European Battlefield Tour
The Italian Campaign
September 21st - October 2nd, 2009

This unique tour will attempt to cover most of the areas Canadian troops fought for during WW II in central Italy. Famous battle sites such as Cassino, the Moro River, Ortona and the Gothic Line will be visited along with the grave sites of those "D-Day Dodgers" who gave their all and stayed in "Sunny Italy." While the focus of the trip is battlefields, there is a tourism component where travelers will have the opportunity to explore areas such as the Amalfi Coast and Florence. In addition to viewing the beautiful countryside, we will experience the food and culture of Italy.

Day One - Sept. 21st: Depart Toronto on your flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served onboard.

Day Two - Sept. 22nd: Upon arriving in Rome, you will board your coach for a brief orientation tour of the city before arriving at your hotel for dinner and an early night.

Day Three - Sept. 23d: This morning your guide will take you on a full day tour of Rome. You will visit the Vatican Museum to view the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica before touring ancient Rome and the Colosseum. Dinner tonight will be at a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Rome (B,D)

Day Four - Sept. 24th: After breakfast you will tour south to Anzio, with a visit to the Anzio Beachhead Museum, before touring onto the infamous Gustav Line and into the Liri Valley, where Allied troops fought vicious battles while on the march to liberate Rome. Your first stop will be in a museum atop Monte Leuci, a strategic point captured by Canadian troops in 1943. After a brief stop in Pontecorvo, near the Old Hitler Line, we complete our day by travelling to the town of Cassino, destroyed by the 1943 fighting, and rebuilt on higher ground. Then onto your overnight accommodations for check-in and dinner. Overnight - Montecassino (B,D)

Day Five - Sept. 25th: This morning you will travel to Caira, a small community to the north of Cassino and the grave site for nearly 24,000 German troops who died in this area. From here you visit the Commonwealth Cemetery in the town of Cassino before driving up the mountain above the town to the Abbey on Montecassino. This famous landmark, built in 529 was destroyed in 1943, then rebuilt in the 1960's and houses a beautiful chapel. While on the mountain you will visit the Polish obelisk and Sherman tank monument at Albaneto Farm before paying respect to the Polish soldiers buried in a scenic cemetery nearby. Tonight's dinner will be at your hotel in Cassino. Overnight - Montecassino (B,D)

Day Six - Sept. 26th: Today you cross over the mountains and tour towards the Adriatic Coast to Campobasso which was Maple Leaf City where the Canadian troops were able to enjoy a bit of R&R. You will be arriving into Ortona shortly where you will have dinner and overnight. Overnight - Ortona (B,D)

Day Seven - Sept. 27th: Today you will view the Moro River battlefield, the church at San Donato and the infamous Gully. You will take a circular route to Sterlin's Castle, then Casa Berardi where Paul Triquet of the "Vandoo" Regiment won his Victoria Cross and to Cider Crossroads before you enter into Ortona. This town was the scene of terrible fighting involving the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders carrying out their "mouseholing" technique against the 1st German Parachute Division. This evening, dinner will be at a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Ortona (B,D)

Day Eight - Sept. 28th: This morning you will head north along the Adriatic Coast past Pescara, Ancona, and Pesaro to Rimini. Along the way you will turn west to follow what was the German Army's vaunted Gothic Line. Visits to Casinina to view the old bunkers and a musem commemorating the Gothic Line, the cemetery at Montecchio, the Italian monument dedicated to Canadians at Tavullia and the cemetery at Gradara will make a full day. Tonight you will have dinner and overnight in Rimini. Overnight - Rimini (B,D)

Day Nine - Sept. 29th: After breakfast you will visit Coriano Ridge Cemetery which is a mute testament to the fighting along the Gothic Line. The tiny nation-state of San Marino is nearby and a scenic panorama will be viewed from the mountaintop of the old, walled town. After a brief visit to the Ghurka Cemetery, you will have some free time in the afternoon to roam the beaches of Rimini or shop in town. Overnight - Rimini (B,D)

Day Ten - Sept. 30th: Your coach will take us into the Po Valley which was the last area of fighting for the Canadian 1st Division before being moved to France late in 1944. Visits to the villages of Piangipane and Villanova followed by a trip into the Futa Pass to see the 30,000 graves of the German Cemetery will round your day. This evening you will have dinner at your hotel in Montecatini Terme, near Florence. Overnight - Montecatini (B,D)

Day Eleven - Oct. 1st: This morning your guide will take you on a half day walking tour of the beautiful city of Florence, where the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio will be sites well remembered. This afternoon you will transfer to Rome. Your farewell dinner this evening will be at a restaurant near your hotel. Overnight - Rome (B,D)

Day Twelve - Oct. 2nd: After breakfast you will be transferred to Rome airport for your flight back to Canada. (B) Dinner and snacks will be served onboard.

PRICE: $3490 CAD per person based on double occupancy / $ 580 CAD single supplement

INCLUSIONS:

• Round trip air transportation from Toronto to Rome
• First class tourist accommodations
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Services of an experienced tour manager
• Entrances as per your itinerary
• Luxury coach
• Porterage

EXCLUSIONS:

• Air Transportation taxes
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities to driver / guide

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner