Following in the footsteps of pope John Paul II

Many consider John Paul II to be the greatest Pole of the twentieth century. The pope «from a far-away country» is a role model for millions of people around the world. This tour will give you an opportunity to see places where Karol Wojtyła spent his youth. The tour includes a visit to Wadowice — the hometown of John Paul II, where participants will visit the family home of the late pope and taste the famous Wadowice cream cakes, a visit to the Sanctuary of Kalwaria — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Łagiewniki Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy, founded on the initiative of the Polish Pope. The tour ends by the famous «Pope's Window» in the Archbishop's Palace in Cracow.

John Paul II was the first pope from Poland and the first non-Italian bishop of Rome in 455 years. During his pontificate, John Paul II undertook a great number of trips abroad. The visit provides the opportunity of seeing the places where the young Karol Wojtyla lived, for instance his home town Wadowice — the place where the greatest Pole of the 20th century was born. After a visit to the Pope's House and the Basilica, visitors must not miss the famous cream-cakes of Wadowice. Another place of interest is the Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska founded in the early 17th century. In 1999, it was designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Sanctuary comprises a Baroque basilica with The Lady of Kalwaria miraculous picture, a monastery and a complex of churches and chapels — all of them against the picturesque backdrop of hills and greenery. Kalwaria is also home to John Paul II's reliquary and has preserved numerous souvenirs of his visits. Łagiewniki the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is a tribute to the life of St. Faustyna Kowalska. Since the 1940s, it is a pilgrimage destination visited for the famous painting which depicts the Lord's Mercy and for the grave of St. Faustyna. The life of John Paul II was in a particular way marked with the mystery of Divine Mercy which constituted an important part of his pontificate. The excursion ends under the famous «papal window» in the Archbishops' Palace.