Golf & Military History Tour of Normandy WWI and WWII saw some of the heaviest fightings in the Northwest corner of Europe and we will visit some of the most important sites pertaining to both great wars.
September 15 – 28, 2018 (14 days)
Explore Canada's role in the history of northwestern Europe, golf in France & as an added option attend the Ryder Cup.
Places: Beaumont-Hamel - Dieppe - Amiens - France - Caen - Vimy - Normandy - Strasbourg - Paris
Itinerary
Departure from various Canadian gateways for Paris.
After arrival we transfer to our hotel, check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before dinner.
Morning departure for Belgium, and in the afternoon we visit battle-scarred surroundings of Ypres (modern Ieper), site of WWI’s first gas attacks and an awe-inspiring cemeteries. The legacy of Passchendaele, 45,000 graves at Tyne Cot Cemetery, 44,000 in the German cemetery at Langemark, the St. Julien Canadian Monument with Vancouver Corner, and the site of John McCrae’s Field Station remain as stark reminders of the intensity of the fighting. We end our day checking into our hotel in time for dinner.
First Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship. Non-golfers may opt to travel to Bruges for a visit to the beautiful city, and spend a little time in Ypres itself. We have an earlier dinner so we may then take part in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.
Today’s trip brings us right into the heart of one of WWI’s most infamous battle zones, the Somme area, where we visit Beaumont Hamel, Regina Trench, Courcelette, and Arras before we head to Amiens for overnight and dinner.
Second Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship at the Golf Club d’Amiens. Non-golfers will enjoy the time in Amiens. Dinner together will follow.
Third Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship at the Golf Club d’Amiens. We will also visit Vimy Ridge today with its tunnels and the visitor center to learn about the battle 101 years ago that is such an important milestone in Canada’s history.
Today we drive to the Coast and visit to Le Puys and Pourville, as well as the Canadian Cemetery, before checking into our hotel which is in town, facing the beach.
Fourth Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship at the Golf Club Dieppe. There will also be time to visit the museum in town, maintained by the Jubilee Association to remember the ill-fated raid of August 19, 1942, so costly to Canada.
Today we drive to Caen, stopping en route to visit Pegasus Bridge briefly, then in the afternoon, the fifth Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship will take place at Domaine du Golf de clécy. Those not golfing can enjoy the time to visit Caen, do some shopping and perhaps visit the majestic Eglise de St. Etienne. We regroup for dinner.
Today we explore the Landing beaches with Juno Beach, Courseulles and Bény-sur-Mer Cemetery, then drive along the coast, see the Mulberry Harbour near Arromanches and stop at Omaha Beach. We'll return to our base in Caen for dinner.
This morning we visit the best D-Day Museum, the Peace Memorial Museum, and the final, Sixth Golf Game of our beaches & bunkers championship at Omaha Beach Golf Club. Tonight we mark the close of our tournament with a dinner.
We drive to Paris, enjoy an afternoon Panoramic Tour, check in and enjoy dinner.
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home or individuals may choose to extend their stay to either further explore Paris And/or attend the ryder Cup 2018 at Le Golf National Albatros Course outside of Versailles, northwest of Paris.