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WWI and WWII Battlefields

Operated by: Trafalgar

12 Days from $3,550 per person
APR - OCT 2023
Wwi And Wwii Battlefields

Countries Visited

England, France, Belgium, Netherlands ...more England, France, Belgium, Netherlands

Locations Visited

London, Portsmouth, Caen, Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy Beaches, Paris, Amiens, Dunkirk, Lille, Ypres, Bruges, Amsterdam, Volendam ...more London, Portsmouth, Caen, Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy Beaches, Paris, Amiens, Dunkirk, Lille, Ypres, Bruges, Amsterdam, Volendam
  1. 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 traditional English pub Welcome Reception.

    meals Welcome Reception
    hotel Park Plaza Riverbank
  2. 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, we 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 visiting a traditional English pub.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Park Plaza Riverbank
  3. Day 3 Cross the English Channel to Caen

    We journey south to Portsmouth and leave British shores bound for Caen by ferry this afternoon. After dinner on the ferry, we transfer to our hotel in Caen.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Novotel Côte de Nacre
  4. Day 4 Explore the D-Day Normandy Beaches

    Take yourself back to June 6, 1944. Imagine the terror and bravery of thousands of soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy to free Europe from the Nazis. This morning, we visit the Memorial de Caen to learn about the significance of Normandy and the day that changed World War II.  Then journey to the historic D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, including Juno Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Visit the American Cemetery and Memorial to learn about the Canadian, American, and Commonwealth involvement in this unbelievable battle for supremacy.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Novotel Côte de Nacre
  5. Day 5 Journey to Elegant Paris

    Journey inland through Normandy today, bound for the grand boulevards of Paris. Perhaps join us for an optional visit to the glittering Palace of Versailles before arriving in the French capital.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Mercure Vaugirard Porte de Versailles
  6. Day 6 Discover the Delights of Paris

    Join your Local Specialist to visit the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then delve into the lives of Parisians, wandering through the enchanting hidden squares and secret passages of one of Paris's oldest neighbourhoods. Our 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.  This evening, you may wish to enjoy a traditional Parisian Cabaret.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Mercure Vaugirard Porte de Versailles
  7. Day 7 Onwards to the Somme Battlefields and Amiens

    The bloody battlefields of the Somme take centre stage today. Stop at the Villers-Bretonneux memorial to the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. Carry on to Thiepval to see the poignant memorial which honours the 72,337 missing British and South African men who died with no known graves. We journey to Amiens for an evening at leisure.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Mercure Cathedrale
  8. Day 8 Venture to Vimy Ridge, Dunkirk, Fromelles and Lille

    Today we visit the memorial at Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian soldiers, who fought a battle 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. We then journey to Dunkirk, where Operation Dynamo miraculously saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain. We 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".

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Novotel Centre Grand Place
  9. Day 9 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, before making your way to Menin Gate to witness the moving Last Post Ceremony to pay tribute to over 100,000 soldiers who laid down their lives more than a century ago.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Novotel Centre Grand Place
  10. Day 10 Journey to Bruges and on to Amsterdam

    Travel to Bruges and perhaps try the delicious local chocolate and Belgium's famous frites – the perfect fried chips! Explore the cobblestone streets and medieval façades reflected in the still waters of the canals. Continue to Amsterdam, where we spend the next two nights.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Leonardo Royal
  11. Day 11 Experience Atmospheric Amsterdam Dive Into Culture Connect with Locals

    Gabled townhouses dating back centuries and leafy canals provide a beautiful backdrop for our orientation tour. Enjoy free time afterwards to explore the city on your own. Later, we Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the art of making cheese and wooden clogs, before we Connect With Locals, joining the Pauw family for a gezellig Be My Guest Farewell Dinner.

    meals Breakfast, Be My Guest
    hotel Leonardo Royal
  12. Day 12 Farewell Amsterdam

    Say tot ziens to this magical city and the fields of bravery dotted across Western Europe at the end of a remarkable trip. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

    meals Breakfast
WWI WWII Battlefields Guided Tour Map
Price Includes

Whats Included

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen
  • Optional Experiences and free time

Dining Summary

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)

Be My Guest

  • Amsterdam: Go Dutch and share a gezellig Be My Guest dinner, savouring delicious local cheeses, with the Pauw family on their dairy farm near Amsterdam.

Dive Into Culture

  • Amsterdam: The charming countryside of North Holland reveals its secrets behind perfecting Dutch cheese and crafting the traditional clog.

Iconic Experience

  • London: See London's iconic sites with a Local Specialist.
  • Caen: Discover the significance of Normandy and how it changed World War II when you visit Memorial de Caen.
  • Normandy Beaches: Learn about the American, Canadian and Commonwealth involvement in the war when you visit the American Cemetery and Memorial.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Lille: See the sights of Tyne Cot, Langemark and Vancouver Corner as you visit Ypres Salient.
  • Ypres: See the Essex Farm Cemetery where John McCrae wrote his infamous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
  • Bruges: Enjoy a day in Bruges where you can try the local decadent chocolate and explore the cobblestone streets.
  • Amsterdam: Led by your Travel Director, wander the city to see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace.

Must-see Highlights

  • : Explore London and Paris with a Local Specialist
  • : Discover Normandy, Amiens, the Somme Region, Ypres, Bruges and Amsterdam
  • : Visit the Imperial War Museum in London, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Saint-Sulpice church in Paris, Amiens Cathedral, military cemeteries throughout northern France and Belgium, the Australian National Memorial, the Caen Memorial, WWI & WWII Battlefields, the Dunkirk War Museum and evacuation beaches, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele and a cheese factory in Volendam
  • : View Buckingham Palace in London, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the cobblestone streets and canals of Bruges

Whats Included

  • : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • : Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen
  • : Optional Experiences and free time

Dates & Prices

Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.

Online Booking Process

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April 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
Apr 28 Fri
May 9 Tue
AARP Members Save up to $100
Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,625
May 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
May 12 Fri
May 23 Tue
AARP Members Save up to $100
Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,725
July 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
Jul 9 Sun
Jul 20 Thu
AARP Members Save up to $100
Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,550
August 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
Aug 6 Sun
Aug 17 Thu
AARP Members Save up to $100
Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,575
Optional Add-Ons

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Paris

Available on Day 5

Seine Cruise and Paris Illuminations

To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.
Adult Price: € 43
Note: In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.

Available on Day 5

Versailles Palace and Gardens

Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler, but loathed by the French commoners, which lead to the French Revolution. Step inside the opulent world of Versailles and our Local Specialist will take you through the palace’s Hall of Mirrors and State apartments. Then, enjoy free time to wander the symmetrical, tree-lined gardens.
Adult Price: € 73
Note: This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee., , This optional is subject to availability.

Available on Day 6

Montparnasse and Napoleon's Tomb

Take the fastest elevator in Europe to the Panoramic Observation Deck for unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower and all of the city’s iconic monuments. The highest rooftop terrace in Paris offers a breath-taking 360-degree view, with all of Paris at your feet! We’ll also visit the Dôme des Invalides with our Local Specialist to see Napoleon’s final resting place.
Adult Price: € 51

Available on Day 6

Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner

It’s world famous for a reason, and this is your chance to see the real-life inspiration behind the award-winning movie. This Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers with over 1,000 costumes to create a dazzling spectacle. You'll enjoy wine, dinner and Champagne during this unforgettable soirée at the original Parisian Cabaret!
Adult Price: € 165

Amsterdam

Available on Day 10

Dinner in a Historic Dutch House and Canal Cruise

Join us for a delicious meal of Dutch specialities, including drinks, in the elegant surroundings of this historic house. Later you’ll board our private boat and glide gently along the canals, under picturesque bridges and past elegant town-houses built on the water's edge.
Adult Price: € 73
Note: This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee., , On occasion this may operate in reverse, with the cruise before the meal.

Available on Day 11

Muiderslot, A Genuine Castle

We'll take a short drive with our Local Specialist to the imposing Muiderslot Castle, for a real taste of Dutch history. It's part of Amsterdam's Defence Line and features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During your guided tour through rooms refurbished in 17th-century style, it's easy to picture yourself in a Rembrandt painting, as it evokes the period when Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, known as the "Dutch Shakespeare", occupied the castle. We'll also enjoy a garden tour and a refreshment in a typical Dutch Inn.
Adult Price: € 58

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