Paris, Amsterdam & The Battlefields

Introduce your students to three of the greatest countries in Western Europe! Designed in consultation with military historian Dr. Eric McGeer, this itinerary delivers exceptional learning opportunities for students and teachers.

Visit the great cultural cities of Paris and Amsterdam, the WW2 D-Day landing sites in Normandy, and the WW1 trenches in Flanders.

Explore the charming medieval city of Bruges, before walking in the footsteps of Anne Frank in Amsterdam.

Embark on a European adventure: Discover history, culture, and Canada's legacy.

Top Highlights

Climb the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of Paris
Cruise the River Seine and admire Paris' landmarks
Immersive battlefield experience
Optional cycling modifications
Incredible food experiences
Three unique countries

What’s Included

We design unforgettable educational journeys for you and your students. Our educational trips include:

Itinerary

Paris

With the River Seine gently meandering through this incredible city in northern central France, the captivating, romantic city of Paris has been described in just about every possible way and is a dream destination for people the world over, boasting many famous landmarks, a rich history and idyllic Parisian scenes at every turn. The city features monument-lined boulevards, fascinating museums, classical bistros, bohemian art nouveau cafes, creative wine bars, stylish boutiques, and art galleries. Must-see attractions include: the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe standing guard over the glamourous Champs Elysees Avenue. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample infamous French cuisine at an array of enticing ‘boulangeries’, ‘patisseries’, and ‘fromageries’.

Activities:

Eiffel Tower: climb to the second floor of this iconic monument to enjoy panoramic views of the City of Lights
River Seine: enjoy a beautiful cruise, passing landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral and Île de la Cité
Louvre Museum: admire world-famous artwork on a guided tour
‘Left Bank’ Latin Quarter: stroll through Paris’ most famous neighbourhood with a guide teaching you the history of its landmarks, including the Sorbonne and the Pantheon
Montmartre: enjoy a guided tour of this historic neighbourhood, once a bohemian haven, and visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Caen

Set in Normandy, France, on the Orne River in the department of Calvados, Caen has charms in spades – fairytale chateaux and fine wines; beautiful gardens and compelling historical sites; superb shopping and sparkling nightlife. While away the days at local markets loaded with pungent cheeses and sumptuous fresh produce, absorbing the architectural wonders of the Chateau de Caen and the Abbaye aux Hommes, or chatting with locals at the city’s lively cafes and bars. History buffs will enjoy a guided tour of the beaches where battles raged on D-Day in 1945, as well as a visit to the Caen Memorial Museum, which allows an evocative glimpse into Normandy’s epic role in World War 2. The nearby town of Bayeux boasts one of the region’s greatest cultural treasures, the enormous Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the invasion of Normandy by William the Conqueror.

Activities:

Palace of Versailles: explore the UNESCO World Heritage site with a guide explaining this breathtaking achievement of French 17th century architecture and art
Caen Memorial Museum: learn about the impact of WW2 on the region and the Liberation of Caen from a guide
Arromanches-Les Bain: walk this key WW2 beach, visiting Mulberry Harbour and the D-Day Museum with its 360 Degree Cinema, while an expert guide and military historian explains “Operation Overlord”
British Normandy Memorial: honour the soldiers that fought in WW2 at this poignant sites of remembrance
Juno Beach Centre: learn about Canadian achievements and losses in WW2 as a guide leads you through real-world battle sites
Canadian War Cemetery: visit the graves of 2,048 Canadian soldiers, paying respects as a military historian tells stories of the fallen

Ypres

Located in western Belgium, in the province of West Flanders, Ypres is a dignified place with a weighty history, and will appeal most to those looking to deepen their understanding of the tragedies of World War I. Most of its sights are spread between its lovely centre – full of charming chocolate shops and local brew houses – and its scenic, though sombre, countryside, which active travellers will find makes a great cycling circuit. Key sights include the Menin Gate Memorial, the Flanders Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, all of which feature moving memorials to the hundreds of thousands of lives lost near Ypres during the closing stages of the Great War. Meanwhile, sights such as the reconstructed Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) and Leperse Vestingen (the city’s ancient fortifications) link the city with antiquity.

Activities:

Canadian National Vimy Memorial: visit the site of Canada’s most significant WW1 battle to honour the soldiers who lost their lives as a guide details the history of the battle and its memorial
Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate: pay respects to the 55,000 soldiers lost without a trace in defence of Ypres, whose names are inscribed on the arches of this memorial, in this simple bugle ceremony
Cycling Options: Northern and Southern Ypres Salient
Essex Farm / John McRae Site: visit the former military medical station where John McRae penned the famous ‘In Flanders’ Fields’
Tyne Cot Cemetery and Passchendaele: learn about these key sites in both WW1 and WW2
Historic Bruges: enjoy a guided walking tour of the charming city centre, including Burg Square, the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall), and Market Square

Bruges

Located in northwest Belgium, the capital of West Flanders, Bruges, has long held travellers in awe with its narrow cobbled streets, astonishing gilded architecture, and gorgeous canals. Bruges miraculously escaped much of the destruction associated with conflicts that devastated much of western Europe, resulting in a perfectly preserved medieval city filled to the brim with wonderful testaments to its prosperous past. Stroll through enchanting market squares lined with soaring towers, old whitewashed almshouses and historic churches; while away an afternoon in charming quaint cafes or meandering through world-class museums. The compact centre means that day trippers can cover the major sights without too much difficulty. Essential viewing includes the main square with the awe-inspiring belfry, the astonishing, colourful frescoes of the Burg with the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and of course, a leisurely boat trip on the dreamy canals.

Activities:

Canal Boat Tour: cruise along the canal system to fully understand the beauty and historic significance of the city
Guided walking tour of Bruges

Amsterdam

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its impressive, UNESCO-listed canal system and its location in North Holland, Amsterdam is a truly exciting holiday destination. This is one of the most extensive historic city centres in Europe, playing host to approximately 7,000 registered historic buildings dating back to medieval times. The Museum Quarter brims with priceless works by Dutch Masters, with the occasional Picasso and Warhol thrown into the mix. The upmarket Jordaan area boasts trendy contemporary art galleries, charming boutiques, and world-class restaurants while the 17th-century Canal Ring is dotted with traditional canal houses and prestigious mansions, quaint drawbridges, and some of the city’s premier nightlife spots. Gorgeous parks and botanical gardens and the landmark 22-floor lookout add further romance to the city.

Activities:

Leopold Canal battle site: learn the significance of Canada’s involvement in the important 1944 Battle of Leopold Canal and the Liberation of Belgium
Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian cemetery: honour the 1,118 Canadian men buried there who participated in the Scheldt Offensive
Amsterdam walking tour: enjoy a guided tour including Dam Square, Royal Palace, New Church and Waterloo Square
Canal Dinner Cruise: eat on the water as you cruise past Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks
Anne Frank House & Museum: learn about Anne Frank, the Second World War and the persecution of the Jews
Rijksmuseum: visit the National Museum of the Netherlands, containing over 2,000 paintings from the Dutch Golden Age
Cycling tour of Amsterdam

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!

Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!

The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.

Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.

Find your destination

Plan your next holiday with G/Hardy Tours.

Europe & UK

The Americas

Africa

Doing what you like is freedom, liking what you do is happiness.