A Pilgrimage to
CENTRAL EUROPE
Germany-Czech Republic-Poland-Austria
April 9-22, 2007 • Celebrate the Easter Season!
with TWO (count 'em) TWO Father Ralphs!

Father Ralph Sommer has an uncle, Father Ralph Besendorfer who is arranging this pilgrimage to Europe for his friends and parishioners who are in the Jacksonville area of Florida. Father Ralph B (the elder) invited Father Ralph S (the younger) to help with the spiritual journey.

The New York contingent will leave out of New York and meet in Germany. The Florida contingent will leave from Florida.

Here is Father Ralph Sommer's blog of the trip.

Hi... Here I am at Kennedy Airport awaiting the flight.
I hope to up date this site every other day so check back from time to time.

PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY
April 9/Monday - DEPART New York (see photo above)

April 10/Tuesday– ARRIVE MUNICH. On arrival, transfer to
your hotel, located in the center of Munich, the bustling,
cosmopolitan capital of Bavaria, Germany. Pope Benedict
XVI formerly served as Archbishop here. Enjoy an
orientation tour of Marienplatz (main square), with its lovely
Cathedral and famous Glockenspeil Clock. Dinner is at
restaurant near hotel.
HOTEL TORBRAU www.torbraeu.de

April 11/Wednesday-MUNICH. Morning city tour introduces you
to vibrant and prosperous Munich. Visit Nymphenburg, the
summer palace of Bavarian kings, Maximilianstrasse with
its elegant shops, the Residenz, the winter palace of early
royalty and more. The afternoon is free for independent
activities.

April 12/Thursday– MUNICH/ALTÖTTING/PRAGUE.
Travel 60 miles east of Munich to one of Germany's most
celebrated shrines, the Chapel of Mercy in Altötting, known as
Germany's Lourdes. The Chapel's 13th century statue of
the Blessed Virgin is credited with numerous miracles and
the shrine has been a place of pilgrimage in Germany for
over 500 years. Pope Benedict, born in the nearby town of
Marktl am Inn, has prayed here often, most recently in
September 2006. Continue through picturesque country-
side into the Czech Republic to the vibrant and cosmopoli-
tan capital, Prague, for dinner and overnight.
at the
HOTEL DON GIOVANNI

April 13/Friday– PRAGUE. What better way to spend
" Friday the Thirteenth" than to see the Infant
of Prague Chapel where we'll see the 14th century wooden statue,
symbolic of the long Catholic tradition of devotion to the
Holy Child Jesus, the origins of which is believed to have
come from Spain and is associated with the great mystic –
St Teresa of Avila. Also visit Hradcany Royal Castle, St.
Vitus Cathedral, Strahove Monastery, Lorreto and St. Nicholas
churches. Afternoon is free to explore the splendor of one of
the most attractive cities in Europe, experiencing an exciting
cultural renaissance since the fall of Communism in 1989.

April 14/Saturday– PRAGUE/KRAKOW. Depart by private
coach eastward through scenic roads into Poland, traveling
via Silesia to Krakow, a classic European city miraculously
saved from the destruction of Poland's many wars. We'll stay
overnight at the
NOVOTEL CENTER

April 15/Sunday– KRAKOW (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY).
Celebrate Mass at Divine Mercy Church, burial site of newly
canonized St. Faustyna Kowalska, author of "Divine Mercy
in My Soul". View an original painting of Jesus, as He was
seen by Faustyna
Continue sightseeing of the enchanting city of Krakow,
ancient seat of Polish kings and home diocese of Cardinal
Karol Wojtyla before he was elected Pope John Paul II.
Stop at St. Mary's Church with the world famous Wit
Stwosz altar. Tour Wieliczka Salt Mines, a subterreanean
wonder with spectacular rooms, even a chapel, carved out
of rock salt. Enjoy a festive dinner tonight in the city’s
revived historic Jewish section of Kazimierz.

April 16/Monday– WADOWICE & ZAKOPANE. Travel to
Poland’s charming high mountains, stopping at the typical
town of Wadowice, now famous as the birthplace of Pope
John Paul II. Continue to the snow-capped Tatra Moun-
tains and the unique resort town of Zakopane. Return to
Krakow for overnight.
(Note: It's tax day in America, but you get to file for an extension 'cause
you're out of the country!)

April 17/Tuesday– AUSCHWITZ & CZESTOCHOWA. In the
morning, visit the memorial at Auschwitz, site of the
notorious World War II concentration camp where the lives of
St. Maximilian Kolbe and Carmelite St. Edith Stein are
commemorated. Continue to Jasna Gora Shrine in
Czestochowa to visit the miraculous Black Madonna icon.
Overnight in Krakow.

April18/Wednesday– KRAKOW/VIENNA. Today, travel
southwestwardly through Slovakia into Austria to the
fabulous and vibrant capital city of Vienna.
We'll be staying at the
HOTEL DE FRANCE

April19/Thursday– VIENNA. This morning, a sightseeing tour
begins with a view of Belvedere Palace and its gardens.
Continue to view the Empress Maria Theresia Monument,
St. Stephen Church, City Hall, Parliament, the charming
Ringstrasse and other landmarks of the city's imperial his-
tory. The afternoon is free to shop and explore.

April 20/Friday-VIENNA/SALZBURG. Depart westward to
the picturesque medieval town of Salzburg, nestled
between the Salzach River and the towering Hohensalzburg
Fortress. Embark on a guided tour visiting the birthplace
of Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous son, and Hellbrun
Hunting Castle.
HOTEL EUROPA

April 21/Saturday-SALZBURG/MUNICH. Today, we return to
Bavaria and visit Traunstein, a town on the border of Aus-
tria and Germany, where Pope Benedict spend his child-
hood. Also tour the beautiful area of Lake Chiemsee, the
largest Bavarian lake, arriving in Munich in the late
after- noon.
MARRIOTT MUNICH AIRPORT

April 22/Sunday– MUNICH/NEW YORK.