2018 Italian Campaign
Canadian Battlefield Tour
The WWII Battlefields &
the Famous Culture of Italy
the Famous Culture of Italy
2018 Italian Campaign Canadian Battlefield TourThe WWII Battlefields & the Famous Culture of Italy75th Anniversary of Operation Husky
Follow in the footsteps of the Canadian Army as we retrace the 1943-1945 Italian campaign, the fierce battles that set the Canadians apart as the superior fighting force even in the most difficult conditions of war. It was here, long before the Normandy campaign, where our Canadian soldiers - affectionately called the 'D-Day Dodgers' - left their mark of sacrifice in legendary battles at such places as Monte Assoro, the Liri Valley, Ortona, Coriano Ridge and so many more.
Your pilgrimage begins with the landings in Sicily and extends all the way through the Gothic Line at Ravenna to Florence and Venice. Battle sites include: |
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- Pachino, Grammichele, Leonforte, Monte Assoro & Agira
- Anzio, The Liri Valley, Pontecorvo, Melfa River, Kingsmill Bridge & Cassino
- Moro River Valley, Sterlin's Castle, Casa Berardi & Ortona
- The Gothic Line, Coriano Ridge, Savio River & Ravenna
- ... and more
Our Italian battlefield tour is the most comprehensive tour of its kind. We bring you the experience of a true pilgrimage to the Canadian battlefields of World War Two ... and ... we ensure that you will see some of the most famous cultural locations in the world ... Rome, Syracuse, Pompeii, Florence, Ravenna, Tuscany, Venice. You will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites too numerous to count, all the while paying homage to the young men who sacrificed their youth in the mountains and valleys of this beautiful Mediterranean country. If you were to make only one battlefield tour to Italy this is it. Note: this tour will occasionally feature a walk of some short distance, and the need to ascend stairs, hills or slopes of varying degree in order to reach some of the amazing locations on the tour - good personal mobility is key to a positive experience.
You will stay at quality hotels throughout, selected for their great location and service - check out each of the hotels and their links in the itinerary below, including the Mercure in Rome just steps from the Colosseum. And you’ll be part of a typically all-Canadian group. Read what past travelers have said about our trips.
Mark your calendar for departure in mid-September 2018 and join us as we set out on an emotional, inspiring journey - Canada's premier battlefield and cultural trip to Italy.
Your guide for this amazing tour is none other than Mark Zuehlke, one of Canada's best-known historians and author of the award-winning Canadian Battle Series, each volume of which focuses on a battle or campaign fought by the Canadian Army in World War II.
Mark has written extensively on the Canadian contribution to the Italian Campaign and is perhaps our most authoritative historian on the subject. Join a battlefield tour which is led by the very best! |
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ITINERARY
Day 1
Friday September 14
We depart from Canada for our overnight transatlantic flight to Italy, except for those who choose to leave sooner to extend their trip. Those flying through the Toronto gateway will enjoy the luxury of a premium departure lounge.
Day 2
Saturday September 15
Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport we will transfer to Rome for the first of two days in this incredible, historic city. Hotel rooms are pre-booked and available for immediate morning check-in. In the late afternoon we will gather with our fellow travelers for our evening Welcome Reception Dinner, just up the street from the Roman Colosseum. Overnight Rome - Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre. Dinner.
Day 3
Sunday September 16
Enjoy a full free day at your leisure in Rome. Overnight Rome - Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre. Buffet breakfast.
Day 4
Monday September 17
We transfer to the airport, for a brief flight to Catania on the island of Sicily where we will spend the next three nights. Free leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight Syracuse - Mercure Syracusa Prometeo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 5
Tuesday September 18
This morning we begin our tour of the battlefields where it all started, at the landing site code named 'Bark West Beach' at Pachino. In the early morning hours of July 10, 1943 the amphibious assault went in. For the 1st Canadian Division the invasion of Sicily was the first major campaign of the war and here, near the beachhead, we visit the Syd Frost Monument which honours all the Canadians who fell during Operation Husky. After a relatively easy landing against Italian coastal units the Canadian troops moved inland through the dusty summer heat. We follow their route to Grammichele, where on July 15 they came up against the elite Hermann Goring Division who put up a strong defense before relinquishing the town. After a lunch stop we continue inland revisiting the efforts of our troops as they engaged the increasingly determined German units, who fought tough delaying actions from vantage points of towering villages and almost impregnable hill positions. Overnight Enna - Grand Albergo Sicilia. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 6
Wednesday September 19
Today we look ahead to an ascent of Monte Assoro to visit the spot where the Canadians made their celebrated night assault and where you will take in the commanding view of the German defensive lines in the battlefields below. After lunch we make our way to Agira, where after five days of hard fighting, at heavy cost, enemy resistance was overcome and a route opened to Adrano, and with it, the final closing of the Sicilian campaign. We end the Sicilian portion of our tour with a visit at a solemn location, the Agira Canadian War Cemetery and the final resting place of 489 young Canadians. Overnight Catania - Sheraton Hotel. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Thursday September 20
We make a brief morning flight from Catania back to Fiumicino Airport, and then head south down the coast to Anzio where we discuss the Canadian contribution to the disastrous American amphibious landing of January 1944. What should have been a successful campaign to out-flank the enemy turned into a debacle - the invasion force was quickly sealed off and pounded by German artillery for months before finally breaking out of the cauldron in May. There were heavy casualties, including many young Canadians whose involvement in the Battle of Anzio is often overlooked with the result that our fallen here are rarely visited. We then travel into the mountains of Italy. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast.
Day 8
Friday September 21
Our morning will take us to the ancient Roman UNESCO World Heritage town of Pompeii with a local expert tour guide. The burial of Pompeii under tons of volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD created one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. In the afternoon we return to Cassino to take in a guided tour of the Abbey at Montecassino, one of the best known abbeys in the world. The historic hill-top abbey dominated the entrances to the Liri and Rapido river valleys and so the decision was taken to bomb it. Between January and May Montecassino was assaulted four times by Allied troops until, with Canadians in support, Polish troops finally drove the Germans from their positions. The abbey was painstakingly rebuilt after the war. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 9
Saturday September 22
Day 9 sees us venture out into the battlefields with a visit to the Canadians' battles at Aquino and Pontecorvo, as well as stops at the Melfa River where Maj. John Mahoney earned a Victoria Cross, and Kingsmill Bridge. We visit the famous Gustav and Adolph Hitler lines against which the Canadians hurled themselves under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. German defenses were finally breached in the Battle of the Liri Valley on May 23rd, 1944 and the road to Rome was open. The day concludes at the Cassino Commonwealth War Cemetery. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 10
Sunday September 23
We depart Cassino for an spellbinding trip through the Apennine Mountains to the small town of Ortona on the east coast. Overlooking the beautiful Adriatic Sea the medieval town is now a pleasant place to visit, but in 1944 it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Here Canadian troops inched forward along the Moro River against repeated German counter-attacks. Finally entering the town our soldiers encountered fanatical resistance in a battle that would come to be known as Little Stalingrad. We stop at The Gully, one of Canada's most famous battlefields, and also visit Sterlin's Castle and Casa Berardi where Capt. Paul Triquet earned his Victoria Cross, before concluding the day at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, our largest cemetery in Italy where 1,376 young men await our visit. Overnight Ortona - Hotel Mara. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 11
Monday September 24
After breakfast we continue our journey north along the Adriatic coast and visit the recently erected monument at Point 204. Following lunch we stop at Coriano Ridge to remember the twenty-eight day clash that took place in August and September 1944. Here the Germans had constructed the formidable Gothic Line, the most powerful series of heavily fortified positions that had been thrown in the path of the Canadian army. Months of hard fighting took place before the Germans finally relinquished their hold. Your tour guide Mark Zuehlke, in his renowned history The Gothic Line, refers to this fierce battle as Canada's "month of hell". We continue the day with a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, from where we can take in a wide view of the battlefields, and conclude our day in beautiful and historic Ravenna, the last capital city of the Roman Empire. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 12
Tuesday September 25
This morning we gather near the place where the third and final VC was won in Italy, awarded to Smokey Smith for his exploits at the Savio River. Later we pay a visit to the Villanova War Cemetery to discuss the overall importance and costs of Canada’s almost two years of campaigning in Italy before returning to Ravenna, the seat of the Roman Empire and Byzantine Italy from 5 CE to the 8th century. Ravenna boasts a series of superb Byzantine mosaics which are generally recognized as the best to be seen outside of Istanbul. The afternoon is free to visit the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics, including an optional (included) private guided tour. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. Buffet breakfast.
Day 13
Wednesday September 26
Today we travel to the world famous city of Florence, birth place of the 14th century European Renaissance. One of the most beautiful cities in the world Florence boasts a wide selection of art, architecture, museums and monuments including the revered 'David' by Michelangelo. You will want to visit the most popular and important sites which include the Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city, then cross the Arno River via the famous Ponte Vecchio, and experience the newest area of Florence, the Oltrarno, where you will find trattorias, restaurants and bars to satisfy your every want. The Chianti wine region just to the south and the surrounding rich fertile province of Tuscany supply the city with all the fresh ingredients necessary to make eating here a culinary delight. Overnight Florence - Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 14
Thursday September 27
Enjoy a full free day at your leisure in Florence or choose to join our optional excursion to visit the incredible city of Siena in the heart of Tuscany - one of Italy's hidden gems and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Florence - Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 15
Friday September 28
The coach departs Florence taking us to our final destination - the world famous cultural centre of Venice where you will have the afternoon to discover this amazing city on the lagoon. St. Mark's Square, the Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the many canals have for centuries placed the name Venice on the tongues of millions around the world. Venice in its entirety is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Venice (Lido) - Best Western Biasutti. Buffet breakfast.
Day 16
Saturday September 29
Your final day of this grand tour of Italy is yours to discover Venice at your leisure and our guides are ready to share their knowledge of a host of fascinating sites to see and places to eat. In the evening we gather to raise a toast to those brave soldiers who fought for Canada as we gather together for our farewell dinner. Overnight Venice (Lido) - Best Western Biasutti. Buffet breakfast, Farewell Dinner.
Day 17
Sunday September 30
The morning sees us departing for Canada via Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE), except for those who may wish extend their stay at their option or carry on to other destinations. Buffet breakfast.
Note: This itinerary is tentative, but with only minor updates possible prior to departure. Clients should also 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.
Day 1
Friday September 14
We depart from Canada for our overnight transatlantic flight to Italy, except for those who choose to leave sooner to extend their trip. Those flying through the Toronto gateway will enjoy the luxury of a premium departure lounge.
Day 2
Saturday September 15
Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport we will transfer to Rome for the first of two days in this incredible, historic city. Hotel rooms are pre-booked and available for immediate morning check-in. In the late afternoon we will gather with our fellow travelers for our evening Welcome Reception Dinner, just up the street from the Roman Colosseum. Overnight Rome - Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre. Dinner.
Day 3
Sunday September 16
Enjoy a full free day at your leisure in Rome. Overnight Rome - Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre. Buffet breakfast.
Day 4
Monday September 17
We transfer to the airport, for a brief flight to Catania on the island of Sicily where we will spend the next three nights. Free leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight Syracuse - Mercure Syracusa Prometeo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 5
Tuesday September 18
This morning we begin our tour of the battlefields where it all started, at the landing site code named 'Bark West Beach' at Pachino. In the early morning hours of July 10, 1943 the amphibious assault went in. For the 1st Canadian Division the invasion of Sicily was the first major campaign of the war and here, near the beachhead, we visit the Syd Frost Monument which honours all the Canadians who fell during Operation Husky. After a relatively easy landing against Italian coastal units the Canadian troops moved inland through the dusty summer heat. We follow their route to Grammichele, where on July 15 they came up against the elite Hermann Goring Division who put up a strong defense before relinquishing the town. After a lunch stop we continue inland revisiting the efforts of our troops as they engaged the increasingly determined German units, who fought tough delaying actions from vantage points of towering villages and almost impregnable hill positions. Overnight Enna - Grand Albergo Sicilia. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 6
Wednesday September 19
Today we look ahead to an ascent of Monte Assoro to visit the spot where the Canadians made their celebrated night assault and where you will take in the commanding view of the German defensive lines in the battlefields below. After lunch we make our way to Agira, where after five days of hard fighting, at heavy cost, enemy resistance was overcome and a route opened to Adrano, and with it, the final closing of the Sicilian campaign. We end the Sicilian portion of our tour with a visit at a solemn location, the Agira Canadian War Cemetery and the final resting place of 489 young Canadians. Overnight Catania - Sheraton Hotel. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Thursday September 20
We make a brief morning flight from Catania back to Fiumicino Airport, and then head south down the coast to Anzio where we discuss the Canadian contribution to the disastrous American amphibious landing of January 1944. What should have been a successful campaign to out-flank the enemy turned into a debacle - the invasion force was quickly sealed off and pounded by German artillery for months before finally breaking out of the cauldron in May. There were heavy casualties, including many young Canadians whose involvement in the Battle of Anzio is often overlooked with the result that our fallen here are rarely visited. We then travel into the mountains of Italy. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast.
Day 8
Friday September 21
Our morning will take us to the ancient Roman UNESCO World Heritage town of Pompeii with a local expert tour guide. The burial of Pompeii under tons of volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD created one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. In the afternoon we return to Cassino to take in a guided tour of the Abbey at Montecassino, one of the best known abbeys in the world. The historic hill-top abbey dominated the entrances to the Liri and Rapido river valleys and so the decision was taken to bomb it. Between January and May Montecassino was assaulted four times by Allied troops until, with Canadians in support, Polish troops finally drove the Germans from their positions. The abbey was painstakingly rebuilt after the war. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 9
Saturday September 22
Day 9 sees us venture out into the battlefields with a visit to the Canadians' battles at Aquino and Pontecorvo, as well as stops at the Melfa River where Maj. John Mahoney earned a Victoria Cross, and Kingsmill Bridge. We visit the famous Gustav and Adolph Hitler lines against which the Canadians hurled themselves under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. German defenses were finally breached in the Battle of the Liri Valley on May 23rd, 1944 and the road to Rome was open. The day concludes at the Cassino Commonwealth War Cemetery. Overnight Cassino - Best Western Hotel Rocca. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 10
Sunday September 23
We depart Cassino for an spellbinding trip through the Apennine Mountains to the small town of Ortona on the east coast. Overlooking the beautiful Adriatic Sea the medieval town is now a pleasant place to visit, but in 1944 it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Here Canadian troops inched forward along the Moro River against repeated German counter-attacks. Finally entering the town our soldiers encountered fanatical resistance in a battle that would come to be known as Little Stalingrad. We stop at The Gully, one of Canada's most famous battlefields, and also visit Sterlin's Castle and Casa Berardi where Capt. Paul Triquet earned his Victoria Cross, before concluding the day at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, our largest cemetery in Italy where 1,376 young men await our visit. Overnight Ortona - Hotel Mara. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 11
Monday September 24
After breakfast we continue our journey north along the Adriatic coast and visit the recently erected monument at Point 204. Following lunch we stop at Coriano Ridge to remember the twenty-eight day clash that took place in August and September 1944. Here the Germans had constructed the formidable Gothic Line, the most powerful series of heavily fortified positions that had been thrown in the path of the Canadian army. Months of hard fighting took place before the Germans finally relinquished their hold. Your tour guide Mark Zuehlke, in his renowned history The Gothic Line, refers to this fierce battle as Canada's "month of hell". We continue the day with a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, from where we can take in a wide view of the battlefields, and conclude our day in beautiful and historic Ravenna, the last capital city of the Roman Empire. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. Buffet breakfast, Lunch.
Day 12
Tuesday September 25
This morning we gather near the place where the third and final VC was won in Italy, awarded to Smokey Smith for his exploits at the Savio River. Later we pay a visit to the Villanova War Cemetery to discuss the overall importance and costs of Canada’s almost two years of campaigning in Italy before returning to Ravenna, the seat of the Roman Empire and Byzantine Italy from 5 CE to the 8th century. Ravenna boasts a series of superb Byzantine mosaics which are generally recognized as the best to be seen outside of Istanbul. The afternoon is free to visit the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics, including an optional (included) private guided tour. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. Buffet breakfast.
Day 13
Wednesday September 26
Today we travel to the world famous city of Florence, birth place of the 14th century European Renaissance. One of the most beautiful cities in the world Florence boasts a wide selection of art, architecture, museums and monuments including the revered 'David' by Michelangelo. You will want to visit the most popular and important sites which include the Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city, then cross the Arno River via the famous Ponte Vecchio, and experience the newest area of Florence, the Oltrarno, where you will find trattorias, restaurants and bars to satisfy your every want. The Chianti wine region just to the south and the surrounding rich fertile province of Tuscany supply the city with all the fresh ingredients necessary to make eating here a culinary delight. Overnight Florence - Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 14
Thursday September 27
Enjoy a full free day at your leisure in Florence or choose to join our optional excursion to visit the incredible city of Siena in the heart of Tuscany - one of Italy's hidden gems and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Florence - Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. Buffet breakfast.
Day 15
Friday September 28
The coach departs Florence taking us to our final destination - the world famous cultural centre of Venice where you will have the afternoon to discover this amazing city on the lagoon. St. Mark's Square, the Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs and of course the many canals have for centuries placed the name Venice on the tongues of millions around the world. Venice in its entirety is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Venice (Lido) - Best Western Biasutti. Buffet breakfast.
Day 16
Saturday September 29
Your final day of this grand tour of Italy is yours to discover Venice at your leisure and our guides are ready to share their knowledge of a host of fascinating sites to see and places to eat. In the evening we gather to raise a toast to those brave soldiers who fought for Canada as we gather together for our farewell dinner. Overnight Venice (Lido) - Best Western Biasutti. Buffet breakfast, Farewell Dinner.
Day 17
Sunday September 30
The morning sees us departing for Canada via Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE), except for those who may wish extend their stay at their option or carry on to other destinations. Buffet breakfast.
Note: This itinerary is tentative, but with only minor updates possible prior to departure. Clients should also 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 (Canadian Dollars)
$5890 Land Portion of tour, based on Double Occupancy
$1600 Single Supplement (optional, limited spaces available)
PRICING INCLUDES:
PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE:
To reserve your seats please contact our exclusive booking agent:
Debbie Baggley
Uniglobe Travel Innovations Ltd
348 Lakeshore Road East, Suite #4
Mississauga, Ontario L5G 1H5
Toll Free: 1-800-565-7999
Email: debbie@travel-til.com
... if you are taking advantage of our Facebook Offer, be sure to use the DISCOUNT CODE when calling!
Are you a travel agent? Contact us!
$5890 Land Portion of tour, based on Double Occupancy
$1600 Single Supplement (optional, limited spaces available)
PRICING INCLUDES:
- 15 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- Guests on the group flight will enjoy gathering at a premium departure lounge (where available) ... an exclusive benefit not offered by other battlefield tours
- Upon arrival in Rome in the early morning your hotel room is reserved for you and available for immediate early check-in should you wish to take some rest after your flight ... an exclusive benefit not offered by other battlefield tours
- 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 lunches/dinners as outlined in the itinerary
- All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling (one bag per person) are included
- Gratuities to Coach Driver, On-Board Agent and Local Guides are included! ... these costs are extra on most other tours and can add up to $150 CAD or more per person at the end of your trip, requiring an awkward search for a bank machine in the final days of your vacation ... we eliminate this. Be sure to compare!
- Group pick-up from Rome Lenoardo da Vinci Fuimicino Airport on September 15, 2018 and return group transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport on September 30, 2018; individual transfers are the responsibility of the client
PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International airfare to Italy, or mandatory* Alitalia flight within Italy (see note below)
- Meals other than stated on the itinerary
- Travel / Cancellation / Medical Insurance, Passport & related fees
- Any optional excursion not specifically stated
- Items of a personal nature
- Prices are subject to change based on currency fluctuations, to be confirmed at time of final payment
- Hotels have been pre-booked but are subject to change
- Booking deadline has been extended to June 29, 2018. Full non-refundable payment due at time of booking.
- *Space on the tour is subject to availability of seats on the mandatory Alitalia flight between Rome and Sicily, to be confirmed / quoted at time of booking
- International flights to Italy are subject to what is available at time of booking
- Download and read our Terms & Conditions prior to making your booking
To reserve your seats please contact our exclusive booking agent:
Debbie Baggley
Uniglobe Travel Innovations Ltd
348 Lakeshore Road East, Suite #4
Mississauga, Ontario L5G 1H5
Toll Free: 1-800-565-7999
Email: debbie@travel-til.com
... if you are taking advantage of our Facebook Offer, be sure to use the DISCOUNT CODE when calling!
Are you a travel agent? Contact us!
