WWI and WWII Battlefields

Day 1
Welcome to London
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.

Day 2
See the Sights of London
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.

Day 3
Cross the English Channel by Eurostar to Brussels
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.

Day 4
Venture to Dunkirk, Fromelles, Vimy Ridge and Lens
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 symbolise Canada's coming of age as a nation.

Day 5
Off to the Ypres Battlefields and Menin Gate
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.

Day 6
Discover the Somme
The battlefields of the Somme take centre stage today. Stop at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, honouring 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 artefacts 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.

Day 7
Cross Normandy to Caen
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.

Day 8
Explore the D-Day Normandy Beaches
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 centre, 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.

Day 9
Journey to Elegant Paris
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.

Day 10
Discover the Delights of Paris
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 neighbourhoods. Your walking tour concludes in one of the city's loveliest squares which is a real favourite 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.

Day 11
Au Revoir Paris
After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.

Dining Summary
3 Dinner (D)
10 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
Bayeux: Set in the Normandy countryside, arrive at Centre Equestre Bayeux, where the Ferrut family welcomes you to their working farm that has grown through generations. Over a homemade lunch prepared by Pierre, a trained pastry chef, hear about their family’s history and daily life in this rural corner of France. 
Iconic Experience
London: See London's iconic sites with a Local Specialist. 
Amiens: Visit Vimy Ridge Memorial and see the place that is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who fought in battle during 1917. 
Dunkirk: Explore Operation Dynamo, the place that saw 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain when you visit Dunkirk. 
Fromelles: Discover the rich history of the British troops and the Australian Imperial Force when you visit Fromelles.
Paris: See the site of the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI when you visit Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Paris: Visit the memorial that honours the 72,337 unknown graves of the British and South African men who fought valiantly.
Caen: Discover the significance of Normandy and how it changed World War II when you visit Memorial de Caen. 
Omaha Beach: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach. 
Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Lens: Step onto the historic battlefields of the Somme at Ocean Villas WWI Museum, founded by Avril Williams to preserve the memory of the war. Explore an original British trench, see recovered artefacts and visit the first private Remembrance Wall on the Western Front. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 
Must-see Highlights
Explore London and Paris
Discover Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, Rouen and the Normandy and Somme Regions
Visit the Imperial War Museum in London, the D-Day Landing Beaches, military cemeteries throughout northern France and Belgium, the Australian National Memorial, the Caen Memorial, WWI & WWII Battlefields, the Dunkirk War Museum and evacuation beaches, and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele
View Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower, Amiens Cathedral in Amiens, Saint-Sulpice church and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Menin Gate in Ypres