Tour+Information

= //A PILGIMAGE OF REMEMBRANCE// = //** FRANCE ****, MARCH 2009 **//

HIGHLIGHTS
=== Today is a travel day as we make our transatlantic overnight flight to Paris, France. Relax, bring along some reading material, your ipod or your electronic gizmo. Time to catch some shut eye. See you in the morning! ===

HIGHLIGHTS
=== On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle you are met and transferred to your hotel. After a welcome meeting with your Tour Director you have time to relax and explore this beautiful city. Enjoy an included dinner this evening. Enjoy a guided Lights tour this evening of this beautiful historic city. (B, D) ===

HIGHLIGHTS
This morning's **sightseeing tour** features, Champs Elysées, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral. and admission to the Eiffel Tower. The rest of your day is at leisure. Paris has something for everyone. Maybe visit the Pompidou Centre, view the famous Art treasures of the Louvre, or simply relax at a pavement café and watch the world go by? This evening enjoy a harbour cruise on the River Seinne, (B, D)

HIGHLIGHTS
This is bound to be a spectacular day, the **Palace** **of Versailles**: The world's most opulent playground for royalty! A chateau large enough to house 6,000 courtiers! A palace fit for a king! Most spectacular of all is the **Hall of Mirrors**, a 235-foot-long drawing and ballroom lined along one side with 17 huge mirrors -- fixtures that were staggeringly expensive at that time in history. In the glass, the courtiers could admire their own fabulously costumed selves as they danced. ** Many wars have been settled through peace talks and treaties negotiated at Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in 1919. (B, D) ** Today you will visit a number of significant areas around Dieppe. First we visit the small beach at PUYS where the Royal Regiment was given the very difficult task of taking the east headland. From there we will return along the Dieppe esplanade to the **PANORAMA** on top of the west headland for a view of the whole of the Dieppe beaches. The **Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery** commemorates t he Dieppe raid on August 19, 1942 only lasted nine hours but cost nearly 1000 lives. The old chateau on top of the cliffs overlooking Dieppe now serves as a museum, including information on the Dieppe Raid. The flags of Canada and France continuously stand together. Later today we travel to the **Battle of the Somme** which was one of the largest battles of World War I, with more than one million casualties. It was the bloodiest battles in human history. (B, D)  Today we depart for the two most famous Canadian WW I memorials - the **Beaumont- Hamel**, and Vimy Ridge. A visit to the **Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Vimy Memorial** will find the now grassy grounds still deeply pock-marked with the depressions of mine-craters, shell-holes and mounds from the massive artillery bombardment which the Canadians used to take Vimy Ridge. The memorial is the work of a Toronto sculptor, Walter S. Allward. Six thousand tons of Dalmatian Trau stone were used for the pylons and sculptures figures. Twelve thousand tons of stone and concrete form the base. It took 11 years to complete. Next a visit to the **Beaumont-**** Hamel **** Newfoundland Memorial Park ****. ** Always a popular destination of WWI battlefields visitors, the park was a focus of early pilgrimages by survivors of the war. Admission included to the excellent In Flanders Fields Museum - this is perfect for students http://www.inflandersfields.be/ On April 10, 1997 the park was designated as a National Historic Site. Next we visit the gravesite of **Lieutenant – Colonel John McRae,** a doctor, who died of pneumonia on January 8th, 1918. Inspired by battlefield graves near the ambulances and hospitals where he did his work, he wrote the poem, “In Flanders Fields” Overnight in Arras (B, D) Today we return to Paris for a full day at EuroDisney (admission included). A great day awaits you at this fun and exciting park. Tonight we will stay near Marne Le Valley to allow you to enjoy EuroDisney to its fullest. Enjoy your last night together before leaving for home. (B, D) Today we depart for home. Get ready for another **transatlantic flight.** Time to share many memories with friends and family. Transatlantic Flight to Paris, France Coach transportation while in France Airport transfers Eight nights accommodations based on double occupancy Taxes on accommodations and attractions Services of a Tour Manager while in France Breakfast and Dinner including taxes and gratuities while in France Sightseeing, admission and attractions as listed in the itinerary Medical and trip Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature (phone calls, lunches) Gratuities to coach driver and tour manager  ·  A non-refundable second deposit of $750. is due October 1, 2008.  ·  Final payment is due January 15, 2009.  ·  Hotel accommodations are based upon availability. Final documents will include hotel locations and phone numbers and will be announced with final documents.  ·  Freedom Travel constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control makes changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary our tour itineraries.
 * Day 5 Tues Normandy **
 * HIGHLIGHTS **
 * Since June 1940, save for raids, including Dieppe, and the infiltration of special agents, no allied soldier had set foot on the French mainland until the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. This (codenamed “Overlord”) was the largest combined military operation in history. Hear and feel the history of the 1944 Campaign in Normandy. Visit the **** Beny sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery **** where most of the young Canadian volunteers who were killed during the first days of the **** Battle of Normandy **** are buried. Tour the **** Juno **** Beach Museum **** built by Canadians where you will experience the Canadian troops involvement and visit the **** Caen Peace Memorial ****, regarded as the best museum in France and the only museum that gives an overview of history from 1918 to present day. As of 2004 it is the only place outside the US that displays remnants of the 9/11 attacks. (B, D) **
 * Day 6 Wed **** Dieppe **
 * HIGHLIGHTS **
 * Day 7 Thurs Beaumont-Hamel **
 * HIGHLIGHTS **
 * Day 8 Fri Euro Disney **
 * HIGHLIGHTS **
 * Day 9 Sat Home **
 * Tour Includes: **
 * Not included: **
 * Please Note: **
 * A non-refundable deposit of $200. is required to secure your space. We recommend trip cancellation at this time. Medical and cancellation insurance is a must traveling abroad. Medical treatments can be very costly outside of Canada. We offer RBC insurance at Freedom Tours.
 * Please make sure you tag your luggage with the luggage tag provided.
 * Please remember NOT to pack medication in your suitcase and make sure it’s in its original containers.
 * Be sure to bring your Identification - a valid passport is necessary for this trip.
 * Tour Information Form will be supplied and should be completed before departure.
 * Price: $2469. per person **
 * Dates: March Break 2009 **