Great Canadian War Memorials Tour
10 days | September 5-16, 2019
Paris | Juno Beach | Vimy Ridge | Beaumont Hamel | Ypres | Flanders Fields | Passchendaele
Escorted by Frances Gertsch & Kelvin Jones
"Their name liveth for evermore"
Designed by Canadians for Canadians, this special tour pays tribute to all who have served their country in the Great War and World War II. Take in the museums, memorials and special sites throughout France and Belgium that commemorate the contribution of Canadian soldiers during these two wars, including: the impressive and inspiring Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge, the Canadian Cemeteries in Bény-sur-Mer and Dieppe, as well as the Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel. Other destinations visited include the Landing Beaches of Normandy, the Juno Beach Memorial Centre & Park, Amiens and Ypres in Belgium.
| DAY | DESTINATION | ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flight - Atlantic Canada to Paris | Overnight flight from Atlantic Canada gateway to Paris, France |
| 2 | Paris (France) | Arrive in Paris. After transferring to our hotel we will explore the Montparnasse neighbourhood including a visit to the top of the Tour de Montparnasse with dinner (D) |
| 3 | Paris | Today we will take a walking tour in the morning to get to know our neighbourhood. We'll then visit the Paris Catacombs before meeting our Tour Director and the rest of our travelling companions at 5:30 pm for a welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris' lively restaurants. We'll then take the elevator to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower** to get a second impression of the "City of Lights." (B, D) |
| 4 | Paris | This morning, you may choose to take an optional excursion to the impressive Palace and Gardens of Versailles, built by the "Sun King," Louis XIV. This afternoon's sightseeing with a Local Guide will feature the city's major highlights: the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Concorde, Madeleine, Opéra, and Louvre. Visit Napoleon's Tomb inside the Dome des Invalides** and the Military Museum**. This evening, enjoy an optional dinner and show at a famous Parisian cabaret. (B) |
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5 |
Paris-Giverny-Normandy | Depart the bustle of Paris and head northwest toward the coast. Stop in Giverny and visit Claude Monet’s home** and stunning gardens**, the true inspiration behind many of his masterpieces. Next, visit the Ardenne Abbey Site** on the outskirts of Caen, where Canadian soldiers were illegally executed by members of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth) in June 1944. Arrive in Caen, where an orientation drive includes views of Caen Castle, St. Étienne Cathedral and the Town Hall, the former Men’s Abbey. (B, D) |
| 6 | Normandy Area, including the Beaches | As site of the World War II Battle for Caen, from June to August 1944, the city saw heavy fighting and suffered major destruction. This morning is devoted to visiting the poignant Memorial Museum for Peace** with its exhibits and audiovisual presentation that tell the story of the pivotal Battle of Normandy. Afterward, drive to the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery**. Surrounded by peaceful groves of pine and maple trees, the cemetery contains 2,049 headstones that mark the dead of the Canadian 3rd Division and 15 airmen. Next visit the Juno Beach Memorial Centre and Park**. It was on nearby Juno Beach that on June 6, 1944, Canadian forces landed and secured the bridgehead for a successful opening of the Western Front. The centre educates visitors about Canada's military and civilian contribution during the war. Also stop for pictures at the Canadian House at Bernieres-sur-Mer. Pass the Gold Beach Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches–one of two artificial harbors built by the Allied troops for the D-Day invasion and one of the greatest engineering feats of World War II. Back to Caen. (B) |
| 7 | Normandy Area-Dieppe | Take pictures of the famous Pegasus Bridge – secured by the British on the night of June 5, 1944, and crucial for the success of the Normandy landing and further operations. At Honfleur, from where Samuel de Champlain left France in 1603 to become the founder of the Province of Québec, cross the Normandy Bridge, spanning the Seine River at its mouth and linking Honfleur to Le Havre. Continue East to Dieppe and see the Canadian Cemetery Memorial**, and the actual beach battle site to pay tribute to 913 Canadian soldiers who died that tragic morning of August 19, 1942. Lessons learned here were instrumental in the successful landing two years later on the beaches of Normandy. On September 1, 1944, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division liberated Dieppe. (B) |
| 8 | Dieppe, Amiens, Somme Area | Before leaving Dieppe visit the Jubilee Centre**. Later arrive in Amiens and visit medieval Amiens Cathedral** and the Memorial to Allied Forces, which commemorates the men who fought one of the decisive battles in August 1918, ultimately leading to the end of World War I. Then, visit the Newfoundland Memorial Park** in Beaumont-Hamel, dedicated to the Dominion of Newfoundland forces members who were killed in WWI. The attack that tragic morning of July 1, 1916, claimed 91% of the regiment. The site contains the stunning bronze caribou monument, emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Danger Tree, around which the highest casualty numbers were inflicted and the visitors’ centre. (B, D) |
| 9 | Somme Area, Vimy Ridge, Ypres (Belgium) | Today visit Vimy Ridge, site of an outstanding Canadian victory in World War I. The battle, which began April 9, 1917, marks the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in the battle together, and has since become the symbol of the Canadian nationalistic achievement and sacrifice. Visit the newly restored Memorial** that dominates the area. Around its base are the names of 11,000 missing Canadians who died in France during the Great War and have no known graves. Time to walk along the restored trenches and tunnels (subject to availability) and to visit the Interpretive Centre**. End with a visit to the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery**, from where the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier were returned home in 2000 as a symbol of all the missing and unknown soldiers who died during the Great War in Europe. Continue to Ypres. Later we will visit Menin Gate. Here, the “Last Post” is played every evening to honour the memory and sacrifice of the war’s dead. (B, D) |
| 10 | Ypres | Visit famous Cloth Hall** and its In Flanders Fields Museum**. Afterwards, stop at the Essex Farm Cemetery**, where John McCrae wrote his poem in May 1915. On to Passchendaele, where a Local Guide will tell you the story of the tragic battle that took place here in 1917. Up the hill at Crest Farm is the Passchendaele Canadian Memorial**, which marks the place where the men of the Canadian Corps took possession of the high ground at Crest Farm after two weeks of ferocious fighting. Also stop at Tyne Cot Cemetery**, the largest Commonwealth military graveyard in the world with its 12,000 graves and a memorial dedicated to another 35,000 missing. (B) |
| 11 | Ypres-Paris (France) | Return to Paris. Choose from two exciting optional excursions: a visit to the famous Louvre Museum with the Mona Lisa, or a scenic cruise on the beautiful Seine River, followed by a visit to the artists’ hill of Montmartre. (B) |
| 12 | Paris | After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to Canada. (B) |
Enjoy optional tours to (L to R): the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, a dinner and cabaret at Lido, the Louvre, and/or a river cruise on the Seine and a visit to the artists' community of Montmartre.
Inclusions
Full buffet breakfast daily
Four 3-course dinners with wine, including a welcome dinner in Paris
Visits and/or special features noted with a ** in the itinerary and include admission charges where applicable
Accommodations in moderate first-class and first-class hotels in the centre of our destinations
Expert Tour Director and Guides
About the Ultra-modern Motorcoach
Throughout the tour, we will be transported on an ultra-modern motorcoach with the following features and amenities:
Plush, reclining seats with headrests
Individual air-conditioning vents
Extra leg-room
High-fidelity sound system to broadcast the Tour Director's commentary to every seat
Custom of daily seat rotation to get a variety of vantage points
Free wi-fi on the motorcoach, for browsing
Electrical outlet
Average group size of just 36 travellers to ensure extra room to stretch out and relax
Smoke-free coaches
Experienced and professional drivers
Spotlessly clean, well-maintained motorcoaches that are no more than 3 years old
Emergency restrooms available between frequent comfort stops
Latest technology in emission control and reduction
Photos taken by Tour Escort Frances Gertsch during her last trip to France in 2015.
Top: View of Paris from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower; Bottom: Bronze caribou monument at Beaumont Hamel; Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery.
Pricing
$4,568 per person, double occupancy
**Space available on request only**
Includes airport transfers in destination
Additional nights in Paris available. Optional: extend your vacation to London.
Flights from Charlottetown additional (approximately $1300).
Full non-refundable payment due at booking
Travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical benefits is available and is highly recommended.
About your Tour Escort
This tour will be escorted by one of Stewart Travel Group's newest team members, Frances Gertsch. Fluently bilingual, Frances has travelled to this tour's destinations - France and Belgium - most recently in 2015. With more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, a passion for travel and for history, and a knack for service like few others, Frances will ensure you are well taken care of, learn a bunch, and beyond it all, have a lot of fun. Frances will be the liaison between you and your Tour Director, and will ensure that your trip goes extremely smoothly. She will be joined on this tour by her partner, Kelvin who has family connections to both the Normandy beaches (his maternal grandfather is buried at Bény-sur-Mer) and Vimy Ridge (his great uncle is commemorated on the memorial).
Frances & Kelvin on the beach in Dieppe, 2015
About our Supplier
Our hosts for this incredible trip will be Globus Tours. Globus has been showing travellers the world for nearly 90 years, and knows what makes for a rewarding vacation.
Sustainable Travel
Globus is committed to sustainable travel and minimizing its impact on the environment and to reducing its dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, they have implemented policies to support this sustainable travel mission and are working carefully to enhance their products with this mission and their values combined.
Tourism Cares
Globus has partnered with Tourism Cares to fund world-wide preservation and restoration projects in places like Yellowstone National Park, The Galápagos Islands and others. And they are proud to help fund the ChildSafe Network to support the welfare, advancement and safety of children in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Questions? Contact any member of the Stewart Travel Group team.
We'd be pleased to assist you!
| PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND |
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| Paula Stewart Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 388-7511 |
Travis Stewart Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 626-7515 |
| Frances Gertsch & Kelvin Jones Trusted Travel Advisors (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 940-4499 |
Jessica Chaisson Trusted Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 314-1591 |
| Julia MacCormack Trusted Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 598-8231 |
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| NEW BRUNSWICK | |
| Krista Trecartin Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (506) 454-5736 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (506) 471-4257 |
Terri Clarke Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (506) 631-7621 |
| Kelley Gowan Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (506) 461-4575 |
Glen Earle Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (506) 343-1108 |
| Wendy Doran Trusted Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (506) 647-4962 |
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| NOVA SCOTIA | |
| Tara Turner Trusted Senior Travel Advisor (902) 894-9389 | 1-844-660-7329 Cell: (902) 292-7623 |
Kevin & Michelle Hayward Trusted Senior Travel Advisors (902) 543-4948 | 1-844-660-7329 |