2025 Northwest Europe Canadian Battlefield Tour

Liberation of Holland
​80th Anniversary Special Edition Tour

At a glance     
April 29 to May 6, 2025 • Holland Only
8-Day Holland-Only Program

Overnight destinations     
Middelburg • Arnhem • Amsterdam

Highlights     
Battle of the Scheldt • Operation Market-Garden in Arnhem • Faces to Graves Exhibition in Groesbeek • Commemoration at Holten Canadian War Cemetery • Amsterdam • scroll down to see complete details

A Canadian story ...

​The Liberation of Holland was brought about primarily by the Canadians, a monumental struggle of service and sacrifice in the pursuit of democracy & freedom. Canadians signed up from across our country, joining forces to sail across the Atlantic to liberate a people they did not know.

​As many Dutch people of that generation will say, "thank God they came."

The only royal ever born in Canada, sort of ...

During the war the Dutch royal family found refuge in Canada, where in January 1943 Princess Margriet was born. The Canadian government temporarily declared her hospital room extraterritorial so that she would be born exclusively with Dutch citizenship, thereby preserving her place in the royal line of succession according to Dutch law.

​Meanwhile, overseas, more than 7600 Canadians would fall in the 9-month battle to bring freedom to the Dutch population, many of whom in the western provinces were facing starvation. 

The people of the Netherlands have never forgotten this, and each spring they send 20,000 tulips to Ottawa - a heartfelt gesture signaling an unbroken friendship which endures through the generations.

Special events in 2025 ...

Commemoration and celebration events for 2025 will be included in the itinerary where possible, as they are announced. Expected events include the usual gatherings at Groesbeek and Holten Canadian War Cemeteries.

It will be an experience of admiration and respect like no other - a truly emotional journey. ​

Follow in their footsteps ...

You will be part of a typically all-Canadian group, mostly couples. Read what past travelers have said about our trips. It's time to renew your romance in Europe, concluding in beautiful Amsterdam. 

Join us for an unforgettable, life-changing journey to follow in the footsteps of the great Canadian liberators.

​Our annual pilgrimage to The Netherlands ...

Each year Liberation Tours takes Canadians back to Holland to reflect, remember, and in particular to honour those who fell - and who are forever laid to rest in Dutch soil. In 2025, you can become part of this enduring connection between our two nations on a special anniversary year.

There is perhaps no better place to be a proud Canadian than Holland in the spring.

This is a pilgrimage to the Canadian battlefields, where Canada came of age as a nation and forged a reputation as the army to be called upon for some of the most difficult and challenging battles. This is a special, shortened edition of our annual signature tour, ideal for those making their first trek to the battlefields and hoping to be part of something extraordinary and special. It's also a great trip for those who wish to make a repeat visit, and be in Holland for the anniversary. 

Join us for The Liberation of Holland, on this 80th Anniversary Special Tour.​

​We will donate to Forest Recovery Canada
​to minimize the carbon footprint of your trip.

Holten Canadian War Cemetery.
Every Canadian ought to visit once.

ITINERARY
Monday April 28
For many of our travelers it is departure day, for the overnight transatlantic flight to The Netherlands. Some travelers may choose to leave for Europe sooner to extend the start of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on pre-tour accommodations.

Guests who have other travels already in progress, or guests from other points of origin including the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, will meet the start of the tour on Day 1 in Holland.
Day 1
Tuesday April 29
Upon arrival in Amsterdam we are greeted by our coach. We settle in for some rest as we drive to the southwest corner of the country, to the province of Zeeland. Here we will take a tour of the impressive Bevrijdingsmuseum (Liberation Museum) to learn all about the history of the area from 1940-1944.

In the mid-afternoon clients can check into the group hotel and take some additional rest. In the evening we gather for a private Welcome Dinner, to chat and set the stage for our pilgrimage. 

Overnight Middelburg - Van der Valk Hotel. [D]
Day 2
Wednesday April 30
These next two days will feature the liberation of the southwest region of the Netherlands. Canada will fight a series of costly yet strategically important battles which will prove crucial to the success of the allied war effort.

We begin in the Breskens Pocket with visits to monuments along the Leopold Canal. We also visit the small but poignant monument in Eede, where Queen Wilhelmina first set foot back on Dutch soil.

After a delicious group lunch amongst the vineyards, we travel up to Hoofdplaat for an amazing view of the Scheldt Estuary from high atop the dyke. Each location tells a part of the story of the fierce fighting that took place here in the fall of 1944, as the liberation of Holland began. ​

​We'll also visit an original Bailey Bridge, built by the Canadian engineers in 1944 and still in use today!

Overnight Middelburg - Van der Valk Hotel. [B,L]
Day 3
Thursday May 1
We continue our journey today into the Scheldt region, with a visit to the Walcheren monument to hear about the battle for the causeway and the flooding of Walcheren Island.

We also make a visit to Woensdrecht to hear vivid stories of Canadian sacrifice in the fight to free the Dutch people in his little village. We then visit Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery to pay our respects.

​After lunch at an amazing restaurant (one of our clients' favourites!), we continue following in the direction taken by the Canadians as they gradually moved north-eastly toward the German border in the fall of '44. Our final visit of the day is the monument at Kapelsche Veer to chat about another small but costly fight for Canadians. We arrive in Arnhem for the first of four nights.

Overnight Arnhem - Ibis Styles Centrum. [B,L]
Day 4
Friday May 2
Under the shadow of the iconic John Frost Bridge in Arnhem, we discuss the infamous Operation Market Garden, the unsuccessful allied effort of September '44 to bring about an early end to the war. We also visit a nearby to chat about Canada's small but pivotal role at the end of the battle.

We then drive south across the rivers and meet up with our fellow tour coaches for a big group lunch in the forest on the outskirts of Nijmegen.

Following this, we will visit Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Holland and the resting place of a recipient of the Victoria Cross. Buried here are many of the young men who fell in the Rhineland battles as the Allies moved across the border into Germany in the final months of the war. 

We return to Arnhem for the second of four nights in the Ibis Styles Hotel - centrally located so that you can walk into the heart of old Arnhem and explore all the great restaurants and shopping.

Overnight Arnhem - Ibis Styles Centrum. [B,L]
Day 5
Saturday May 3
On this spring Saturday morning we explore "The Drive North," as the Canadian Army slowly plodded from one small town to another in pitched battles against a stubborn enemy. We will visit the quaint village of Rha, followed by a break in the enchanting village of Bronkhorst. 

Further north, we chat about the liberation of Zutphen and view the bridge named for the Canadian boys. Then it's time for lunch at leisure in the beautiful historic center of Zutphen, with free time to explore the many restaurants and shops.

In the afternoon we make our way back to the Groesbeek area,  for a self-guided tour at the Vrijheidsmuseum (Freedom Museum). Past travelers have rated it the very best of all the museums we visit in NW Europe. 

Overnight Arnhem - Ibis Styles Centrum. [B,L]
Day 6
Sunday May 4
​Today is Remembrance Day in The Netherlands. The King will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on Dam Square in Amsterdam, and all across the country citizens will lower their flags when they arrive home from work.

At 11:00 in the morning, the traditional hour of remembrance in Canada, we will attend the annual Remembrance Service at Holten Canadian War Cemetery in the forest just outside of the town. We see how the local school children are made central to the event, which usually features pipes & drums, members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 005 Europe, dignitaries, and most especially, Canadian and Dutch veterans. Watch the children place flowers at each of the 1,394 graves. If the tradition of quinquennial anniversaries holds, we can expect several high ranking dignitaries from both Canada and the Netherlands to be in attendance.

​​​In the early afternoon we gather for our Farewell Lunch. In the evening, we join the nation in pausing at 8:00 pm to observe two minutes of silence for all those who perished in World War Two. 

​Overnight Arnhem - Ibis Styles Centrum. [B,L]​
Day 7
Monday May 5
Today is Liberation Day, the 80th Anniversary! What better place to be than the capital city of Amsterdam. The flower market is a great place for souvenirs, and the Rembrandtplein is a great place for food and people-watching. The Kalverstraat has all the best shops, and more can be found in the 9 Straatjes District.

​Enjoy the day at your leisure in one of Europe's great cities.

Overnight Amsterdam - Leonardo Hotel Rembrandtpark. [B]
Day 8
Tuesday May 6
This morning is departure day for those returning home - buffet or box breakfast is included, depending on departure time from the hotel. Some travelers may choose to remain in Europe longer to extend their trip - let us know if we can quote you on post-tour accommodations so you can spend more time in Amsterdam and the surrounding region.

Others guests will depart for home or continue their travels on other routes. [B]
Note:  Minor changes to the itinerary are possible into the spring of 2025. We also await announcements from the Governments of the Netherlands and Canada with respect to official ceremonies.
​ 
Clients should keep in mind that minor variances are always possible during the actual tour ​based on the need to adapt to circumstances we encounter during our travels.
PRICING
$4425 CAD Land Only, Per Person, Based on Double Occupancy (two people sharing a room)
$975 CAD Single Supplement (the additional cost if traveling on your own - one person in the room - LIMITED SUPPLY, BOOK EARLY)

PRICING INCLUDES:
  • An expert Canadian Historian, and an expert Canadian Tour Director, who will both accompany you on your full tour
  • Seven nights accommodation in twin or double rooms with private facilities
  • Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, facilities and free on-board Wi-Fi
  • Buffet breakfast (cold and/or hot) at the hotel each morning, plus select meals as outlined in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); lunches and dinners typically include a glass of wine/beer
  • All entrances as per your itinerary
  • All hotel service charges and local taxes are included
  • One coach transfer at either end of the tour: pick-up from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on April 29, 2025 in coordination with the arrival of Air Canada AC808; and drop-off to Schiphol Airport on May 6, 2025 in coordination with the departure of Air Canada AC809; travelers flying on different days/times and not utilizing these transfers will make their own arrangements
  • Gratuities to Coach Driver and Local Guides are included ... these costs are extra on most other tours and can add up to $200 CAD or more per person at the end of your trip, be sure to compare
  • Tour package which includes select daily detailed historical battle maps, period photographs, original audio recordings, and more ... a complete digital copy of all this is also given to you at the farewell dinner - an invaluable personal resource

PRICING EXCLUDES:
  • ​Airfare - we can provide a quote for flights from any gateway in Canada, to match your own individual preferences based on dates, routes, class of seating, etc; you can go over early, stay later at the end, carry onward to other destinations - whatever air travel arrangements work best for you!
  • Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodations - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote 
  • Travel Insurance Protection - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote from Manulife
  • Meals other than stated on the itinerary
  • Passport & related fees
  • Any optional excursion not specifically stated
  • Items of a personal nature
     ​ 
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • Hotels have been pre-booked but are subject to change
  • Full payment due upon booking (but payment arrangements can possibly be made, depending on the date you book)
  • Liberation Tours will donate on your behalf to Forest Recovery Canada, to minimize the carbon footprint of your trip
  • Download and read our Terms & Conditions ​prior to making your booking
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Questions? Contact your favourite travel agent or:

John Cannon, Tour Director
1-833-252-0001  |  [email protected] 
Join us on the journey of a lifetime.
©2025 Liberation Tours Inc.
[email protected]
(833) 252-0001