UK & European Battlefields 2026

Today begins with an orientation tour of London, including key sites from the Blitz and wartime London. We’ll then visit the Imperial War Museum, followed by a short journey to Bletchley Park, where a guided tour brings to life the once-secret home of the Enigma codebreakers—now a fascinating and dynamic heritage site. (B)

Accommodation: London or similar

This morning, we visit Brookwood Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, the only burial site in England for Canadian military personnel who lost their lives in England and France. From there, we continue to the Aldershot Military Museum, housed in the last remaining Canadian barrack room and featuring compelling exhibits from both World Wars. Our day concludes in Portsmouth with a visit to the D-Day Story Museum, with the option to explore the Historic Dockyard. (B, D)

Accommodation: Portsmouth or similar

We begin the day with an early morning cross-Channel crossing to Normandy. Upon arrival, we visit the Canadian Memorial Garden at the Abbaye d’Ardenne and continue to Verrières Ridge, where the Black Watch endured heavy losses during “Operation Spring.” We then head to our hotel to unwind and relax after the day’s journey. (B, D)

Accommodation: Juno Beach or similar

We begin today at the Juno Beach Centre, followed by a visit to the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. From there, we explore key sites along the Juno sector, including the Queen’s Own Rifles House—the first home liberated by Canadian forces on June 6th, 1944. We then visit La Chaos, a remarkably well-preserved German offshore battery, before continuing to the remains of the Mulberry Harbours at Arromanches. Our day concludes at Omaha Beach, where we’ll reflect on the immense challenges faced by American forces during the D-Day landings on what became known as “Bloody Omaha.” (B, D)

Accommodation: Juno Beach or similar

Bidding farewell to Lower Normandy, we turn our attention from the Second World War to one of its most tragic chapters as we journey to the French coastal town of Dieppe. Our first stop is Blue Beach at Puys, where the cliff-top gun emplacements played a devastating role in the heavy Canadian losses on August 19, 1942. We then visit the Dieppe Canadian Cemetery before heading to Green Beach at Pourville and the main landing sites of Red and White Beaches along the Dieppe seafront. Later, we travel on to Arras for hotel check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay. (B, D)

Accommodation: Arras or similar

We’ll spend the day exploring the Somme, starting with a visit to the Memorial to the Missing at Thiepval and then the preserved battlefield park at Beaumont Hamel, dedicated to the Royal Newfoundland & Labrador Regiment, who suffered heavy losses on that first day of battle. After a locally made picnic lunch at the Old Blighty Café, we’ll continue to the Lochnagar Crater, one of the largest on the Western Front. Our day concludes back in Arras, where you’ll have time to explore and enjoy dinner at a unique restaurant with a special surprise. (B)

Accommodation: Arras or similar

Today, we visit Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, where on Hill 145 in April 1917, Canada emerged as a nation in the eyes of the world. Canadian forces successfully captured Vimy Ridge after previous allied attempts had failed. We’ll explore the tunnels, trenches, and the memorial, along with the newly opened interpretation centre, which debuted in Spring 2017 to mark the 100th Anniversary. A locally prepared picnic lunch will be enjoyed along the way. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the new Canadian Memorial at Hill 70, often called “Canada’s Forgotten Battle.” After our battlefield explorations, we’ll continue onward to Ypres, Belgium. (B)

Accommodation: Ypres or similar

Today we explore the battlefields of the Ypres Salient. We begin with a visit to Essex Farm, where John McCrae penned the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields.” From there, we travel north to Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery—the largest Commonwealth cemetery from any conflict in the world. Our tour continues with a focus on the Battle of Passchendaele, including stops at the Crest Farm Memorial in Passchendaele. We then visit the German Cemetery at Langemark and the ‘Brooding Soldier’ monument at St. Julien, commemorating the first gas attacks on the 1st Canadian Corps in 1915. Further highlights include the Hooge Crater and Hill 62, a preserved section of the original battlefield and part of the Canadian Front Line. We conclude our day in the medieval city of Ypres, known as the ‘City of Peace.’ Tonight at 8 PM, we’ll attend the iconic Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, led by the Ieper Fire Department and the Last Post Association. This moving daily tribute is one of the most memorable acts of remembrance on our tour. After the ceremony, we’ll return to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow’s departure. (B,D)

Accommodation: Ypres or similar

After breakfast we will transfer to Brussels international airport for your return flight home. (B)