WWI and WWII Battlefields

From tragic battles to tales of triumph, this special-interest exploration of two World Wars kicks off in the vibrant British capital of London. Meet your Travel Director and fellow companions this evening for a hearty local meal.

Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey feature on this half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, which includes views of Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, you'll visit the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of those whose lives were shaped by war from World War I to today. See extensive archives and recordings, as well as a Spitfire that saw action in the Battle of Britain. Maybe enjoy London after dark, spending your evening at leisure meandering along the Thames, riding the London Eye or discover Covent Garden.

You'll journey by Eurostar to Brussels today. Your Travel Director will show you the city's highlights. See the Atomium, designed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, Mannekin Pis and the exquisite Grand Place with its opulent and ornate guildhalls.

Today you'll travel to Dunkirk, where Operation Dynamo miraculously saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain. Stop in Fromelles, where there was a combined operation between British troops and the Australian Imperial Force, described as the 'worst 24 hours in Australia's military history'. Visit the memorial at Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who fought here in 1917. This horrific battle, and the bravery of the men who fought in it, came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation.

Some of the biggest battles of World War I are explored at Ypres Salient in Belgium, where we will see such sites as Tyne Cot, Langemark and Vancouver Corner. Stop in Zonnebeke for an included visit to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, where you can see a replica trench. See Essex Farm Cemetery where over 1,200 brave servicemen are buried and where Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote his immortal poem, ‘In Flanders Fields'. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own and later sample one of the excellent local beers. After, make your way to the Menin Gate and witness the moving Last Post Ceremony to pay tribute to over 100,000 soldiers who laid down their lives more than a century ago.

The battlefields of the Somme take center stage today. Stop at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, honoring the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. Take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Ocean Villas WWI Museum, where you’ll walk through an original British trench, explore recovered artifacts and visit the private Remembrance Wall, preserving the memory of both the fallen and those who survived. Carry on to Thiepval to see the poignant memorial that honours the 72,337 missing British and South African men who died with no known graves. Later, arrive in Amiens, where you can enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Travel south through Normandy today. Stop in the City of Rouen for an orientation tour of this city which was captured by the French in 1204 from English possession. Next stop is Caen where you will visit the Memorial de Caen to learn about the significance of Normandy and the day that changed World War II.

Walk in the footsteps of the brave soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, a turning point in World War II. Begin at Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers scaled the cliffs under heavy fire, then visit Omaha Beach, one of the most fiercely contested landing sites. At the American Cemetery, pause to reflect on the thousands who gave their lives for freedom, before stepping into a truly special Be My Guest. You’ll meet your hosts the Ferrut family at their equestrian center, a beautiful countryside retreat with sweeping views of the sea and Bayeux Cathedral. Over a homemade lunch, hear their family’s story and experience warm Normandy hospitality. This afternoon, continue to Juno Beach, where Canadian forces landed, and visit the Canadian War Cemetery, a poignant tribute to their sacrifice.

Journey inland through Normandy today, bound for the grand boulevards of Paris. Perhaps join an optional visit to the glittering Palace of Versailles before arriving in the French capital. This evening, consider a trip to one of the city's renowned cabarets.

Join your Local Specialist to view the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then delve into the lives of Parisians, wandering through the enchanting hidden squares of one of Paris oldest neighborhoods. Your walking tour concludes in one of the city's loveliest squares which is a real favorite among the locals. Spend the rest of the day on your own to see the sights. On your last evening in Paris, join your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner in the city.

After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.