Pieskowa Skala castle was very picturesque through beautiful countryside. The guide was very good and gave time to visit the castle and a stop for refreshments. The Black Madonna at Czestochowa was a very uplifting experience with time to pray at the church and to view the Black Madonna close up. The food at the polish restaurant was delicious a very enjoyable trip.
Review by: mikestorrs, October 2017
My wife grew up in a community of Polish Americans and the Black Madonna was an icon not only of the Catholic Church in Poland but of the church in her community as well. Many families had a picture of her in their homes. She wanted to see it in person. The tour was a day long drive and when we arrived a Mass was being conducted in the chapel where the picture was displayed. We had a small glimpse of the picture over several hundred people and through a metal grate. We waited to the end of the mass in the hopes that some of the people would leave but as the mass ended a cover was lowered over the painting. We understood that it would be open for viewing again at 2:00 in the afternoon but our tour could not wait for that. The only saving grace was that we were the only two people on the tour and our tour guide Bruno was delightful and we enjoyed talking with him on the trip up and back. If you are going to offer this tour you should understand when the painting will be visible.
Review by: chomicki, September 2017
Could have spent less time @ Pieskowa Castle and more time @ Czestochowa/Black Madonna_br/_ Guide was professional, knowledgeable, and helpful_br/_ Enjoyable day
Review by: Petra T, September 2017
Beautiful castle: worthwhile are the beautifully restored renaissance courtyard, the impressive paintings and sculptures collection insight and the friendly and experienced guide. The church of the Black Madonna is like a little Vatican en the shrine itself, beautifully restored. After the tour, the guide even went with us to Krakow on a voluntary basis to show us some hidden places on the market square. highly recommanded.
Review by: Robert M, September 2017
While both tour destinations were outstanding and well worth a visit if a castle visit and religious shrine are your interests, we could have done without the snarky, anti-religion attitude of Andrew the tour guide. Fortunately, most of the visit to the shrine was self-guided after a brief introduction by Andrew. He should present a neutral opinion since most people taking this tour are almost certainly going for a spiritual experience. There were several museums at the site he just pointed out the entrance to. Other guides were together with other groups in the museums, offering commentary, etc. Why not with this pricey tour?
Review by: Anne L, September 2017
This review may well be published because it is positive. Do not waste your time on negative reviews as it appears they are ignored.
Review by: Kristi M, August 2017
My experience was really very good and I recommend this tour to everyone who visit Poland! Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa is very special place and Black Madonna extraordinary! Our guide Andrew Andrej? was really nice and friendly person, his information about history of Poland was really useful! Pieskowa Skala Castle was also nice with its long history and beautiful nature. This tour was the highlight of my trip. Thank you!
Review by: jose f, January 2017
A igreja é linda e o castelo também . O nosso guia Andy foi muito esclarecedor. Sugiro que o intervalo entre os dois passeios seja menor. Ficamos quase uma hora esperando dar o horário de encontro.
Review by: amerovich, January 2017
For anyone interested in pilgrimage sites, this is a must do. To see this incredible painting and see the beauty of the chapels, it's breathtaking. My guide recommended the covering of the painting at noon only occurs during winter and I'm so thankful he did! I thought it would be a cloth over it, but there were drums and a plaque lowered over it. FYI Pieskowa Skala Castle is closed on weekdays in the winter season, but it was still beautiful to see the national park from the outside. My guide was absolutely delightful and so informative about the area and history of the painting. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!!!
Review by: Dargravish, October 2016
Czestochowas was very crowded which cant be helped but very interesting. The Castle was nice. The tour guide was very informative and helpful.
Review by: Liz, September 2016
Anyone visiting Poland needs to go to Czestochowa._br/_ Wish we could have left earlier to catch the mass at 11:00
Review by: Elena P, September 2016
It was very interesting to see the famous Black Madonna, learn its history and visit to the Pieskowa Skala castle was also good. It is nice nature around the castle and I wish we had time to walk a bit in the national park. The main drawback for me during the visit to Czestochowa is that our driver/guide showed us Black madonna with Basilica in 15 minutes he gave us a history overview on the way in the car and then we were left for 2 hrs on our own. There is not much written in English in museums. I saw nice group tours in treasury, arcenal, etc., but this was not the case for our tour. I think the tour could be improved in this aspect. Although, we had a guided tour within Pieskowa Skala Castle. I would recommend this tour only if you have plenty of time to spare, as there are many things to see in Krakow and it is a very long drive 2 hrs each way.
Review by: Nelli A, May 2016
The castle was closed, the agency knew it and they did not replace it with something else
Review by: Jules J, April 2016
Our tour was very good. The only downside was that we could not visit pieskowa castle due to restoration work underway. The operator had been up front months ago at the time we booked which was the classy way to handle this. The Jasna gora monastery was quite impressive. Be sure to see the treasury, arsenal and the museum is in addition to the basilica and icon.
Review by: Kevin B, April 2016
Enjoyed the trip to both locations, but guide didn't seem to provide very much information. Unfortunately Pieskowa Castle was closed and would not recommend doing this trip unless it is open.
Review by: Nelli A, March 2016
The castle was closed and we missed it, the very nice driver Kristoff told us that the agency still puts it on the programm well knowing that is closed in winter time. They did not offer us to see something else either
Review by: Aleksandra P, September 2015
Another excellent day. The guide once more being very knowledgable and handling the organisation of the day extremely well.
Review by: Stacy A, August 2015
Our trip was wonderful! Perfect in every regard.
Review by: Catherine P, July 2015
Our tour guide Mr. Andrzej was very knowledgeable and pleasant. We were very surprised that our tour ended up being a private one! And the castle was such an excellent bonus side trip. Even if you speak the language like I do, I still recommend this trip so that you can learn things while you travel comfortably and stress free.
Review by: Richard D O, July 2015
Very nice tour. Guide was personable knowledgeable and extremely helpful even to the point of helping to order lunch items and show us some hidden parts of Krakow when we returned. Very much recommended.
RSS Feed