WWI and WWII Battlefields - Small Group
WWI and WWII Battlefields - Small Group
11 Days Starting in London and ending in Paris
Visiting: London, Brussels, Ypres, Amiens, Somme, Rouen, Normandy, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE726ZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Your Europe battlefield tour is the ultimate in-depth journey into the history of World Wars I and II. Journey to the Ypres Salient battlefields and see the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. Visit the Australian Fromelles Military Cemetery, where 250 British and Australian soldiers were buried and learn insights from a Local Expert for a tour of the key battlefields of the Somme. In Normandy, stand on the 100-foot-tall Pointe du Hoc overlooking the D-Day Landing Beaches and be guided through the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Indulge in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®? Experience at Les Confisseurs confectionary. End the trip exploring Paris' celebrated squares and avenues, from Place de la Concorde to the Champs-Élysées.
Choice Highlights
- Brussels: Join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier to get up close and personal with the decadent flavours of Brussels. Then enhance your discovery exploring Brussels with your Local Expert. Visit the cobbled square of the Grand-Place, home to the Town Hall and other buildings of political significance. This 12th century, Gothic architectural gem also hosts many concerts, fairs and folklore events and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
- Brussels: No visit to Belgium is complete without a trip to the site of the historic Battle of Waterloo. Your Travel Director reveals how the Battle of Waterloo was fought at this very spot between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher, ending a 23-year war and Napolean’s imperial power. Step inside the museum and the underground Visitor Centre to enhance your discovery through a 3D film and monumental panoramic painting depicting the battle.
Top Rated Highlights
- London: See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. Witness the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if operating).
- Vimy: Visit the Canadian National Memorial, dedicated to a battle that defined Canada as a nation, and walk among the original 100-year-old trenches.
- Arromanches-les-Bains: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings. See the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. Visit the American Military Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer, the D-Day Museum and the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc.
- Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.
Authentic Dining
Brussels: Discover Belgian cuisine in the heart of the capital.
Ypres: Enjoy a cool Belgian beer.
Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of the city for a delightful dinner served with wine.
Insight Choice
Brussels: Join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier to get up close and personal with the decadent flavours of Brussels. Then enhance your discovery exploring Brussels with your Local Expert. Visit the cobbled square of the Grand-Place, home to the Town Hall and other buildings of political significance. This 12th century, Gothic architectural gem also hosts many concerts, fairs and folklore events and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Brussels: No visit to Belgium is complete without a trip to the site of the historic Battle of Waterloo. Your Travel Director reveals how the Battle of Waterloo was fought at this very spot between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher, ending a 23-year war and Napolean’s imperial power. Step inside the museum and the underground Visitor Centre to enhance your discovery through a 3D film and monumental panoramic painting depicting the battle.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation: Park Plaza Victoria, 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: Park Plaza Victoria, 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: Le Louise, Brussels MGallery
Accommodation Name: Le Louise, Brussels MGallery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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: Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place
Accommodation Name: Mercure Lille Centre 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: Mercure Amiens Cathédrale
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 Centre, 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 colourful houses, canals, tiny bridges and water-powered mills.
Day 6: The Battlefields Of The Somme
Location: Somme
Accommodation: Mercure Amiens Cathédrale
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 Centre 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: Rouen
Accommodation: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today 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: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Accommodation Name: Mercure Caen Centre 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: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
With monuments, churches and elegant squares, Versailles will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Your Travel Director shows off the highlights of the city from the historical centre in the Notre Dame neighbourhood 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: Marriott Rive Gauche, 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 centre 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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Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Park Plaza Victoria in London, Le Louise in Brussels, Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place, Mercure Amiens Cathédrale, and Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris, offering a blend of modern amenities and convenient locations for exploring historic sites.
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Transport
Travel conveniently between destinations with a mix of Eurostar train journeys and guided coach tours, ensuring a seamless exploration of historic battlefields and iconic cities across England, Belgium, and France.
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Dining
Enjoy 6 dinners, 10 breakfasts, and 1 lunch during the tour.
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Guided Tours
Explore iconic sights and landmarks with Local Experts in cities like London and Paris.
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Museum Visits
Visit significant museums such as the Imperial War Museum in London and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.
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Battlefield Tours
Experience guided tours of historic battlefields including Ypres, the Somme, and Normandy.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a romantic Seine Cruise or 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 is recommended for all travelers.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Insight Experiences
- London: Explore one of the world’s leading museums of conflict, focusing on the impact of modern warfare on individuals and societies. Through powerful exhibitions, learn about the World Wars and their lasting effects, featuring personal stories, military artifacts, and immersive experiences.
- Zonnebeke: Discover the tragic history of one of the bloodiest battles of World War I. The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 offers a poignant journey through the events of the Battle of Passchendaele, with vivid displays of war relics, reconstructed trenches, and interactive exhibits to understand the devastation and courage of the soldiers.
- Zonnebeke: Pay your respects at the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world, where over 11,900 soldiers of World War I are laid to rest. The Tyne Cot Cemetery is a solemn and moving tribute to the fallen, offering an opportunity for quiet reflection amidst the rows of white gravestones and the impressive memorial wall.
- Amiens: Venture through the battlefields of the Somme, as your local historian explains how brave soldiers fought tirelessly for five months.
- : Step into the opulence of the Château du Champ de Bataille, a magnificent 17th-century estate in Normandy. This grand chateau boasts stunning gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Jacques Garcia, who has also restored the lavish interiors, offering visitors a glimpse into aristocratic life and French history.
Mode of Transport
Travel conveniently between destinations with a mix of Eurostar train journeys and guided coach tours, ensuring a seamless exploration of historic battlefields and iconic cities across England, Belgium, and France.
Additional Included Highlights
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience can I expect in Brussels during the tour?
In Brussels, you can join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier, allowing you to get up close and personal with the decadent flavors of Brussels. Additionally, you can explore the historic battlefield of Waterloo with insights from your Travel Director.
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What historical sites will be visited in Ypres?
In Ypres, the tour includes visits to Hill 60, Polygon Wood, the Passchendaele Memorial, and Tyne Cot Cemetery. You will also learn about the Battle of Messines and hear the Last Post sounded at the Menin Gate.
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What can I expect to see at the Normandy Beaches?
At the Normandy Beaches, you will follow the route of the Rangers, visit the bunkers and the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc, and experience a D-Day simulation aboard a genuine C-47 aircraft. The tour also includes visits to the Utah Beach Museum and the Omaha Beach Memorial, concluding with a reflective moment at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
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What is included in the visit to the Somme battlefields?
The visit to the Somme battlefields includes stops at the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval, the Lochnagar Crater, and the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval. You will also visit the Newfoundland Memorial and Museum, and the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
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What are the highlights of the Paris segment of the tour?
In Paris, you will explore iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor obelisk, and the Champs Elysées leading to the Arc de Triomphe. The tour also offers an optional romantic Seine Cruise and a memorable evening with dinner featuring French cuisine and wine.
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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
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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