faustyna had had numerous visions of Christ, who told her to keep a diary of their encounters, during which he spoke to her of the Divine Mercy. We visit the convent of St. Faustyna, her tomb and relics. After lunch we explore Krakow’s Old Town. We visit the Market Square where we hear the silver trumpet of the bugler form the tower of St. Mary’s Church.  Many of the buildings in the Old Town are over 700 years old and include marvels such as the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and most of all the Wawel Royal Castle. Some free time for leisure before returning to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wadowice - Budapest

Today we travel to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. En route we visit Orava Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia built in 13th century. Upon arrival in Budapest dinner and overnight.

Budapest

Our sightseeing tour of Budapest starts with a view of the 13th century St. Matthias Cathedral, the Citadel on Mt. Gellert, the Royal Castle, the Parliament, Hero’s Square and the St. Stephen Basilica. Afternoon some free time for leisure. Evening cruise on Danube river, dinner and overnight.

Budapest - Vienna

Today we travel to Vienna, the capital of Austria. Our tour of Vienna takes us to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera and the Schonbrunn Palace. Dinner and overnight.

Salzburg - Innsbruck

After breakfast we travel to Innsbruck. En route we stop in Salzburg for a tour of the to include views of the Residence, the Carillon, the Cathedral, the Franciscan Church and Mozart Square. Continue to Innsbruck for dinner and overnight.

Innsbruck - Absam - Seefeld

Full day in Innsbruck and its surrondings. We visit Absam, Austrian pilgrimage destination with a basilica commemorating Marian apparition. Continue to Seefeld to see the Seekirchl church with its miraculous cross on the main altar. Some free time in Insbruck, dinner and overnight.

Oberammergau Passion Play

This morning we travel to the picturesque village of Oberammergau. In the afternoon and evening we participate in the Passion Play performed every 10 years in this small town. This wonderful spectacle of pageantry takes place indoors and outdoors where the sky and mountains are the back drop, world renown for the costumes and music presentation, performed by more than 2,000 citizens. Dinner and overnight.

Departure to Canada

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Munich for a flight back to Toronto. Afternoon arrival.