Canada’s First and Official Leading Tour Operator for Canadian Battlefields
Trusted as Canada’s longest-running battlefield tour operator, we have proudly escorted Canadian Veterans and their families for over 30 years—honouring their stories, their service, and the generations who follow in their footsteps.
The Italian Campaign
- ROME - CASSINO - CATANIA - CAMPOBASSO - FRANCAVILLA AL MARE - ORTONA - RIMINI - SAN MARINO - VENICE
SEPTEMBER 1 - 12 2026
12 Days / 11 Nights
Start Date: Septermber 1st 2026
End Date: Septermber 12th 2026
Start: Rome, Italy
Ends: Venice, Italy
Group Size: 15- 35
Minimum for tour guarantee: 15
REGISTRATION OPEN
Physical Activity Level: As with all our tours, the focus is on experiencing the battlefields firsthand. While we do include select museum visits, much of our time is spent outdoors, often walking on sandy beaches, grassy fields, and cobblestone streets. Please be prepared for a moderate amount of walking throughout the tour.
If you use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, we kindly ask that you review our Wheelchair Policy in advance.
Walk in the footsteps of heroes—through the Italian Campaign, where Canadian courage shaped the course of history.
Over 12 unforgettable days, we trace the Canadian journey through Italy. From Rome, also known as the Eternal City, we move south to the shattered towns of Cassino, across the fierce battlegrounds of Sicily, through the Adriatic front and the Gothic Line, and onward into the Po Valley before reaching Venice, a city of canals and culture that stands in peaceful contrast to the battlegrounds of the past.
This is more than a sightseeing trip, it is a pilgrimage in remembrance of the Canadian and Allied soldiers whose valor and sacrifice shaped history here in 1943 and 1944.
Throughout this carefully guided itinerary, our expert historians and local guides will bring the stories of these battles alive: from museum exhibits and cemeteries to the ruins and rebuilt landmarks that bear witness to both destruction and renewal. Together, we keep their legacy alive.
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Explore
Rome
Start your journey with a full day exploring the heart of ancient and modern Rome. Highlights include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Colosseum, all guided by a local expert.
Italy Tour 2026 | Pricing
$ 6,585 CAD
$ 7,505 CAD
Land only - per person, based on double occupancy
Land Only - Solo Traveller
**Air is available from all major Canadian cities
TOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Initial Deposit: $500, ($300 of which is non-refundable) to guarantee your space is due immediately
Your Remaining Balance: Due 60 days prior to departure:
July 1st 2026
YOUR TOUR INCLUSIONS:
Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class Hotels throughout (3-4*)
All Entrances as per your Itinerary
Full-Time Tour Manager & Escort
Transportation in fully air-conditioned, ozone filtered executive coach with washroom
Meal Inclusions
11 Breakfasts
11 Dinners
Online Custom Map Kit, Tour Resource & Info Guide
All service fees, surcharges, fees, and departure taxes
YOUR TOUR HIGHTLIGHTS:
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Explore Ancient Rome with a local guide
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Visit the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Colosseum
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Walk the battlefields of Cassino and the Liri Valley
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Tour Montecassino Abbey and Polish Memorials
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Fly to Sicily and visit Leonforte, Agira, and Pachino
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Pay respects at the Canadian War Cemetery in Agira
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Stroll through Campobasso, the Maple Leaf City
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Discover Ortona’s battlefield sites and Casa Berardi
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Trace the Gothic Line near Rimini
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Visit Coriano Ridge and the Gurkha Cemetery
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Wander the mountaintop republic of San Marino
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Enjoy a walking tour through Venice’s historic canals
TOUR EXCLUSIONS:
Airfare - this is a tour only itinerary (we are happy to arrange airfare for you) Transfers Lunches (L), + and drinks with dinner Gratuities owed to tour staff (may we suggest 5EUR per person, per day) Porterage (luggage handling to your room available upon request) Travel Insurance (link provided to our trusted insurance partner)
Thinking about arranging your travels even further?
Contact us at info@thebattlefieldtours.com
& we will happily provide suggestions to enhance your experience!
Italy Tour 2026 | Itinerary
Day 1 Tuesday September 1st | Arrival in Rome
Upon arriving in Rome and clearing customs, you will be greeted by our tour manager and board our coach. We begin with a brief orientation tour of the city before arriving at the hotel for our welcome dinner followed by an early night. Overnight: Rome
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 Wednesday, September 2nd | Introduction to Rome
This morning, a local guide will meet us at our hotel for a full day tour of Rome. You will be visiting the Vatican Museum, view the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica before touring on to visit Ancient Colosseum. Dinner will be at a favourite local restaurant of ours, near your hotel. [Overnight – Rome (B, D)]
Overnight: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 Thursday, September 3rd | Anzio to Cassino
After breakfast, we will tour south to Anzio, with a visit to the Anzio Beachhead Museum, before continuing on to the infamous Gustav Line and into the Liri Valley - where Allied troops fought vicious battles while on the march to liberate Rome. Our first stop will be in a museum atop the Monte Leuci, a strategic point captured by Canadian troops in 1943. After a brief stop in Pontecorvo, near the old Hitler Line, we complete our day by travelling to the town of Cassino. Destroyed by the 1943 fighting, the town has been rebuilt on higher ground. Here, we will enjoy our dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Cassino
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4 Friday, September 4th | Exploring Caira & Cassino
This morning we tour onto The Winter Line Museum and the curator will give us a personal tour. We will then visit the Commonwealth Cemetery in the town of Cassino, before driving up the mountain above to the Abbey on Montecassino. This famous landmark, built in 529 was destroyed in 1943, then rebuilt in the 1960’s, now housing a beautiful chapel. While on the mountain you will visit the Polish obelisk and the Sherman tank monument at Albaneto Farm before paying respect to the Polish soldiers buried in the scenic cemetery nearby. Tonight’s dinner will be at your hotel in Cassino.
Overnight: Cassino
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5 Saturday, September 5th | Travelling to Catania
This morning, we fly from Napoli to Catania where we will then explore the terrain and visit the scenes of the First Division taking Leonforte and Agira, in one of the toughest campaigns in the toughest of conditions - a harrowing and captivating tale. We will also pay our respects at the Canadian CWG Cemetery outside Agira before finishing our day at our hotel in Catania.
Overnight: Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6 Sunday, September 6th | Pacino
This morning, we will tour down to Pacino to see the landings in Sicily by the Canadian, British, and American Forces establishing the successful invasion Force in all of Occupied Europe. We will also explore more of Catania's Ancient Roman city before dinner.
Overnight: Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 Monday, September 7th | The Maple Leaf City
Today, we fly back to Napoli, crossing over the mountains and touring towards the Adriatic Coast to Campobasso. In the 1940 & 1939s this was the Maple Leaf City, a place where the Canadian Troops were able to enjoy a bit of R & R. Both our team at the Battlefield Tours and the local communities of Campobasso highly encourage this tradition to continue! Tonight, we arrive in Francavilla al Mare where we enjoy our dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Francavilla al Mare
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8 Tuesday, September 8th | Ortona
Today we visit the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, the Church at San Donato and the infamous Gully. We will take a circular route to Sterlin’s Castle, then Casa Berardi, where Paul Triquet of the “Vandoos” Regiment won his Victoria Cross. We then pass through to Cider Crossroads before re-entering into Ortona. This town was the scene of terrible fighting involving the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders who carried out their “mouseholing” technique against the 1st German Parachute Division.
Overnight: Francavilla al Mare
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 Monday, September 9th | North to Rimini
This morning you will head north along the Adriatic Coast past Pescara, Ancona and Pesaro to Rimini. Along the way, we will turn west to follow what was the German Army’s haunted Gothic Line. Visits to Casinina to view the old bunkers, a museum commemorating the Gothic Line, the Italian monument dedicated to the Canadians at Tavullia, the Cemetery at Montecchio, and the Cemetery at Gradara will make for a full day. Tonight we will overnight and savour our dinner in Forli.
Overnight: Rimini
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10 Tuesday, September 10th | San Marino
After breakfast, we will visit the Coriano Ridge Cemetery - a mute testament to the fighting along the Gothic Line. The nearby tiny nation-state of San Marino offers a scenic panorama which we will view from the mountaintop of the old, walled town. After a brief visit to the Ghurka Cemetery, you will have some time in the afternoon to roam the beaches of Rimini or shop in town.
Overnight: Rimini
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 11 Wednesday, September 11th | Po Valley to Venice
Our coach will take us into the Po Valley - the last area of fighting for the Canadian 1st Division before being moved to invade France in late 1944. We continue on to Venice, where we will explore the heart, enjoying a walking tour of San Marco, Rialto and the Ducal Palace. After what will be a dream of a day, let us join together for our final dinner at a favourite local restaurant in the heart of the city.
Overnight: Venice, Mestre
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 12 Thursday, September 12th | Departure home (or) Option to Extend
After breakfast, we transfer to Venice Airport for the return trip home. [Lunch & Snacks Served on board as per flight itinerary]
***This itinerary is subject to changes***
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
FLIGHTS
Our team is happy to arrange your flight itinerary. We work closely with all major airlines and will find you the best fit and cost for your tour. Whether you are planing to arrive early to your destination and explore a pre tour or extending your trip we have you covered! Hotels, sight seeing entrances & airport transfers...we do it all for you so your journey is as smooth as possible.
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Questions?
We are here to help & a member of our team will get back yo to you within 24 hours.