Join Bishop Ireton Catholic High School

A Pilgrimage to Poland

March 31 – April 8, 2024 / $4150 per person, airfare from IAD included

This itinerary features two nights in Warsaw, four nights in Kraków and one night in Częstochowa. Also included are day-trips to Niepokalanów (home of Saint Maximilian Kolbe), the Divine Mercy Shrine (and burial place of Saint Faustina), the Wieliczka Salt Mines, the home and birthplace of Pope Saint John Paul II in Wadowice, and the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Roundtrip airfare from IAD, private motor-coach transportation, comfortable hotels, guides, touring fees and most meals are included in the price. See the brochure for more information.

This trip is open to students of Bishop Ireton Catholic High School. There are only 35 seats available, 30 for students and 5 for chaperones. Chaperones – if you have not yet confirmed your participation with Father Noah Morey you must do so before registering: fathermorey@bishopireton.org .

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For that reason we suggest that you register as soon as possible. Thank you!

Covid-19 Travel Requirements? None!

There are currently no required Covid-19 vaccines or testing requirements in place in order to visit Poland. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.

Overview

On this trip we will venture in the footsteps of the greatest saints and martyrs of Poland, highlighting in particular the lives and legacies of Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Faustina Kowalska.

View,Of,Warsaw,Old,Town
Warsaw

Our pilgrimage begins in Warsaw, where we will spend two days exploring the incredible history of this city. We will also learn all about saints Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Jerzy Popieluszko and Pope Saint John Paul II.

Kraków

Our trip continues to Kraków, one of Europe’s most beautiful and fascinating cities. Here we will spend four days visiting many local and nearby places such as the Divine Mercy Shrine, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Wadowice and Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Pope Saint John Paul II

In Kraków we will explore the many places associated with Pope Saint John Paul II, learning the incredible story of his life and highlighting his role in reviving Polish Catholicism and undoing Communism. 

Częstochowa

Our pilgrimage concludes in Częstochowa, home of the Jasna Gora Monastery and the famous Black Madonna. Our Lady of Częstochowa is the heart of Polish devotion to Our Lady and one of the world’s greatest Marian shrines.

TRIP DETAILS

Pricing, Payments & Cancellation

Payments

Below is the payment schedule.

$200 / due @ registration

$1975
due November 1, 2023
$1975
due December 15, 2023

Regular Price

See brochure for full list of inclusions.

$4150 / per person

Roundtrip Airfare from Dulles (IAD)
On Delta/Air France
7 Nights Lodging in Three-Star Hotels
Double Occupancy Rooms Only
All Tours, All Tour Fees and Most Meals
ProRome Tour Director, Private Guides, Headsets
Private Bus Transportation

Cancellation

If you cancel, this policy applies.

Our Policy

100 Days or More before Tour
Full refund less $200.00 deposit
100-75 Days before Tour
50% Refund
Within 75 Days of Tour
No Refund
important items

Planning Schedule

Registration - Until September 20, 2023

Registration is open through September 20, 2023.

Passports - Upload or Apply Today

After registering we will send you a link to upload your passport. If you do not have a valid passport you must apply ASAP. It can take up to three months for new and renewed passports to arrive. Passports must be valid six (6) months AFTER the date of return to the USA.

ETIAS Application Required Starting in 2024!

Starting in 2024, any individual from the United States traveling to a EU Schengen country (eg. Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal) will be required to fill out an ETIAS application at least 96 hours before departure. There is a fee of 7 EUR to fill out the application. ETIAS will only accept electronic payments from your debit or credit card. Once payment is completed, most applicants will receive approval within minutes. An approved ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for three consecutive years upon issuance. For more information or to complete the application, visit here.

Zoom with ProRome - October 2023

In October of 2023 ProRome will host an info session over Zoom for all trip participants and their parents. A link will be sent out two weeks prior to the meeting.

Welcome Boxes - February 2024

ProRome Tours will send Welcome Boxes to your school in February of 2024. In these Welcome Boxes you will receive luggage tags, name tags, a travel care kit, a journal and more.

Final Trip Information - February 2024

About one month before the trip we will send out by email the final trip information, which will include the final detailed itineraries, the rooming lists, the e-ticket numbers for your flights and any other pertinent trip information.  

Additional Trip Information

Registration, Payments and Cancellation

In order to pre-register please click on the “Register Now” button at the top of this webpage.  Registration closes on September 20, 2023. 

For questions regarding cancellation, please refer to our Terms and Conditions found here: https://prorometours.com/terms-conditions/

Group Flight Information

Please see the brochure for detailed flight information. Please note that Miles or Points cannot be used on this group booking.

Weather and Packing

The Weather 

You can expect cold weather in Poland in eearly April. High temperatures will average in the mid-50s (Krakow) and mid-40s (Warsaw), with lows in the mid-30s. Do expect a few rain showers throughout the course of the trip. 

Tip: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. A winter hat might very well come in handy! 

Packing 

Please remember to bring one insulated rain jacket, an umbrella and at least two pairs of shoes – a pair for more formal occasions and a pair for touring. Although we’ve eliminated as much walking as possible, Polish city-centers are more often than not pedestrian only. We will be walking (on average) two to five miles each day. Make sure your “tour shoes” are broken-in and comfortable. We would also suggest bringing one heavy jacket for those evenings that you might enjoy strolling through town. 

Tip: Many seasoned travelers pack the essentials in their carry-on bag, in case their luggage happens to get lost or delayed. 

Dress Suggestions

Tour Dress

Comfort is paramount. We will be walking a lot and will be constantly getting on and off the bus. The most important thing to keep in mind is your feet. Keep in mind that we will be having daily Mass and tour dress should be respectful of this. Remember to have a warm rain jacket and a winter hat on hand as well.

Tip: Worn-in walking shoes – preferably water proof – will serve you faithfully. Moleskin and baby powder might also come in handy!

Group Meals

The Meals

Daily breakfast, two lunches and daily dinner are included in the tour package. The meals have been pre-arranged and selected by ProRome. You can expect three or four bountiful courses – an appetizer, a main course, and a desert. Beverages other than water are not included. 

Tip: If you are allergic to something simply inform the tour director at the beginning of the trip. 

Tipping and Gratuities

Tips and gratuities ARE included in the price.

If you feel inclined to leave a tip for the housekeeping at the hotel, a few euro left in your room is more than sufficient.

Tipping is not required nor expected in restaurants, taxis or bars.

Dietary and Health Restrictions

There are no dietary restrictions. Vegetarian or vegan, gluten-free or celiac, we work only with restaurants and caterers who have ample options for you.

Regarding health, please review a clause from our Terms and Conditions.

ProRome Tours expects you to make a realistic assessment of your health. All Participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and as part of many excursions. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend visiting your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Participants with special needs; however, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our Tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the Participant. If you would like to forgo some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time.

Placing Calls in Poland

If you are calling from an American phone number, you must dial the international “dial out” code first, which is “00”, or simply the “+” symbol. You must then dial the country code (USA is 1, Poland is 48), followed by the number. 

NB – Remember to CONTACT YOUR SERVICE provider a few weeks before the trip and activate international calling on your phone.

Luggage Service at Hotels

Porterage is not included in the price. If you require a porter to deliver your luggage to your room, please inform your tour manager prior to arrival at the hotel.

Country-Specific Information

Visas and Passports 

Visas to Poland are not required for U.S. citizens. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Poland. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on you and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. European law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times. 

Currency – The Zloty 

The official currency of Poland is the Zloty.  1 USD is roughly 4 Zloty (as of August 20, 2023). Credit cards are accepted in shops and restaurants. However, smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards, gelato or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping 

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices will vary widely by restaurant and city within a country but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

  • The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is 10-12 Zloty. 
  • An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately 60 Zloty. 
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately 120 Zloty. 

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices. 

Electrical Outlets 

In Poland the power plug sockets are of type E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. 

Like the rest of Europe, the plugs are two round prongs. If you have a cell phone, you will need to bring an adapter for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon for less than $10.00 

Crisis Management

The following scenarios are typical “crisis” situations that may occur while on tour Italy and how to best prevent and manage them. Please read. If you would like to read our full plan please download it here: https://prorometours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ProRome-Crisis-Management-Plan-.pdf

You Get Lost

This is a common occurrence. First of all, stay put. Most folks who get really lost do so by running in the wrong direction! Your tour manager will find you if you stay put. If you have a cell phone, please call your tour manager, or any other group member you may be in contact with. If you cannot dial “+” on your phone, dial “00” followed by “1”, followed by the number. If after 30 minutes you are unable to reach your tour manager and cannot find the group, proceed to the nearest Taxi stand and have a cab take you back to the hotel. The hotel address can be found below. If you do not see a cab stand nearby, enter the nearest hotel and ask the concierge to call you a cab. Upon arrival at the hotel please call your tour manager and let him know that you have returned to the hotel. 

You Lose Your Phone, Wallet or Passport 

Nine times out of ten, this can be prevented. Theft is not uncommon in Rome, so remember to keep your valuables as protected as possible. Fanny packs under the shirt are ideal. If you use a purse or backpack, hold it in front especially in crowds. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on those around you as well. If you do lose your phone, wallet or passport, inform your tour manager immediately. We will then inform the local authorities and say a prayer to St. Anthony! The US embassies can turn around new passports within a few hours, but expect a hefty fee – 500 euro!

You Get Injured 

Again, nine times out of ten we can prevent personal injuries by following rules and guidelines that are put in place. That includes never standing while the bus is moving, only crossing the street at crosswalks, and wearing sturdy walking shoes and keeping your eyes on the road. If you do experience an injury, inform your tour manager immediately. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Dehydration and Fatigue

It is crucially important to begin hydration at least three days prior to departure, and to increase your electrolyte intake as well. Touring in the spring can be deceiving, because while you may not feel thirsty in 50 degree weather, your body will nonetheless require lots of water. Always carry a water bottle with you. If you do experience dizziness, a fever or sudden fatigue, notify your tour manager immediately and sit still. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Trip Patron

As our trip patron, we will pray to Pope Saint John Paul II before and during the trip, asking this great saint to protect, enlighten and guide us on our pilgrimage!

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”