Scheduled flight from Manchester to Prague. On arrival in Prague transfer to our hotel for a two-night

stay. Flight times permitting, this afternoon we have a walk from the Powder Tower along the “Royal Mile”, taking in the Old Town Square with its famous clock tower, and on along Karlova Ulice with its trendy shops and multitude of eateries (to suit all pockets). The walk ends at the near side of the Charles Bridge. Then free time. We assemble again at the Charles Bridge, which is magnificent after dark with its magical view of the castle and cathedral. Dinner in the hotel.

Today we visit the local sites of Prague. The highlight is our pilgrimage to the church of Our Lady Victorious where we will find the statue of the Divine Infant of Prague. This miraculous statue was brought to Prague from Spain in 1628, and was presented to the Carmelite Friars with the words, “In this statue I am giving you my most precious earthly possession. Honour and respect the child Jesus and you will never be in want”. Devotion to the Divine Infant spread throughout the world and many favours have been reported as having been bestowed. In the afternoon we visit St Vitus’ Cathedral which contains the Chapel of St Wenceslas and the tomb of St John of Nepomuk. We also visit Loreta (Prague’s answer to Walsingham), the Treasury there is stunning and includes the “Prague Sun” (of Lovejoy fame); with more than 6,200 diamonds, it is breathtakingly beautiful. Dinner in the hotel.

Today will be at leisure in Prague. There will be the opportunity to join an optional visit to the Jewish Quarter. In the evening we have dinner in a local restaurant before transferring to Prague central station to board the overnight sleeper express to Krakow, departing at approximately 21:30.

This morning we arrive at Krakow at approx 06:30. We are met by our guide who will take us for breakfast and a sightseeing tour, which includes Wawel Hill, and the Royal Cathedral, which holds the relics of St Stanislaw. This was the seat of Cardinal Karol Wojtila before he became Pope John Paul II. Walk through the mini town centre, one of the finest in Europe. Visit the nearby 14th century Mariacki Church (St Mary’s). We check into our hotel. Lunch is at choice. This afternoon we travel to the Lagiewniki Monastery where Sister Fauistina lived, and is buried. There is a Shrine of the Divine Mercy here. Dinner in the evening at one of Krakow’s old town restaurants.

We travel by coach to Czestochowa, one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. As with the statue in Prague, an icon, known as the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, is the focus of the pilgrim’s journey here. According to legend the painting is attributed to St Luke, and St Helena discovered it in Jerusalem and brought it to Constantinople. It eventually found its way into what is now Poland. It was placed in the Jasna Gora Monastery in 1382. Our Lady of Czestochowa has been proclaimed “Queen of Poland”, and has been the symbol of Polish national and religious freedom. We visit the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Afterwards there will be time for private devotions. The afternoon will be at leisure, before we return by coach to Krakow, where dinner is at the hotel.

In the morning there will be an optional group visit (admission charge not included) to the famous Salt Mines at Wieliczka for those who feel able to make the visit. For those unable to walk far, there is a lift for the less able to the gift shop and cathedral. Lunch at choice in Wieliczka. On the return trip to Krakow we can visit the Jewish quarter and there will be the opportunity to visit Schindler’s Factory. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure in Krakow with dinner in a local restaurant.

A Day Out in the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane In the morning we set off for a full-day excursion into the Tatra Mountains to the south of Krakow. The Tatra range is the highest in the Carpathian Mountains that form Poland’s southern border. On the way we stop at the lakeside town of Ludzimierz and see the famous shrine of Our Lady of Ludzimierz - the Queen of Lowlands, dating back to the 14th century. When, during the coronation of the statue on 15th August 1963 in a solemn procession, the sceptre fell out of the hands of Our Lady, the then Bishop of Krakow Karol Wojtyla, picked it up setting the rumours amongst the local highlanders that a very high position was awaiting him in the future - and as history shows - they were not disappointed. From Ludzimierz we drive to Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland, a charming resort with breathtaking views of Poland’s mountain scenery. There will be time for lunch (at choice - you may choose to visit a regional restaurant to sample local specialities) and the afternoon will be at leisure with a chance to visit the enormous regional market. The splendid church of Our Lady of Fatima should not be missed, built as a votive offering by the local people in thanksgiving for Pope John Paul II surviving the assassination attempt. If time allows, a funicular railway can be taken to the top of nearby Mount Gubalowka (cost not included). Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight stay.