Passion Play to Oberammergau & Eastern Europe Pilgrimage

Under The Spiritual Direction of Fr. Tom Chamberlain & Deacon Jerry Klement

September 4-17, 2022

14 DAYS

FROM $4,799

View All Prices & Dates

Activity Level

Moderate – High

Group Size

Max 30

Book By

10 / 11 / 2020

Seats Remaining

7

Passion Play to Oberammergau & Eastern Europe Pilgrimage

14 Day Pilgrimage

Starting at $4,799

Pilgrimage Overview

Join us on a pilgrimage to Warsaw, Krakow, Prague and Salzburg before we continue to Oberammergau where we will join pilgrims from all over the world travelling to see the Passion Play that only happens once in a decade.

Itinerary

*9 Days are spent in The Holy Land & 5 days are spent in Egypt (excluding travel time)

DAY 1

Depart USA

Board Flights to Krakow

Today we board our flights to Krakow with meals and beverages served aloft.

DAY 2

Arrive in Poland

Check into Hotel/ Meet HLTC Representative

Upon arrival at Warsaw International Airport, we are greeted by our HLTC representative and transfer to our hotel for check-in.

DAY 3

Warsaw

St. Stanislaw Kostka Church, Old Towan Square, Royal Castle

We begin this morning mass at St. Stanislaw Kostka Church, where martyred Solidarity priest Father Popieluszko worked and is buried. Visit the bustling Old Town Square, where horse-drawn carriages carry visitors past beautifully rebuilt Baroque house and Renaissance-style storefronts. Traditional Polish cafes and shops surround the square, which has been restored to its 13th-century charm. Stroll the streets of this historic area, which is mostly closed to traffic, and explore its beautiful churches and castle. See the birthplace of Madame Curie, Chopin’s monument and the Royal Castle (exterior view) which was the residence of Polish Kings. We continue to Krakow.

DAY 4

Krakow

Highlights of Krakow, Wawel Cathedral, Collegiums Maius, Old Town, Wieliczka Salt Mines

After breakfast, we visit St. Stanislaus Kostka Church where Karol Woytola attended Mass every day and Father Wojtyla offered his second Mass. We continue to Wawel Cathedral, the burial place of Polish kings. St. John Paul II offered his first Mass here in the crypt of St. Leonard. We continue in the footsteps of St. John Paul II in Old Town to visit Kanonicza Street where he resided while living in Krakow Explore the courtyards of the Collegiums Maius. Visit the Franciscan Church where Fr. Wojtyla spent quiet time in prayer. Pass the Archbishop’s Palace to see where Fr. Wojtyla attended the seminary, was ordained and lived as a Cardinal. In the Old Town, we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary (Mariacki). See the noon opening of Europe’s largest Gothic wooden alter, built by sculptor Wit Stows in the 15th century from gilded linden wood. Continue to Market Square, one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe. In the afternoon, we will tour Wieliczka, one of the oldest salt mines in Europe. Wieliczka is a unique place where many generations of polish miners have created a world of underground salt lakes with a rich interior of decorated chapels including the famous Blessed Kings Chapels.The Wieliczka salt mines are listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

DAY 5

Krakow

Auschwitz, Divine Mercy Shrine, John Paul II Center

After breakfast, depart Krakow for Auschwitz where we will have a guided tour of the Concentration Camp and Museum, including “Auschwitz II” at Birkenau. Time will be given for reflection and prayer. We return to Krakow to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, dedicated by St. John Paul II during his last visit to Poland in 2002. We will tour the Devine Mercy complex, including the original burial site of St. Faustina. We continue to the John Paul II Center and see the octagonal lower church dedicated to John Paul II, known as the church of the Relics (Kosciol Relikwi), decorated with vividly-colored images depicting events from the pontificate of Pope John Paul II and his visits to the world’s most famous Marian sanctuaries. The centerpiece of the shrine is a simple marble alter in the middle that contains a vial with the relic of the blood of St. John Paul II displayed in a glass case.

DAY 6

Krakow, Czestochowa

Czestochowa, Black Madonna, Basilica of the Holy Cross

This Morning, we leave Krakow on our full day excursion to Czestochowa, home to the miraculous “Black Madonna.” We enjoy a guided visit of the Monastery with its Chapel of the Virgin, where the sacred icon is kept for veneration by the faithful. We will also visit the beautiful Basilica of the Holy Cross and the Nativity of Mary with its magnificent Baroque altar depicting the Assumption of our Lady into Heaven. Tour the Monastery’s 600th Anniversary Museum housing offering from the prisoners of the Nazi and Communist concentration camps. Time will be given to prayers and reflection at the Shrine in Czestochowa.

DAY 7

Wadowice, Prague

Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, St. John Paul II childhood home

This morning, we will depart Krakow for a visit to Wadowice, hometown of St. John Paul II. Visit his childhood home, which is now a museum, and the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary where he was baptized. We continue to Prague for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8

Prague

City tour of Prague

Today we have a city tour of Prague, including the castle district (Hradcany), St. Vitus’ Cathedral, the Basilica of St. George and Prague Castle. We will also see the Golden Lane, a row of tiny artisans’ shops built outside the castle walls in medieval times, Stroll through Mala Strana with its beautiful architectural buildings. Continue to the Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victorious, in the Lesser Quarter, where the miraculous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague is preserved. We then cross the famous Charles Bridge to the Old Town. We will also have the chance to visit the church of Our Lady before Tyn, walk along alleys to St. Wenceslas Square, and walk through the Jewish Quarter. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9

Prague, Melk Abbey, Salzburg

After breakfast, we drive across the Danube Valley to Melk, Austria. Upon arrival, we have lunch on our own and visit the Benedictine Abbey, the best sample of Baroque architecture in Austria. We drive through the Austrian Lake District, with its views of the Salzkammergut region to the Baroque city of Salzburg, a jewel set on the beautiful banks of the Salzach River.

DAY 10

Highlights of Salzburg

City Tour of Salzburg

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Maria Plain in Salzburg. In 1633 a painting of blessed Mother was found in the ruins of a totally burned wooden house, undamaged. In 1951 Pope Pius XII, conferred the title of this Shrine to “Basilica Minor”. Then we begin our guided tour of Salzburg’s sights along Getreidegasse, the city’s pedestrian street, pass by the house where Mozart was born and view Monchsberg with the fortress “Hohensalzburg” which overlooks the city. We see Residenzplatz, the center square of Salzburg, dominated by the dynamic sculpture of the Residenzbrunnen, the largest baroque fountain north of the Alps. Next, visit St. Peter’s Abbey.

DAY 11

Salzburg, King Ludwig’s Majestic Castle, Oberammergau

King Ludwig’s Castle, Monastery of Ettal

This morning we leave Salzburg to explore King Ludwig’s majestic castle, the Cinderella-style Neuschwanstein and the King’s former residence. Go back to the times of Wagner as you visit the royal apartments. Continue to visit the Monastery of Ettal, and continue to Oberammergau, home of the famous Passion Play. The little village of Oberammergau is home to the famous Passion Play of the life of Christ. The play dates back to 1633 when the Plague took a severe toll of lives in the small village. In their distress, the inhabitants turned to God and vowed that if the pestilence were taken from them, they would perform a play every ten years, depicting the suffering and death of the Savior. Their plea was heard and there were no further plague victims in Oberammergau.

DAY 12

Attend the Oberammergau the Passion Play

Passion Play

After breakfast, celebrate 1000 am Mass at a local church. Today we attend the Passion Play, see included flyer for details.

DAY 13

Dachau, Highlights of Munich, Farewell Dinner

Marienplatz, Museum in the concentration camp

This morning, we leave Oberammergau to visit Dachau. Visit the Museum in the concentration camp. We drive to Munich. Upon arrival, our guide will take us to explore the Marienplatz, the world-famous Glockenspiel, and the twin-towered Frauenkirche, the most familiar landmark of old Munich. We will see the town hall, magnificent boulevard Feldherrenhalle Ludwigsstrasse Siegestor – created by King Ludwig I in the middle of the 19th century – the Hofgarten and the English Garden.

DAY 14

Departure

Return to the USA

Today we board our flights home, carrying with us memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

4-5 Star Hotels
Passion Play Ticket
Breakfast & Dinner on Tour Days
Roundtrip Flights
One Checked Bag
Accommodations (based on double occupancy)
Air-conditioned Motor Coach
Local Tour Guide

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
Meals not mentioned in itinerary
Extras beyond standard menu
Gratuities
Excess baggage
Luggage on domestic flights
Telephone calls
Fuel surcharge increases
Seat assignment

TRAVEL INSURANCE

A minimum level of medical and emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with Holy Land Travel Center. Details are outlined in our Terms and Conditions. Please read the trip details to lear more about recommended policy options.