Liberation Tours Canada
  • Home
  • Our Tours
    • 2022 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2022 Italian Campaign (Sep)
      • 2022 Northwest Europe (Fall)
      • 2022 Italian Campaign (Oct)
      • 2022 Armistice Day
    • 2023 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2023 Vimy Ridge Day
      • 2023 Northwest Europe
      • 2023 Medieval Britain
      • 2023 Flying Legends
      • 2023 Cinderella Army
      • 2023 Italian Campaign
    • 2024 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary
    • 2025 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2025 Holland Liberation 80th Anniversary
  • Testimonials
  • Book🧳
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • FAQs
    • Covid Protocols
    • Travel Insurance
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • Agents
  • Home
  • Our Tours
    • 2022 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2022 Italian Campaign (Sep)
      • 2022 Northwest Europe (Fall)
      • 2022 Italian Campaign (Oct)
      • 2022 Armistice Day
    • 2023 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2023 Vimy Ridge Day
      • 2023 Northwest Europe
      • 2023 Medieval Britain
      • 2023 Flying Legends
      • 2023 Cinderella Army
      • 2023 Italian Campaign
    • 2024 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary
    • 2025 GROUP TOURS >
      • 2025 Holland Liberation 80th Anniversary
  • Testimonials
  • Book🧳
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • FAQs
    • Covid Protocols
    • Travel Insurance
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • Agents

2023 Vimy Ridge Day
​Canadian Battlefield Tour

​Vimy Ridge on APRIL 9th

2023 Vimy Ridge Canadian Battlefield Tour

The Battlefields of The Great War 1914-1918 plus a visit to Juno Beach

Anniversary of Vimy Ridge on April 9

At a glance     
April 4-15, 2023 • France, Belgium, England • 12 days

Overnight destinations     
Paris • Port-en-Bessin • Amiens • Arras • Ieper (Ypres) • London

Highlights     
Juno Beach • Abbey Ardennes • All of Canada's Great War Monuments • the "Trail of the Caribou" • Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate • St. Symphorien Cemetery • Vimy Ridge on the Anniversary April 9th • Paris & London! • scroll down to see complete details
Click to Download Brochure
Picture
November 11, 1918 at 11:00 in the morning. The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. So came to an end "the war to end all wars." The guns finally fell silent, bringing to a close four long years of unspeakable conflict. The Canadians will suffer gas attacks, infested trenches, misery. Yet through it all the Canadian Expeditionary Force will prove to be the fighting force which will earn them the nickname Shock Troops as they achieve important victories at Vimy, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens and more. And Canada will earn its place as a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles - it is the "Birth of a Nation."
Picture
​Join us as we stand at Vimy Ridge on the anniversary of the start of the battle - April 9th - to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge and honour all those who served our country in The Great War.

Your pilgrimage begins in Paris, extends to the Normandy coast for time to visit WWII Canadian sites at Juno Beach, and then moves back in time to visit all fourteen of Canada's Great War monuments in France and Belgium, centered upon the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Highlights include:
​​
  • Vimy Ridge on April 9th, the 106th Anniversary
  • All nine of Canada's Great War memorials
  • Five of Newfoundland's Great War memorials (the "Trail of the Caribou")
  • The new monument in Belgium for Canadian Private George Lawrence Price, the last soldier of the British Empire to die in The Great War
  • a visit to St. Symphorien Cemetery near Mons, the burial location of the first (John Henry Parr, Britain) and last (George Lawrence Price, Canada) soldiers to die in WW1
  • tour of the Canadian battlefields of Juno Beach including the Juno Beach Centre
  • a tour of the Somme & Passchendaele battlefields

​Our Vimy Ridge Tour is the most complete tour of its kind, the only tour which visits all of Canada's great war monuments on the Western Front. It is a unique and moving 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. You will stay at quality hotels throughout, selected for their great location and service. And you will be part of a typically all-Canadian group, usually comprised of an even mixture of women and men. Read what past travelers have said about our trips.

Join us for an unforgettable, unique pilgrimage ... and stand at Vimy Ridge on April 9th.

​All our tours are carbon-neutral.

Vimy Ridge, France.
Stand with fellow Canadians on April 9th.

ITINERARY
Monday April 3
For many of our Canadian travelers it is departure day, for the overnight transatlantic flight to France. 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 g
uests 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 Paris.
Picture

Day 1
Tuesday
April 4
In the mid-afternoon all clients can check into the group hotel. In the meantime, luggage is stored in the hotel baggage lock-up. Today you are free to explore Paris, the City of Light. Sightseeing highlights include The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, Jardins de Luxembourg, Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Eiffel Tower, shopping along the Champs-Élysées, and so much more!

In the evening we gather in the heart of Paris for our Welcome Dinner, to share a glass of wine and set the stage for our special journey. Overnight Paris - Novotel Tour Eiffel. [D]

Day 2
Wednesday April 5

This morning we depart for the Normandy coast to consider WW2 and pre D-Day, looking at the 'Atlantic Wall' defenses facing the Allies in the coming invasion.

​We visit the fascinating German defensive position at Merville Battery, which remains exactly as it was on June 6th 1944 and features a beautiful Douglas C-47 "Dakota" aircraft - the airplane that won the war.

After a group lunch with wine we take a private tour of Chateau de Creully, where BBC set up their broadcasting room and sent some of the first news of the D-Day invasion back to England and North America. Overnight
Port-en-Bessin - Mercure Omaha Beach. [B,L]
Picture

Day 3
Thursday April 6

This morning we honour the upcoming 79th Anniversary of D-Day by walking the sands of Juno Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, with story telling and much reflection. A visit inside the Juno Beach Centre is included, along with a tour of the German command bunker. We then walk along the shores to hear personal stories of the men who landed here.

For lunch we invite our guests to walk with us across the canal into Courseulles to explore the local restaurants. We then move east, standing on Juno at 
Bernières-sur-Mer to observe the famous Canada House and the nearby defenses, along with an invitation to visit inside the historic home.

Next we stop at the Juno sector near 
St-Aubin-sur-Mer, where a 50-mm German anti-tank gun still sits ominously in its casemate.

In the afternoon we visit the hallowed grounds of 
Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, the burial place of 2,044 Canadians who fell in the early hours of D-Day and the subsequent liberation of Normandy. Overnight Port-en-Bessin - Mercure Omaha Beach. [B,L]

Day 4
Friday April 7

We begin the day with a visit to Ardennes Abbey near Caen, where Canadian soldiers were illegally executed in the few days following the landings. A small memorial in the garden stands as a testament to twenty young men.

We travel up the coast to break for lunch in historic Honfleur, which has a significant connection to Canada. Following this, we say goodbye to Normandy and continue our journey northeast into France, as we move back in time to World War One. Overnight
Amiens - Novotel Pôle Jules Verne. [B,L]

Day 5
Saturday April 8

Day Five is steeped in history as we wind our way into the countryside to consider the Battle of the Somme, one of the largest, bloodiest and most destructive battles of World War One. You will be intrigued with a tour at Beaumont-Hamel - it is here that the Newfoundland Regiment was nearly wiped out in the first few hours of the attack. This proudly Canadian battleground is one of the best-preserved sites in all of the WW1 western front.

Our lunch stop is in the midst of the Somme battlefield region, at a local restaurant hidden from view which serves excellent food, with wine/beer (with advanced menu selection).

Next is a visit to see the impressive 
Thiepval Memorial, the largest Commonwealth War Graves monument in the world and on which are inscribed the names of over 72,000 soldiers who fell during the Battle of the Somme and have no known grave (including one very special name).

We also visit the Canadian WW1 memorials at Le Quesnel and Courcelette, and the Newfoundland memorial at Gueudecourt. The day also features a visit to the very unique landscape known as Lochnagar Crater. Overnight Arras - Najeti Hotel de l'Univers. [B,L]

Day 6
Sunday April 9
Today is the anniversary of the start of The Battle of Vimy Ridge. We visit Vimy Ridge and join with fellow Canadians to honour all those who served Canada in The Great War, and in particular to remember those who fell at Vimy. Ample time is given to visit the Vimy Memorial, one of the most impressive of all the war monuments in Europe. We also look into the Visitors' Centre and tour the trenches and tunnels (subject to possible restrictions due to the presence of dignitaries; to be confirmed).

​A short distance down the ridge takes us into Souchez for quick stops at points of interest, along with a delicious lunch with wine at an establishment filled with historic French charm.

​We then make a visit to the 
Hill 70 Memorial in Loos-en-Gohelle, the impressive new national Canadian war memorial in Europe which marks Canada's 'forgotten victory' of 1917. Our final stop of the day is the Newfoundland Regiment's memorial at Kortrijk. Overnight Arras - Najeti Hotel de l'Univers. [B,L]
Picture

Day 7
Monday April 10

​Today we continue our exploration of the WW1 memorials in the French countryside, learning the importance of the battles involving in what has become known as 'Canada's 100 Days.' We encounter the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Masnières and Monchy-le-Preux, and the Canadian Corps at Bourlon Wood and Dury. Once again, Canada will distinguish itself and individual acts of bravery will earn numerous Victoria Crosses.

​We pause mid-day for a group lunch in historic Cambrai. The day also includes a very special guided tour of the Cambrai Tank 1917 Museum, where the remains of an extremely rare WW1 tank have been preserved in a new and modern exhibit - adjacent to the cemetery where most of its crew are laid to rest. Overnight Arras - Najeti Hotel de l'Univers. [B,L]

Day 8
Tuesday April 11

Our day begins with a drive north across the border into Belgium. In the morning we visit the new monument to Canadian George Lawrence Price ... the last soldier of the British Empire to die in The Great War ... which stands next to a bridge named in his honour and near to the place where he fell on November 11, 1918 at 10:58 am, two minutes before the armistice took effect.

​After time for lunch in the beautiful city of Mons we visit St. Symphorien Cemetery, the burial location of the first (John Henry Parr, Britain) and last (George Lawrence Price, Canada) soldiers to die in WW1. Overnight
Ieper (Ypres) - Novotel Centrum Flanders Fields. [B,L]

Day 9
Wednesday April 12

Ieper (Ypres) was the center of fierce, prolonged, bloody fighting in World War I and the remnants of this are all around. We pass Hellfire Corner on our way to the monument at Hill 62 (Sanctuary Wood).

Our morning includes 
The Brooding Soldier at St. Julien, a favourite monument for many. We will visit Essex Farm ... it is here, in the province of West Flanders, that Canadian LCol John McCrae penned his famous poem In Flanders Fields. We also visit the monument to the Battle of Passchendaele at Crest Farm, and nearby Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world.

We return to Ieper for free time in the afternoon. The Last Post Ceremony takes place again at 8pm and selected travelers will be invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the tour group. Overnight
Ieper (Ypres) - Novotel Centrum Flanders Fields. [B,L]

Day 10
Thursday April 13

Our final day on the battlefields takes us to a very special place - the final resting place of LCol John McCrae. This seems a very fitting place to draw our battlefield tour to a close, and ponder all we have seen and learned.

We then cross under the channel to England, and travel onward to the historic city of London for two nights' stay. Overnight
London - Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street. [B,L]


​
Day 11
Friday April 14

Enjoy a full free day at leisure in London, a city of history and monuments waiting to be discovered including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Imperial War Museum, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Platform 9-3/4 at Kings Cross Station ... and so much more! In the early evening we meet for our Farewell Dinner, to share a smile and a glass with new friends. Overnight London - Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street. [B,D]

Day 12
Saturday April 15

This morning is departure day for those Canadians returning home on the optional group flight - 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 so that you have extra time to enjoy London.

Others guests will depart for home or continue their travels on other routes. [B]​
Picture

Note: This itinerary is subject to minor alteration prior to the booking deadline. 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.
Click to Download Brochure

Comparisons to other tours, and who should go ...

  • the Northwest Europe tour also visits Vimy & Juno, plus the one caribou monument at Beaumont-Hamel, but is thereafter a mixture of WWI and WWII
  • the Cinderella Army tour concentrates on WWII only
  • after visiting Juno Beach, this tour is focused on WWI and is the only tour that visits all of Canada's Great War monuments in France and Belgium, taking you to out-of-the-way places rarely visited by Canadians
  • ideal for:
    • those who have a family history connected to Newfoundland, Canada and want to follow the Trail of the Caribou
    • travelers with ancestors who fought in the Great War, at places that might not be included on the NW Europe tour
    • return guests who have traveled the NW Europe tour and now want to visit all of the Great War, and see new things
  • want to create a truly superior trip? combine this tour with an adjacent tour for an amazing back-to-back travel experience!

    Vimy Ridge Tour + Northwest Europe = April 4-15 followed by April 23 - May 7, with with one week off between trips to really explore London and/or Paris. We can reserve your custom inter-tour accommodations and custom flight arrangements; best of all, we'll take $750 per person off your total tour package (direct bookings only, sorry no agents).

PRICING
$5850 CAD Land Only, Per Person, Based on Double Occupancy (two people sharing a room)
$1400 CAD Single Supplement (the additional cost if traveling on your own - one person in the room); very limited quantity of single rooms are available on each tour - if you are a single traveler please book early to avoid disappointment

PRICING INCLUDES:
  • An expert Canadian Historian, and an expert Canadian Tour Director, who will both accompany you on your full tour
  • Fully-researched relevant military service biographies, incorporated daily into our presentations while on tour
  • ​Eleven 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, local taxes, and porterage (where available, one bag per person) are included
  • 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
    An optional group air booking is available for Canadian travelers, Economy Class, departing from Toronto:
         Air Canada AC872 03 Apr dep Toronto 19:15 arr Paris 08:30
         Air Canada AC855 15 Apr dep London 12:05 arr Toronto 14:55
         Base Fare $410 + Estimated Fuel & Taxes $936 = $1346 CAD
    We can provide a quote for connecting flights from other gateways in Canada; alternatively, we can quote individual flights to match your own individual preferences, including different dates or routes, different class of seating, etc.; travelers on the group flight will be picked up from Charles de Gaulle Airport on April 4, 2023 and dropped off to London Heathrow Airport on April 15, 2023; all other travelers are responsible for their own airport transfers
  • ​Meals other than stated on the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance Protection - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote from Manulife 
  • Passport & related fees
  • Any optional excursion not specifically stated
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodations - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote
​​
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • Hotels have been pre-booked but are subject to change
  • This tour requires a minimum of 20 passengers to operate
  • Non-refundable deposit of $500 per person due upon booking
  • Balance of payment due on or before the booking deadline: December 19, 2022
  • Liberation Tours will donate on your behalf to Forest Recovery Canada, to make your trip carbon-neutral
  • Download and read our Terms & Conditions ​prior to making your booking​​​

Book Your Trip!
Vertical Divider
If you have questions, contact your favourite travel agent or:

John Cannon, Tour Director
1-833-252-0001  |  booking@liberationtours.ca 

​
​Travel Agents  ✈  
click here.

The Menin Gate

Site of the daily Last Post Ceremony.

Picture
©2022 Liberation Tours Inc.
info@liberationtours.ca

(833) 252-0001

Picture
Picture