Explore the Battlefields of WWI and WWII on This New Tour

A new Insight Vacations itinerary for 2025, The Battlefields of WWI and WWII is the ultimate vacation for history lovers. Shining a fascinating lens into the history of World Wars I and II, this 11-Day tour also offers the opportunity to pay your respects to all those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

Travel in ‘Business Class’ style with hand-picked hotels and delicious dining, as you trace a poignant and enlightening journey through the battlefields of WWI and II, and numerous other significant sites along the way. Packed with experiences to inspire the curious mind, the best Local Experts bring this important part of history to life at every turn.

Discover the tour : Battlefields of WWI & II

Days 1 & 2: London

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” said Samuel Johnson, the famous British writer of the UK’s vibrant capital. Now it’s time to see for yourself. Upon your arrival your airport transfer will whisk you to the Park Plaza Victoria hotel – not only stylish and comfortable, its conveniently located near prime tourist sites including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, as well as the boutiques of Knightsbridge.Tonight, you’ll dine with your Travel Director and fellow War enthusiasts.

After a good night’s rest, in the morning join your Local Expert for a city tour. See Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. Finish your day at the Imperial War Museum, one of the world’s leading museums of conflict, with a focus on the impact of modern warfare on individuals and societies. Tonight choose where you dine – your Travel Director is on hand with recommendations. Maybe enjoy traditional British fare in one of London’s cozy pubs?

Day 3: London to Brussels

Hop aboard the Eurostar train this morning for a short trip to mainland Europe and Brussels. As the seat of the EU, the Belgian capital is known as the “capital of Europe.” Once settled, you can choose how to spend your time today, with an option of two included experiences.  Step back in time to June 18, 1815, with a visit the historic battlefield of Waterloo. This iconic battle marked Napoleon’s final defeat, ending his rule and leading to the establishment of a stable Europe. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the fine Belgian art of chocolate making and join your Local Expert for a city tour and a chocolate-making class. Share stories with your travel companions in the heart of the capital tonight over traditional Belgian cuisine, and rest in the boutique Le Louise Hotel, Brussels Mgallery.

Day 4: Brussels to Ypres and Lille

This morning you’ll travel to Ypres, marking the start of two days dedicated to the history and battlefields of WWI. The Belgian town is the unofficial capital of Flanders Fields, site of numerous battles during the First World War. Also known as the “City of Peace” Ypres still commemorates these events daily.

You’ll see Viewing Hill 60, Polygon Wood and the Passchendaele Memorial with vivid displays of war relics and reconstructed trenches. Pay your respects at the Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world where over 11,900 soldiers of World War I are laid to rest.

Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the local beer before concluding your day hearing a poignant ‘Last Post’ which sounds each night in tribute to the soldiers who fell.

Day 5: Fromelles and Vimy Ridge

A visit to the Australian cemetery of Fromelles gives time to learn about one of the darkest days in Australian military history. The attack on Fromelles on 19 July 1916 was the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front, planned to stop the Germans from reinforcing their unit on the Somme, and cost 5,533 Australian casualties in one night.

A stop at the Vimy Ridge Visitors Center in the town of Arras brings to life, a strategic victory that defined Canada’s role in the war. Vimy Ridge was an important observation point, and the Battle of Vimy Ridge was also the first time that all four divisions of the Canadian Corps had fought together, but it came at a heavy cost.

The medieval town of Amiens and the Mercure Amiens Cathédrale Hotel is your home for the next two nights. Famed since the Middle Ages for its textile industry and its great Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame, the largest gothic cathedral in France, Amiens boasts 300 hectares of water gardens and was completely rebuilt after World War II.

Day 6: The Battlefields of the Somme and Amiens

One of the most famous battlefields of WWI, today you’ll explore the Somme under the guidance of your Local Expert. The 1916 Somme offensive was among the largest and deadliest battles of World War I (1914-18). On the first day, July 1, 1916, the British Army faced 57,000 casualties, marking the bloodiest day in its history. The campaign ultimately concluded in mid-November after a grueling five-month conflict that failed to achieve a breakthrough. Visit the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval, the Lochnagar Crater, the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval.

Enjoy an authentic French lunch at the Ocean Villas tearoom, named after the British soldiers’ mispronunciation of Auchonvillers, and take a tour of the adjacent museum. Then enjoy a guided visit to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Sir John Monash Center and learn about the contribution of Australian soldiers. Tonight, enjoy Amiens, explore its famous Gothic cathedral and compare war perspectives and learnings over dinner with your travel companions.

Days 7 & 8: Normandy

Site of the WWII D-Day landings of 1944, the north-west France region of Normandy needs little introduction. Here Allied troops landed to begin the campaign to liberate Europe and defeat Germany. Boasting 350kms of coastline, stunning scenery and some of France’s best seafood, the region is must-see for history enthusiasts.

Today you’ll travel to Normandy’s charming capital, Rouen. Wander among historic half-timbered houses, admire its ancient cathedral, the subject of many Monet masterpieces, and see the exact spot where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431. Your day is rounded off with a glimpse into French aristocratic life with a visit to the Château du Champ de Bataille, a magnificent 17th-century Normandy estate.

Tonight, you’ll dine on some of Normandy’s best fare before relaxing at the Hotel Mercure Caen Center Port de Plaisance in the heart of the historic city center.

The next day the Normandy Beaches take center stage with many sights to see. Join your Local Expert for an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings. See the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, visit the American Military Cemetery at St-Laurent-sur-Mer, the D-Day Museum and the bunkers at Pointe du Hoc. Feel like you’re flying over the D-Day Landing beaches as you step aboard a genuine C-47 built in 1943 for a simulated flight. You’ll also see the Utah Beach Museum, the Omaha Beach Memorial and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.

Day 9, 10 & 11: Paris via Versailles

En-rote to the center of Paris, your Travel Director shows off the highlights of Versailles. A symmetrical town, Versailles expands outwards from the famous royal Palace, with the Notre-Dame district on the right bank and the Saint-Louis district on the left bank.

Explore well-preserved monuments such as the Convent of the Récollets, the Old Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Marine constructed under Louis XV, and the Royal Tennis Court, the site where the French Revolution began. You can also choose to explore the famous Chateau de Versailles as an optional extra.

Then it is onwards to Paris, the City of Light, the finale of your tour. You’ll stay at the luxurious Paris Marriot Rive Gauche Hotel, perfect located to make the most of your free evening in this enchanting city. For that special touch of excitement and glamour, maybe choose to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows at le Moulin Rouge?

The next day, join your Local Expert to explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. Together you’ll see famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe. You can also curate your day with an optional Seine River cruise.

Tonight, enjoy a memorable evening as you dine on delicious French cuisine and wine and relive the memories of your fabulous Battlefields of WWI and WWII tour with your travel companions.