2024 Spring Italian Campaign
Canadian Battlefield Tour
The WWII Battlefields & the Famous Culture of Italy
80th Anniversary events in the liri valley
80th Anniversary events in the liri valley
2024 Spring Italian Campaign Canadian Battlefield & Remembrance TourThe WWII Battlefields & the Famous Culture of Italy80th Anniversary Events in the Liri ValleyAt a glance
May 13-27, 2024 • 15 days Overnight destinations Catania • Salerno • Ortona • Ravenna • Florence • Cassino • Rome Highlights Monte Assoro • Agira • Campobasso • Ortona • Florence & Rome • Special 80th Anniversary Events in the Liri Valley • scroll down to see complete details |
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Your guide for this amazing tour is 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 uniquely qualified to lead you on your journey. |
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Sunday May 12
For many of our travelers it is departure day for the overnight transatlantic flight to Italy. 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 Sicily. Day 1 Monday May 13 In the mid-afternoon all clients can check into the group hotel. In the evening we gather for our Welcome Dinner, to share a glass and set the stage for our special journey. Overnight Catania - hotel tba. [D] |
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Day 2
Tuesday May 14 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 WWII - Operation Husky. We discuss the landings right at the water's edge, and then move into Pachino to visit the plaques on the local school. After 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 Göring Division who put up a strong defense before relinquishing the town. We pause here for lunch with local-made organic Sicilian wine. 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 Catania - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 3
Wednesday May 15 We begin along the Dittaino River to review the progress of the Canadian Army thus far. It's then a short drive, and steep climb, to ascend Monte Assoro to visit the spot where the Canadians made their legendary night assault - and to take in the awe-inspiring view of the Sicilian countryside. Following 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 closing of the Sicilian campaign. We end our tour of Sicily with a solemn visit to Agira Canadian War Cemetery and the final resting place of 489 young Canadians. Overnight Catania - hotel tba. [B,L] Day 4 Thursday May 16 We set out again on the path following the Canadian Army, crossing the Strait of Messina by ferry to recount the first battles on mainland Italy as we make our way ‘up the boot.’ Overnight Salerno - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 5
Friday May 17 On Day Five we venture high into the Apennine Mountains to visit Campobasso, a major rest and supply depot which earned it the nickname ‘Canada Town.’ In the afternoon we wind down at the hotel in Ortona for the first of two nights. Overnight Ortona - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 6
Saturday May 18 Overlooking the beautiful Adriatic Sea is the medieval town of Ortona. Today it is a lovely place to visit but in 1944 it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Here Canadian troops inched forward across 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." A walking tour through the central streets of Ortona helps paint a vivid picture. We stop at The Gully, at Sterlin's Castle, and also at Casa Berardi where Capt. Paul Triquet earned his Victoria Cross. We conclude the day at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, our largest cemetery in Italy where 1376 young men await our visit. Overnight Ortona - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 7
Sunday May 19 After breakfast we continue our journey north along the Adriatic coast and visit the 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, last capital city of the Roman Empire. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. [B,L] |
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Day 8
Monday May 20 This morning we gather at the spot where the third and final Victoria Cross was earned 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. Local citizens are often on hand to welcome us. For the afternoon we return 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 (no extra charge) private tour with our local expert guide. Overnight Ravenna - NH Hotel. [B,L] |
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Day 9
Tuesday May 21 We depart early and cross the mountains to Florence for a mid-morning arrival. Enjoy a free day in the historic birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is a cultural and historical gem, famous for its breathtaking art, architecture, and museums. The city is renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci. Visit the Duomo, stroll through the Uffizi Gallery, and explore the cobbled streets of the historic city center. Overnight Florence - hotel tba. [B] |
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Day 10
Wednesday May 22 It's a road trip today, traveling south to the Liri Valley. We pause along the way at Torrice Crossroads to learn of a heartwarming story from the war. The group also goes up atop Piedimonte San Germano for an amazing overview of the valley floor below. We are then into Cassino for the first of three nights' stay. We will attend 80th Anniversary special events over the next three days, as may be organized by local officials. Event details to be confirmed in the spring of 2024. Overnight Cassino - hotel tba. [B] |
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Day 11
Thursday May 23 Today the focus of events will be on Aquino, with the tentative unveiling of a new plaque. Here Canadian troops inched forward and suffered heavy losses. Scheduling permitting, we will also visit the site of Kingsmill's Bridge and the Rapido River Crossing. After lunch we pay a visit to Cassino War Cemetery and the Cassino Memorial. Overnight Cassino - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 12
Friday May 24 Events on May 24 will center upon the liberation of Pontecorvo. Time permitting, the afternoon may include an optional visit to the Abbey at Montecassino. Overnight Cassino - hotel tba. [B,L] Day 13 Saturday May 25 Your final day on the battlefields will feature the Melfa River crossing, where John Mahony earned a Victoria Cross in 1944. Events will take place in Roccasecca, where a town square was renamed in his honour during our 2019 tour. In the afternoon we board the coach for Rome, for the final two nights of the trip. Overnight Rome - hotel tba. [B,L] |
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Day 14
Sunday May 26 Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore Rome - The Eternal City. You might choose to see the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, and of course St. Peter's Basilica (dress code in effect). In the early evening we gather for our Farewell Dinner, to reflect upon all that we have seen and learned and to raise a toast to Canada’s D-Day Dodgers and the Liberation of Italy. Overnight Rome - hotel tba. [B,D] |
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Day 15
Monday May 27 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 the end of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on post-tour accommodations. [B] |
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