WWI & WWII Battlefields
Lest we forget, this sobering journey through the battlefields of WWI and WWII reminds us of the millions of lives lost in these 20th century conflicts.
Explore the poignant moments of the Battle of Britain, D-Day Landing, infamous Somme and the Battle of Dunkirk immortalized forever in the museums, memorials and cemeteries that dot the French, Belgian and Dutch countrysides.
Overview
Lest we forget, this sobering journey through the battlefields of WWI and WWII reminds us of the millions of lives lost in these 20th century conflicts.
Explore the poignant moments of the Battle of Britain, D-Day Landing, infamous Somme and the Battle of Dunkirk immortalized forever in the museums, memorials and cemeteries that dot the French, Belgian and Dutch countrysides.
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive London (2 Nights)
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. -
Day 3: London – Sightseeing and included Imperial War Museum Visit
Towering Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey feature on this half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, which also includes views of the English Royals' Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, we visit the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of those whose lives were shaped by war since World War I to today. -
Day 4: London – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Overnight Ferry to Caen
We journey south to Portsmouth, stopping at the fascinating Historic Dockyard for an insider view into the past, present and future of the Royal Navy. We'll also visit the HMS Monitor M33, the Royal Navy's sole surviving warship from the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign and the only warship from World War I open to the public of the three that remain intact today. Learn about the heroism of the sailors whose lives were intertwined in the service of this ship, including the Dardanelles Campaign of 1915-16, the Russian Civil War and its work as a mine-laying training ship in Portsmouth. Tonight dine at a local restaurant and then board an overnight ferry crossing the English Channel to France. -
Day 5: Overnight Ferry – D-Day Normandy Beaches – Bayeux
Disembark from the ferry this morning after an early breakfast. We journey to the historic D-Day Normandy landing beaches and learn about British, Commonwealth and American involvement in this unbelievable battle for supremacy. Later, we stop in Bayeux and see the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England. -
Day 6: Bayeux – Visit Memorial de Caen – Amiens
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. You'll also receive a souvenir D-Day Landing beach booklet, before traveling to Amiens to see its 13th century Gothic Cathedral, the largest of its kind in France. -
Day 7: Amiens – Somme Battlefields – Paris (2 Nights)
An early start sees us visit the bloody battlefields of the Somme. Stop at Thiepval to see the poignant memorial which honours the 72,191 missing British and South African men who died with no graves. Visit the thick tangle of oaks and birch and remains of trenches that are all that is left in Delville Wood (Devils Wood). We journey to Paris, our home for the next two nights and enjoy an evening at leisure exploring the City of Light. -
Day 8: Paris Sightseeing
Join your Local Specialist for an insider view into the lives of Parisians, wandering through the enchanting hidden squares and secret passages of one of Paris's oldest historical neighborhoods. Our short insider walk concludes in one of the city's loveliest squares off the beaten tourist track, but a real favorite among the locals. We ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower to see the city in all its splendor, spending the rest of the day at our leisure to see the sights. Consider an Optional Experience to the opulent Palace of Versailles. This evening you may wish to soak up the pageantry of a traditional Parisian Cabaret. -
Day 9: Paris – Vimy Ridge – Fromelles – Lille (2 Nights)
We travel north to the memorial at Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who fought a battle here in 1917 during the First World War. This horrific battle and the bravery of the men who fought in it came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation. Later, we visit Fromelles where there was a combined operation between British troops and the Australian Imperial Force, described as the "worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history". -
Day 10: Lille – Excursion to Ypres Battlefields – Passchendaele – 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 Passchendaele 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 McCrea wrote his immortal poem - ‘In Flanders Fields'. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure before making your way to Menin Gate to witness the moving Last Post Ceremony at 8.00pm to pay tribute to over 100,000 Australian soldiers who laid down their lives in war over more than a century. -
Day 11: Lille – Dunkirk – Bruges – Amsterdam (2 Nights)
Travel to Dunkirk where we will visit the ‘Musée Dunkerque 1940' located in Bastion 32, the headquarters for the French and Allied forces during the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo. Gain an insight into the largest evacuation effort in military history and see where many scenes of ‘Dunkirk' where filmed in the city where the events actually happened. Travel to the picturesque town of Bruges for free time for lunch and perhaps try the delicious local chocolate and Belgium's famous friets – the perfect fried chip! Explore the cobblestone streets with charming medieval step-roofed houses and imposing churches reflected in the still waters of the canals. Continue to Amsterdam where we spend the next two nights. -
Day 12: Amsterdam Orientation
Gabled façades dating back centuries and leafy canals provide a beautiful backdrop for our orientation tour to see such sights as the Mint Tower, Dam Square and Museum Square. Enjoy free time afterwards to explore the city. Later, we visit the quaint town of Volendam for a Cultural Insight into the art of making Galcheeses and wooden clogs, before joining the Pauw family for a gezellig Be My Guest Farewell Dinner. -
Day 13: Depart Amsterdam
Say farewell to this magical country and your newfound friends at the end of a remarkable Battlefields trip. Return transfers on the last
travel day will arrive at Amsterdam Airport at 8 am and 10 am. Conditions apply.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: $900 p.p.
Triple Discount: $70 p.p.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $109 per person.
Airport transfers: Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Amsterdam Airport at 8:00 am and 10:00 am.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Personal Flight Options
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Most Meals
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Hotel Tips
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
Meal Summary
16 meals: 11 hot buffet breakfasts, 4 dinners, 1 Regional Meal dinner; all with tea and coffee.
Included Highlights
Be My Guest
- Go Dutch and share a gezellig dinner, savouring delicious local cheeses, with the Pauw family on their dairy farm near Amsterdam
Cultural Insight
- The charming town of Volendam in North Holland reveals its secrets behind perfecting Dutch cheese and crafting the traditional clog
Local Specialist
- For included sightseeing in London and Paris
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Sightseeing Highlights
- Insider walking tour in Paris
- City tour in London
- Orientation of Portsmouth, Normandy, Bayeux, Amiens, Somme Region, Ypres, Dunkirk, Bruges, Amsterdam
- Visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and HMS Monitor 33, D-Day Beaches in Normandy, Amiens Cathedral, Military cemeteries throughout Northern France, Belgium and The Netherlands, the Bayeaux Tapestry Museum, Caen Memorial, WWI & WWII Battlefields, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Dunkirk War Museum and evacuation beaches, Passchendaele Memorial in Ypres
- See the cobblestone streets and canals of Bruges, Dam Square, the Mint Tower in Amsterdam
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
U.S. citizens traveling to England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands must have a current passport that is valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. No visa is required for U.S. citizens entering these counties.
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Currency
The currency in England is the Pound (£) and in France, Belgium and the Netherlands is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the cuisine.
Restaurants around London serve specialties such as fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, sausages, stilton cheese, and scones with clotted cream. Culinary experiences to not to miss include a traditional pub meal, afternoon tea, and full English breakfast.
The French have an ongoing love affair with food and wine. Meals are lovingly prepared and consumed leisurely through a bevy of appetizers and main courses, usually accompanied by a number of wines. Boeuf bourgignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables), coq au vin (chicken cooked with bacon in a white wine and herb sauce) and bouillabaisse (fish stew) are featured on many menus. Cheese lovers will not be disappointed with hundreds of varieties to choose from. And no visit would be complete without a visit to a pâtisserie, with its delicate pastries you will definitely be tempted.
Wine is the most popular drink in France and is consumed at both lunch and dinner. Coffee is generally served black, unless a café au lait or café crème (with milk) is requested. For a simple and inexpensive lunch or snack, stop by a local bakery or food cart for a baguette au jambon (ham sandwich), crêpes, or a buckwheat galette filled with melted gruyère cheese and mushrooms. Many restaurants also offer a simple three course menu at a reasonable price.
Dutch cuisine is simple and rustic. You might like to try specialties such as rookworst (smoked sausage), kibbeling (fried fish) and pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes). And, if you’re feeling adventurous you can try local raw herring prepared with onions and gherkins. For something sweet, try stroopwafels, a delicious chewy cookie made with two thin layers of waffle and sticky syrup filling.
Belgian food is saucy, rich, and satisfying. Try popular dishes like waterzooi (fish stew), boudin blanc sausage, stoemp (Belgian mashed potatoes), moules-frites, and waffles.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress, as well as comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof jacket with a hood. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Tipping is less common in Europe than in the U.S. Many restaurants will include a service charge in the bill. While tipping it is not required, you can leave up to 10 percent gratuity for excellent service. In bars and cafes it’s appropriate to round up or leave some small change.
In France, a 15% service compris is included by law in the price of food and drink. Tipping in addition to this service charge is never expected, but always appreciated. If you’d like to leave something extra, keep in mind that even in the fanciest restaurants, people rarely tip more than 5-10%. A good rule of thumb is to leave an extra €1 for every €20 spent. Rather than adding gratuity to your credit card slip, leave coins in the tray where the check was presented to ensure that your waiter receives it.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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
Versailles Palace And Gardens
Adult Price: €65.00
Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler. Your Local Specialist will take you through the State apartments and famous Hall of Mirrors, with free time to stroll the symmetrical tree-lined gardens. Please note: this optional is subject to availability.
Seine Cruise And Paris Illuminations
Adult Price: €38.00
Paris at night is a city transformed. Enjoy this superb 'City of Light' on a leisurely cruise along the River Seine. Afterwards, as we drive through this amazing city, we’ll stop at some vantage points for you to capture the fascinating sights on camera. In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
Moulin Rouge Cabaret And Dinner
Adult Price: €162.00
Enjoy dinner and cabaret, including wine and champagne, at the world-famous Moulin Rouge – the original Paris cabaret. Immortalized by the award-winning film of the same name, this Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes!
Nouvelle Eve Cabaret And Dinner
Adult Price: €139.00
One of the oldest and most elegant revue theatres in Paris, Nouvelle Eve is a hidden gem, where you’ll meet the Director and two of the cast members before enjoying a four-course dinner with wine. You will then experience unparalleled Parisian entertainment – including the world-famous Can-Can.
2CV Experience
Adult Price: €60.00
View the hidden gems of Paris in classic style! Enjoy a guided drive around France’s most Iconic city in France’s most iconic car - the 2 CV (a.k.a. deux chevaux). Drive off the beaten track and let your personal Parisian driver give you all the insider facts about Paris. Note: We recommend two people per car. However, if you would like three people in the rear seat, the price will be €40 per person.
Amsterdam
Dinner In A Historic Dutch House And Canal Cruise
Adult Price: €69.00
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.
Muiderslot, A Geniune Castle
Adult Price: €56.00
We'll take a short drive to imposing Muiderslot Castle, which will give us a real taste of Dutch history. It's part of Amsterdam's Defence Line and is UNESCO World Heritage Listed. During your guided tour, through rooms refurbished in 17th-century style, you'll imagine 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 is included.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
