WWI and WWII Battlefields
11 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: London, Brussels, Dunkirk, Ypres, Somme, Caen, Normandy, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FBATZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the poignant history of World War I and II with the "WWI and WWII Battlefields" tour. This immersive experience takes you from the bustling streets of London to the elegant boulevards of Paris, with stops in Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, Rouen, Normandy, and the Somme Region. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Imperial War Museum, D-Day Landing Beaches, and the Menin Gate. Enjoy a unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience at a confectionary factory in Notre-Dame-de-Bondeville and connect with locals in Normandy. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach and the Eurostar high-speed train, staying in cherry-picked hotels. With expert guidance, delve into the stories of bravery and sacrifice that shaped our world, while savoring delightful meals and optional experiences along the way.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Victoria
Meals Included: Dinner
From tragic battles to tales of triumph, this special-interest exploration of two World Wars kicks off in the vibrant British capital of London. Meet your Travel Director and fellow companions this evening for a traditional English pub Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: See The Sights Of London
Location: London
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Victoria
Meals Included: Breakfast
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey feature on this half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, which includes views of Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, we visit the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of those whose lives were shaped by war from World War I to today. See extensive archives and recordings, as well as a Spitfire that saw action in the Battle of Britain. Maybe enjoy London after dark, spending your evening at leisure meandering along the Thames, riding the London Eye or discover Covent Garden.
Day 3: Cross The English Channel By Eurostar To Brussels
Location: Brussels
Accommodation: Sofitel Europe
Accommodation Name: Marivaux Hotel SA
Meals Included: Breakfast
We journey by Eurostar to Brussels today. Your Travel Director will show you the city's highlights. See the Atomium, designed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, Mannekin Pis and the exquisite Grand Place with its opulent and ornate guildhalls.
Day 4: Venture To Dunkirk, Fromelles, Vimy Ridge And Lens
Location: Dunkirk
Accommodation: Hotel Louvre Lens.
Accommodation Name: Mercure Lille Center Grand Place
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we journey to Dunkirk, where Operation Dynamo miraculously saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain. We stop in Fromelles, where there was a combined operation between British troops and the Australian Imperial Force, described as the "worst 24 hours in Australia's military history". After we visit the memorial at Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian soldiers, who fought a battle here in 1917. This horrific battle, and the bravery of the men who fought in it, came to symbolise Canada's coming of age as a nation.
Day 5: Off To The Ypres Battlefields And Menin Gate
Location: Ypres
Accommodation: Hotel Louvre Lens.
Accommodation Name: Mercure Cathedrale
Meals Included: Breakfast
Some of the biggest battles of World War I are explored at Ypres Salient in Belgium, where we will see such sites as Tyne Cot, Langemark and Vancouver Corner. Stop in Zonnebeke for an included visit to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, where you can see a replica trench. See Essex Farm Cemetery where over 1,200 brave servicemen are buried and where Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote his immortal poem, ‘In Flanders Fields'. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own and later sample one of the excellent local beers. After, make your way to the Menin Gate and witness the moving Last Post Ceremony to pay tribute to over 100,000 soldiers who laid down their lives more than a century ago.
Day 6: Discover The Somme
Location: Somme
Accommodation: Mercure Cathedrale
Accommodation Name: Mercure Cathedrale
Meals Included: Breakfast
The bloody battlefields of the Somme take center stage today. Stop at the Villers-Bretonneux memorial to the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. Carry on to Thiepval to see the poignant memorial that honours the 72,337 missing British and South African men who died with no known graves. We journey to Amiens for an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Cross Normandy To Caen
Location: Caen
Accommodation: Novotel Côte de Nacre
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel south through Normandy today. Taste the delights of the region during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where sweet treats await you. Stop in the City of Rouen for an orientation tour of this city which was captured by the French in 1204 from English possession. Next stop is Caen where you will visit the Memorial de Caen to learn about the significance of Normandy and the day that changed World War II.
Day 8: Explore The D-Day Normandy Beaches
Location: Normandy
Accommodation: Novotel Côte de Nacre
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take yourself back to June 6, 1944. Imagine the terror and bravery of thousands of soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy to free Europe from the Nazis. This morning, journey to the historic D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, including Juno Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Visit the American Cemetery and Memorial to learn about the Canadian, American, and Commonwealth involvement in this unbelievable battle for supremacy. This evening Connect With Locals on a Be My Guest Experience with the Ferrut family.
Day 9: Journey To Elegant Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Mercure Vaugirard Porte de Versailles
Accommodation Name: Courtyard Paris Porte de Versailles
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey inland through Normandy today, bound for the grand boulevards of Paris. Perhaps join us for an optional visit to the glittering Palace of Versailles before arriving in the French capital.
Day 10: Discover The Delights Of Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Mercure Vaugirard Porte de Versailles
Accommodation Name: Courtyard Paris Porte de Versailles
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join your Local Specialist to view the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then delve into the lives of Parisians, wandering through the enchanting hidden squares of one of Paris's oldest neighborhoods. Our walking tour concludes in one of the city's loveliest squares which is a real favorite among the locals. Spend the rest of the day on your own to see the sights. On our last evening together in Paris, we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner in the city.
Day 11: Au Revoir Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included to guide and assist you throughout the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour package.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are part of the tour experience.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are included in the itinerary.
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Eurostar high-speed train from London to Brussels
Travel on the Eurostar high-speed train from London to Brussels is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences are available but not included in the tour price.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included and are available for purchase.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and includes a Eurostar high-speed train journey from London to Brussels.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, breakfast is provided daily and up to half of the evening meals are included in the tour package.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted, such as Crowne Plaza London Kings Cross, Sofitel Brussels Europe, Hotel Louvre Lens, Hotel Mercure Amiens Cathedrale, Novotel Caen Côte de Nacre, and Mercure Paris Vaugirard Porte de Versailles.
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What is the significance of the Menin Gate visit during the tour?
The Menin Gate visit includes witnessing the moving Last Post Ceremony, which pays tribute to over 100,000 soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a confectionary factory in Notre-Dame-de-Bondeville and a Be My Guest Experience with the Ferrut family at their equestrian center in Bayeux.
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What historical sites related to World War I and II are visited on this tour?
The tour visits several significant historical sites including the Imperial War Museum in London, the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Dunkirk War Museum, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele, and various battlefields and memorials such as Vimy Ridge and the Somme.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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