Danube River Cruise with Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio

Private evening at Schonbrunn Palace, including a private classical music concert. The summer residence of the Hapsburg Emperors. Here, Marie-Antoinette lived as a young girl, and the six-year-old Mozart played for the empress inside the Palace plus the “Sound of Vienna” Concert, the magnificent orchestra, accompanied by opera singers and ballet dancers, will ensure you will have an evening to remember.

October 30, Wednesday, Day 11: BUDAPEST – KRAKOW

We depart for Krakow this morning, crossing from Hungary into Poland. We stop for a delicious lunch in Slovakia at a local brewery. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and enjoy leisure time in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Krakow. (B.L)

October 31, Thursday, Day 12: KRAKOW SITES – DIVINE MERCY

Our sightseeing tour of Krakow includes visiting sites in the Medieval Old Town and on Wawel Hill, where we see the Cathedral with the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics of Poland’s patron saint. We see the Pope’s room and the famous Pope’s Window honoring St. John Paul II. We travel a short distance to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. We celebrate Mass at Divine Mercy Shrine (TBC) and visit the new center, “Have No Fear,” dedicated to St. John Paul II, to venerate his relics. Dinner and overnight in Krakow. (B.D)

November 1, Friday- Day 13: CZĘSTOCHOWA

We visit Jasna Gora Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. We have time to explore the monastery and celebrate Mass. Time for prayer and reflection is scheduled. Lunch today is in a wonderful traditional Polish restaurant near the shrine. Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

November 2, Saturday, Day 14: SALT MINE – WADOWICE

Today, we drive to Wieliczka. We visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site. The mines are a unique place where many generations of Polish miners have created a world of underground chambers and decorated chapels carved out of salt, including the famous Chapel of St. Kinga. We celebrate Mass at St. John Paul II Chapel before we continue to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit his childhood home, which is now a museum. We visit the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. Farewell dinner evening tonight in a local restaurant with a folklore show. Overnight in Krakow. (B. Farewell dinner)

November 3, Sunday, Day 15: DEPART FOR USA

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)

October 30, Wednesday, Day 11: BUDAPEST – KRAKOW

We depart for Krakow this morning, crossing from Hungary into Poland. We stop for a delicious lunch in Slovakia at a local brewery. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and enjoy leisure time in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Krakow. (B.L)

October 31, Thursday, Day 12: KRAKOW SITES – DIVINE MERCY

Our sightseeing tour of Krakow includes visiting sites in the Medieval Old Town and on Wawel Hill, where we see the Cathedral with the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics of Poland’s patron saint. We see the Pope’s room and the famous Pope’s Window honoring St. John Paul II. We travel a short distance to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. We celebrate Mass at Divine Mercy Shrine (TBC) and visit the new center, “Have No Fear,” dedicated to St. John Paul II, to venerate his relics. Dinner and overnight in Krakow. (B.D)

November 1, Friday- Day 13: CZĘSTOCHOWA

We visit Jasna Gora Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. We have time to explore the monastery and celebrate Mass. Time for prayer and reflection is scheduled. Lunch today is in a wonderful traditional Polish restaurant near the shrine. Return to Krakow for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

November 2, Saturday, Day 14: SALT MINE – WADOWICE

Today, we drive to Wieliczka. We visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site. The mines are a unique place where many generations of Polish miners have created a world of underground chambers and decorated chapels carved out of salt, including the famous Chapel of St. Kinga. We celebrate Mass at St. John Paul II Chapel before we continue to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit his childhood home, which is now a museum. We visit the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. Farewell dinner evening tonight in a local restaurant with a folklore show. Overnight in Krakow. (B. Farewell dinner)

November 3, Sunday, Day 15: DEPART FOR USA

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)