POLAND - THE GRAND EDITION

We invite you to join in our 13 day Pilgrimage to Poland

Pilgrimage sponsored by Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Parish and Parish of the Holy Cross with Chaplain Fr. Ariel Hernandez.

September 9 to 21, 2024 (13 days)
$3,499.00 All Inclusive from Newark

Tour hosts Henryk & Barbara Michalkiewicz

INCLUDED TOUR FEATURES
  • Roundtrip air fare, economy class on IATA approved airlines Newark to Poland and return from Poland to Newark. Airfares include fuel surcharge, airport taxes and airport user fees.
  • First-class, 4-star hotels, twin bedded rooms with private facilities, according to the itinerary.
  • Three meals are included daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to itinerary.
  • Meet and assist at airports, transport of baggage, comprehensive sightseeing and entrance fees to places visited.
  • Courteous English guides and drivers.
YOUR INVITATION

YOUR INVITATION Dear Friends and Travel Companions to discover or rediscover Poland!

  • Poland – Country fighting against Godlessness of modern World and against the Civilization of Death
  • Poland – Country where Solidarity was born
  • Poland – Country which was the first to remove the communism system
  • Poland – Country where the great Saint Pope John Paul II was born
  • Poland – Country where the message of God’s Mercy was announced to the World by our Savior Jesus Christ
... it really makes a difference who you travel with…
POLAND - THE GRAND EDITION

NIEPOKALANÓW – ŻELAZOWA WOLA – GDAŃSK – BYDGOSZCZ – TORUŃ – WARSAW – CZĘSTOCHOWA – KRAKÓW – AUSCHWITZ – WADOWICE – ZAKOPANE – ŁAGIEWNIKI – WIELICZKA

DAY 1 - sat 9 september 2024

DEPART NEWARK/ENROUTE

Meeting at the airport Newark-Liberty and departure to Warsaw.

DAY 2 - sun 10 september 2024

WARSAW - NIEPOKALANÓW - ŻELAZOWA WOLA

Scheduled arrival in Warsaw around noon. Meeting with the tour leader, after which we will head to Niepokalanowo and visit Franciscan monastery – the shrine located in the village called Paprotnia. The monastery was founded by Saint Maximilian Kolbe in 1927. Before the outbreak of World War II the monastery building was home to 760 monks, where Niepokalanów served as a significant publishing house of religious printed materials. We will visit the wooden Old Chapel regarded as the cradle of the monastery. It is there that the monastic brothers took their vows and nearby is the preserved room of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Today’s Niepokalanów is an important pilgrimage center, while Saint Mary’s Basilica was constituted a shrine. After dinner, we will drive to Żelazowa Wola and walk along the streets of Frederic Chopin’s hometown. Then, we will head to Gdańsk, where we will check into our hotel, have dinner and stay overnight.

DAY 3 - mon 11 september 2024

GDAŃSK

The sightseeing of Gdańsk will start after breakfast with a stroll along the streets of the old town, including the Royal Route from the Golden Gate through Długa Street and the Long Market up to the Green Gate. We will see the wellpreserved tenement houses of affluent residents of Gdańsk, and the most popular landmarks of Gdańsk; the Artus Court, Gdańsk Main Town Hall and Neptune’s Fountain. We will walk down Długie Pobrzeże to the Motlawa River and see the old medieval port crane, whose lifting mechanism is still operating. We will go through Mariacka Street and head toward the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a precious 16th century altar. At this point of the trip we will enjoy our free time. Then, we will visit the Museum of the Second World War. Located 14 meters underground, its main exhibition is the place to reflect on the atrocities and terror of the Second World War. In the museum, we will see the collection of around two thousand exhibits and numerous modern multimedia displays. The day ends with a walk back for dinner and our overnight stay.

DAY 4 - Tue 12 september 2024

BYDGOSZCZ - TORUŃ

Breakfast and drive to Bydgoszcz, where we will walk to the Old Town and see the Mill Island, the Cathedral, the Old Market Square, and the many characteristic symbols of the city – the Granaries on the Brda River and the „Man crossing the River”. On our way to Toruń, the next city on our route, we will stop in Górsk – the place where Jerzy Popiełuszko, the Roman Catholic priest, was kidnapped. In Toruń we will visit the Shrine of Our Lady Star of the New Evangelization and St. John Paul II, whose interiors are decorated with numerous mosaics, stained glass, Biblical paintings, the Stations of the Cross and a collection of pictures of 34 Saints and Great Poles. After that, we will head to the Old and New Town of Toruń with its 13th century historical old town. We will see the Gothic Old Town Hall with a clock tower, Arthus’ Court, the Star House, the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument, The Gothic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, the Gothic churches of Saint Mary, Saint Jacob’s Church, the Copernicus 

House, and the Leaning Tower. At this point you will have some free time to enjoy. After that, we will visit the Living Museum of Gingerbreads, where we will learn about the manufacturing of gingerbreads according to the traditional recipes, and participate in the process of baking these delicious specialties. Dinner and overnight stay in Toruń or its surroundings.

DAY 5 - wed 13 september 2024

WARSAW

Breakfast and drive to Warsaw, where we will see the Castle Square with the Sigismund’s Column and Copper-Roof Palace. Free time in the Old Town – one of the most picturesque corners of Warsaw, where atmospheric backstreets of Warsaw with its green squares and cozy restaurants and cafés invite you to enjoy a moment of relaxation. We will also visit the Royal Castle: the Great Apartment, the King’s Apartment, and the Senator Chamber. After, we will go see St. John’s Archcathedral, the crypts of which hold burials of notable Poles. Having seen the Mermaid of Warsaw, we will go to the Warsaw Barbican. The sightseeing will continue through the Old Market Square to the observation deck of the Church of the Visitation of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. At the end of the day we will have dinner and stay overnight in Warsaw.

DAY 6 - thu 14 september 2024

WARSAW

Breakfast. Sightseeing of Warsaw will begin with a drive to the Warsaw W-Z Route and continue with a stroll along the Royal Route including Krakowskie Przedmieście Street (Kraków Fore-town) and Aleje Ujazdowskie (Ujazdów Avenue). There we will see historic palaces, numerous embassies, Belweder, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland building, and Ujazdów Park. After, we will head to the Royal Łazienki Museum, where we will admire magnificent architectural monuments, such as the Royal Theatre and the Old Orangery, the Myślewicki Palace, the Fryderyk Chopin monument, and other interesting objects on site of Łazienki. The itinerary also includes sightseeing of the highest building in Poland, the Palace of Culture and Science, with exploring its representative interiors and enjoying the view from its observation deck. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7 - fri 15 september 2024

CZĘSTOCHOWA - KRAKÓW

After breakfast, we will drive to Częstochowa to visit the most important shrine in Poland – the Jasna Góra
Monastery. Interestingly, the pilgrimage tradition to Jasna Góra dates back to its early origins, i.e. to 1382. Jasna Góra Monastery with its most significant buildings, including the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica, the Tower, the Knight’s Hall, the armory building, and the monastery treasure house has witnessed a number of historical and contemporary events. Jasna Góra Museum holds a collection of numerous masterpieces and votive offerings of unique value, which are evidence for Our Lady mercifully hearing the prayers of the pilgrims. We will also walk along the defensive walls of the shrine (old military fortifications) and visit the stations of the rosary that surround the Jasna Góra square. Drive to Kraków for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8 - sat 16 september 2024

KRAKÓW

The day starts with breakfast followed by sightseeing of Kraków, where we will visit the Wawel Hill and the Gothic Wawel Cathedral of St. Stanislaus B.M. and St. Wenceslaus M. We will climb up Cathedral’s Sigismund Tower, where at the top, hang a number of bells, including the largest 8-ton Sigismund Bell from 1521. The real jewel of the Cathedral is the Renaissance Royal Chapel called Sigismund’s Chapel with its characteristic golden dome built in the 16th century. Then, we will visit the underground crypts – the burial place of Polish Kings and national heroes. We will also visit the permanent exhibition of the Royal State Rooms belonging to the National Art Collection. The exhibition displayed in the Royal Private Apartments includes the famous tapestries of the King Sigismund Augustus and magnificent Italian masterpieces of the House of Lanckoroński (an old Polish aristocratic family). After that, we will walk along The Royal Road and see the Barbakan, Floriańska Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Square and the cloth hall Sukiennice, Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica with the famous and the largest alterpiece in the world and finally the Romanesque Church of St Wojciech. The day ends with some free time and overnight stay in Kraków.

DAY 9 - sun 17 september 2024

OŚWIĘCIM

After breakfast, we will drive to Oświęcim where we will visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. We will see its Main Gate with the sign „Arbeit macht frei”, the Death Block, the Death Wall, Gas Chamber and Crematorium, the ramp, the quarantine camp, and the women’s camp. The day continues with a drive to Wadowice, where we will visit the Holy Father John Paul II Family Home Museum. The mission of the museum is to learn about the Holy Father’s John Paul II’s life and teaching. Its modern multimedia permanent exhibition offers a unique view on the Pope’s teaching and message. At the end of the day, we will have some free time and an opportunity to enjoy the famous „kremówki” (the Pope’s cream cake). A drive for dinner and accommodation in Zakopane.

DAY 10 - mon 18 september 2024

ZAKOPANE

Breakfast. Sightseeing of the capital of the Tatra Mountains: the most popular street in Zakopane (Krupówki Street), the Church of John the Evangelist. After that, we will take the cable-terrain railway to Gubałówka, to admire the stunning view of Zakopane and the Tatras. Then, we will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima on Krzeptówki built as a votive offering for saving the life of the Pope John Paul II after his attempted assassination on 13th May 1981. The Sanctuary was consecrated by John Paul II on 7th June 1997. In the so-called „Fatimski Park” located on the site of the Sanctuary, an altar was placed where the Pope delivered mass in Zakopane at Krokiew on 6th June 1997. Return for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 11 - Tue 19 september 2024

TATRAS

After breakfast we will start our trip through the Dunajec Gorge. Sitting in a wooden rafting boat, carried by the river stream and led by raftsmen, we will admire the beautiful sights of the Pieniny Mountains and beauty of the surrounding nature. Then, we will walk through Chochołowska Valley (Dolina Chochołowska) – the longest (10 kilometers) and the largest valley in the Tatras. The Valley is the westernmost area of Tatra National Park. It enchants with the variety of landscapes.  As much as two-thirds of its area is covered by dense spruce and beech forests with a mixture of fir and pine trees. A visit to Chochołowskie Termy (extra charge) for the interested, where we will relax in a number of thermal pools, jacuzzies with thermal water, and sulphide pools. Optional, free time on Krupówki Street. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 12 - wed 20 september 2024

KRAKÓW

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Sanctuary at Kraków-Łagiewniki. First, we will see the Łagiewniki convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, which was home of Saint Sister Faustina for 5 years and where her relics rest. We will also see the venerated painting of Divine Mercy, originally covered by the painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is placed in the left side-aisle altar. Then, we will visit the new basilica of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary. The itinerary includes a visit to John Paul II Center „Don’t be afraid!” and the Sanctuary of Saint John Paul II. It is important to note the Sanctuary holds a number of relics of St. John Paul II. Later on, the same day, we will drive to Wieliczka to visit the Salt Mine and the Saltworks Museum via the Tourist Route. There we will see beautiful chambers carved in salt: magnificent underground lakes, majestic carpentry and unique salt sculptures. Going down into the salt mine underground, at the depth of 135 meters, we will explore incredible places, where the salt rock succumbed to the power of the human hand. In the heart of the trail, we will admire the amazing chapel dedicated to Queen Kinga and decorated with one-of-a-kind salt masterpieces. A drive for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 13 - thu 21 september 2024

TIME TO COME BACK HOME

Breakfast, after which we will travel to Newark.

PRICE

Pilgrimage to Poland

9th September – 21st September 2024

PRICE: 3499 USD

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • comfortable transport throughout the whole journey,
  • flight USA-POLAND-USA with a check-in bag and carry-on luggage,
  • 11 nights in 4-star hotels in double/twin rooms with bathrooms,
  • 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners,
  • assistance and tourist information of an English-speaking tour leader,
  • travel insurance against medical expenses (KL) + Assistance including medical expenses coverage for chronic diseases up to EUR 20.000 and accident insurance coverage (NNW) up to PLN 15.000 and PLN 10.000 in the Republic of Poland,
  • admission tickets, tolls, entrance fees, parking fees, local tourist guides, and other travel expenses

The trip is of spiritual nature led by a chaplain and possibility to participate in the Holy Mass.

The travel document required is your passport.

The program is an outline and may be subject to change.

ENROLLMENT FORM AND CHECKS SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE TOUR HOST: Henryk Michalkiewicz 811 Garton Rd Bridgeton, NJ 08302 CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO: Mother of the Perfect Love

TOUR CONDITIONS
AIR TRANSPORTATION / BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

Economy class. Individual air fares are based on advance purchase and subject to availability at the time of confirmation and ticketing. Reservations may not be changed after ticketing without penalty: $350.00 USD will be charged by the airline for changes in reservations. A higher penalty may be imposed for total cancellation, or no-show after tickets are issued. The checked baggage allowance is one piece per person not to exceed 23 kgs.

HOTEL AND MEALS

Superior First-Class hotels (mostly 4*), based on sharing twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
BTP Frater does not guarantee that a roommate will be available. If one is not available, single rooms are offered at extra charge (average $80 per night). 3 meals included daily: Buffet breakfast, lunch, and table dinner at hotel.

SIGHTSEEING AND TRANSFERS

The cost of this tour is based on a minimum of 45 persons traveling together and includes transfers of one suitcase per person and porterage at airport, borders and hotels. Transportation by late Model and fully equipped coaches; and includes courteous English-speaking guides, and entrance fees to places visited, as indicated in the itinerary on the brochure.

TIPS

All tips to the waiters, bellboys and porters, hotel personnel, guides and bus drivers are included in price.

INCLUDED ITEMS

Service charges as imposed by hotels and taxes by local government authorities are included throughout. Airport security charges, airport user fees, fuel surcharge, all airport taxes plus Israel and Jordan departure taxes at land terminals

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST

Visa Fees, if necessary, for Canadian and US citizens are not included. Passport fees, phone calls, gratuities, laundry service, and all items of a personal nature, expenses within home country, Travel Insurance. Meals include Juices, coffee or tea or milk with breakfast. It is extra at other meals such is the case of soda, alcohol, bottle water, or Espresso.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

A deposit of $ 500.00 per person is required at the time of booking. Second payment of $500.00 per person is due no later than December 31, 2023. Final payment of $2,499.00 is due no later than 30 days prior to departure which means August 9, 2024. The cost of the tour is based on present values of the US dollar at the time the brochure is published; and rates, tariffs and airfares in effect on 14th of June 2023 and subject to changes, increases or adjustment in cost before tour operates.

CANCELLATION of Land Arrangement

Full refund is granted for any cancellation in writing received by BTP FRATER eight weeks or more prior to departure. Cancellation 8 weeks till departure will be subject to a cancellation penalty of US $450 per person plus expenses incurred. After departure, no refund for any unused services - Air and Land.

CANCELLATION or change of tickets

The carrier's cancellation policy will apply immediately after tickets are issued. Airline tickets become non-refundable, non-endorsable and non- transferable. Any change in date or name spelling, or cases of No-Show or route deviation will cost extra and nullify the airfare guarantee.

FINANCIAL LIABILITY

The client by engaging BTP Frater, and making deposit and/or full payment for the travel arrangements specified, acknowledges their position of tour operators in the sole capacity of agents for the tour members with the airlines, land operators, wholesalers, hotels, bus companies, contractors, and service providers etc., and agrees to hold BTP FRATER blameless in making the arrangements on his behalf, provided same shall be made through generally acceptable suppliers; and further agrees that restitution for damages, if any are claimed, shall be sought directly from the suppliers conveying the service. Such conveying, etc. is subject to the laws of the country where the conveyance is provided. The sole financial liability of the tour operators is limited to the amount of commission each receives from arranging air and land transportation and accommodation on behalf of the clients with service providers, airlines, hotels, and other tour operators.

SEQUENCE OF TOURS

Sequence of sightseeing is left to the discretion of Tour Hosts. Right is reserved to vary the sequence or make substitutions after group arrival to country of destination. All services clients are entitled to, will be maintained as much as these conditions allow.

SHOPPING

BTP FRATER and the tour hosts are not working in cahoots with any souvenir store or bazaar in the tour we cover. BTP FRATER does not direct guides or buses towards shops or peddler stands. Any similarity or resemblance to our trade name is merely coincidental. The owners and tour leaders are not experts in jewelry, diamonds or antiques and therefore shall not be held responsible for quality and/or cost of items purchased by the clients. Remedies for corrupt services, nonfeasance or ill feasance are remedied by contacting the Tourism authorities in the country visited.

RESPONSIBILITY

The presenters and the tour hosts shall not become liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, change in itinerary or accommodations, inconvenience, or other irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of the suppliers or their employees, land operators, airlines, or others not under the direct control of BTP FRATER. In case of defects or failures of any conveyance, equipment or instruments under the control of airlines, land operators, bus companies, etc.; or through acts of default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger, or in carrying out arrangements on the tour, or in connection therewith, or of any hotel proprietor or servant, but not limited to criminal acts by a third party, fire, civil disturbances, acts of God, governments and others, riots, wars, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, or dangers incident to the sea, land and air. All such losses will have to be exclusively borne by the client.

WHEN WILL YOU... IF YOU DO NOT DO IT NOW, WHILE YOU STILL CAN? ​

Henryk Michalkiewicz mobile 609 381 4991 mail: misza811@gmail.com