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Farm Fields

The Liberation of Holland Tour Program

Normandy to the Liberation of Holland 

  -   NORMANDY   -   SOMME   -   VIMY   -   FLANDERS  -  NETHERLANDS   -

HONOURING THE 78TH ANNIVERSARY - SPRING 2023

Apr 25th - May 10th 2023

Join us, May 2023, for the 78th Liberation of Holland, to reunite for the first time in 2 years, with our Dutch friends and family. We’ll celebrate together, remembering the Canadian veterans who liberated the Netherlands from the Second World War.

Embrace the powerful Dutch and Canadian connection with us in a series of tours and gatherings to honour those who did the impossible, up against all odds, so that we could have peace today.
 

ON THIS TOUR:

NORMANDY

This tour starts in Normandy, exploring the D-Day story on the Canadian beaches of Juno, as we embark on the Road to Holland

Info

Tour Info

Destinations: Normandy, Dieppe, WW1 Somme/Vimy/Ypres, Holland
Tour Dates: Apr 25 - May 10th, 2023

Duration: 14 Nights, 15 Days        
Flight departure: [Apr 25] Flight return: [May 10] 
Flight departure [your major gateway] > [Paris], Flight Return [Amsterdam] > [Home]   

Normandy to Holland 78 | Map & Outline

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
 

  • Celebrate 78 years of remembrance in the Liberation of WW2, in Holland
     

  • Community Commemorations in Holten, Arnhem, and Groningen
     

  • Explore the grounds of Vimy Ridge, where it is famously said Canada became a Nation
     

  • Visit the German Cemetery of Langemark to find a different perspective
     

  • Beaumont Hamel: The largest fully intact, First World War battlefield in the world. It has been kept as it was and maintained by Canada. 
     

  • The Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate honouring those who fought in the Great War

Trou Map

^^^ Explore by scrolling through the cities we will be visiting, and zoom in to get familiar with the sites we're exploring on this tour.

Normandy to Holland 78:
Daily Itinerary

Itinerary

-- Tuesday Apr 25th, 2023

Depart from Toronto's Lester B Pearson Airport on your overnight flight to Paris CDG. [Dinner and breakfast will be served onboard]

Day 1 - Wednesday Apr 26th

Upon your arrival into Paris CDG, you will be met by your Tour Manager and Coach Driver before our journey to Normandy. We begin our orientation with a visit to Pegasus Bridge where the 6th British Airborne landed, captured and liberated the first house on D-Day, the Café Gondree. We continue to Caen for our hotel check-in to enjoy a relaxed afternoon before our group welcome dinner in the old port. [Overnight - Port en Bessin. (D)] 

 

Day 2 - Thursday Apr 27th 

Today we will explore the Canadian battlefields of Normandy, including visits to the Queens’ Own Rifles House - the first house liberated by Canadian forces - and the Juno Beach Center, to explore the beaches, museum, and bunkers. En route today, we will also visit Abbayes des Ardennes, to see the Canadian Memorial Garden, as well as Point 67, to discuss the devastating Battle of Verrieres Ridge. We end the day with a solemn visit to the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery. Tonight, after enjoying a local meal in Bayeux, we return to Port en Bessin for our overnight. [Overnight - Port en Bessin (B, D)] 

Day 3 - Friday  Apr 28th

Today we say our farewells to Normandy and head along the French coast to the seaside resort town of Dieppe. Here, we will explore the Blue Beach at Puys to view the gun emplacements on the cliff tops, which, on Aug 19, 1942, were responsible for such terrible Canadian casualties. We will also visit the Dieppe Canadian Cemetery before traveling to the main landing beaches of Red and White on the Dieppe seafront. In the late afternoon, we continue our drive to the City of Arras, in the North of France, for our check-in and overnight. [Overnight - Arras (B, D)]

Day 4 - Saturday Apr 29th 

Today will be spent on the battlefields of the Somme. We start underground, at the Musee Somme 1916 in the Town of Albert. We continue to explore the largest preserved battlefield in the world, at Beaumont Hamel - dedicated to the Royal Newfoundland and Labrador Regiment who lost so many men on that first day of battle. After enjoying a locally made picnic lunch, we will view the Lochnagar Crater, the largest man-made, non-nuclear crater in the world. We will also see the Memorial to the Missing at Thiepval, the Tank Monument at Pozieres and the Canadian monument at Courcelette. This evening, we return to the gothic city of Arras, with time to explore the city and enjoy dinner on our own. [Overnight - Arras  (B)]

Day 5 - Sunday Apr 30th 

Today we will visit the Canadian Memorial at Hill 70 to commemorate the Battle of Hill 70 - oftentimes dubbed as “Canada’s Forgotten Battle”. In the afternoon, we continued to Vimy Ridge Memorial Park. It was here, at Hill 145, on April 1917, that Canada truly became a nation in the eyes of the world. Its troops combined and stormed Vimy Ridge after all other allied forces had failed to do so. We will tour the tunnels, trenches and memorial, as well as the new interpretation centre, which opened in Spring 2017 for the 100th Anniversary. When our explorations of the battlefields are through, we continue on to Ypres the City of Peace. After checking into our hotel we will enjoy an early group meal together in the heart of Ypres’ Grote Markt. Tonight, at 8PM, we will witness the iconic and historic Last Post Ceremony, at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, led by the Ieper Fire Department & the Last Post Association. This daily act of homage is among the most memorable acts of remembrance that we will witness on our tour. [Overnight - Ypres (B, D)] 

Day 6 - Monday May 1st

Today we explore the Ypres Salient of WW1. We begin our introduction with a visit to Essex Farm, the place where John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. We will also visit the Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery - the largest Commonwealth Cemetery, of any conflict, in the world. We then discuss the Battle of Passchendaele, with visits to the Crest Farm Memorial. We continue further to explore the German Cemetery of Langemark, and the 'Brooding Soldier' at St Julien, marking the place of the first gas attacks against the 1st Canadian Corps. Lastly, we take a visit to the Hooghe Crater, and Hill 62 - a small area of the original battlefield and part of the Canadian Front Line. This evening, we return to Ypres where you can enjoy exploring and dining in Ypres at your own pace. [Overnight -  Ypres (B)]

Day 7 - Tuesday May 2nd

Today we drive north to Holland, as we continue to follow the First & Second World War story in Western Europe. Enroute, we explore the mobilization, occupation and liberation of Flanders through lively dioramas at the Canada Poland Museum. As we drive to our hotel in Holland we will discuss the Battle of Arnhem. Upon arrival into Arnhem, we will see the John Frost Bridge, (A Bridge Too Far). We arrive in time for some rest and relaxation before our "Welcome Dinner", where we will have the opportunity to meet the rest of our Canadian traveling companions. [Overnight Nijmegen-Lent (D)].

Day 8 - Wednesday May 3rd

After breakfast, we make the drive to Lisse to visit the Keukenhof Gardens, home to Europe’s largest garden, home to 7 million tulip bulbs planted annually. After the war, the Dutch people and their Royal family expressed their thanks to Canada by sending thousands of tulip bulbs to Ottawa. The Gift of Tulips became a yearly tradition. Approximately 10,000 of the bulbs from the Keukenhof are gifted to Canada each year. Before returning to Arnhem we will see the Kinderdijk Windmills UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest of all windmill sites in the Netherlands, where we’ll discuss more about Holland's history & heritage. Tonight, we return back to the hotel for our dinner and overnight.[Overnight - Nijmegen (B, D)].

Day 9 - Thursday May 4th

**Private Community Wreath Laying Ceremonies at the Holten and Lochem** Today is Remembrance Day in the Netherlands. After breakfast, we depart for the breathtaking Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Holten. Here we will explore the new Holten exhibits in their new and impressive interpretation centre, before uniting with Holten’s staff and community for a wreath laying ceremony. Before returning to our hotel for dinner, we will also get the opportunity to visit the Canadian Clubhouse, home to the 005 Canadian Legion of the Netherlands for a big and beautiful lunch. Later, Barry Swarthoff, will show us his collection at the Liberation Museum in Lochem, while showing what his community does to honor the Canadians. [Overnight -Nijmegen-Lent (B, L, D)]

Day 10 - Friday May 5th

After breakfast, we take the short drive to Wageningen. On 5 May 1945 German Commander General Blaskowitz met with Canadian General Foulkes, here, at the Hotel de Wereld. There they negotiated the surrender document for all German forces in the Netherlands. This afternoon, we head to Apeldoorn to walk the street of the Thank you Canada Lane - home of the ‘Man with Two Hats’ Memorial to Canada. Here we will lay a wreath to commemorate the veterans we’ve held hands with down this lane. This afternoon, we return to our hotel for dinner and a good rest, or take the chance to see the Memorial Crossing over Nijmegen. [Overnight -  Nijmegen-Lent (B, D)]

Day 11 - Saturday May 6th 

**Drive to Groningen**  This morning we take an early and leisurely drive up to Groningen in the northern part of the Netherlands. Liberated by the 2nd Division in April of 1945, the Canadians up here had to fight for four long days to liberate the city, suffering 43 fatalities, 166 wounded.110 civilians were also tragically caught in the crossfire. This afternoon, we will meet our local guide before exploring the central market square. Here, the heaviest fighting took place - the scars still bear witness to the action 77 years ago. Despite the loss and destruction, the citizens of Groningen were determined to celebrate their liberation - and in the early evening, we will honour that memory in celebration with our local friends in a private dinner event in the heart of the city. After dinner, we take the drive back to Nijmegen, enjoy the option of watching a film on board. [Overnight - Nijmegen-Lent (B, D)]

Day 12 - Sunday May 7th 

**Special visit to the NMM**  Today, we’ll make the drive out to the National Military Museum in Soesterberg who has invited us to join them for a special introduction. Upon arrival, we will be welcomed with coffee and tea, followed by the orientation of the New Lancaster Pavillion - Nowhere in the world is an aircraft exhibited in this way. A beautiful tribute to the seven crew members of this Lancaster NN775. We’ll partake in an orientation tour, followed by a museum visit for you to explore the museum at your own pace. A large part of the museum’s ground floor is furnished with Canadian and German WWII equipment. [Overnight -  Nijmegen-Lent (B, D)]

Day 13  Monday May 8th 

**VE DAY in Europe** Today marks the 78th Anniversary of Victory Day in Europe. We begin our day with a visit to the Hartenstein Hotel, the HQ of the beleaguered Airborne Forces in Operation Market Garden - now a remarkable museum before heading to the city of Nijmegen for an orientation tour and lunch before a private wreath laying ceremony in honour of our good friend, Bud Weeks, at the foot of the Sherman Tank. This afternoon, we continue to Groesbeek with a visit to the Liberation Museum. We finish our day in the Canadian Military Cemetery of Groesbeek to pay our respects. [Overnight - Nijmegen-Lent (B, D)]

Day 14 - Tuesday May 9th

Today we take a drive out to Zeeland to visit the Liberation Museum of Zealand and Liberation Park to discuss the Battle of the Scheldt. Zeeland was the hardest-hit province in the occupation, and the effects of the Battle for the Scheldt were felt far beyond. This single operation cost the Canadians more casualties than any other operation during the whole of WWII. After our orientations we head to Yerseke to sample some of their world renowned seafood for lunch. We end our day with a solemn visit to the Canadian War Cemetery of Bergen-Op-Zoom. Before the day's end, we will also visit the small village of Woensdrecht. Here, the Black Watch and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry engaged with the German 6th Paratrooper Regiment in a fierce battle on October 13th, 1944 - "Black Friday” as it is known, due to the high losses of men from both Canadian unit - however, victory was achieved, and it paved the way in cutting off a large number of German forces in the battle of the Scheldt. Tonight we return to our hotel for our dinner and overnight. [Overnight - Nijmegen-Lent (B, D)]

Day 15 - Wednesday May 10th 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Schiphol Amsterdam airport for our flights back to Canada. [(B) Meals onboard]. **Option to extend to Berlin or Amsterdam with visits to Anne Frank & the Dutch Resistance Museum**


TOUR END

***This itinerary is subject to changes***

 keep up to date, by signing up for our weekly update 

Thinking about arranging a custom pre-tour or post-tour extension to your in Europe? We encourage it! 

 

Should you have any questions regarding your flight, insurance, or travel extension options, we encourage you to reach out to your local travel agent. If you don't have a local agent, contact our host travel agency: 


DH TOUR OFFICE

(Office Phone) 905-639-9954 
(Toll-Free) 1-888-597-3519 | karen@dhtour.ca 

 

 

Paris, France.jpg

^^^ Arrival into Paris, France

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^^^ Explore the Canadian Beaches of Normandy

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^^^ Explore the beaches of Dieppe

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^^^ Exploring Vimy Ridge Memorial & the Somme

Cloth Hall Ypres.jpg

^^^ Exploring the City of Peace - Ypres, Belgium, and its famous Cloth Hall in the heart of Flanders Fields 

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^^^ We travel up to Arnhem, to see a Bridge Too Far

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^^^ Participating in the Commemorative Community Ceremony at the Holten Canadian CWGC

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^^^ A visit to the Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen 

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^^^ A visit to Bergen Op Zoom CWGC Cemetery

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^^^ Watch the moving Sunset March over the Nijmegen Crossing overlooking our hotel

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^^^ Exploring the Liberation Museum grounds in the Scheldt

Amsterdam.jpg

^^^ Depart out of Amsterdam, with optional extension

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If you have any questions or special requests, let us know! 

Want to extend for a few nights in Amsterdam? We have the perfect tour for you, click here. 

Minimum Tour Capacity:

20 Travellers per 40 seat coach

Maximum Tour Capacity: 

25 Travellers per 50 seat coach

Inclusions

This Tour Includes...

Tour pricing comes with the following inclusions & exclusions:

Inclusions

Exclusions

Airfare - this is a land only itinerary

 

Lunches (L),Most  Dinners (D) + and drinks with dinner
 

Single Room Supplement

Gratuities owed to tour staff (may we suggest 5EUR per person, per day)

 

Porterage (luggage handling to your room available upon request)

Travel Insurance (please contact your travel agent / DH Tour if you need assistance booking medical or trip cancellation insurance)

 

Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class (3 - 4 Star Hotels)

Full-Time Experienced Battlefield Tour Manager

All Entrances as per your Itinerary

Executive Motor Coach with Washroom/AC/tea/coffee

 

Breakfast (B) throughout,

Most Dinners (D) 

 

Online Custom Map Kit & Tour Resource & Info Guide

 

All surcharges, fees, and departure taxes

Tour Pricing

$6,285 CAD

$1,110 CAD

Land only - per person, based on twin occupancy

Single Supplement

**Air is available from all major Canadian cities - please contact your Travel Agent for more information**

 

TOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Initial Deposit: $500.00 (of which $300 is non-refundable) to guarantee your space is due immediately

Were you registered for the 2020 tour?
2023 re-registration is required!

Your Remaining Balance:  Due by Thursday, February 24, 2023 (60 days prior to departure)

METHOD OF PAYMENT

All funds will be collected by our host agency, DH Tour. If you would like to use your credit card, our agency will collect your payment details over the phone after you have registered. DH Tour accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as cash and cheque payments. 
 

Personal cheques can be made to:

“DH Tour”

Attn to: Karen Burwood [Travel Manager]

Mail to: 2289 Fairview St. Suite 321, Burlington ON  L7R 2E3

Read our Group Terms & Conditions here

Read our Covid-19 Terms here

Pricing

Where to go from here

Next Steps

Download and/or print full program information
 

REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023
 

Early registration is recommended for this battlefield program - This program will not be made available to more than 25 travellers, register as soon as possible to hold your space

 

No payment is required to register - An initial deposit of $500 CAD ($300 is non-refundable) will be called upon you to reserve/secure your spot.

 

Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure
[Thursday, February 24th, 2023]


 
Have questions about our tour program? Contact:
Tour Operator - The Battlefield Tours - SAMANTHA COWAN p: 1-639-998-3474  e:samantha@thebattlefieldtours.com
 
Don't have a travel agent and have questions about your flight or insurance options? Contact:
Our Host Travel Agent - DH Tour - KAREN BURWOOD p: 905-639-9954  e: karen@dhtour.ca
 

Tour contact info

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