POLAND 7th – 14th September 2015 

Day One - We left early Monday morning and set off for Manchester Airport.  After surviving Manchester Airport security and a two and a half hour flight we landed in Kracow and then transferred to our hotel, the Wyspianski.  We were met by our guide who took us on a walking tour of the Kazimierz district. Kracow is a modern and lively city yet the Old Town together with the Wawel Hill and the Kazimierz district are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. We visited the Old Synagogue and Remuh Synagogue

Day Two -Tuesday Morning we met up with the rest of our group. They had travelled on a later flight coming from Ireland, Birmingham and Guildford. Our group now consisted of 42 people.  We set off to Schindler’s Factory with our Guide who was with us for the whole week.   Our week moved on with a visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau, the scene of martyrdom of millions of people during World War II.
Auschwitz and Birkenau was an unforgettable place, many displays showing personal items taken from people as they were led away to their deaths.

Day Three we visited the Salt Mines.  After walking down hundreds of steps we reached level 3.  Altogether there are 9 levels.  Underground masterpieces carved in rock salt by the miners.  Altars, small chapel, dwarves and many figures from Polish History can be seen.  We celebrated Mass in St John Paul II Chapel.
We were treated to an evening of traditional singing and food at a local restaurant.  Some of our group decided to join in which added to the entertainment. 

Day Four We travelled to Zakopane, a couple of hours drive away.  We celebrated Mass in a beautiful wooden chapel.   After Mass we travelled up in a Mountain train to the summit of Gubalowka. Here we had a great view, a little misty but great to see.

Day Five We visited Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral. St John Paul II celebrated his first Mass in the Crypt of Wawel Cathedral.

Day Six we travelled to Pieniny National Park.  Here we spent the afternoon rafting down the river. We needed four rafts for our group.  The trip took an hour and a half and the raft men kept us entertained by telling us of the history of the area.

Day Seven we travelled to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary of St. Faustina, where we celebrated Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel and followed by a tour from one of their Sisters.
Our evening entertainment was provided by ourselves.  The reception area in the hotel was quite large so we had a sing –a-long, Irish set dancing, getting to know you games, fashion shows from some our lady shoppers. The facilities at The Hotel Wyspianski were excellent, good food and helpful staff. The Hotel was in the Town Centre which made it accessible to everybody. Restaurants in the main square even provided blankets in the evening if you felt a bit cold.

A good trip was had by all.