Day 1: DEPARTURE DAY — (W) Dinner and breakfast are served on your trans-Atlantic flight to Warsaw

Day 2: WARSAW — On arrival in the Polish capitol, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for relaxing and unpacking. Tonight meet the other group members at dinner. - (D)

Day 3: IN WARSAW (Excursion to Fr. Kolbe's Monastery) — Severly damaged during World War II, Warsaw has been restored with great care to its former stateliness. Our sightseeing includes the picturesque cobblestone Old Town Square lined with open air cafes and idyllic houses richly decorated with flowers; the Royal Palace and Lazienki Park with its royal summer residences; and teh former Ghetto - now an attractive residential district. An afternoon excursion takes Niepokalanow, a small town dominated by the monastery which once was the home of Maximilian Kolbe. During a guided visit of the ornate church, the monastery and the living quarters of Fr. Kolbe, we hear about the life of the heroic saint. Return to Warsaw for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 4: CZESTOCHOWA — Morning drive south through lush countryside to Czestochowa. After check-in and time for lunch, visit the shrine of Jasna Gora monastery, home of the venerated Black Madonna of Czestochowa, the 'Queen of Poland'. After Mass one of the resident Fathers will give a guided tour. Afterwards you may purchase religious articles and request Masses for your loved ones. Dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 5: AUSCHWITZ - WADOWICE - KALWARIA - KRAKOW — Drive to Auschwitz to visit one of its notorious concentration camps, a grim reminder of one of human history's darkest hoours. We view a movie made at the time of liberation and the cell block where Fr. Maximilian Kolbe was incercerated and the spot where the saint was executed. Continue to Wadowice, birthplace of Pope John Paul II. Stop by the 16th-century parish church where a plaque commemorates Karol Wjityas' baptism and the museum depicting his life from school to being elected Pope. Then pass through lushly wooded countryside to the pilgrimage center of Kalwaria. The late Holy Father as a boy hiked here often. It is Poland's second largest shrine, consisting of, no less than, 42 churches and chapels. If possible meet with the friendly monks to chat about this wonderful place. To Krakow, the former Polish capitol for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 6: IN KRAKOW. — Much of Krakow's charm has its roots in her rich history, medieval churches, ancient squares and strong pamparts. Your sightseeing starts with Wawel Castle, from where you enjoy a panoramic view of Krakow, her many churches and stout ramparts; next is the grandiose Cathedral which was the seat of Cradinal Karol Wojtyla before becoming Pope; the picturesque Krakow Town Square, an ancient marketplace richly decorated with flowers and ringed by colorful historical buildings; Flouanska Gate and its 12th-century Virgin Mary Church. Conclude with observing the historic 'Hail Mary' trumpet tap. The remainder of the day is free to relax at one of the numerous outdoor cafes and a visit to the local marketplace Tonight is a great opportunity to have dinner at a restaurant while enjoying richly costumed dancers and musicians do a folkloric show. - (B)

Day 7: KRAKOW (Excursion to SISTER FAUSTINA'S CONVENT & WIELICZKA SALT MINES. — Motor to Sister Faustina's convent of the Divine Mercy, where a resident sister will take you through the grounds while relating about the life of the Blessed Sister. Continue to the Wieliczka Salt Mine where everything has been carved out of salt by the minersin their spare time - even the gigantic chandeliers. Examine the chapels of the Blessed Kinga; St. Anthony of the Holy Cross; and the magnificent underground cathedral. - (B)

Day 8: SLOVAKIA - BUDAPEST — Today we journey south past the pristine plateaus and mountains of Slovakia, where bears and other big game still roam freely. Later follow the Danube through the Transdanubia wine region to Budapest, located on the banks of the mighty river. - (B, D)

Day 9: IN BUDAPEST — During a morning city sightseeing learn about the storied history of the HUngarian capitol, once center of an empire. Visits include Castle Hill in the heart of Budapest; the Fishermen's Bastion towers for a panoramic view over the city; the 13th-century Matthias Coronation Church; and the Gellert Hill named after St. Gerald (gellert), the bishop who was martyred here in 1046; and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Don't miss a stroll along Tancsis Mihaly, Uri and Fortuna Streets lined with medieval houses and Baroque mansions. - (B)

Day 10: VIENNA - PRAGUE — Cross into Austria en route to Vienna. On arrival a sightseeing the capitol includes St. Stephen Cathedral, Belvedere Palace, Ring Boulevard, Hofburg Palace and a view of the Prater amusement park with its giant ferris wheel. After time for browsing continue to Prague in time for dinner. - (B, D)

Day 11: IN PRAGUE. — Start the day with Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious, the home of the Infant of Prague, and time to browse the shrine's gift shop. Your sightseeing tour of Prague includes 1000 year=old Hradcant Castle, commanding breathtaking vistas of the Czech capitol; and St Vitus' Cathedral, with the magnificent stained glass windows. In the Old Town Square observe the procession of teh Apostles on the astronomical clock. Then, walk across the famed King Charles Bridge, which is populated by many artists and entertainers . - (B, D)

Day 12: RETURN FLIGHT — Arrive in late afternoon.(B)