Select International - PAPAL PILGRIMAGE plus OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

PAPAL PILGRIMAGE plus OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

12 nights / 13 Days

Following the lives of Pope John Paul II in Poland, Pope Benedict XVI in Bavaria, including the Passion Play and optional extension to Rome

DAY 1: DEPART U.S.A.

Depart on an overnight flight to Poland.

DAY 2: WARSAW

Upon arrival you are greeted by your English speaking tour escort and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city on the way. Overnight Warsaw. (D.)

DAY 3: WARSAW - SWINICE WARCKIE - CZESTOCHOWA / KRAKOW.

After breakfast, we travel to Czestochowa, with a stop in Swinice Warckie to visit the parish church St Casimir where St. Faustina was baptized. Czestochowa is the site of Poland's greatest pilgrimage shrine, Our Lady of Czestochowa. Legend tells us that St. Luke the Evangelist painted the Black Madonna picture. Pope John Paul II was a favorite and frequent visitor to the Jasna Gora Monastery, and asked the Mother of God, Queen of Poland to protect Poland and the Universal Church. We celebrate Holy Mass at the Pauline Monastery and view the priceless treasures, including the Miraculous Icon. Continue to Krakow for overnight. (B.D.)

DAY 4: KRAKOW

After breakfast we have a city tour focusing on the life of Pope John Paul who spent many years in Krakow. Visit St. Mary's Church and hear the silver trumpet of the bugler from St. Mary's Tower, and see the extraordinary Wit Stwosz altar. We will explore the square which has remained unchanged for almost 700 years and contains buildings of historic value such as St. Mary's Church with the famous wooden altar, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and the burgher's houses. Tour the Cathedral, Coronation Chapel and the Royal Chambers where a superb collection of Arras tapestries is on view. Among the inspirational sights we see today is the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the silver coffin of Poland's famous patron saint. Then visit St. Florians Church where John Paul practiced after becoming a priest. We also visit Jagiellonian University where John Paul studied. We celebrate Holy Mass at a local church, and then you have time to shop and explore the city on your own. Overnight Krakow. (B.D.)

DAY 5: KRAKOW - DIVINE MERCY

We visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy, Sr. Faustina's convent chapel, and her tomb in Lagiewniki. We celebrate Mass at the Shrine. In the afternoon we tour the Wielczka Salt Mines, which have been in use for over 700 years and contain many fascinating statues, chapels and reliefs all carved from salt. Overnight Krakow. (B.D.)

DAY 6: KRAKOW - KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA - WADOWICE

After breakfast, we travel to Our Lady of Calvary in Kalwaria Zebrzydwska. The complex based on topography of Jerusalem contains the church dedicated to Mary, Bernadine complex and Mount Calvary. Before he became the Holy Father, Karol Wojtyla used to walk these paths in prayer and contemplation. Then we depart for Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II). Visit the house where John Paul II was born, which is now a shrine-like museum, the church he attended and where he was baptized as a child. Overnight Krakow. (B.)

DAY 7: KRAKOW - REGENSBURG - FREISING

After breakfast depart for Germany and the lovely historic city of Regensburg. Enroute enjoy a short stop in Regensburg-Pentling to visit the house of the Ratzinger Family. We also stop in Freising where Pope Benedict XVI studied and became bishop of the archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Visit St. Korbinianа Cathedral where he was ordained a priest and the Theological University of Freising where he was a professor. We enjoy a walking tour through the historic city center of Regensburg, one of the prettiest of German cities. Visit the Dome of Greensburg and the university where Cardinal Ratzinger worked as Professor. Take part in a festive Mass in the dome. In the evening - discover the city on your own and enjoy a typical Bavarian dinner. Overnight Regensburg. (B.)

DAY 8: MARKTL-ALTOTTING

A full day awaits us as we drive to Altotting via Marktl. We stop in Marktl and visit the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Father was born here on April 16, 1927. We visit his birthplace and the local museum next door. Continue to Aschau am Inn where Pope Benedict lived, attended primary school and received his first Holy Communion. Then we arrive in Altotting, the main Marian Shrine in Germany. More pilgrims visit Altotting every year than all other German shrines combined. We have a guided tour in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI and in the footsteps of other Popes who visited Altotting. We also see the Treasury where you can see numerous chalices, and precious items given to the Chapel of our Lady of Altotting by several Popes visiting this city. Overnight Altotting. (B.D.)

DAY 9: CATHOLIC BAVARIA

Following breakfast we continue our drive through the picturesque Alpine "Benedikten Wand", or in English the "Benedictine Wall." Visit Traunstein where Joseph Ratzinger went to school, attended the archiepiscopal seminary and celebrated his first Mass. Our next stop will be Chiemsee, at the "Frauen Insel" to visit the Benedictine Monastery. You will recognize the charming island from the pictures of so many German travel brochures. Continue on to visit the famous Herreninsel, or Men's Island. This is Bavarian King Ludwig II's largest castle. The king decided to make a replica of Versailles (near Paris, France), but only managed to build the central portion before funds ran out. What exists is very impressive, with French gardens, a big hall of mirrors, and a state room where classical concerts are held. Continue on to Oberammergau for an overnight. (B.D.)

DAY 10: THE PASSION PLAY

The highlight of your trip, and for many an experience of a lifetime, will be today's Passion Play. Started 367 years ago, it is still an authentic portrayal depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The play takes place at an outdoor stage, and the actors are people from the village who have prepared for their roles for many years. The following Play will not take place again until 2020. Overnight Oberammergau (Full day in Oberammergau to view the Passion Play). (B.D.)

DAY 11: NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE - MUNICH

Depart after breakfast toward Fussen and Neuschwanstein Castle perched a top the mountain, the famous fairytale castle of King Ludwig II which was the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle in Disney world. A visit to the castle is followed by а drive to Ottobeuern Abbey to join the monastic Liturgy, visit the Majestic Basilica, the chapel of St.Benedict and the abbey museum. Holy Mass will be celebrated at Ottobeuren Abbey. Continue to Munich for overnight. (B.D.)

DAY 12: MUNICH

This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Munich, including the famous Glockenspiel Carillon. We then visit the "Liebfrauendom" where Joseph Ratzinger was declared bishop of Munich-Freising and later Cardinal. Rest of the day is at leisure for shopping or relaxing or you may wish to take an afternoon excursion to Dachau. Farewell dinner with beer and wine is in a typical Bavarian restaurant. (B.D.)

DAY 13: MUNICH - USA

This morning after breakfast we depart for the airport and flight home. (B.)

OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION WITH AIR FROM MUNICH TO ROME:

DAY 13: MUNICH - ROME

This morning we have time for shopping and additional exploring before departing for the airport and flight to Rome. We are greeted by our Italian tour escort and transferred to the hotel. Enroute we stop for Holy Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Rome. (B.)

DAY 14: CHRISTIAN ROME

We visit the major Christian sights of Rome including St. Mary Major Basilica, St. John the Lateran, the Holy Stairs and Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Overnight Rome. (B.D.)

DAY 15: ROME.

This morning we will attend a Papal Audience (if available, from 10:00 to 12:00 noon Wednesday only). Following this we visit the Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, and the Church of St. Peter. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Quo Vadis restaurant tonight. Overnight Rome. (B.D.)

DAY 16: ROME -U SA