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Remember the battles. Commemorate the soldiers. Rediscover the World Wars.
Follow in Allied soldiers’ footsteps on this immersive journey through World War I and World War II. From French Battlefields to the beaches of Normandy and even the cramped trenches across Beaumont-Hamel, you’ll experience the struggle, and the celebration, on the front lines. Along the way, you’ll follow Canadian forces toward victory at Vimy Ridge, and join in honoring the thousands who gave their lives 105 years ago.
Your tour package includes
8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
1 lunch
4 dinners with beer or wine
8 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights
Dam Square
Bergen op Zoom
Kazerne Dossin Memorial & Museum
Vimy Ridge Memorial
Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to the Netherlands! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam
Included meal: Breakfast
Today’s panoramic sightseeing tour introduces you to Amsterdam’s iconic canals and unique character.
Walk past the National Opera and Ballet, Jewish Historical Museum, National Holocaust Museum, and Hollandsche Schouwburg war memorial
Drive through the city center to see Museumplein and Mint Tower
View Dam Square, home of many landmarks including the neoclassical Royal Palace, the 15th-century New Church, and the National Monument
Pass the Anne Frank House, where the young diarist and her family hid during World War II
Stroll by the canals and bridges, taking in the houseboats that dot the banks
Enjoy a free afternoon in Amsterdam or add excursions.
Please note: You’ll be divided into groups of 20 people or less for the walking portion of the sightseeing tour. Each group will have their own local guide.
Canal Cruise & Dinner
From $135 per person
Keukenhof Gardens
From $99 per person
Lille3 nights
Day 4: Lille via Bergen op Zoom & Mechelen
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Lille, France today, stopping for several visits along the way.
Stop in the city of Bergen op Zoom to learn about its history as one of the sites of the Battle of the Scheldt, an important military campaign for the Canadian First Army during the Second World War
Continue on to the Belgian city of Mechelen
Enter Kazerne Dossin, a memorial, museum, and documentation center focused on the Holocaust and human rights
Enjoy free time to the explore the exhibits housed in what was once a detention and deportation camp for Belgian Jews and Romani people
In Lille, sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Day 5: Vimy battlefields & 105th anniversary celebrations
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Spend the day exploring World War I sites of Vimy Ridge on a sightseeing tour with a local guide.
Enter the Vimy Interpretive Centre to see medals and memorabilia from the significant battle
See the Vimy Ridge Memorial, a national historic site of Canada, and explore the area’s tunnels, trenches, and cemeteries
Enjoy an included, catered picnic lunch
Take part in commemorative events to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Please note: Depending on the anniversary event schedule, the sightseeing tour of Vimy Ridge and the Vimy Interpretive Centre may take place on day 6.
Day 6: Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Included meal: Breakfast
Join your Tour Director to explore the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, which honors the sacrifices made by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
See the Caribou Memorial statue, a memorial to the Newfoundlanders who fought in Belgium
Enter the visitor center and trenches to learn about the history of this Great War battlefield
Enjoy a free evening in Lille or add an excursion.
Please note: Depending on the anniversary event schedule, the sightseeing tour of Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial may take place on day 5.
Ypres & Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony
From $85 per person
Normandy Region2 nights
Day 7: Normandy Region via Dieppe
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to the Normandy region today, stopping en route to visit the town of Dieppe with your Tour Director leading the way.
See the Canadian War Memorial, which chronicles the events of the Dieppe Raid in August of 1942
Visit the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, where Allied soldiers killed in the Dieppe Raid were laid to rest
Later, arrive in the Normandy region and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Normandy Beaches
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out to explore the Normandy region, stopping to uncover historic sites as you go.
Visit the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, the burial place of many Canadian soldiers who fought during the beginning of the Battle of Normandy
Enter the Juno Beach Centre
Explore the seaside town of Arromanches, where you’ll have free time for lunch
Paris1 night
Day 9: Transfer to Paris & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Travel to Paris and embark on a guided tour introducing you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.
Stop to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower
See Le Meurice hotel, the Nazi headquarters in Paris
Pass the Louvre and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River
See the Paris Police Prefecture and the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation
End in Le Marais, the city’s Jewish Quarter
Then, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner this evening.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Paris.
Extension to Paris
Paris is always a good idea, so extend your trip to keep exploring. Take a couple of days to museum-hop, stroll along the boulevards, brush up on your français, and let your expert Tour Director point you toward the crème de la crème
Paris2 nights
Day 10: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Paris or add excursions.
Historic Versailles
From $125 per person
Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise
From $119 per person
Day 11: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Paris or add an excursion.
This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny
From $95 per person
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
The Manor Amsterdam
This trendy hotel is located in the Oost district of Amsterdam. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms, lounge-bar, and easy access to the tram. Nearby you'll...
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Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place
This contemporary hotel is located in Lille’s city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Nearby, you’ll find the the opera house, Grand ...
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Hotel Mercure Cabourg Hippodrome
This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Cabourg. Guests enjoy a fitness center, pool, and bar. Nearby you’ll find the Hippodrome de Cabourg, Pl...
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Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel
This modern hotel is located in Montparnasse. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Nearby, you'll find Luxembourg G...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CWV.
Tour pacing & mobility
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Transportation & arrival information
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Amsterdam and depart from Paris. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Baggage allowance
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Clothing & packing tips
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
Health
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to My Account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CWV.
Cuisine
In the Netherlands, simply prepared meat and fish dishes, substantial soups and hearty stews are local staples. Snack food traditionally features fish—you might try maatje, raw green herring served with onions—but pancakes, fries, doughnuts, and waffles are also plentiful.
In Belgium, seafood is of a very high quality, and mussels steamed in white wine are a favorite. Patisseries offer decadent pastries and cakes, and you won’t want to miss indulging in favorites like fries, handmade chocolate, locally brewed Abbey-style beer and, of course, Belgian waffles. Please note that Belgian beers vary widely in style and flavor and are often much higher in alcohol content than other European beers.
Cuisine in the Normandy region of France is known for its fresh flavors. Chicken, rabbit and duck are staples, and you can find fish and shellfish in its coastal towns. The abundance of dairy farms throughout the region means many dishes are accompanied by cheeses and creams. Normandy is also famous for its apples, which are used to create cider and calvados, or apple brandy.
For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
Electricity & air conditioning
All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
Time zones
The Netherlands, Belgium, and France are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
Currency
You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD/CAD to $10USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
Purchasing excursions on tour
Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
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