BATTLEFIELDS OF THE GREAT WARS Normandy (D-Day), Somme, Vimy, Passchendaele

September 28 - October 10, 2014 • 13 Days - 21 Meals

Escorted by Archdeacon Gerald Peddle

This tour is designed with remembrance in mind. We are now fast approaching the 100

th anniversary of the war to

end all wars, and the 70h anniversary of the D Day

landings. Over 600,000 Canadian men and women volunteered to serve in WW1, many of them lie in the corners of a foreign field, never to see their homeland again.

We will visit the sites of mourning and remembrance of both wars giving you the opportunity to pay your respects to those who went before us.

This pilgrimage of remembrance takes place at a particularly poignant time; 2014 is the 70

th Anniversary of

the ‘D’ Day Landings of WWII and the 100th Anniversary

of the start of the Great War.

INCLUSIVE FEATURES

Return economy class airfare from Canadian cities

First class hotels as indicated or similar

All entrance fees and sightseeing as described

21 meals included (B - 12 breakfasts, L - 2 lunch, D - 7

dinners)

Escorted from Canada plus professional guides in

destination

All gratuities, taxes and fees for included services

Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value

Comprehensive insurance coverage

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the site that inspired the war poem “In Flanders Fields”

Visit the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge

Walk through preserved trenches from WWI

Visit Juno, Omaha, and Utah beaches

See military cemeteries for Canadian, British, and German soldiers.

Visit the Newfoundland Memorial Park

Experience the largest crater made in anger; The Lochnagar Crater

WWI Canadian Machine Gunners Dig In

Missing, where nearly 73,000 names are listed. In the visitor centre we gain an overview of WWI and of the Somme battles in particular. Our next visit is to Newfoundland Memorial Park. From our elevated position we can view the finest examples of preserved trenches anywhere on the Western Front. Driving past Regina Trench we call at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial. The Mecure (3 nights) BD Saturday, October 4 MONS / CAMBRAI Today we drive to Mons, where the first and last casualties of the Great War took place. The last casualty was the Canadian Pvt Price who was sniped at 10:58hrs whilst being handed a garland of flowers. We visit the cemetery where he and the first casualty of WWI, Pvt Parr, are buried. We return to the Cambrai area where we will see a MKIV tank that was damaged in battle and was only discovered a few years ago. BD Sunday, October 5 VIMY RIDGE This morning we visit Hill 70 and Vimy Ridge, where the Canadian Corps fought and won their greatest battle. There we will explore the trenches, visitor centre, and the famous Canadian Memorial. Following a picnic lunch, we will explore Canadian actions that took place around Cambrai from November 1917 through October 1918, and visit the Canadian Memorial in Bourlon Wood. BL Monday, October 6 YPRES Today we move from the Somme to Ypres in Belgium. We will visit Essex Farm, the site where medical officer John McCrae treated his wounded friend Lt Alexis Helmer. Deeply affected by this McCrae wrote his famous poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’. We continue to Vancouver Corner and the Canadian Memorial, the site where the Germans’ first used gas in April 1915. Returning to Ypres, we check into the Hotel Ariane (3 nights) BD Tuesday, October 7 PASSCHENDAELE / Mt SORREL After breakfast, we will visit the German cemetery at Langemark, where nearly 45,000 are buried. Next we will visit the new trench and bunker experience at the Passchendaele Museum in Zonnebeke, after which we continue to the largest British Military Cemetery in the world. We learn more of the 3

rd Battle of Ypres and visit

Crest Farm, where there is a memorial to commemorate

Sunday, September 28 DEPART CANADA Group members from across Canada gather to fly overnight to Paris. Monday, September 29 PARIS / NORMANDY Arriving Paris this morning, we will be met by our driver and guide and head north for the Normandy beaches. Our first few days will be spent touring the battlefields and memorials that dot this hard fought region of Northern France. Our first visit will be to Juno Beach, where the Canadian 3

rd Infantry Division and 2

nd Armoured Brigade fought during the June 6, 1944 D-Day landings. We shall next visit the Ardenne Abbey where our Canadian troops first met the 12th SS Panzer Division in one of the more tragic and iconic stories of these historic landings. Le Clos Normand (4 nights) BD Tuesday, September 30 NORMANDY A short drive brings us to Buron to see the memorial to the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment and the 27

th Canadian

Armoured Regiment. It was here that the Canadians spear headed the push towards Caen and fought house to house with German forces. At Villons-les-Buissons and Hell’s Corner, there is a memorial to the 9

th Canadian (Highland)

Brigade. At Beny-sur-Mer we shall visit the 2044 Canadian graves at the military cemetery and the Canadian Highlanders of Ottawa Memorial. We will also visit the impressive Juno Beach Centre. Inaugurated by the Canadian government on 6

th June 1994 at a cost of six

million Euros, it is a place of remembrance, of learning and of culture. BD Wednesday, October 1 ST MERE EGLISE / D-DAY BEACHES This morning we shall visit St. Mere Eglise to see where Pvt Steele, an American paratrooper, was captured after his parachute got tangled in a Church steeple. We continue to Pointe du Hoc, the strategic high ground situated between Omaha and Utah beaches. Heading down to the shore we will have a chance to see the landings from an American soldiers perspective. A tour of the new visitor centre at the US cemetery will be included before we take the coastal drive back to our hotel. BD Thursday, October 2 FREE DAY / NORMANDY Today is a free day for you to do as you will. You may wish to visit the ancient town of Bayeux to see the famous tapestry, or simply browse the shops for Normandy cider and Calvados. B Friday, October 3 SOMME / ARRAS We bid farewell to Normandy and the Second World War and reach further back in history to the First World War as we drive to the battlefields of Somme. En-route we will discuss the causes of the Great War, the formation of the various armies and the disposition of the troops. The Somme Offensive remains an important part of military history, and is one of the largest military actions to take place in WWI. Over 1 million men were wounded or killed on either side, making it one of the bloodiest battles in history. Our first visit will be to the Lochnagar Crater, the scene of an enormous mine detonation which signalled the start of battle. We continue to the Thiepval Memorial to the

Royal Winnipeg Rifles, D-Day

TOUR ESCORT

We are most pleased to have the Archdeacon Gerald Peddle escorting this journey. While Gerry is now retired, he was most recently the National Director of the Pastoral Outreach Program, providing care to Veterans. He previously served in Canada’s military for 28 years until he retired as the Chaplain General in 1999. During that time he travelled extensively in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and throughout North America. Since retiring, he has been escorting groups for us to a variety of worldwide destinations. We are sure his background and love of travel will ensure a rewarding experience for all who join him on this fascinating journey.

Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars (per person)

Land Only (Join / Leave Paris) .................................. $4,655 Toronto / Montreal / Ottawa ....................................... $6,065 Halifax ....................................................................... $6,155 Winnipeg .................................................................... $6,185 Calgary / Edmonton ................................................... $6,275 Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $6,275 Vancouver / Victoria ................................................... $6,275 Single Supplement ........................................................ $785

Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and air carrier are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to Inclusive Features for details.

CT RATING 3 - Moderately Challenging: Members can expect a fairly busy itinerary with a number of active walks over relatively rough terrain and visits to a number of primitive environments.

Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room at hotels. Prices are based on a minimum of 20 members and taxes, surcharges, airfares, and exchange rates effective September 2013 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control.

The price includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($285 - $320pp) for passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date (rate varies by the cost of the trip). Cost supplements will apply for members aged 75 - 85 (from $185 - $352pp). Clients 86 years and older - please contact our staff. This insurance is effective from the date of confirmation and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking.

Final payment will be due July 15, 2014.

To reserve your spot on this tour, simply complete the enclosed enrollment form, indicating the tour you wish to join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit of $400 per person to:

CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD

1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6

Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143

Email: tours@craigtravel.com / Web: www.craigtravel.com

REV22AUG14

the Canadian capture of the village of Passchendaele in Nov 1917. Following another picnic lunch, our final visit of the day will be to the Canadian areas where they fought in 1916 at Maple Copse and Mount Sorrel. We will see the vestiges of trenches close-by at the Hill 62 museum. BL

Wednesday, October 8 TALBOT HOUSE / YPRES This morning we visit the Talbot House, gardens and museum. This building is where most British soldiers went to recuperate when off the front line. A place where a soldier could rest with a cup of tea and take the chance to write home to their families and girlfriends. We drive on to Lijjsenthoek cemetery and the new visitor centre where we can learn about the treatment of casualties in WWI. This afternoon we will tour Ypres, including the town square, Menin Gate, and the ramparts. The tour concludes at the beautiful Ramparts cemetery. For those who wish to visit the ‘In Flanders Fields’ museum, now is your opportunity. Tonight we will attend at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate at 8pm. A wreath will be laid by the group. BD

Thursday, October 9 YPRES / PARIS Departing our hotel this morning we make our way to Paris and enjoy a short panoramic tour of the city before arriving at our hotel. We will then have the afternoon and evening free for personal exploration. Paris La Villette Cite des Sciences (1 night) B

Friday, October 10 PARIS / CANADA This morning we catch our Air Canada flights to Toronto and on to our homes across Canada. B

British Soldiers Marching