TRIP COSTS
Hotel, group ground transportation, daily breakfast, 8 meals (drinks are included with group meals), entrance and guide fees to all group activities, and tips for local guides and drivers are included in the price. You’ll need money for additional meals, drinks outside of our group meals, snacks, any transportation you use on your own, sightseeing outside of group activities, souvenirs, and Mass collections.
MONEY
Poland is on the Zloty. As of May 22, 2026, zł1 = $0.27
Lithuania is on the Euro. As of May 22, 2026, €1 = $1.16
You will get the best rates by using your ATM card in Europe to get the local currency. Never bring US dollars to exchange for cash.
Your ATM card should work in Europe using your 4 digit PIN. If you are not sure, call your bank. It’s best to get out large quantities of cash each time you visit an ATM to avoid the extra service charges. Please contact your bank before departure to tell them where and when you will be traveling.
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express (to a lesser extent) are widely accepted. Please contact your credit card company before departure to tell them where and when you will be traveling. Carry a photocopy of the front and back of your credit cards, in case they are lost or stolen. This will make it easier to have them replaced. Make note of your credit card’s phone number and report lost or stolen cards immediately.
Almost everyone has contactless terminals for payments like iPhone / Apple Pay
U.S. Dollars I do not recommend exchanging U.S. Dollars. It’s a hassle and time consuming, plus the exchange rate is ridiculous. Just use the ATM.
ARRIVAL AND SLEEPING
Our pilgrimage begins in Krakow, Poland. We are staying five nights at:
Hotel Stary
ul. Szczepańska 5
31-011 Kraków
+48 12 384 08 08
Our other hotels:
Czestochowa: Arche (1 night)
Warsaw: Hotel Bristol (3 nights)
Vilnius: Grand Hotel Vilnius (3 nights)
EATING
Breakfast is included daily, plus 8 additional meals. Our breakfasts will be usually be pastries, breads, cereals, fruit, eggs, meats, cheeses, yogurts with coffee, water, and juice.
Our included dinners will consist of several courses from a set menu. If there is something you cannot or will not eat, please let me know in advance.
Drinks are included with all meals. You may drink all the wine and water you want.
MASS
Mass will be offered daily in amazing churches.
Most of the churches will leave a collection basket out for an offering, so be prepared to throw in a few coins if you feel called to do so. This is how many of the churches fund restoration and upkeep.
FREE TIME
You will have some time on your own. I encourage you to get out and explore.
During the free time, there will always be clear instructions of when and where to meet back up. Our local guide and I will also be available for recommendations.
For the meals you have on your own, try something new, avoid tourist traps, and look for where the locals are eating.
SAFETY
Violent crime is very rare in Europe, but always watch your purse and wallet.
COMMUNICATIONS
Most cell phones will work in Europe, check your carrier for rates.
A cheaper option, if your phone has eSIM capabilities, which is probably does, is to us a service like https://www.airalo.com/
WEATHER
Throughout the pilgrimage, the weather should be mild with little rain. Highs should be in the 70s and lows in the 50s.
GETTING AROUND
We will be traveling by private motor coach and on foot.
We will be walking up to several miles each day. For those not accustomed to walking several miles a day, this is not meant to scare you, just to prepare you. Even on the days we cover several miles, we will not be walking non-stop. We will walk a little to get to somewhere, such as a church, walk inside the church, walk to a restaurant, etc. I’m going to march you five miles non-stop. In your free time you may wish to take a taxi to get around. Our hotels can call a taxi to pick you up. If you are out and want a taxi to bring you back to the hotel, find a taxi stand, do not try to wave one down.
PACKING
I know it’s not for everyone, but I always recommend you try not to check luggage, or at least do not over pack. You most likely do not need all you think you need.
Checked luggage is occasionally lost by airlines and sometimes it can take days for lost luggage to be found. Recently, most lost luggage arrived within a day or two, but one lady got her suitcase after three days, one guy after five days, and one lady after seven days. One suitcase did not show up until the day of departure.
If you cannot do carry-on only, I recommend at least bringing some essentials in your carry-on bag. Definitely your medicines and at least one change of clothes. If you are a couple, I recommend you pack half your stuff in each suitcase. This way if one is lost, you both have some of your things.
I’ve listed some packing suggestions below. You will not need everything on it, and you may even need something I’ve left off. But, you can use it to start.
PACKING LIST
Shirts: I usually bring four shirts. Depending on the season, two long sleeve and two short sleeve. Everything I bring can be layered and matched with everything else. Easy for me since most of my tops are black or blue. Most of my shirts are wool.
Pants: Two pair of pants is enough for me.
Dress / Skirt
Underwear and Socks: I travel with enough for one week and do laundry in the sink when needed. When I travel, I bring wool underwear and wool socks. Wool is really nature’s miracle fabric. It can keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cool. Wool is also self cleaning, not that you never need to wash it, but socks, for example can be worn multiple times before washing. Wool also dries super fast. There are many brands out there, but I use Darn Tough for socks and Icebreaker for underwear. Both companies have lines for men and women.
Shoes: I rotate between sneakers and dressier boots. Just be sure they are comfortable and with a good sole. Cobblestone will introduce you to leg and back muscles you didn’t know you had.
Jacket / Coat / Sweater
Money: Credit cards, ATM card, and cash. It’s best and cheapest to get local currency from a bank ATM while in Europe.
Money Belt: Keep your credit cards, ATM card, passport, and money (large bills only) in the money belt and wear it all the time.
Documents and Photocopies: Keep a photocopy of your passport and the front and back of your credit cards in your luggage, not your money belt. A photo on your phone works too. If you lose your passport or credit cards, having a photocopy can help when you call to cancel the cards or replace the passport.
Small Day Pack: Day packs (small backpack, messenger, or tote bag) are great for carrying water, snacks, books, and anything else you might need during the day. I used the Tom Bihn Cafe Bag for over a decade.
Camera: For those traveling with a traditional camera, it’s good to have a back-up battery and an extra memory chip. You’ll take a ton of pictures.
Wristwatch: Best to set it to local time as soon as you get on the flight.
Earplugs: If noise bothers your sleep, earplugs will come in handy on the flight.
Medicine and Vitamins: I do not follow my own suggestion here, but it’s best to keep medicines and vitamins in their original containers, if possible, with legible prescriptions using generic drug names. If you bring any timed-dosage prescription, take the time difference into account. If you usually take a pill with breakfast, take it with lunch or dinner in Europe. Remember to bring any medicine in your carry-on luggage on the plane. I don’t take medication, only vitamins, but I never bring the original containers and have never had an issue.
Extra Eyeglasses and Contacts
Sunscreen: We will be outside for long periods of time.
Toiletries Kit: You should put all checked bottles in zip-lock baggies since pressure changes in flight cause even good bottles to leak. All toiletries and feminine products (even many of the same brands) are sold all over Europe.
Liquids: As of today, you are allowed to have liquids in the cabin of our flights using the 3-1-1 rule. This means liquids must be in a 3 oz or smaller container, all of these must fit into a 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zip lock bag and only 1 of these bags per person. If you are unsure and do not want to lose something, check it. If something is confiscated or lost, keep in mind that many things you can get here, you can also get in Europe. To be safe, visit (http://www.tsa.gov) before you pack.
Snacks: There are days where we have just a quick break for lunch, a long time between meals, and long bus rides. Protein bars, nuts, and dried fruits are perfect for hungry bellies.
Address List: People still love postcards, so surprise your friends and family back home with a handwritten postcard.
Journal and Pen: For notes and journaling. Paper and pen can sometimes be better than an iPhone.
Pajamas: A favorite ‘luxury’ item.
Hair Dryer: Our hotels have hair dryers, but maybe not always as powerful as what you have back home.
International Adapter: An international adapter or converter for charging your electronics. Most modern electronics will convert the voltage, but you still need an adapter. Check your device beforehand. (Buy on Amazon)
Tiny Locks: Our hotels are safe, but I always lock up any valuables in my suitcase/bag. This includes my toothbrush.
Earbuds: We use headsets for our tours. New headphones are provided, but I always find it’s best (and more comfortable) to have my own. Keep in mind if you have a newer iPhone, the lightening connector will not work on the headsets, you’ll need the traditional 3.5 mm connector. (Buy on Amazon)