Normandy and WWI

Tour Itinerary

DAY - 1 THURSDAY: JUNE 5 / AUGUST 21, / SEPTEMBER 25 — Arrive Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Personal transportation will take us to Normandy to visit the world renowned Pegasus Bridge, the first event of D-Day which occurred at 2320 hours on June 5, 1944. Tour an excellent museum named “the Bunker” - the only fully reconstructed German fortification in Normandy. That evening enjoy a light get-acquainted dinner served at our modern hotel, the Mercure Citis in Caen. (D)

PEGASUS BRIDGE spanning the Orne Canal was captured by British 6th Airborne Division glider troops in the first few minutes of D-day. The three Horsa gliders, visible in the top right brought Major John Howard and his troopers in on time, accurately placing them in position to seize the bridge by rapid surprise. Lt. Den Brotheridge, the first allied death on D-day was killed where the Jeep is standing as he and his men rushed across the bridge from the eastern side. A Bedford 4x4 engineer's truck is returning from the airborne headquarters area to secure supplies from Sword Beach. The drivers, although in Europe, are still driving on the left side as in England.

DAY - 2 FRIDAY: JUNE 6 / AUGUST 22 / SEPTEMBER 26 — Normandy – D-Day on the beaches. Visit the Juno beaches - Canadian Beaches – Berniere, St. Aubin and Courseilles. Also visit Canada’s newest European War Memorial - Juno Beach Centre. While at Berniere, the location of Canada’s most successful landing, we will visit the famed "House of The Canadians" which was the landing point for the Queens Own Rifles of Canada. We will then follow the Canadian advance stopping at Buron. On the way there will be a brief visit to the RCAF forward landing area established on June 7, 1944 . Afterwards, we proceed to the key Canadian Cemetery of the area located outside the town of Beny-sur-Mer for a brief ceremony.

Our day is complete with a late afternoon tour of the German Costal Battery of Longues-sur-Mer which was featured in the film “The Longest Day”. Supper will be served in your hotel that evening. (B,D)

DAY - 3 SATURDAY: JUNE 7 / AUGUST 23 / SEPTEMBER 27 — After breakfast, we will tour the town of Authie and then depart for the infamous L’Abbaye D’Ardennes (12th SS HQ) where Canadian POW’s were murdered. Remaining almost

Dieppe: The Enemy Advantage

the same as it was on June 7, 1944, this is the site where actions taken at this location would result in the famous trial of Brig. Gen Kurt Meyer. The afternoon will be complete with in depth tours of Omaha Beach, Coleville Cemetery, Point du Hoc and St. Mere Eglise. We then travel to Le Mesnil Patry for an overview of the events at that location by the Mayor who was a boy of 12 in 1944. Supper will be at that location with the local dignitaries. (B,D)

DAY - 4 SUNDAY: JUNE 8 / AUGUST 24 / SEPTEMBER 28 — After breakfast, we depart for Dieppe and then onwards to the WW1 areas. We will cross the famous Pont Normandie and then tour the infamous Canadian landing site at Dieppe. We will then proceed to Ypres to arrive at our hotel.

On August 19, 1942, the Essex & Kent Scottish regiment was part of an Allied force that stormed the landing site at Dieppe in a daring raid against fortified German positions. Operation Jubilee included 6,100 allied troops, 5,000 of which were Canadians. After nine hours of intense fighting, the raid was over and 907 Canadians paid the ultimate price.

Although Dieppe was not a military victory, it was an impressive and memorable example of Canadian gallantry and endurance. Two Canadians were awarded Britain’s highest honour, the Victoria Cross, for their bravery.

The new and recently unveiled Dieppe monument is dedicated to the memory of all Veterans who gave their lives in the Second World War during the raid on Dieppe and the Allied advance through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Ypres is a reconstructed medieval town which had been completely destroyed in WW1 and rebuilt exactly just prior to WW2. This is the city which Winston Churchill wanted to create into a National Commonwealth Park. It is also the site of many of the History Channel’s documentaries on “Finding the Fallen”. That evening we will start our 2-night stay at the Novotel Hotel located just off the town square. (B)

Remembering Dieppe
Aug., 2007 - Paul Dumaine, representing Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, lays a wreath in honour of his regiment. The monument is only steps away from where Mr. Dumaine lay wounded on the beach before being captured.

DAY - 5 MONDAY: JUNE 9 / AUGUST 25 / SEPTEMBER 29 — A full day including a visit to an actual Canadian trench system of April 26, 1915. We will also tour Mount Sorel, Hill 62, Sanctuary Woods, Brooding Soldier Monument, St. Juliann and Essex Farm, Lt. Col John McCrae’s famous Advanced Dressing Station, where John McCrae wrote his famous poem, In Flanders Field. You will see with your own eyes how the words were chosen and understand the reasons for the poem, which was to become the lasting definition of WW1. This evening witness The Belgian Bugle Ceremony at the Menin Gates of Ypres which has been held every night since 1919. (B)

DAY - 6 TUESDAY: JUNE 10 / AUGUST 26 / SEPTEMBER 30 — Depart for Arras and the WW1 area of the Somme. Here, we will tour Beaumont Hamel, Courcelette, and Pozieres, all part of the July 1, 1916 offensive. We will also visit the famous and stately British monument of Thiepval, commemorating the tremendous number of soldiers with no known grave who became missing in the various Battles of the Somme. Canadian Exchange Students will conduct your tour of Beaumont Hamel. During our lunch break we will tour a newly found trench system complete with a hospital and Jail. That evening we will stay at the famed Hotel Moderne located in downtown Arras. (B)

DAY - 7 WEDNESDAY: JUNE 11 / AUGUST 27 / OCTOBER 1 —
After

breakfast, we will tour Canada’s
famed Vimy Memorial just after visiting the French National Monument to War at Notre Dame de Lorrette. During our visit we will descend into the famed Vimy subway system which linked the rear area with the front line. Later in the day we will visit the local Canadian cemeteries, including Cabaret Rouge where the Unknown Soldier was selected.

Lastly we visit the somber German Cemetery for the region. That evening we return to our hotel for a free evening. (B,D)

DAY - 8 THURSDAY: JUNE 12 / AUGUST 28 / OCTOBER 2 — After an early breakfast, we transfer to Charles De Gaulle Airport for our return flight to Toronto. (B)

Price & Inclusions

Your Tour Host: Lt. Col. (Ret) Collin Edward “Ed” Rayment, founding member of the Canadian Armed Forces Liaison Council

Price: $3,489.00 Cdn, per person (double occupancy). Single accommodation, if available, add $1,000.00 Cdn.

Prices are accurate at the time of printing and are based on current exchange rates, hotel room rates, fuel prices etc. We reserve the right to alter these prices at any time prior to departure, should changes occur, subject to limitations imposed by law.

Reservation & Deposit: $1,000 Cdn deposit at the time of booking. Cancellation insurance must be taken out at the time of the deposit. Balance due 60 days prior to start of tour.

Form of Payment: Cheque or cash preferred (make payable to Battlefield Legacy Tours), Visa, Mastercard, American Express & Diners Club also accepted.

Price includes:
    • Accommodation as per itinerary, or similar.
    • All transfers and entrance fees.
    • All breakfasts provided as well as indicated meals.

Not included: Air transportation to and from Paris, gratuities, personal beverages, taxes and service charges, travel and cancellation insurance.

Terms & Conditions

Advanced reservations required. (See reservation & Deposit, above.) This offer is not combinable with any other packages. Date restrictions apply. Rates plus taxes and service are based on availability. Package is applicable to new reservations only. Guests must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. Other conditions may apply.

Luggage: Limit of one suitcase and one small tote bag as hand luggage per person. Porterage is not always available.

Escort / Host: Tours is accompanied by an experienced Canadian escort who will personally meet you at Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) and remain with you until the end of the tour when you enter the departures lounge.

Accommodation: Kindly note that the names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you. In the event of accommodation not becoming available at any of the above mentioned hotels we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.

Our offer is based on usage of base category rooms at the mentioned hotels (unless specified otherwise) and if this category of rooms is not available we shall try to confirm accommodation in next available higher category of rooms and shall advise supplementary cost involved while conveying the status.

Handicapped Persons: Must be accompanied by a companion of their choice who is able to administer any necessary assistance. Please notify us of any special requirements including any dietary restrictions.

Responsibility: It is understood that Battlefield Legacy Tours and its suppliers will not be accountable for —

   a.) Any inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration
         whether physical of mental however caused.

   b.) Non-performance on the part of any hotel or any other accommodation for any act of
         omission that cannot be directly attributed to the neglect of Battlefield Legacy Tours who
         reserves the right to decline any person, as a member of the tour should such person’s
         presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort and enjoyment of the other
         tour members. Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a refund if
         services are unused. By booking a tour and making a deposit, you agree to the above
         terms andconditions.

Identification: Canadian citizens require a valid passport to travel on this tour which must be valid for the period 6 months after the start of the selected tour. It is the guest’s responsibility to have the proper travel documents. Failure to have proper travel documents is not covered by any cancellation insurance.

Insurance: It is strongly recommended that cancellation and medical insurance be purchased to cover unplanned cancellation and/or emergency, such as illness to you or a family member before OR during the tour. In the event insurance is not purchased, you will be responsible for any costs relating to hospitalization and early return home. Complete details of coverage and exclusions are available from your agent.

Booking Information

Battlefield Legacy Tours may be contacted for booking or inquiries at 416 482 8610 or Toll free:
1 800 510-9963. e-mail: info@compassrosetravel.ca

By booking a tour or making a deposit, you agree to the above terms and conditions.