Piligrim Route

Piligrim Route

DEPARTURES 2016: MAY 23, JUN 6, JUL 11, AUG 1, SEP 12

8 days/ 7 nights

Day 1 Kraków –Kielce - Warsaw Depature to Warsaw with a stop in Kielce. Visiting the Kielce baroque Cathedral. It was built in XII century and rebuilt in XVII century. Also optional visit to the Palace of the Krakow Bishops in Kielce - impressive XVII century building that now it is a national museum. Visiting amazing gardens next to the national museum. Later drive to Warshaw. A visit to the Warsaw Old Town - historic centre and oldest part of the city, it is also a living, breathing cultural salon. Founded in the 13th century as the prince's castle, it is surrounded by walls. A tour will start with St Anne's Church - arguably the most ornate church in the city. Carmelite Church - this church escaped the ravages of war and, like St Anne’s, has 18th-century fittings, including the high altar designed by Tylman van Gameren. St John's Cathedral - oldest Warsaw church. Field Cathedral of the Polish Army – it has been a traditional place of worship for soldiers. There’s no homage to the glory of war here; inside the main doors, which feature bas-reliefs of major battles fought by Polish forces, is a gruesome crucifix, with heads protruding from solid metal blocks on all sides of a ruined Jesus. Inside there are numerous plaques to fallen Polish soldiers. . Overnight in Warsaw. Hotel Radisson Blue Warsaw 4* or similar
Day 2 Warsaw - Gdańsk Morning drive to Gdansk with a short excursion in Malbork (Marienburg in German). Visiting the Malbork castle that was built in XIII century by teutonic ordin. Because of a long construction period this castle is actually three castles made into one. Later continue driving to Gdansk. A tour to the Gdansk Stare Miasto (Old Town) - The old town is one of Europe’s largest historical centres, and the medieval centre is around twice the size of the corresponding centre in Krakow. During the tour you will visit: St Catherine’s Church - The largest monument of the Old Town is St Catherine’s Church, which is the oldest in Gdańsk, begun in the 1220s. It was the parish church for the whole town until St Mary’s was completed; St Mary's Church - dominating the heart of the Main Town, St Mary’s Church is often cited as the largest old brick church in the world; St Bridget’s Church - founded 700 years ago, St Bridget’s was reduced to medieval brick dust in 1945, and until 1970 only the outer walls were left standing; St Nicholas’ Church - erected by the Dominican order on its arrival from Kraków in 1227, this is one of Gdańsk’s oldest places of Christian worship and it certainly feels that way inside; Royal Chapel - the only Baroque church in old Gdańsk. Overnight in Gdansk. Hotel Hanza 4* or similar
Day 3 Gdansk - Suwałki - Sejni - Vilnius Morning drice to Suwalki. Excursion in Suwalki. St Alexander's Church in Suwalki - This monumental classicist church was designed by Piotr Aigner and built in the years 1820-1829 with some changes introduced later in the 19th century. On both sides of the main entrance you can see precious statues of St Romuald and St Benedict, the patron saints of Suwalki. When you have seen St Alexander's Church, don't leave the Old Market Square but walk across the park to its south side to see some of the most interesting buildings in Suwalki. Departure to Sejni. The town of Sejny founded in 1522 in a forested area, it became a municipality in 1593. In 1602 it was left in a will to the Order of Black Friars from Vilnius, who founded the first brick church there, which was later extended to form a whole complex of the Church and Monastery of the Visitation. At present in the baroque style, the church is worth visiting for its splendid interior with eleven 18th century baroque and rococo altars, the precious Gothic Madonna dating back to around 1257 brought here from Krolewiec by Jerzy Grodzinski. Departure to Vilnius Afternoon arrival to Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius Congress Avenue 4* hotel or similar.
Day 4 Vilnius Half day to explore Historic Vilnius. Tour of Historical Old Town of Vilnius on foot: Gediminas tower, Cathedral square, the University campus, Pilies street with the 16-18th century historical and architectural monuments, the former Town Hall square, gothic corner of Vilnius with St Anne’s and Bernardine churches. Visit to the Gate of Dawn chapel, with its venerable painting of Mary the Mother of Mercy, is one of Lithuania’s most important religious, historical and cultural sites. Later visit to the St. Peter and Paul Church – Lithuanian baroque masterpiece. Afterwards, visiting Vilnius Calvary. Vilnius Calvary is a holy place which for long ages has been offering consolation and strength to those who are burdened by misfortune. In times past, people would travel hundreds of kilometers on foot to pray about Christ’s sufferings and earn God’s blessing by making the Way of the Cross here. The Church of the Invention of the Holy Cross is one of the most beautiful and well preserved sacred art monuments in Lithuania. Pilgrims can pray before a relic of the Holy Cross that is displayed under glass in the church at the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows. Overnight in Congress Avenue 4* or similar
Day 5 Vilnius – Trakai – Pivašiūnai - Vilnius Morning trip to the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania – Trakai. Visit the 15th century Insular Trakai Castle housing an exhibition on prehistoric findings and the 17-18th century applied art, the way of life of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, and the Karaites, brought to Lithuania from the Crimea.The main visit to the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, standing atop the highlands of the Trakai peninsula, today seems to lie somewhat off the beaten track. The Trakai church is a unique monument to Lithuanian culture and faith, which embodies an ecclesiastical and artistic legacy of six centuries.Later drive to Pivašiūnai, a small village in the picturesque lowlands of Dzūkija. Pivašiūnai has long been known not only for its beautiful nature, but also – and even more so – for its church with a miraculous painting of the Mother of God and Child. The church of Pivašiūnai is among the most important sanctuaries in the archdiocese of Kaišiadorys, whose borders its renown exceeds by far. It hosts an annual feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the main indulgenced feast in the diocese. In the afternoon returning to Vilnius Overnight in Congress Avenue 4* or similar
Day 6 Vilnus – Pažaislis– Šiluva –Tytuvėnai – Šiauliai Morning departure to Pažaislis monastery . The ensemble is one of the finest late baroque masterpieces in all of Northeast Europe. The monastery’s dramatic history, spanning more than 300 years, touches on numerous traditions of spirituality as well as wars, fires and other disasters. Today the monastery is cared for by the Lithuanian Congregation of the Sisters of St Casimir, who seek to revive and continue traditions of divine worship while also opening the doors to new expressions of social life and culture. Later proceed to the most important place among pilgrims in Lithuania – Šiluva. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared here 400 years ago in one of Europe’s first Marian apparitions, and probably the only in which she spoke to a non-Catholic Christian. Later drive to Tytuvėnai. Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Monastery. Visiting the monastry with the nun. Tytuvėnai is a small town on the scenic plateaus of eastern Samogitia that is famous for the monuments to baroque culture it contains. Overnight. Hotel Šiaulių krašto medžiotojų užeigos viešbutis 4* or similar
Day 7 Šiauliai – The Hill of Crosses - Vilnius The main visit of the day to the Hill of Crosses. The Hill of Crosses is unique and inimitable, both for its size and for its history. At present, some 200,000 crosses of various sizes adorn the hill. In erecting crosses here by the thousands, people manifest their devotion to Christ, pray for his help and consolation, and mark Lithuania as a Christian land. The Hill of Crosses gained fame throughout the world in 1993 when Pope John Paul II visited and celebrated Holy Mass for a gathering of 100,000 people. A cross that Pope John Paul II donated was erected here in 1994.Departure to Vilnius Overnight in Vilnius in Congress Avenue 4* or similar
Day 8 Vilnius Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour. Private transfer to the airport and departure.