Canada Remembers: From Vimy Ridge to Juno Beach
In September 2024, take a 12-day journey with Ellison Tour Manager and Canadian history enthusiast Larry O’Malley as we embark on a journey of remembrance and reflection into Canada’s history. Featuring an eight-day exploration of Canada’s important contributions in World War I & II, we’ll follow the route of Canada’s military involvement in Belgium and France during these conflicts.
As we make our way through Belgium and France, you’ll visit the places and names that helped to forge Canada into the nation that it is today — Vimy Ridge, the Ypres Salient, the Menin Gate and of course, the Juno Beach Centre, located where Canadians came ashore on D-Day. Along the way you’ll enjoy the sights, sounds and local cuisine while travelling in the footsteps of our Canadian forces, visiting the location of key battles and paying tribute to the men and women who died for our freedom.
We will wrap up our trip with two days in Paris, the City of Lights, where you’ll have time to explore the food, culture and history of this magnificent city with so much to offer.
COST INCLUDES:
- Airfare from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Brussels International Airport returning to Toronto from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport including roundtrip transport of 1 piece of luggage (within airline restrictions), all applicable airline, airport and security fees as of this contract date
- 11 days private motor coach transportation from Brussels, BE to Paris, FR, including driver accommodations with the group, driver gratuity and tolls/parking (size of coach to be determined when numbers confirmed)
- Paris Metro tickets (10 per person)
- 10 nights’ accommodation in twin / double accommodation including continental breakfast daily, roundtrip baggage (tentative to availability) all applicable taxes and service charges
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Novotel Ieper Centrum – Ieper (or similar)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express – Arras (or similar)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Mercure Hotel La Presidence – Dieppe (or similar)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Novotel – Bayeux (or similar)
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Paris (tentative hotel to be advised)
- 2 group lunches, and 5 three-course group dinners with beverage service including 1 farewell dinner in Paris, including gratuities
- Professionally guided tour of Paris including a gratuity for your guide
- Tour manager guided tour of Ypres Salient and the Dieppe Landing Beaches
- Commemorative stops at locations mentioned on itinerary
- Visits and admissions (where fees exist) to the following: Passchendaele 1917 Memorial Museum, Hill 62 Sanctuary Wood Museum, The Canadian Memorial Park at Vimy Ridge, Carriere Wellington tunnels, Beaumont Hamel Royal Newfoundland Memorial Park, The Juno Beach Centre, Canada House, Mulberry Harbour and D-Day Landing Museum, Seine River Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens, and the Eiffel Tower (or Montparnasse Tower)
- Services of Ellison Tours tour manager Larry O’Malley
- Includes all applicable taxes and service charges as of this contract date (HST/GST does not apply).
- 24-hour Ellison Travel & Tours emergency contact number while on tour
NOT INCLUDED:
- Insurance has not been included as part of your tour package. Ellison Tours highly recommends that all travellers ensure they have Travel Insurance. These products, including Cancellation and Medical coverage, can be purchased through Ellison Tours – see insurance information below for details
- Costs associated with vaccination, testing and other entry/exit requirements for your itinerary (unless noted under included above)
- Costs associated with visa or passport processing, passport photos and other government processing fees
- Meals other than mentioned above
- Wi-Fi services on motorcoach
- Additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or our suppliers
- Drinks with group lunches (other than tap water on the tables)
- Charges by the airline for oversize/overweight luggage, over and above the amount listed under the price includes section above
- Any luggage fees introduced or altered prior to travel
OPTIONAL
- Single room supplement (10 nights single room accommodation with breakfast) – approx. $1,255.00 per person
$5975CAD per person – double/twin occupancy
$1255CAD per person – single supplement
*Price is based on 23 travellers
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- Online Tour Registration deadline – December 15, 2023 (payment registration and collection will only happen when the minimum number of travellers has been reached)
- Online payment registration deadline – January 5, 2024
- First deposit of $1000 CAD per person due January 16, 2024
- For any traveller who wishes to purchase the optional insurance (only available at time of deposit), the premium will be added to your first deposit
- Second payment of $1500 is due March 15, 2024
- Third payment of $1500 is due May 10, 2024
- Final payment is due July 5, 2024
Larry worked as an educator in Ontario for 30 years, in four different school boards ranging from urban Toronto to rural Ontario. He first worked as a history and law teacher and then became a secondary administrator, retiring from the role of principal in 2020. Larry served on the executive of the Ontario History and Social Science Teachers’ Association for 10 years and was active in helping develop course materials for the current Ontario Curriculum. In 2012, Larry was honoured to open Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville, named in honour of World War II veteran and founder of the Juno Beach Centre, Garth Webb. During his career, Larry promoted the importance of student travel as a means of enhancing classroom learning. He has taken students on numerous field trips and excursions including organizing and leading 5 tours of remembrance to Europe for Halton schools. Currently, Larry serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Juno Beach Centre Association (Canada) which operates the Juno Beach Centre and honours Canada’s involvement in World War II. The Juno Beach Centre is located in Normandy where the Canadians came ashore on D-Day.
