2014 Battlefield Brochure by Connection Tours

8/12/2019 2014 Battlefield Brochure by Connection Tours

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The Battlefield Tours

My Story on the Battlefield Tours:Samantha Cowan recalls herexperience joining the BattlefieldCommunity on our Liberation ofHolland Tour 2005

Company Background & ContactInformation Registration Forms Terms & Conditions Our Partners and Resources

Connection Tours

A Letter from the Connection ToursTeam

Our 2014 Battlefield Programmes

D-Day 70th / WWI Centennial May 28th

to June 7th

D-Day 70th

Anniversary Tour June 3rd

tJune 13th

Air and Aviation UK Tours Sept. 6th to

Sept 18th.

The Remembrance Day Tour Nov. 4th t

14th.


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Visit us:

http://connectiontours.ca/specialized-tours/the-

battlefield-tours/

And for even more information visit:www.thebattlefieldtours.ca
http://www.thebattlefieldtours.ca/http://www.thebattlefieldtours.ca/


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Our company has been organizing Battlefieldtours for over 25 years. Those years have created a

driving passion that continues to inspire us andmove our valued clients in many ways.

In May of 1995, just after the 50th Anniversaryof Holland, we concluded a tour with Veterans andtheir families, and wondered if it would be the lasttour of its kind we would have the honor ofleading. In the years leading up to the anniversary,our coaches were filled with the men and womenwho fought for our freedom and the freedom of ourchildren. For some, it was the first time in decades

to set foot on the battlefields of Europe since theend of the Second World War. For most, it was afinal farewell to their comrades who were laid to

rest thousands of miles from their homelands. For all, it was a reminder of the loss andsacrifices they endured.

We were fortunately wrong to think that visitors to the battlefields of Europe woulddwindle after memories of the 50th Anniversary celebrations had faded. Its been well over adecade later and the Connection Tours team, with CWT Travel Source, is still operatingnumerous battlefield tours to Europe and beyond every year. The tours are beingexperienced by participants of all ages from all different walks of life, with a common desireto understand and pay tribute to the men and women who fought and paid the final sacrifice.

Our expertise has developed from the First and Second World Wars in Europe to theCrimean, Napoleonic and Boer War in South Africa as well as Canadas involvement inSoutheast Asia. We have hosted Veterans returns to D-Day and Liberation of Holland aswell as many school study groups and Regiments. Our tour managers are extremelyknowledgeable in their fields of expertise and we consider ourselves very fortunate to havethem on board.

Our vision is to continue to organize battlefield tours to educate future generations and

retain a semblance of history as well as the sacrifice of generations past, as well as those stillwith us. We will also continue to travel to destinations farther afield to discover and keepyou aware of future tours and plans.

Sincerely,Ian Cowan, The Connection Tours Team& the CWT Travel Source Team

In May of 1995, weconcluded a tourwith Veterans andtheir families, andwondered if it wouldbe the last tour ofits kind we wouldhave the honor of

leading...


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We value our partnerships and we value YOUWe recognize our Canadian Travel Agents as a prominent representative of the Canadiantravel market. Weve recognized your prestige and value our partnerships with otherfavorable travel industry leaders.

By participating in one of the four Battlefield Tours we offer this year or next, we wouldrecognize you as a preferred distributorof our product, and therefore would provide youwith our preferred distributor commission rate of 10%.

100 Guaranteed DeparturesWe will also provide for you 100% guaranteed departure for all of our trip offerings. Wewill go, even if it costs us. This is our guarantee to ensure our reputation with you is ofthe highest quality.

Traveling with the Connection Tours reputationOur average feedback rating out of 5 is 4.68, and 98% of Connectiontravelers have said they would travel with us again. 62% of Connectiontravelers have. 27% have traveled with us on more than twotrips.We offer-Competitive & Direct Rates- Customized & Flexible Itineraries- In House Destination Clinics for our Agents- Experiences like no other

Features and Benefits of joining a Battlefield Tour with Connection Tours 2014

When Ian Cowan started Connection Tours in 1987, the focus was first andforemost to bringing Canadians back to the Battlefields of Europe, specifically,Canadian Veterans.

The extraordinary success of our Battlefield Tour year after year led to theestablishment of a diverse range of tour programmes for several other specialinterests with fully customized, flexibly organized, price competitive, direct, andin-depth itineraries.

Though we have brought a variety of tour opportunities to our repertoire andvarious capabilities to our travelers, the Connection Tours team still maintains astrong focus on our roots: the Battlefield Tours to Europe, for the next generationof Canadian Travelers.


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We are the longest-running Canadian Tour Operator forCanadian Battlefields to date.Foryou this means an experienced andknowledgeable team with a perfectly orchestrated itinerary based on years ofresearch, planning and experience. Youll be able to ensure your customers havereliable information and in-depth knowledgewith the real benefit ofbeing able toeasily depend on an experienced and reputable travel supplier, completely worry-free.

We have brought hundreds of Canadian World War Veteransback to the Battlefields throughout the years,

as this was the primary focus of our past. Withthose veterans came innumerable and valuableexperiences, stories, and histories.

Today we provide a true, thorough, in-depth,and at times surprising history that re-writesmilitary academia as we know it. As an agent,this meansyoure providing your clients withreal first hand accounts of what truly happenedduring the Great Wars. With this truly uniqueknowledge, youll be able to impress even the

most well-versed client, giving you a trulypositive and reliable reputation.

The Connection Tours BattlefieldCommunityOver 60% of our Connection Tours travelers are repeat Battlefield Travelers. 27% ifour Connection Tours travelers have been on more than two trips. This means twothings:

1. Its all about the people you travel with. Your client will be welcomed not by just

another group tour, but the Connection Tours Battlefield Family, consisting offriendly familiar faces with a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and incredible stories.

Our Welcome Dinneris unlike any group tour welcome you could experience. Thereal benefit? You will be able to provide for your client a unique experience that liveson well after the tour is through, with no risk of your client facing disgruntlementswith other group passengers.


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2. Our repeat business with Canadian travelers, shows above anything, that our travelersexperiences with us are consistently and overwhelmingly positive, the real benefit to youbeing the guaranteed assurance of an exceptional experience, a reliable itinerary, and a truly

happy client, whichas we have shown with our clientsturns into repeat business for youas an agent. The same team, tour director and group managers are there to leadus, just as they did back in 1987.Our team is the same team that developed the

program at the very start. Every year we are dedicated to providing a seamless travelprogram no matter what our group size. This means that you as an agent can maintain acompletely worry-free arrangement knowing that your client is in the hands of the sameexperienced team every time, with the same knowledge and know-how you need to rely onwhile your clients are away. The real benefit to you here is being able to provide your

client with quality assurance, throughout the entire tour no matter the group size, nomatter the circumstance. We will be there!

Our strong relationships with our partners and affiliatesin both theBattlefield Community and our hosts in France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, andEngland provides us and you with extraordinary opportunities and entrances as well as

VIP guest status during certain ceremonies while on tour. This means that you have theadvantage of accessing an extensive network of resources for your client, the real benefitto you being able to create a network for yourself and your client base throughout theBattlefield travel and destination community.

This isnt your typical coach and tourgroupyoure meeting the ConnectionTours Battlefield CommunityaFamilywe have our own knowledgeenthusiasm and insightalong with somincredible stories


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Connection Tours Battlefield products are designed in-house.TheConnection Tours team is its own travel operator and wholesale company. That meansthe same team leading your tour, is also the same team booking your tour andcreating your tour. This means our rates are DIRECT. We physically travel there,hand pick the hotels, restaurants etc., do our own site inspections, and coach service.The same team that built the tour is also the same team ON the tour, offering you thelowest rates for the highest quality.This means that there is no middleman, no miscommunication, nor is there a mark upon your tour. You are paying for what you get,weve done it all ourselves, and havedone since 1987.This also means your customers can customize their trip based onwhere their main priorities lie. The real benefit to you here is being able to provideflexible and customized products that cater directly to the individual needs of yourcustomereven on a group tour programme!!!

Connection Tours specifically targets a growing special interest travel niche of which

many Canadian travel agencies have no experience with. We provide in-housetraining and informational webinarsto our preferred agents to effectivelymarket and sell this highly specialized product successfully, which means that you canoffer this specialized form of travel and truly impress your customer base who is often

well versed with Canadian Military Historyas it stands. Thus you can benefit bywatching an increase in your marketpenetration in a market that isgenuinely under catered to.

In-house Clinics with our Tour Director, Ian Cowan:Knowledge is everythingthe best way to sell a specialinteresttour especially Canadian military historyis to know it insideand out. When you know all about the Battlefields and everythingthey have to offeryoure impressing your client on a highlyspecialized subject...It makes it a lot easier to sell to your clientand boost your commission.


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TheConnectionToursBattlefieldCommunityismade up ofmilitary historians,researchers,renowned militaryauthors, veterans,

and families andfriends close tothose veterans.Some travel withus to find closure,some travel to

uncover a family mystery, some travel just to follow in the footsteps of ourfathers... On every tour, we embark on many missions, making it not onlya tour of the Battlefields, but a quest to solve some of the mysteriesbrought forth by the Battlefield community. This means we get to engage

our travelers and make it an even more meaningful experience, bringingour travelers closer together. When you travel on a Connection BattlefieldProgramme, you are experiencing much more than sight seeing.

We are the longest running Canadian tour operatorwith Battlefield programmes to date.For you this means awell planned and researched itinerary compiled after 35 years of workingexperience, which ensures that you are able to join a well executed andthought out tourwithout any headaches, or discomfort. Weve workedhard on making our tours seamlessregardless of group size or time of year.

100 years have passed, our last WWI veteran left us in 2012, but thereare still a few strong willed, well-traveled, energetic andenthusiastic WWII Veterans joining us this year.Thatmeans you will get to meet these remarkable individuals, and have therare yet incredible opportunity to ask them questions, listen to theirstories, and hear about their experience for a take on the War first hand.Speak with living history -- what a remarkable opportunity!


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The same team, tour director and group managers are there tolead us, just as they have back in 1987.Our team is the same team thatdeveloped the program at the very start. This means that you as a Connection ToursTraveler can maintain a completely worry-free arrangement without any surprises

along the way. If you have a question about anything while on tour, you can ask usdirectly.

Connection Tours is a Travel Wholesale Company,and as such a majorresource for the Canadian Travel Industry. That means the same team leading the tour,is the same team who researched and created the tour. This means our rates areDIRECT. Our team physically travels to our destination, hand picks our hotels,restaurants, etc., confirm our own site inspections, and coach service. The same teamthat built the tour is also the same team ON the tour, offering you the lowest price forthe highest quality.


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As each year passes on, it takes us further away from the events that shaped our country and the world inwhich we live in today

The pivotal battle of Normandy that began on June 6th 1944 was one such event. Seventy years have sincepast from what was known as operation Overlord or D-Day but its importance is strongly remembered tothis day.

The year 2014 also marks the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of World War One, the war to end all waIn 1914 Canada responded strongly to the Commonwealths call to arms and placed our country on the worlstage from its accomplishments on the field of battle. Sadly however, after four years of brutal static fightingwiped out a generation and left scars on the earth that are still clearly visible today.

Both of these points in time will be revisited in great detail.

This special tour will focus heavily on the role Canada along with our allies played in both World Wars. If yhave always wanted to walk in the footsteps of a serving relative or just come to witness where it all happenethen this is where you need to be. Please join us in remembering those who served and paid the ultimasacrifice.

This limited space tour will be memorable from start to end.

Ian Cowan, Director& The Connection Tours Team

The Itinerary

Day One - May 28th

Departing from Torontos Lester B PearsonInternational Airport you will begin your journey toLondon England. Breakfast and dinner will beserved on board.


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Day Two - May 29th

Upon your arrival in London our tour manager andcoachdriver will meet you. We will have anoverview of London after a visit to The Air ForcesCommonwealth Memorial at Runnymede and check

into our hotel. Tonight is our Welcome Dinnerfora chance to get to meet everyone, youll never knowwho might be on tour with us, and some of ourfellow Canadian travelers have quite the historiesthemselves! Overnight- London (B,D)

Day Three - May 30th

Today we will visit the site where the first bombs were dropped, see churches thatremain in ruins to this day and learn how pieces of Roman London were revealedby this destruction.This morning, we tour through the City of Londonand the scene of some of the heaviestbombing. As we pass over London Bridge we compare todays modern skyline to how it lookedduring the height of the bombing. Hear about the remarkable saving of St Pauls Cathedralandits effect on the people of London. We will also visit the Imperial War Museum, home to thefinest collection of military artifacts as well as archives of personal and official documents,photographs, and video material relating to both world wars.Overnight London (B, D)

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This morning, we will travel the route most of the troopscovered as we tour through Kentandonto Dover, with a visit to Dover Castleand scene of Operation Dynamo, orchestrating theevacuation of Dunkirk: a pivotal scene during World War One. We then cross the EnglishChannel to France and onto Ieperfor a wonderful dinner near the Menin Gate.Overnight Ieper (B, D)Day Five - June 1

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Today we site see at Essex farmwhereJohn McCrae composed the now worldfamous poem In Flanders Fields. Then,a stop at the somber German cemetery ofLangemark. Once visited by Hitlerhimself it is the final resting place ofover 44,000 individuals. We will see TheBrooding Soldier Monumentat St.Julian (Ypres), the location in which


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Canadians suffered through thefirst gas attacks of the war.

We will also tour the areasurrounding the horrific battle ofPasschendaeleand discuss theappalling conditions men were toldto fight in. It was battle that costCanada 16,000 causalities in 25days.Our day will finish with a stop atTyne Cot Cemetery, the largestCommonwealth War cemetery inthe world. It was first used in th1917 to bury those recently killedin the fighting and quickly swelledin size. Many Passchendaele/s

victims lie peacefully forever here.

After dinner will walk the short distance to the Menin Gate Memorial. Here we will attendone of the most moving events in the world,The Last Post Ceremony at 8pm.Overnight Ieper (B, D)

Day Six - June 2nd

This morning will start by

visiting Mons, where the first andlast casualty was killed duringthe First World War. We thenvisit Vimy Ridge NationalHistoric Site of Canada.On April 9th 1917 Canadasvolunteer army fighting togetherfor the first time accomplishedwhat no other army couldpreviously; take Hill 145 and thesurrounding area from theGermans. This event changedmany things, but most of all, itdefined our country on a worldsstage.We will tour the restoredtrenches, go underground into thetunnels and view Walter


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Allwardsmasterpiece monument, our World War One National Memorial. We will then tourthrough the Somme area to our hotel to Amiens.Overnight Amiens (B, D)

Day Seven - June 3rd

This morning, we will visit the preserved battlefield of Beaumont Hamel, the Thiepvalmemorialto the missing of the Somme, the Courcelette memorialand the Trench museuminthe famous town of Albertand a full day on The Somme.Overnight - Amiens (B, D)

Day Eight - June 4th

This morning we willtravel to the Seasideport of Dieppe. Thepicturesque beachesof Dieppe are alsothe scenes ofCanadas darkestday in World WarTwo. On August19th 1942, 907 mendied in a space of afew hours. OperationJubilee as it wascalled was anattempt toamphibiously landtroops in occupiedFrance in a rehearsal raid for D-Day. The catastrophe that unfolded is the main reason harshcontroversy surrounding Dieppe still lingers today. We will explore all three landing zones, thecliffs, gun emplacements and the many memorials to our Regiments that bravely fought here ina hopeless situation.After we visit the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery close by, we will makeour way to Lower Normandy.Overnight - Trouville (B, D)

Day Nine - June 5th

The German gun placements at Longues-sur-MerToo large to move, they were left intact by the FrenchGovernment as a reminder of the fighting that occurredhere


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Today a visit to Pegasus Bridge, where the 6thParas liberated the first house in occupiedEurope just after midnight on June 6th1944. We will then explore the American sectors of thelandings and other sites of interest. It begins with seeing Colleville-sur-Mer American WarCemetery. This cemetery overlooks Bloody Omaha beach, featured in the 1998 film SavingPrivate Ryan by Steven Spielberg. It has many touching tributes dedicated to its countries wardead and an interpretation center filled with personal stories.

Our group will then have lunch in the historic town of Bayeux. While we visit Bayeux it willinclude a stop at the Battle of Normandy museum. This museum features a very impressivecollection of weapons, vehicles and other original artifacts from the Battle. Before leaving wevisit the Bayeux memorialand its monument dedicated to the 1,801 missing commonwealthsoldiers from the Battle of Normandy. We will also see the German gun emplacements atLongues-sur-Mer, which dueled with allied warships at sea on the morning of June 6th. Toolarge to move after the war they were left as a reminder to the fighting that occurred here bythe French Government.

On our way back to our hotel, we will be visiting the 11th century Abbaye d Ardenneand thememorial to the 20 Canadian soldiers murdered by SS troops in its courtyard while being held

as prisoners in the opening days of the Battle for Normandy.Overnight - Trouville (D)

Day Ten - June 6th[CEREMONY DETAILS TBC Veterans Affairs]

Today will mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landingsWe will be attending a planned ceremony at the Juno Beach Center in Courseulles-sur-Merin which dignitaries from both Canada and France will speak on their countries behalf.[Timing of this event TBA] Afterwards, we will walk along some of the beach front to seethe monuments, enemy bunkers and visit Bernieres-sur-Mer to look at the Maison QueensOwn Rifles the famous first house liberated by our troops early that morning. During thecourse of today, we will also visit Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Beny-sur-Merholds 2,048 braveCanadians who gave theirlivesin the opening weeks ofthe Battle. Ournext stop is point 67 toview Verrieres ridge, oneof the most defendedGerman positions in all ofNormandy. It was herewhere the Black Watch ofMontreal was virtuallywiped out duringOperation Spring.


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The second major Canadian War Cemetery in this region is Bretteville-sur-Laize. We will viewthis immaculate cemetery, which contains the graves of predominantly men from the 2ndCanadian Division who lost their lives in the later stages of the Battle for Normandy.Overnight - Trouville (B, D)

Day Eleven - June 7th

This morning you will be transferred early to Paris airport by coach for your return flight home.(B), lunch and snacks served on board.

Inclusions ExclusionsRound trip air transportation from Toronto

Superior Tourist Class Hotels

Breakfast & Dinner Daily

All Entrances as per your itinerary

Executive Coach equipped with

washroom / video / tea /coffee Experienced Tour Manager

Lunches and drinks

Air Transportation taxes

(approx. $650 )

Travel Insurance

Gratuities to tour manager / driver

Price$ 4265 CAD |per person based on twin occupancy including air from Toronto

$ 3265 CAD| per person land only | $ 700 CAD| Single supplement

As each year passes, it takes us further away from the events that shaped our country and the world inwhich we live in today.

The pivotal battle of Normandy, which began on June 6th 1944, was one such event. The Allied forcesincluding our own Canadian troops, fought desperately to gain a foothold on Nazi occupied Europe, insucceeding it paved the way for its eventual freedom. Seventy years have since past from what wasknown as operation Overlord or D-Day but its importance is strongly remembered to this day.


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This point in time, along with a few visits to WWI sites that cannot be ignored, will be revisited in greatdetail along with two days of touring in the Netherlands. There we will explore the Allies Militaryactions that contributed to this beautiful countries Liberation in 1945. Canadians can be proud of ourmilitary achievements that gave back freedom to so many.

This special tour will focus heavily on the role Canada along with our allies played in both World Wars.If you have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of a serving relative or just come to witness where itall happened this is the tour for you! Please join us in remembering those who served and paid theultimate sacrifice.


Ian Cowan, Director

& The Connection Tours Team

ITINERARY

Day One - June 3rdDeparting from Torontos Lester B Pearson InternationalAirport you will begin your journey to Paris, France.Breakfast and dinner will be served on board.

Day TwoJune 4thUpon your arrival in Paris you will be met by your tour manager(Glenn Edmonds) and coach driver. As we make our way throughthe historic city you be given a chance for photo opportunities at theEiffel Towerand the Arc de Triomphe. We will then continue ontowards the Normandy Coast to visit the famous Pegasus Bridge.TheBritish 6th Airborne Paratroopers assaulted this important strategic positionwith amazing precision in the early morning hours of June 6th. We will take time to view the GliderLanding Zone and see the first house liberated in Europe,the Cafe Gondree. Tonight is also our


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Welcome Dinnerand a chance to get to know everyone in our Connection Tours Battlefield CommunityOvernight - Trouville (D)Day Three - June 5th

Today we will explore the American sectors of the landings andother sites of interest. It begins with seeing Colleville-sur-MerAmerican War Cemetery. This cemetery overlooksBloody Omahabeach and was featured in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan by

Steven Spielberg. It has many touching tributes dedicated to itscountries war dead and an interpretation center filled withpersonal stories.

Afterwards we travel to see the dramatic battle scarred landscapeof Pointe du Hoc. The 2nd Ranger Battalion daringly scaled theareas imposing 100-foot tall cliffs in order to knock out the large

gun emplacements on top. It sits virtually unchanged from1944.La Cambe German War Cemeteryis our next stop; this givesthose the opportunity to see the distinct differences between

Allied and German cemeteries and the losses taken by ourthen enemy.Our group will then have lunch in the historictown of Bayeux. While we visit Bayeux it will include a stopat the Battle of Normandy museum. This museum features avery impressive collection of weapons, vehicles and otheroriginal artifacts from the Battle. Before leaving we visit theBayeux memorialand its monument dedicated to the 1,801missing commonwealth soldiers from the Battle ofNormandy. The last stop of our busy day will be the Germangun emplacementsat Longues-sur-Mer. These guns dueledwith allied warships at sea on the morning of June 6th. Toolarge to move after the war they were left as a reminder tothe fighting that occurred here by the French Government.Overnight - Trouville (D)

Day Four - June 6th

Throughout today we will witness the local French townspeople marking thisspecial day in their history, D-Day.Times and events are TBA but we will start this morning by visiting the 11th century Abbaye DArdenneand the memorial to the 20 Canadian soldiers murdered by SS troops in its courtyard whilebeing held as prisoners in the opening days of the Battle for Normandy.


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We will then stop atPoint 67 to viewVerrieres ridge, one ofthe most defendedGerman positions in all ofNormandy. Next stop willbe Bretteville-sur-LaizeCanadian War Cemetery.This immaculatecemetery contains thegraves of predominantlymen from the 2ndCanadian Division wholost their lives in thelater stages of the Battlefor Normandy. We shallthen explore and enjoythe town of Arromanchesin what was one of theBritish sectors codenamed Gold Beach. The massive artificial harbour Mulberry B or Port Winston

as the troops nicknamed it is clearly visible from the beach and the surrounding area.

Our day will then continue by attending the planned ceremony at the Juno Beach Center inCourseulles-sur-Mer.Located next to the sand dunes where the Royal Winnipeg Rifles landed on June6th, dignitaries from Canada and France will mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandylandings. Afterwards we will walk along the beach front to see the monuments, enemybunkers and visit Bernieres-sur-Merto look at the Maison Queens Own Rifles the famous first houseliberated by our troops early that morning. Our day will finish at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian WarCemetery. This beautiful and hallowed plot of land holds 2,048 brave Canadians who gave their lives in

opening weeks of the Battle.Overnight - Trouville (B, D)


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Day Five - June 7th

The picturesque beaches of Dieppe are also the scenes of Canadas darkest day inWorld War Two.This morning we will travel to the Seaside port of Dieppe. On August 19th 1942, 907 men diedin a space of a few hours. Operation Jubilee as it was called was an attempt to amphibiouslyland troops in occupied France in a rehearsal raid for D-Day. The catastrophe that unfolded isthe main reason harsh controversy surrounding Dieppe still lingers today. We will explore allthree landing zones, the cliffs, gun emplacements and the many memorials to our Regimentsthat bravely fought here in a hopeless situation. Our day will end with a visit to the DieppeCanadian WarCemeteryclose by.Overnight- Lens (D)

Beny Sur Mer -This beautiful andhallowed plot of landholds 2,048 braveCanadians who gavetheir lives in the openingweeks of battle


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Day Six - June 8th

This morning will start by visiting the VimyRidge National Historic Site of Canada. On April9th 1917, Canadas volunteer army fightingtogether for the first time accomplished what noother army could previously; take Hill 145 and

the surrounding area from the Germans. We willtour the restored trenches, go underground intothe tunnels and view WalterAllwardsmasterpiece monument, our World War OneNational Memorial. Other places of visit willinclude the preserved battlefield of BeaumontHamel, the Thiepval memorialto the missing ofthe Somme, the Courcelette memorialand theTrench museum in the famous town of Albertamong others.Overnight - Lens (B, D)

Day Seven - June 9th

Today we will head towards the coastlineto view the La Coupole V2 ballistic missilelaunch site.This immense underground bunker system

was Hitlers idea at striking back at London in

an effort to change the course of the war. Themuseum offers great insight to the completehistory of the area including these devastating

Vengeance weapons. The remainder of ourday will be spent exploring into Belgiumandthe Ieper Salientwhere so many ferociousbattles were fought. We will see The BroodingSoldier monument at St. Julian, the locationin which Canadians suffered throughthe firstgas attacks of the war. We will also tour thearea surrounding the horrific battle of

Passchendaele and discuss the appallingconditions men were told to fight in. It was abattle that cost Canada 16,000 causalities in25 days. Our day will finish with a stop atTyne Cot Cemetery, the largestCommonwealth War cemetery in the world. Itwas first used in 1917 to bury those recentlykilled in the fighting and quickly swelled in size. Many of Passchendaeles victims lie peacefullyforever here. Overnight-Ieper (B, D)


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Day Eight - June 10th

Today we sightsee at Essex farmwhere John McCrae composed the now world famous poemIn Flanders Fields.Afterwards we shall stop at the somber German cemetery of Langemark.Once visited by Hitler himself it is the final resting place of over 44,000 individuals. After lunchthe group will be given the afternoon to browse through the beautiful, historic town of Ieperand all it has to offer. Local foods, gift shops, museums and landmarks can be taken in by all.

After dinner we will walk the short distance to the Menin Gate Memorial.

The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial beginsat 8pmOvernight - Ieper (B, D)Day Nine - June 11thThis countries gratefulpopulation shares a veryclose bond to Canada due toour sacrifices in liberatingthem from Germanoccupation during WW2.

Near the 2000-year-old cityof Nijmegenwe will visit theCanadian War Cemetery ofGroesbeek. This cemeterycontains the graves of over2,300 men who died infighting around the area. Itis also the final resting placeof 23-year-old VictoriaCross

Here we will attend one of the mostmoving events in the world, The LastPost Ceremony.


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recipient Sgt. Aubrey Cosens.

Much Focus will be placed on Operation Market Garden the largest airborne operation inhistory that took place in Holland. Wewill visit the Hartenstein Hotelwhichwas used by the British 1st Airborneas a headquarters for 9 days inSeptember of 1944, now it stands as amuseum dedicated to Market Garden.Nearby we will view Oosterbeek WarCemetery, also known as theParatrooper Cemetery due to thehigh amount buried here from thefighting. Close to Arnhemwe will visitthe renamed John Frost Bridge inhonor of the commander who foughtagainst overwhelming odds to hold itin the battle. This famous landmark

was featured in the 1977 film ABridge Too Far by RichardAttenborough. Overnight - Arnhem (B, D)

Day Ten - June12th

Today gives us the opportunity to visit one of the most impressive and largest warmuseums in the worldThe Liberty Park/Marshall Museumin the town ofOverloon is a massive complex that contains some ofthe most rare and intact military hardware ondisplay anywhere. Much of it was found in thesurrounding area where the fighting took place in1944.The quiet forested grounds on the outsidedisplay plenty more.

We also will take time and travel to the HoltenMilitary Cemetery.This secluded, peaceful piece ofland is another reminder of our countries sacrificeduring 1944/45. It holds men mostly from the 2nd

Division who died in operations aimed at driving theGermans out of Holland and in the push into

Germany. It has been the spot of many of our countries ceremonies over the years inremembrance of our war dead.

Tonight is also our final and farewell dinner at our hotel . It is always a great timeenjoyed by all! Overnight-Arnhem (B, D)


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Day Eleven - June 13th

Inclusions Exclusions Round trip air transportation from Toronto

Superior Tourist Class Hotels

Breakfast & Dinner Daily


Executive Coach equipped with

washroom / video / tea /coffee

Experienced Tour Manager

Lunches and drinks

Air Transportation taxes

(approx. $650)

Travel Insurance

Gratuities to tour manager / driver

Price

$ 4375 CAD | per person based on twin occupancy including air from Toronto

$ 3575 CAD |per person land only

$ 810CAD |Single supplement

This morning you will be transferred toAmsterdam airport by coach for your return flighthome. (B), lunch and snacks served on board.


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For all aviation enthusiasts, this tour is a must

Visit as we explore the airfields & Aviation Museums of England as well as attend the Duxford Airshowand also the Aces High Aviation sponsored Victory Showin Leicestershire.Our tour will be taking you to the Front Line Battle of Britain Fighter Stations as well as sitescommemorating the RCAF and 8th USAAF.Once again, we keep our numbers low (30 fellow passengers) and our service and quality high for thistour.


Ian Cowan, Director& The Connection Tours Team

ITINERARY

Day One - Sept 7th

Upon arrival in England, we will tour toRunnymede, where, in 1215 the MagnaCarta was signedand also the site of theCommonwealth Air Forces Memorialdedicated to over 20,000 lost inoperations in Europe during World WarII. We then make our way to our hotel inCambridge for early check in and achance to relax before dinner.Overnight - Cambridge (B, D)


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Day Two - Sept 8th

We leave for a visit to theShuttleworth Collection, anaeronautical and automotive museumlocated at the Old Warden airfield inBedfordshire, England. It is one of themost prestigious in the world due tothe variety of old and well-preservedaircraft.We then spend the afternoonat the Duxford Airshow, which is abranch of the Imperial War Museumin Cambridgeshire, England. Britainslargest aviation museum, Duxfordhouses the museums large exhibits,includingnearly 200 aircraft, militaryvehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven main exhibitions buildings.We end the day

with a brief tour of Cambridge, back to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight-Cambridge (B, D)

Day Three - Sept 9thFrom Airmen to Infantry, the Victory Show 2014 opens a window in time to thefabulous 1940s.This morning, we head toLeicestershire to attend The VictoryShow, which is sponsored by Aces High

Aviation Gallery. The two-day event is

held over a 100-acre site, providinghistorical societies & re-enactmentsthrough various forces from severaleras and theatres during the period of1939-45.

Day Four - Sept 10th

Today, we will tour onto the Battle ofBritain Memorial Flight Centre. Since1986, under a unique arrangementbetween Lincolnshire County Council and the Royal Air Force, ithas been possible to view the BBMFs collection of historic aircraft, which forms part of theRAFs and the Nations heritage, at their home base at RAF Coningsby. The BBMF VisitorsCentre has welcomed over 350,000 people since it opened, offering them the opportunity to seethe BBMF aircraft at close quarters and to observe the Flights skilled and dedicatedtechnicians working to maintain them in airworthy condition. This afternoon we will tourthrough Coventry and onto RAF Cosford Museum in the West Midlands, which houses 70aircraft and is home to War Planes, Missiles, Transport & Training and Research &


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Development collections.The National Cold War Exhibition with its interactive kiosks and hotspots gives visitors a chance to see what life was like behind the Iron Curtain.Day Five - Sept 11th

After breakfast we tour onto the Carpetbagger Aviation Museumin Northamptonshire. Themuseum is located at the former USAAF Station 179, home of the 492nd and 801st Bomb

Groups, USAAF, which were tasked with dropping Secret Agents and supplies into enemyterritory in World War Two.The main part of the museum is housed in the former groupoperations block, and includes a wide range of exhibits devoted to the history of the air baseand of Northamptonshire in the war. In the afternoon, a visit to Bletchley Parkto view one ofthe Enigma Machines including the rare Abwehr G312, is undoubtedly a highlight of a busyday out at Bletchley Park, but there is much more than machines in a visit to the historic site.There are many exhibitions from wartime toys to working computers. Theres a wartime minicinema and an outstanding Churchill collection as well as a walk through the ornate VictorianMansion that was headquarters to intelligence staff during the War. We then tour onto Londonfor our hotel.Overnight - London (B, D)

Day Six - Sept 12th

This morning, we tour to RAFHendonopened in 1972 by HerMajesty the Queen and situated onthe historic site of London Aerodromeat Hendon, with over 100 aircraftfrom around the worldincluding somevery early aircraft designs through tothe latest modern day jets andmilitary aircraft. The Aerodromehosts many interactive and funactivities, as well as a 3D Cinema,footage of Our Finest Hour, and theBattle of Britain Museum. We willhave an orientation tour of London toinclude Westminster and City ofLondonbefore dinner.Overnight - London (B, D)

Day Seven - Sept 13th


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This year, we will be exploring the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War RoomsUndercover? Life inChurchills bunker examineslife and work during theSecond World War in

Churchills secretundergroundheadquarters. We will thenspend the afternoon at theImperial War Museum withspecial exhibits. Thisevening, a London Pub Nightat The Albert!Overnight - London (B, D)

Day Eight - Sept 14th

As we leave London, we will travel out to RAF Uxbridge, which was the OperationalHeadquarters of 11 (Fighter) Group and now, still an operational base but also the site of theBattle of Britain Operations Room.From Uxbridge, we will travel to the Aldershot MilitaryMuseumwhich includes an exhibition of Canadian Military in Aldershot during WWI andWWII. We then have a visit to the Canadian Military cemetery at Brookwood before travelingon to Portsmouth for dinner.Overnight-Portsmouth (B, D)

Day Nine - Sept 15th

This morning, we will visit the D-Day Museumand Overlord Embroideryin Southseadedicated to the embarkation of all troops and forces on the eve of June 6 th1944. Just a shortdistance away, we will also be able to visit SHAEF HQat Southwick house where Ike made theultimate decision, as well ashave a beer at Ike and Montys favourite pub next door. This


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afternoon, we will make our way to RAF Tangmere, a frontline Fighter Station during the Summer of 1940 and now thehome to a unique Museum as well as the churchyard wheresome of The Few are buried as well as Luftwaffe crews.Dinner at our hotel.Overnight - Portsmouth (B, D)

Day Ten - Sept 16th

We make our way along the South East coast of England witha view at Beachy Head, where the Battle of Britain waswitnessed on a daily basis.We are then able to get a fulldocumentary of the effect of Radar during the battle. We thenhead to Doverto visit Dover Castle and a tour of the tunnelsand operational headquarters of Operation Dynamo duringthe evacuation of Dunkirk in May 1940.We then arrive inTunbridge Wells for our hotel and dinner.Overnight - Tunbridge Wells (B, D)

Day Eleven - Sept 17th

This morning, a visit to Chartwell, purchased by Sir Winston for its magnificent views over theWeald of Kent to Sussex, Chartwell was his home and the place from which he drew inspirationfrom 1924 until the end of his life. We then make our way to RAF Biggin Hill to view thefamous front line Battle of Britain airbase, before we make our way to Kentto see the Battle ofBritain Museum, Hawkinge. The museum is the oldest established and largest collection ofBattle of Britain artifacts on show in the country. It is privately run by enthusiasts andvolunteers and is administered as a charitable trust. We then tour back to our hotel for ourFarewell Dinner.Overnight - Kent (B, D)

Day Twelve - Sept 18th

We depart for Heathrow for our flight home.

Inclusions Exclusions

Round trip air transportation from Toronto with ACSuperior First Class Hotels

Porterage

Breakfast and Dinner Daily

All Entrances

Experienced and knowledgeable Tour Manager Executive

Coach with washroom and video/ tea/coffee

Travel InsuranceAir transportation taxes

Lunches and beverages

Tip to tour manager & driver


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Price$ 4895 CAD |per person based on twin occupancy

including air from Toronto

$ 3677 CAD |per person based on twin occupancy

land only

$ 900 CAD |single supplement.

Every November 11th, a special event and moving ceremony takes place at the Menin Gate in Ypres(Ieper), Belgium. In remembrance of all the war dead who was walked through these portals into thebattlefields of Passchendaele, St. Julian, Sanctuary Wood and other battlefields of the Wipers Salient.

The commemoration is one of the most moving ceremonies in the world as it is also in honor of all theFallen. It is attended by visitors from all over the globe.

You will also be visiting the newly dedicated memorial at Vimy Ridge as well as the Somme, BeaumontHamel and battlefields of the Second World War in Normandy, Dieppe and Holland.

Join us this Remembrance Day, for the 100thRemembrance of World War I, with a truly globalcongregation to share a Remembrance like no other, to commemorate those who have suffered for ourpeace.

ItineraryDay OneNovember 4th

Meet your tour manager at Torontos Lester BPearson International airport for your flight to

Ian Cowan, Director

& The Connection Tours Team


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Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served onboard.

Day TwoNovember 5th

Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver and will begin your journey to Normandy.You will visit

Pegasus Bridgewhere the 6th British Airborne landed, captured and liberated the first house in Europe, Caf

Gondre. You will then make your way to your hotel for some rest and relaxation before your Welcome

Dinnerand the opportunity to get to know your traveling companions.Overnight Bayeux (D)

Day ThreeNovember 6th

You will begin your day with a visit to the Battle of Normandy Museum in Bayeux.Thismuseum, which was recently re-opened, is presenting entirely new displays that offer thevisitor a better understanding of the decisive actions taken in the liberation of Western Europe .

Your next stop will be Verrieres Ridgeto view the area where the Black Watch suffered severecasualties during Operation Spring.You will then travel to the Juno Beach Center, dedicatedto the 3rd Division landings as well as Canadas full involvement during World War II. Before

heading back for dinner, you will visit the Canadian Military Cemetery Beny-sur-Mer.Overnight Bayeux (B, D)

Day FourNovember 7th

You will start your morning with a visitto Point du Hocwhere you can still viewthe cratered landscape and the Germanbattery taken by the US Rangers.Youwill continue to Omaha Beachto the

American Military Cemetery todiscover the appalling difficultiesrequired for landing on Bloody Omaha.After leaving Omaha, you will visit LaChaos,the

German offshorebattery still relatively intact after 60 years. Inthe afternoon you will visit the Disembarkation Museum andMulberry Harbor in Arromanches before heading back to yourhotel.Overnight Bayeux. (B, D)

Day FiveNovember 8th

This morning you travel through the Normandy countryside toDieppe. You will visit the Dieppe Canadian Cemetery, GreenBeachat Pourvilleand the main landing beaches of Red and


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Whiteon the Dieppe seafront. You will explore Blue Beachin Puysto view the gunemplacements on the cliff tops, which were responsible for the terrible Canadian casualties. After leaving Dieppe, you will travel to Amiens for check-in.Overnight - Arras (B,D).

Day SixNovember 9th

After breakfast, you will tour onto Albert and visit the Musee de Arbristo give you aperspective on the Somme.You will then tour the Somme Battlefield and visit the Memorial tothe Missing at Thiepval, as well as one of the only surviving intact First World War battlefieldsat Beaumont Hamel.The park maintained by Canada, remains as it was during the Battle ofthe Somme, now dedicated to the Newfoundland Regiment who lost so many men on the firstday of battle.Overnight Arras (B, D)

Day SevenNovember 10th

Today you will be able to tour VimyRidge. It was on Hill 145, April 1917,that Canada truly became a nation inthe eyes of the world. Its troopscombined and stormed Vimy Ridgeafter other allied forces had failed todo in the previous two years.You willtour the tunnels, trenches andmemorial. You will then tour theshort distance to Ieper (Ypres) for theYpres Salient Battlefieldand a visitto John McCraes Essex Farm, theplace where John McCrae wrote InFlanders Fieldsbefore dinner andyour overnight accommodations. Youwill also visit Hill 62 and a small areaof the original battlefield and part ofthe Canadian Front Line. Thisevening after dinner, you can attendthe Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony at 8PM, led by the Ieper Fire Department.Overnight Ieper (B, D)

Day EightNovember 11th

This morning we join in the Remembrance Parade for 11am at the Menin Gate after which youwill also visit In Flanders Fields museum a unique exhibition in the Cloth Hall in Ieper aswell as a visit to Crest Farm and Armistice Ceremony at Passchendaele.Overnight Ieper (B, D)


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Day NineNovember 12th

After breakfast you will begin your tour to Nijmegenfor the opportunity to visit the CanadianMilitary Cemetery at Groesbeekas well as the Hartenstein Hotel, then the command centre forOperation Garden, now the Museum to the Airborne.Overnight Nijmegen (B, D)

Day TenNovember 13th

Your first stop today will beArnhem,where the AirborneDivision received heavy casualties during Operation MarketGarden known as the Bridge too Far and also the areawhere the Canadian Second division liberated in 1944/45. Thisafternoon you will explore Apeldoorn,as well as HoltenCanadian Military Cemetery Tonight your farewell dinnerwillbe at a local restaurant.Overnight Nijmegen (B, D)

Day ElevenNovember 14th

This morning after breakfast you will transfer to Amsterdamairport for your flight home.(B) Lunch and snacks served onboard.

Inclusions ExclusionsRound trip air transportation from departure city

Breakfast and dinner daily

Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class

(3.5 4 Star Hotels)

Luxury Motor coach

Experienced tour manager


Travel Insurance

Air transportation taxes

Lunches and beverages

Tip to tour manager & driver

Price:

$3859 CAD | Per person based on twin occupancy including air from Toronto

$3159 CAD |Per person land only

$ 700 CAD |Single supplement


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By Samantha CowanA couple of years before I was born, my father started taking his passion, love, andinexhaustible energy for the Battlefield History of Europe and poured it into the design andimplementation of tours for Canadians to remember.

From a very early age, my sister and I were draggedalong, summer after summer, to learn the history thesetours had to offer, and to assist with whatever Dad andhis team needed. An interesting summer job to say theleast!

Now that Im 25 with school long behind me,extraordinary travels under my belt, and experienceworking with other tour agencies, I look back at myhigh school years, and wonder how the BattlefieldTours changed my life, and the lives of others I metwhile on tour.

This year, to commemorate the 100thAnniversary ofthe Great War, and the 70thAnniversary of D-Day, Iwanted to showcase the wondrous things my father,his team and the entire community has created. TostartI decided to rummage around my attic. Amongst pictures,

and old brochures, pamphlets, and invitationsI found a scrapbook thatcontained one of my most favorite Battlefield Tours, one of the very last that Iattended with our Canadian World War 2 Veterans, in 2005. I was sixteen yearsold. I wanted to write a word-for-word synopsis of my experience to share withyou here.**Just a note for readers! I wrote this out word for word (bar spelling errors) so that you maysee this tour through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old Canadian. HAVING SAID THAT: Excusemy lack or professionalism overuse of exclamation marks it should make for an entertainingread!**

My Invitation to Hollands 60thAnniversary Tour for our Canadian

Veterans, Friends, Family, and fellow Proud Canadians


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The tide had turned in Europe in the Spring of 1945, but Canadians were still herefighting and dying in Hitlers war. Tasked with Liberating Holland and its people from Nazioccupation, our young soldiers forged ahead until freedom was finally won. The Dutch havenever forgotten the sacrifice. 60 years later, their unwavering gratitude is captured asthousands gather for VE Day Celebrations in the Netherlands and at home. Youll joinceremonies held at two Canadian cemeteries in the Netherlands, and witness a sincere tribute

by young Dutch children to those who died. Experience Liberation Day Celebrations inWageningen, the City where Canadians accepted German Surrender. And in Apledorn, theParade of Canadian Veterans that always moves the crowds to tears

The Connection Tours TeamDay 1, May 1st2005

I am, right now, on a Boeing 747 to Amsterdam, getting ready for the 60thAnniversary of theLiberation of Holland Tour. We are getting ready to land. [Already looking out the window] Iveseen a beautiful coastline, and lots of lush farm land. There are a lot of rivers! And I just saw

my first windmill. Just now.

We arrived at our hotel, the Mercure in Rosmalen, after visiting a lovely fishingport. Finally getting my first taste at the Dutch cuisine: Smoked Salmon!Tomorrow, we are going to a Liberation Museum. Ive already met the veteranson tour, and I cant wait to tell of their stories!! Anyways, tomorrow will be waycooler!!!

Day 3, May 3rd2005

Today we woke up early to catch thecoach, which would take us intoGroesbeek! On the way, we went to theLiberation Museum where I got to seemodels of soldiers, old pictures, a letterfrom a soldier to his Dutch wife-to-be,and much more. I learned thatCanadian soldiers took many Dutch women home to betheir brides. Unfortunately, the brides were extremely

poor, so they used parachute material for their gowns.


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At the Museum, I met an AirCadet named Jeff traveling withhis grandfather with ConnectionTours. His grandfather (Charlie) isa veteran from the orphanageward. When Jeff asked him howhe liked our first stop at themuseum, the veteran broke downin tears, apologizing to me, sayinghow hard it was for him to seethese pictures of war torn Holland,and having all of these memoriescoming back to him. You have toknow how horrible it was for him,and how horrible I felt for him. Icouldnt even imagine what he

went through.

After meeting Charlie, Jeff and I walked through the rest of themuseum. It was here that I met Dads other tour managers:Peter, Doug, and Jim. I also met our coach drivers!!The BestDutchmen you could ever have the pleasure of knowingPeterand Garrit! Together, they easily made the funniest pair.

After the museum, we attended a ceremony in GroesbeekCemetery. It was a large event honoring the Canadians whofought for the Netherlands. Adrienne Clarkson, Queen Beatrice,

and Canadas Foreign Minister of Affairs were some of the guestswho arrived for the ceremony. There were speeches and we sangboth national anthems. This was followed by an air showperformed by the Canadian Forces Parachute team, TheSkyHawksthisabsolutely blew me awaythe coolest thingby far I have ever witnessed in real lifeeverin my lifesocool!!!!

His grandfather then brokedown in tears, apologizing to

me, unable to explain theemotion behind all of thesememories coming back to

him


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Bells throughout the country ring at the same time. They could be heard far and widethroughout the country, even within the confines of our small, sleepy town and quiet hotel. Itwas beautiful, it actually was the most memorable, &joyous moment...the most meaningfultwo-minute silence Ive ever been apart of.

Day Five, May 5th, 2005

This was once the place where Germany finally surrendered. Very Cool.Okay, Okay, today we went to a town in whose name I cannot pronounce. It starts with a W,but sounds like a V. Who names a town that? The name is like Wvargineegin (Var-Geen-In). Iswear theres a P Q R S T in there somewhere.

Unfortunately I had to learn to pronounce the name of this University town fast, as it wasonce the place where Germany had finally surrendered. Today, a large parade was to be held.

A quarter of a million people would come to this small town today to see this parade.

To watch complete strangers take these old decorated men into their arms,look straight into their eyes, and with such compassion and emotion, tell themthat they love themHow thankful they were for their freedomgoosebumps

It would be three hours before the parade would start, so Jeff and I went to explore the town.People were really happy to see the veterans and many took pictures of them and told themhow much they loved them and respected them.

To watch complete strangers takethese old decorated men into theirarms, look straight into their eyes, andwith such compassion and emotion, tellthem that they love them, and to show

them their gratitude in this wayFor these young people who have never known war, to beable to look their liberators from years ago in the face and tell them how thankful they are fortheir freedom Needless to say. it was yet another unexpected magic moment for me toexperience on tour.


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Day 6, May 6th, 2005

Today we are moving to the Mercure hotel in Putten. It is such a lovely, lovely, hotel. TheMercure was right beside this open sea, on a bay. There is a cool park near by with the funnestswings Ive ever been on. I told Dad about how cool they were, and he said I was immature. Imsure Mom would have appreciated them though

We also traveled into Amsterdam!! I had no idea how beautiful Amsterdam is!!The Canals remind me of Venice!! The narrow cobble stone roads, the flea market, the bridges,the tall narrow housesIts so cool here. We got to see so much! The Mouse Tower, DamSquare, and the Dam Wrack (which is a busy streetthink Queen street but busier).I also gotto check out the Diamond Factory, as well as Royal Delft (You know, the white and blue China).The Diamond factory, Gassan was breathtaking also. TheCullinan (the largest Diamond everfound, and the Koh-l-Noor Diamond, found in the British Crown Jewels were both made in

Amsterdam!

Day 7, May 7th,2005

Today we went to a hotelin Oosterbeek. At least itonce was a hotel. Today itis the Airborne Museumand is where British andPolish Troops keptheadquarters while they

tried to take the RhineBridge which connectedOosterbeek to Arnhem.

The Hartenstien hotel was where many airlandings, the march to the bridge, and fiercefighting to the crossing of the river wassituated. This was the battle for Arnhem.

In the end, only 2,293 Canadians made itback to England. This place, this fight, related to themovie A Bridge Too Far [Ive got to see this movie] after


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seeing the memorials to the battle for Arnhem, and theBattlefield where it took place, was surreal to take in. Youwould have never known what suffering had ensued, if itwasnt for some shocking yet subtle clues surrounded bythe civilization we witnessed today.

This evening I came down with a head cold, but by God,that wont stop me from going to the ceremony tonight,because it was the night that the veterans would bereceiving their medals. I got all dressed up, and made myway to the coach for the event, to meet with our decoratedparty.

At the concert, the mayor of Leersum thanked theveterans. There was a pipe and drum band processionband as well as a brass band performance. It was veryemotional for the veterans, receiving their awards, manywere crying and holding hands. Each veteran received a

certificate that read: In grateful memory for the sacrificesmade by the army, navy and air forces of Canada duringthe years 1940-1945 to liberate the Netherlands from theyoke of German occupation. It is a great honor for the mayor of the Municipality of Leersum:Mes. C.F. FEITH HOOIJER to present the Remembrance medal of the 60thAnniversary.

Day 8, May 8th2005

Aww, today is the last day before I have to go home. I was supposed to go to Appledorn todayfor the major parade where

the Queen and PresidentBush would be visiting. Onthe way, I spoke with many ofthe new friends Ive madewhile on tour, and reflectedon the stories they told meduring my trip. As you know,I was on a trip with a lot ofveterans. Ive heard manyfunny stories about memoriesthey have during and afterthe war.

Victor, one of our vetson my coach, was telling me

how they had a radioconnection from two stations

during the war. He explained


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how they would say things in a special code so that if any of the enemies overheard, theywouldnt understand what they were talking about. One day, a soldier is radioing in to a Major

to deliver a new code to him. Just then, Victor came in, as he was hungry, and the soldierturned round and yelled Dont give that boy another bloody biscuit!! The Major replied over

the radio, Thats the code then?

Victor was also telling me that after he got out of the war, he was so lost. The war destroyedeverything for him. He didnt know why he decided on Toronto, but he remembered hearing of

job offerings somewhere on Melcrest road. New to the city, Victor walked around aimlessly. Hefinally asked someone where Melcrest was, to find out that he was standing not just on

Melcrest, but in front of the very building he was looking for. He went in asking for a job. Theyasked if he had any experience, or a resume. He didnt. They asked if he was in the war. He

nodded. He was still hired the same day.Upon showing him around, some of the workers invited him to a game of poker. He didnt

have any money, not even to get back home...so he declined. They said they wouldnt mind himpaying laterbut Victor ended up winning the game, making the amount he needed for the bus

fair home, and back again for work the next day.

Johnny was another remarkable man Ihad the pleasure of meeting. He was in thearmy fighting for the Liberation of Holland in1945. He was captured with 24 other soldiersby the Germans. The Germans lined them upby a river and cocked their guns. Johnny was

in the middle. Wait! Called a Germansoldier before fire. The soldier came beforeJohnny, and said he had noticed his bracelet.Johnny said it was his mothers. The Germantook it from him, and made Johnny march tothe end of the line. Now Go, he said to theGermans. All 24 men were shot, but Johnnysurvived. As the bullets sprayed, hittingeveryone else in the chest, they merely

caught Johnnys legs as he fell. [Johnnypassed away at age 81.]

To Conclude


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I had such a remarkable experience on the Battlefield ToursI had very much thought Iwould have taken for granted these experiences when I was young. Looking back, as I can seenow, I know now that I undoubtedly took every moment to learn from this tour and feel theemotion and magic that came with these experiences for me and the fellow Canadians who had

joined. Even though I was young, I met and connected so well with everyone on the tour, andgained so much more than I ever could have imagined.


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The Battlefield Tours Registration Form

Tour Name:

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Departure Date:___________________________________________________________________________

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I require your land and air package; however my departure airport is from another city

My departure city will be: _____________ Emergency Contact: _____________________________________

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To hold your space on this tour, we require a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person.

Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal cheques, money

orders and cash, as forms of payment.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source

25 Lesmill Road, Unit 10, Toronto, ON

M3B 1Z3

Phone: 416-449-4652 Toll Free:1-877-449-4652 Fax:416-449-9965

Email: [email protected]

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PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM BELOW AND INCLUDE IT WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FORM:

TRIP CANCELLATION AND OUT OF COUNTRY MEDICAL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance when traveling out of the country. We offer travel

insurance packages through RBC Insurance at competitive rates for full or partial coverage.

Deluxe Package Insurance:

Includes both out of country medical and trip cancellation insurance

Trip Cancellation Insurance:
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Includes trip cancellation insurance only

Out of Country Medical Insurance: Includes out of country medical only

If you wish to purchase insurance or require a quote from us, please check off one of the options below and

we will contact you to provide you with a quote and explanation of coverage.

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Signature: ____________________________________


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Our Term & ConditionsThe following information and conditions constitute your binding contract with CWT Travel Source. Please read all

of the information below as it provides conditions relating to both the services of Connection Tours and its suppliers.

Deposits:

To reserve your space, a non-refundable deposit of $300

per person is due at time of booking.

Final Payment:

Full and final payment is due 60 days prior to your

departure. Full payment is due immediately for

reservations made within 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellations must be received in writing. Refund in

full, less $300 per person, will be made up to 60 days prior

to departure. Cancellation within 60 days of departure are

subject to the following charges:

60-31 days prior to departure50% of tour cost

30-0 days prior to departure100% of tour cost

Refunds:

No refund is made for unused travel services or any portion

hereof, nor is the value of the unused services exchangeable

for alternative arrangements.

Documentation:

It is the responsibility of the passenger to determine what

documentation is necessary for travel to each countryand

to relay this information to their clients. CWT Travel

Source will assume no responsibility whatsoever for

passenger(s) denied carriage by the Air Carrier, or refused

entry into any country.

Notice:

Living standards and practices as well as conditions and

standards differ from country to country.

CWT Travel Source Responsibility:

CWT Travel Source purchases transportation, hotel

accommodation, tour and ferry passage, restaurant and

other services from various different suppliers who are not

affiliated with CWT Travel Source are issued and subject

to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which all

transportation , including airlines, coach, hotels, tour and

ferry operators, restaurants and other services are

contracted.

Participants agree not to hold CWT Travel Source

responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any person,property or otherwise in connection with any

accommodation, transportation or resulting from any Acts

of God, dangers, incident at sea, fire, breakdowns in

machinery or equipment, act of governments, or

authorities, de hure or e facto, wars declared or not,

hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage,

epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations,

defaults, delays, cancellation or any causes beyond CWT

Travel Sources control for any loss of damage resulting

from improperly issued visas or other documents and that

CWT Travel Source will not be responsible.

The payment of a reservation on a tour or customized

itinerary shall constitute consent to all provisions in theterms & conditions.

CWT Travel Source25 Lesmill Rd, Suite 10, Toronto, ON M2N 6X4

Tel: 416-449-4652 Toll Free: 1-877-449-4652 Fax: 416-449-9965



www.CWTTravelSource.com

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Visit our website:


A special thanks to the Connection Tours Battlefield CommunityEspecially

Marg Liessens

Glenn Edmonds

Pat LeBlanc & Dan LeBlanc

Angela Goodwin

For the insurmountable submissions of breathtaking photos from tours past, thank you!

All photos and credits for the Connection Tours Battlefield 2014 Programmes Kit have been taken by

our travelers on Battlefield Tours Past. [For more photos and submissions, please visit our Battlefield

Tour Facebook Page]

More Thanks to the Canadian Battlefield Community, especially

The Legion Magazine

The Royal Canadian Legion

Juno Beach Centre

ancestry.ca

Connection Tours is Affiliated with, and would like to give special thanks to:

Other Helpful Resources, Links, and Tools:

www.ancestry.ca

www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history

www.warmuseum.caThe Bloodiest Battle CBC www.cbc.ca/history

Horror on the Battlefield CBC www.cbc.ca/history

www.canadiansoldiers.com
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/historyhttp://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/historyhttp://www.warmuseum.ca/http://www.warmuseum.ca/http://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.cbc.ca/historyhttp://www.warmuseum.ca/http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history


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Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source

25 Lesmill Road, Unit 10, Toronto, ON

M3B 1Z3

Phone: 416-449-4652 Toll Free:1-877-449-4652 Fax:416-449-9965

Email Us: [email protected]
http://www.thebattlefieldtours.ca/http://www.thebattlefieldtours.ca/

Documents

2014 Battlefield Brochure by Connection Tours