WWI and WWII Battlefields - Classic Group
WWI and WWII Battlefields - Classic Group
WWI and WWII Battlefields - Classic Group
11 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: London, Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, Normandy, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E726N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a profound journey through history with the "WWI and WWII Battlefields - Classic Group" tour. Starting in London, explore iconic landmarks and the Imperial War Museum before traveling to Brussels via Eurostar. Discover the historic Battle of Waterloo, indulge in a chocolate-making class, and savor Belgian cuisine. Visit the poignant battlefields of Ypres, Fromelles, and Vimy Ridge, and delve into the stories of the Somme. Experience the D-Day landings in Normandy, and explore the grandeur of Versailles. Conclude your tour in Paris, the City of Light, with its world-renowned landmarks and vibrant culture. This tour offers a rich blend of historical insights, culinary delights, and cultural experiences.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Victoria, London
Meals Included: Dinner
Begin your WWI and WWII battlefield tour in stylish London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy this city famous for its grandeur and famous landmarks. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the boutiques of Knightsbridge. Or, stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a dinner.
Day 2: The Imperial War Museum
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Victoria, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your exploration with a city tour led by a Local Expert, culminating at the Imperial War Museum housing one million artifacts.
Day 3: The Best Of Brussels
Location: Brussels
Accommodation Name: Le Louise, Brussels MGallery
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey on the Eurostar to Brussels where you can curate the rest of the day of your battlefields tour exploring the city with Insight Choice. Opt to visit the historic battlefield of Waterloo. At the site of the final battle of the Napoleonic Wars, learn about Napoleon's June 18 defeat in 1815, which marked the end of his attempts to dominate Europe. Should you prefer to indulge your sweet tooth, you can choose to join your Local Expert on a city tour of Brussels and chocolate-making class. Conclude your day dining with your travel companions at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Ypres Battlefields
Location: Ypres
Accommodation Name: Mercure Lille Center Grand Place
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on your journey to Ypres. The next two days are dedicated to the First World War – viewing Hill 60, Polygon Wood, the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Cemetery. Uncover the history of the Battle of Messines, a prelude to Passchendaele, where Australian and New Zealand Forces combined to attack the German defensive position. In the town of Ypres, sample the local beer before concluding your day hearing the Last Post sounded at the Menin Gate.
Day 5: Fromelles And Vimy Ridge
Location: Amiens
Accommodation Name: Mercure Amiens Cathédrale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Arriving at the Australian cemetery of Fromelles, pause to pay your respects and to learn about this monument commemorating one of the darkest days in Australian military history. Explore the town of Arras and make an insightful stop at the Vimy Ridge Visitors Center, dedicated to a battle that defined Canada. On your history tour, consider joining an Optional Experience to Wellington’s Quarry Museum, named after a network of tunnels used during World War I. Then learn about the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that commemorates the 1.7 million casualties from the First and Second World Wars. Finish your day in medieval Amiens rebuilt after World War II, spending some time in the historic Saint-Leu district lined with colorful houses, canals, tiny bridges and water-powered mills.
Day 6: The Battlefields Of The Somme
Location: Amiens
Accommodation Name: Mercure Amiens Cathédrale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your Local Expert illuminates the stories behind the key battlefields of the Somme. Visit the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval, the Lochnagar Crater, the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval. Stop at Ocean Villas for lunch and the Newfoundland Memorial and Museum and see rare memorabilia from the First and Second World Wars collected by military historian and collector André Coillot. Your guided visit to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Sir John Monash Center shines a light on how Australian soldiers saved this town. Return to Amiens to view the largest Gothic cathedral in France, boasting the second tallest nave of any medieval church in the country.
Day 7: Highlights Of Normandy
Location: Normandy
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Begin with an indulgent MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Les Confisseurs confectionary boutique and workshop. Then make your way to Rouen, capital of Normandy, to admire its ancient cathedral - a masterpiece of Gothic style and the subject of paintings by Monet. Wander through the narrow streets beneath the Great Clock to the Old Market Square where a modern church commemorates the burning of Joan of Arc on this very spot in 1431. Cap off your day at the Château Champ de Bataille, a masterpiece of 17th-century architecture.
Day 8: Normandy Beaches And D-Day Landings
Location: Normandy
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the route of the Rangers and visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc. Then delve into the sights and insights over a D-Day Experience. You’ll even step aboard a genuine C-47 built in 1943 for a simulated flight, feeling like you’re flying over the D-Day Landing beaches. Enter the house dubbed Dead Man’s Corner used in the film Band of Brothers. Visit the Utah Beach Museum, illuminating the story of D-Day from its preparation to its conclusion. Stop at the Omaha Beach Memorial before spending a few reflective moments at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Enhance your evening with an optional dining experience to taste Normandy's renowned local cuisine.
Day 9: Versailles And Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
With monuments, churches and elegant squares, Versailles will inspire the mind of any curious traveler. Your Travel Director shows off the highlights of the city from the historical center in the Notre Dame neighborhood to the Saint Louis area known for its well-preserved monuments like the Convent of the Récollets, the Old Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Marine built under Louis XV as well as the Royal Tennis Court, where the French Revolution started. Then venture to Paris where, as evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour do not miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Day 10: Paris, City Of Light
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the 3,000-year-old Luxor obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Curate your day with an optional experience of a romantic Seine Cruise. You are in for a memorable evening which begins with a dinner featuring delicious French cuisine and wine.
Day 11: Farewell Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say au revoir to the City of Light. Your battlefield tour concludes with a transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 10 breakfasts, 5 dinners, 1 dinner with wine, and 1 lunch.
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Local Expert Guides
Guided tours and local expert insights are provided at various locations including Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, and Paris.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Park Plaza Victoria in London, Le Louise in Brussels, Mercure Lille Center Grand Place, Mercure Amiens Cathédrale, Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance, and Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris.
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Transportation
Transportation includes a journey on the Eurostar from London to Brussels and transfers to various locations.
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Museum and Site Visits
Visits to significant historical sites and museums such as the Imperial War Museum, the Battle of Waterloo site, Vimy Ridge Visitors Center, Normandy American Cemetery, and the D-Day Museum.
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Special Experiences
Special experiences include a private chocolate truffle-making lesson in Brussels, a tour of the Ocean Villas tearoom and museum in Auchonvillers, and a confectionary workshop in Notre-Dame-de-Bondeville.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a visit to Wellington’s Quarry Museum, a Seine Cruise in Paris, and a cabaret show in Paris are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel conveniently by Eurostar from London to Brussels, and enjoy guided tours and local transportation throughout the journey, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Park Plaza Victoria in London, Le Louise MGallery in Brussels, Mercure Lille Center Grand Place, Mercure Amiens Cathédrale, Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance, and Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of unique experiences can I expect in Brussels?
In Brussels, you can join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier. Additionally, you can explore the historic battlefield of Waterloo with a Local Expert, who will provide insights into the Battle of Waterloo and its significance.
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What activities are included in the Ypres Battlefields visit?
During the Ypres Battlefields visit, you will view Hill 60, Polygon Wood, the Passchendaele Memorial, and Tyne Cot Cemetery. You will also learn about the Battle of Messines and sample local Belgian beer in the town of Ypres. The day concludes with the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Somme battlefields?
At the Somme battlefields, a Local Expert will guide you through key sites such as the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval, the Lochnagar Crater, and the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval. You will also visit the Ocean Villas tearoom and museum, the Newfoundland Memorial and Museum, and the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
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What is included in the Normandy D-Day Landings tour?
The Normandy D-Day Landings tour includes visits to the bunkers and Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc, a simulated flight aboard a genuine C-47 at the D-Day Experience, the Utah Beach Museum, the Omaha Beach Memorial, and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
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What historical sites will I visit in Paris?
In Paris, you will explore iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor obelisk in the Place de la Concorde, and the Champs Elysées leading to the Arc de Triomphe. You will also have the option to take a romantic Seine Cruise.
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What is the significance of the visit to Vimy Ridge?
The visit to Vimy Ridge includes a stop at the Canadian National Memorial, which is dedicated to a battle that defined Canada as a nation. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Vimy Ridge Visitors Center and learn about the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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What can I expect from the visit to Versailles?
In Versailles, your Travel Director will show you highlights of the city, including the historical center in the Notre Dame neighborhood and the Saint Louis area. You will see well-preserved monuments such as the Convent of the Récollets, the Old Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Marine, and the Royal Tennis Court, where the French Revolution started.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations 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 insight vacations 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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Terms and Conditions