Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need to be Canadian, or live in Canada, to book your tour?

A. Not at all. Although most of our clients are indeed Canadian residents, you can join our tours from anywhere. You would simply meet up with the tour group at the hotel on the first day in Europe.

Depending on where you are coming from, we might suggest you arrive at the start point of the tour the night before, and we can assist with quoting you an additional night at the group hotel (the most convenient option). We can also assist with your air travel arrangements if you wish.

Q. I do not have any family connection to the war years. Will I find a battlefield tour interesting? Does it make sense for me to come along?

A. At least ½ of our travelers do not have any connection to the battlefields, they do not have any relatives who served. But, they find the history of this period fascinating and they have always wanted to visit the iconic places, like Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach. Perhaps this describes you as well.

We are certain you will enjoy every minute of the tour. The personal stories you will hear are compelling; walking around the places themselves is awe-inspiring; and of course there is always much more to each tour - the rich architecture, great restaurants, casual gatherings in the hotel lounge at the end of each day, and certainly some smiles and friendships along the way.

Q. I am really interested in a battlefield tour but my spouse isn't so much. Will they be bored? Should I try hard to convince them to come along?

A. Our most earnest advice would be, come together. We have had many reluctant spouses who quickly realized just how meaningful these tours are. There is so much rich history to be discovered, while standing with your feet on the ground amidst historic places. In just a day or two, they are converts. By the end of the tour, everyone is feeling tremendous pride.

Our tours are very special, and unique, unlike any trip you've taken before. You and your spouse will want to share the memories - please come together.

Q. Is there a lot of walking involved? Will I be ok if I use a walker or wheelchair?

A. There is a fair amount of walking on all our tours. In some places you may be on your feet for 30-45 minutes walking around a historical site, and at other times you may be walking 10-15 minutes from the coach to go find a restaurant for lunch, and back again. Some tours include a walk along a footpath over a bluff, or a 1hr visit to a museum, etc. Regular walking is a feature of all our tours.

While we may not be heading out for expeditions across the countryside, we are walking around sites that will involve walking for some period of time or distance. We are sometimes on sandy beaches, steeper hills and roads, stair pathways, and the like.

With all our trips, you will be ascending stairs, walking up or down hills or slopes of varying degree, walking on sand or rough pathways, etc, in order to reach some of the amazing locations on the tour.

Good personal mobility is essential.

We regret those who use walkers, canes, walking sticks or other assistance devices would not be successful on this trip and we must respectfully decline your reservation.

Q. Who typically comes on your trips, and how many people are in a group?

A. Our travelers are typically retired couples. Usually our guests are 50+, and because it is mostly couples it means our tour mix is usually an even split of women and men. Sometimes we have a family combination of parents with kids, or a mother/daughter pair, or an uncle with his nephew, it's all good! Our only requirement for younger travelers is that they be a minimum 12 years of age, to be able to appreciate the content and to allow for an appropriate comfort level for all guests.

We especially enjoy and look forward to youth travelers, we like to throw them into the mix with special tasks and assignments - but don't tell them yet!

Group sizes will vary depending on how many travelers book on a given tour. Our trips range from 20-40 passengers. A slightly larger group size is actually more fun, with better dynamics on the coach, at lunches, etc. We are proud to say that many guests have formed lasting friendships through our tours.

Q. I see that flights are not included, they are separate. How does the air travel work, can we make our own independent airfare arrangements?

A. We always leave airfare as a separate component so that you have complete booking flexibility. This allows you fly over early, return later, tack on additional travel while in Europe, and more. All things are possible. You can also mix your class of seating when booking your flights, perhaps opting to fly Premium Economy or Business Class for the overnight flight to Europe and Economy Class on the way home.

We can assist you with booking flights, or you can do it yourself, whatever you prefer. Before you book airfare, please speak with our office.

Q. Can I extend my trip?

A. Yes! In fact, roughly ¾ of our travelers go to Europe at least one day early, to help relieve jet lag and add some sightseeing opportunities. Some travelers also add on a day or two at the end. It is entirely up to you how much you would like to add on to your trip. Most guests like to stay in the same hotel as the group will use, so that you do not need to move.

We can assist with a quote for these additional hotel nights. If you would prefer to book things yourself, please contact us for some important information before you do so.

Q. I am a single traveler, will I be comfortable on your tours?

A. Absolutely. You will meet other single travelers, and you will undoubtedly make new friends while on the tour. We can assure you that you will not be traveling alone. It is perhaps noteworthy that most of our single travelers are women. There are only a very limited number of single rooms on each tour, usually no more than 6. They are very popular and sell out quickly, so single travelers are urged to book early to avoid disappointment. You will need to add the Single Supplement fee to the price of the tour, and yes it is a bit extra cost, but it means you have the comfort and privacy of a full room to yourself.

Alternatively, if you are a single traveler who would like to share a room with another single, contact us and we'll place you on a waiting list and do our best to match you up with a compatible roommate.

Q. Are tips included, or do I need to bring extra money for tips to give to the coach driver, guides, etc?

A. All gratuities are included. We take care of the little things so that you do not need to worry about those awkward moments of tipping, especially having to find a bank machine in the final days of the tour to get extra cash.

No tipping is required by you. We look after all the staff. This includes our drivers, local guides and specialists, hotel porters, room cleaning staff, and the like. Please feel completely at ease not handing out tips, we have made sure everyone is completely cared for.

Q. What is our baggage allowance on a coach tour?

A. There is sufficient space under the coach for each passenger to bring one (1) main suitcase, with a maximum weight of 23 kg / 50 lbs. In addition to this, there is sufficient space up in the cabin for one (1) small backpack / day bag per person. Always be sure to consult the airlines regarding your baggage size and weight limits.

Separate from this, passengers who use a CPAP can always bring these along. They will be stored under the coach - our coach drivers usually keep them in a separate area to ensure their safe travel.

Here are baggage examples. If anything is unclear, please contact your tour manager.

Your main suitcase:

Your main suitcase could be any one (1) of the above. If you have a typical 3-pc suitcase set at home, you could bring the large bag, or the medium bag, or even the smallest 'carry-on' bag as your one main bag for your trip. Or maybe you like to travel with a duffle-style wheeled bag, or a hiker-style pack. Any one of these can be your main piece of luggage for storage below the coach.

Your cabin day bag:

In addition, each passenger may bring one (1) day bag up into the coach cabin. A typical small backpack works great. A larger backpack with wheels, or a hiker-style backpack, or a carry-on suitcase, cannot come on board as they are too large for the overhead bins.

Q. Will I be able to hear the guide? What if it's noisy or windy, or we have a slightly bigger group?

A. Everyone receives an audio receiver, which you keep with you for the duration of the tour. A earbud for a single ear is provided but you can bring your own earbud set if you wish - the ones from your mobile phone will work great. (If you have a hearing aid, we provide you with an over-the-ear earbud.)

This receiver allows you to hear your guide as far as 30 meters away, so you won't need to worry about standing close to the guide to hear - you can wander a little, if you like. Your VOX audio receiver brings the history right to your ears!

Q. Are taxes added on top of the prices shown?

A. Foreign travel from Canada is tax exempt - and let's hope it stays that way. Depending on the tour, there may be some tax involved for portions of air travel, or for local amenities, but in general our tours are free of any sales tax.

Q. Are you affiliated with the military?

A. No we are not, we are an independent Canadian tour operator and travel agency. However, we are proud to offer a $100 discount to all current and former members of the Canadian Forces! Simply provide a copy of your CF1 card at time of booking.

We have enjoyed the company of many CF veterans on our tours, including those who have served in WWII, Korea, UN Peacekeeping, and Afghanistan.

Q. Is my deposit safe?

A. Yes. Our travel agency is fully licensed by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), the regulatory body which governs all travel related sales in Ontario. If you book direct with us (even if you are from outside of Ontario), you have the comfort of knowing TICO stands behind you and your booking is protected.