A Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to Hungary, Slovakia & Poland

October 19, 2026 – Monday
SAN FRANCISCO / HUNGARY
Today we depart San Francisco International Airport on our flight to Hungary, arriving in Budapest the next day. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

October 20, 2026 – Tuesday
BUDAPEST
This afternoon we arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour manager, Maria Bernardes. We enjoy a motor coach tour of the city where we will see Budapest’s iconic Parliament building, Heroes Square and Millennium Park, prior to arriving at our hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight in Budapest.

October 21, 2026 – Wednesday
BUDAPEST
This morning, we begin our day with a drive to the top of Gellert Hill for the best panoramic view of Budapest, and where we will see Budapest’s symbolic Liberty Statue. At the base of Gellert Hill we will visit and celebrate Mass in the Cave Church. Following Mass, we will visit the neoclassical Basilica of Saint Stephen, the largest church in Hungary. During his years as king, Stephen I, the first king of Hungary, built churches, monasteries, and hospices for pilgrims to help spread the Christian faith. Featuring magnificent works of art and architecture, the basilica’s greatest treasure lies in a small chapel to the left of the main altar. Here in a glass reliquary, we will see the “Holy Right”, the preserved right hand of King Stephen. Following free time for lunch and shopping, we will visit the 13th century Matthias Church, officially named the Church of Our Lady. Our day of sightseeing concludes with a visit to Fisherman’s Bastion with its wonderful views of Budapest Castle and surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Budapest.

October 22, 2026 – Thursday
BUDAPEST / ESZTERGOM / SZENTENDRE
Following breakfast, we drive to the city of Esztergom, one of the most important religious centers in Hungary. Upon our arrival, we visit the magnificent Basilica and Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Adalbert, the largest church in Hungary and the seat of the Catholic Church in the country. From its commanding hilltop location, we enjoy beautiful views overlooking the Danube River. Next, we continue with a walk through Széchényi Square and see the Town Hall, enjoying free time to take in the historic atmosphere of the city. Following our visit to Esztergom, we drive to the charming town of Szentendre, also known as “Saint Andrew”. This picturesque riverside town is known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lively artistic character. Here we enjoy free time to explore its many souvenir shops and cafés at our leisure. Finally, we return to Budapest where we have time to rest and freshen up before this evening’s Danube River dinner cruise. Overnight in Budapest.

October 23, 2026 – Friday
BUDAPEST / BRATISLAVA
This morning we depart Budapest and travel by motor coach to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, situated along the banks of the Danube River. For centuries, Bratislava was known as the “Rome of Hungary,” a title reflecting its importance as a major ecclesiastical center and its deep Catholic heritage during the period when it served as the coronation city and spiritual heart of the Hungarian Kingdom. Upon our arrival, we enjoy an orientation tour of the historic Old Town, walking through its charming streets and main squares while learning about the city’s rich religious and cultural history. We will then visit and celebrate Mass at St. Martin’s Cathedral, the former coronation church of Hungarian kings and queens and one of the most significant Gothic cathedrals in Central Europe. Following Mass, we enjoy free time for personal exploration and shopping in the Old Town before arriving at our hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight in Bratislava.

October 24, 2026 – Saturday
BRATISLAVA / KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA / WIELICZKA / KRAKOW
Today we depart Bratislava for Poland. We drive to the 17th century Benedictine monastery, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a pilgrimage destination of Saint John Paul II. Following free time for personal exploration & prayer at this popular pilgrimage center, we drive to the town of Wieliczka for a memorable visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Following our visit we continue onto Krakow, for centuries the residence of the Polish Kings. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

October 25, 2026 – Sunday
KRAKOW / LAGIEWNIKI / WADOWICE
This morning, we visit Lagiewniki and the Shrine of Blessed Faustina at the Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Here we will pray at the Shrine of Divine Mercy as well as recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Following Mass in one of the sanctuary’s chapels, we drive to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla, better known as Saint John Paul II. Here we visit his childhood home, today a museum, as well as the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to see the baptismal font where Karol Wojtyla was baptized as an infant. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

October 26, 2026 – Monday
KRAKOW
Our day begins with a visit to Wawel Cathedral, where generations of Polish kings and queens were crowned and laid to rest. Here we admire its magnificent chapels, royal tombs, and centuries-old sacred art. We will next visit and celebrate Mass at the 14th century Gothic Saint Mary’s Basilica. Inside we see the world-famous Altar of the Virgin Mary, the largest of its kind in Europe, and the Altars of Our Lady of Loreto and Saint Stanislaus. We will also see the Chapels of Our Lady of Czestochowa and Saint Anthony. The remainder of our day is free in the heart of Old Town Krakow in Market Square. Late afternoon we gather for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Krakow.

October 27, 2026 – Tuesday
KRAKOW / AUSCHWITZ / CZESTOCHOWA
Following Mass this morning, we drive to the Auschwitz concentration camp where St. Maximilian Kolbe spent the final days of his life and was martyred during World War II. Upon our arrival, we take a guided tour of the grounds prior to visiting the Auschwitz Museum. After our visit, we depart for Czestochowa and arrive at our hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight in Czestochowa.

October 28, 2026 – Wednesday
CZESTOCHOWA
Today we enjoy a full day in Czestochowa beginning with a visit to the Jasna Góra Monastery, one of the most famous Marian Shrines in Europe. Here we celebrate Mass and will see the miraculous icon of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, also known as the Black Madonna. Also venerated as the “Queen of Poland”, it has become the country’s national symbol. The remainder of our afternoon is free at the shrine. Following dinner at our hotel, we may take part in this evening’s “Call of Jasna Góra”, a daily Polish tradition of prayer to Our Lady of Jasna Góra. Overnight in Czestochowa.

October 29, 2026 – Thursday
CZESTOCHOWA / WARSAW
Following breakfast, we drive to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Upon our arrival we enjoy an orientation tour prior to free time for lunch and a visit to Lazienki Park to see its famous Chopin monument. We will next visit and celebrate Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where we learn of the life and visit the tomb of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, who was murdered by the communists in 1984. Later we will pay a visit to the convent where Blessed Faustina first joined the religious order. Dinner and overnight in Warsaw.

October 30, 2026 – Friday
WARSAW / NIEPOKALANOW
This morning we will visit and celebrate Mass in the Holy Cross Church. Following Mass, we enjoy a walking tour of Warsaw’s Old Town, restored to its pre-World War II condition. We will see the Royal Castle, residence to many Polish Kings, as well as Warsaw’s Cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Following free time for lunch and shopping in Warsaw’s bustling Market Square, we drive to one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Poland, the religious community of Niepokalanow, known as the “City of the Immaculate Mother of God”. Here we will visit Franciscan Friary founded by Saint Maximilian Kolbe, as well as the Basilica of St. Mary Immaculate and the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and see the site where Saint John Paul II celebrated Mass in 1983. Late afternoon we return to Warsaw for our “farewell dinner” at a local restaurant. Overnight in Warsaw.

October 31, 2026 – Saturday
WARSAW / SAN FRANCISCO
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return connecting flight home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, the blessings of our encounters with the Lord, Our Lady, and the saints are certain to strengthen and encourage us throughout our lifelong pilgrimage.