Overview:

April 9, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an event from the First World War which many veterans and historians have called the birth of the Canadian nation. For the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as a unified formation and these soldiers from across Canada delivered a stunning Allied victory which newspapers at the time called "Canada’s Easter gift to France." It was on top of Vimy Ridge that the Canadian government later chose to commemorate the nation’s sacrifices with Walter Allward’s powerfully moving monument to our war dead. After beginning with a visit to the Normandy battlefields from the Second World War, this special tour offers the opportunity to participate in commemorative events marking the Vimy Ridge anniversary, along with exploration of other iconic battlefields of the Great War such as Ypres, the Somme, and Verdun. Hosted By Canadian Military Expert Dr. Jody Perrun

Countries Visited

France
France

12 nights hotel accommodation as indicated.

An expert Insight Tour Director throughout your journey.

Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom.

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating insights and commentaries.

Baggage handling with delivery to your door at every hotel.

Hotel and restaurant tips included - Plus we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi.

Insight Flourishes - from time to time, your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination.

Airport arrival and departure transfers on Day 2 and Day 14.

12 Buffet Breakfasts, Welcome Dinner and Reception, 4 three-course Evening Meals, 1 Boxed Lunch and Celebration Dinner.
Explore Canada’s rich military heritage in Northern France and Belgium with Dr. Perrun as he takes you on an in-depth journey tracing Canada’s participation in the great wars and paying homage to our contribution.
Normandy Beaches: Visit the Juno Beach Memorial Centre and the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-Sur-Mer.
Normandy Coast: See the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. Visit the gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer.
Saint Germain-La-Blanche-Herbe: Visit the memorials to Canadian POWS murdered by the SS at the Abbaye Ardenne.
The Road to Falaise & Falaise Gap: Visit Falaise, St. Lambert-sur-Dives, and Mont Ormel.
Honfleur: Visit the charming fishing town of Honfleur to see the port from where Samuel de Champlain set sail to found Quebec.
Dieppe: Tour of Dieppe and visit the Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial Museum. See the Canadian landing sites.
Vimy Ridge: Celebrate the 100th Anniversary at the National Historic Site of Canada.
Ypres Battlefields: Visit the Flanders Fields Museum in Cloth Hall as well as Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) Museum. Visit the Tyne Cot Cemetery, and the Passchendaele Canadian Memorial (Crest Farm).
The Battlefield of Verdun: With a Local Expert visit the Verdun Memorial Museum in Fleury-devant-Douaumont, Fort Douaumont and its underground galleries, as well as the Ossuary.
Chemin des Dames: Visit The Caverne du Dragon Museum.
Compiegne: See where the Armistice was signed in November 1918.