MAPLE LEAF ROUTE. A tour of the Canadian Battlefields of Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, and Holland

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1 Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. 95 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 2J1 Tel: / Fax: tours@pauwelstravel.com - pauwelstravel.com MAPLE LEAF ROUTE A tour of the Canadian Battlefields of Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, and Holland Tuesday, November 5, to Saturday, November 16, 2013 A 12-day exploration of Canada s battlefields, of both world wars, in northwestern Europe. In France we visit Dieppe, Normandy s Landing Beaches, the Somme District, and Vimy, The Arnhem-Nijmegen sector of the front will be the focus in Holland. And in Belgium, our program includes Antwerp, Brussels, Medieval Bruges, the Scheldt and Leopold Canal battlefields, and an unforgettable Remembrance Day commemoration in Flanders Fields! Excellent hotels and meals, and history lectures by your tour escort, Michael Quinn. PROPOSED ITINERARY: Day 1 Tuesday, November 5: Evening departure for Brussels from Toronto with direct Jet Airways. Dinner and a light breakfast will be served on board. Day 2 Wednesday, November 6: Morning arrival at Brussels Airport. Transfer by coach to the town of Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium, hub of the World War I battlefield area known as Flanders Fields. Enroute, visits to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the world; Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station, where John McRae composed In Flanders Fields ; the monument to the Brooding Soldier, commemorating the Canadians who fell in the first gas attack in April 1915 at Sint Julian; the evocative German Cemetery at Langemark; and the Canadian Monument in the village of Passchendaele, in whose muddy fields our troops fought an epic battle in We then register at the comfortable 3-star Hotel Novotel, situated near Ieper s main square, and free time to settle in ( After dinner, a brief stroll to the famous Menin Gate, principal British War Memorial in Flanders Fields, for the daily Last Post ceremony, a tradition since 1928!

2 Ancient view of the market square with the Cloth Hall in Ieper/Ypres > Day 3 Thursday, November 7: (L or D) Departure from Ieper after breakfast. Our first morning stop will be the stunning Canadian Memorial at Vimy. Time to explore the heights before continuing on to the Newfoundland Caribou Monument at Beaumont-Hamel and the massive British memorial of Tiepval, both in the WW I battlefields of the Somme District. As we continue on to our evening destination of Caen, we will screen the film The Longest Day in preparation for our tour of the Normandy Beaches. Lunch OR dinner will be included today. < The Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Day 4 - Friday, November 8: A full day of sightseeing in Normandy! Among the highlights will be Pegasus Bridge; Juno Beach (the Canadian sector of the Landing Beaches) with the excellent Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer; the Canadian War Cemetery of Bény-sur-Mer; Arromanches with the remains of the great artificial Mulberry harbor; and Ardenne Abbey, where Canadian POWs were executed by SS troops. Time permitting, we may also briefly visit the picturesque town of Bayeux, famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, a medieval embroidered comic strip showing the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy. Evening at leisure. < D-Day: Canadian troops land at Bernières, Juno Beach Day 5 Saturday, November 9: This morning we leave Caen, crossing the Seine River near Le Havre via the spectacular Pont de Normandie, one of the most impressive bridges in Europe, en route to Dieppe in Normandy, where Canadian troops landed in August Visit to the Canadian Memorial (on the infamous beach) and War Cemetery, followed by time for lunch. On along the coast of the English Channel (with perhaps a glimpse of the white cliffs of Dover in the distance!) to Wimereux Cemetery just outside Boulogne, where we visit the grave of John McRae, author of In Flanders Fields. In late afternoon we continue past Dunkirk, scene of the British Army s great escape in 1940 and across the Belgian border to lovely Bruges, arguably the best preserved medieval town in all of Europe. Dinner and accommodation in the centrally-located Hotel t Zand, a comfortable 3-star superior tourist-class hotel ( Day 6 Sunday, November 10: Morning walking tour of old Bruges, with as highlights the Cathedral; City Hall, St. John s Hospital; the scenic canals that crisscross the town; the Lake of Love; the Beguinage, etc. The afternoon is free to shop or enjoy Bruges independently. This evening, optional dinner of regional culinary specialties in one of the city s most famous restaurants overlooking a picturesque canal.

3 Day 7 Monday, November 11: REMEMBRANCE DAY (L) This morning we travel by train or coach to Ieper to attend the moving Remembrance Day Commemorations. We will join many others at the Menin Gate to observe the Moment of Silence. After a group lunch in a typical restaurant, we visit the excellent inter-active war museum, located in the upper wing of the famous Cloth Hall, a wonderful medieval building which was destroyed during WW I but carefully rebuilt afterwards. Before we return to Bruges in the late afternoon, a short visit to the Chapel of St. George with its remembrance memorials and plaques to the fallen soldiers. < Somewhere in Flanders Fields Day 8 - Tuesday, November 12: (L) Departure from Bruges after breakfast. We visit the Canadian War Cemetery in the Flemish village of Adegem, located on the banks of the Leopold Canal, in the heart of the area where the Canadian Army fought the well documented Battle of the Scheldt in the fall of Also visit to the local Canadian War Museum, with the opportunity to socialize with representatives of the Belgian- Canadian Association. Lunch in a typical restaurant, located on the banks of the Leopold Canal. In the afternoon we cross into Holland and travel to the town of Wageningen, where on May 5, 1945, the German troops in the Netherlands capitulated to General Foulkes of the Canadian Army. Dinner at leisure. Accommodation in Hotel Hof van Wageningen ( Day 9 - Wednesday, November 13: This morning we visit the Surrender Room area in Wageningen s Hotel De Wereld, where the German troops in the Netherlands surrendered to the Canadian Army Command on May 5, On to the city of Arnhem to view the Rhine Bridge which British paratroopers tried to capture as part of Operation Market Garden in September theme of the blockbuster movie A Bridge Too Far. A visit to the Arnhem Cemetery before continuing to Nijmegen and the Canadian sector of the front during the winter of After lunch, visits to the Canadian War Cemetery and the National Liberation Museum in the town of Groesbeek. Return to the hotel in Wageningen and dinner at leisure. Arnhem s Bridge too Far > 5/5/1945: The Germans surrender in Wageningen Day 10 - Thursday, November 14: Departure after breakfast. As we motor south, we pass through Dutch towns liberated during the overland push associated with Operation Market Garden, including Eindhoven. We cross the Belgian border and arrive at the port city of Antwerp, where Canadian troops fought units of the German Army in September 1944 along a frontline running through the docks of this great seaport. Walking tour of the historical city centre including the

4 Town Hall, the Grand Place and the Cathedral with its massive Rubens masterpieces. After lunch, in one of the city s many attractive eateries (mussels and frites, anyone?), we continue to the nation s capital city, Brussels. Time permitting, photo-op of the Atomium before dinner and overnight in the comfortable Best Western Hotel County House ( Day 11 - Friday, November 15: This morning we travel to the nearby battlefield of Waterloo, where Napoleon was decisively defeated in Following a brief tour, we return to the Belgian (and European) capital for a panoramic city tour featuring sights such as the beautiful Grand Place, the Royal Palace, and the huge Palais de Justice. Remainder of the day free to explore the city on your own. We strongly recommend a visit to the excellent Brussels War Museum and/or the superb Museums of Ancient and Modern Art, and perhaps some shopping in the attractive Galerie St.- Hubert. This evening, Au Revoir dinner in the restaurant of our hotel. Day 12 - Saturday November 16: Early morning transfer to the airport and non-stop return flight to Toronto with Jet Airways. Tour cost from Toronto, based on double occupancy: $2, Single room supplement: $ Included in the price are: - Return flight to Brussels; - Accommodation based on double occupancy in comfortable 3-star hotels, featuring rooms with private facilities - the single room supplement is $525.00; - Breakfast daily (usually buffet-style) and seven multi-course dinners or full lunches; - Overland transportation via deluxe private coach, equipped with AC, WC, video/audio, bar; - All visits and sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary, including admission to museums and monuments mentioned; - Hotel taxes and gratuities. Not included: -***The usual combination of airport taxes, security fees, and fuel surcharges, presently approximately $600, but subject to change; the final amount will be reflected on your final invoice; - Beverages with dinners, and meals other than those outlined above; - All expenses of a personal nature; - A gratuity for the coach driver, approximately $30 or equivalent in Euros; - Travel insurance: All inclusive insurance: Non medical insurance: Up to age 59: $ Up to age 59: $ Ages 60-64: $ Ages 60-64: $ Ages 65-69: $ Ages 65-69: $ Ages 70-74: $ Ages 70-74: $281.88

5 With single supplement: All inclusive insurance: Non medical insurance: Up to age 59: $ Up to age 59: $ Ages 60-64: $ Ages 60-64: $ Ages 65-69: $ Ages 65-69: $ Ages 70-74: $ Ages 70-74: $ RECOMMENDED READINGS: Terry Copp (WLU history Professor), Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy, and Cinderella Army: The Canadians in Northwest Europe Also his guides to the battlefields: A Canadian s Guide to the Battlefields of Normandy and A Canadian s Guide to the Battlefields of Northwest Europe. More general: David Bercuson, Maple Leaf Against the Axis: Canada's Second World War. On the fighting in Belgium and Holland: W. Denis Whitaker and Shelagh Whitaker, Tug of War: The Canadian Victory That Opened Antwerp. Check also this interesting website: Infantry Near Nijmegen, Holland, painting by Captain David (Alex) Alexander Colville.

6 PAUWELS TRAVEL BUREAU LTD. 95 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 2J1 Tel: / Fax: Ont. Reg. # TERMS AND CONDITIONS RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS: Reservations should be made as early as possible to ensure the departure of your choice. A deposit of $ is required at the time of registration. Your reservation is confirmed upon receipt of your deposit and application form. No reservations will be accepted without a signed application form. REFUND OF UNUSED ARRANGEMENTS: Because the rates of Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. are based on group participation, no refund can be made for any tour accommodation or tour service or tour feature not taken. If cancellation occurs while the tour is in progress, no refund can be made for the tour portion not taken. We strongly suggest that to allow for any unexpected contingencies, you purchase the all-inclusive insurance. CANCELLATION POLICY: Refund of deposit is made in full if cancellation is received in writing by Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. more than 90 days prior of the departure date of the tour less a $ non refundable administrative fee per person. For cancellation received in writing 90 days prior or less the following cancellation charges apply: 90 days to 46 days before departure: 25% of tour cost 45 to 15 days before departure: 50% of tour cost Within 14 days prior to departure: 100% of tour cost RESPONSIBILITY: Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. reserves the right without notice, to withdraw any part or all of the tour. Factors such as airline schedule changes, hotel overbookings, inclement weather, etc. may necessitate changes in the itinerary as outlined. There may also be other circumstances in which changes become necessary or advisable. Any savings realized by these changes will be passed on to the passengers, any resultant expenses shall be borne by the passenger. Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. acts only as an agent in securing hotel, transportation and other travel services and in no event shall be held responsible for the failure by any person or company to render any transportation, lodging or other travel service to be provided on the tour. All hotel, transportation and other travel services are provided to tour members subject to all the terms and conditions under which they are offered to the public generally. The acceptance of the initial service to be provided under the tour shall be considered an acceptance by the tour member of those conditions. Pauwels Travel Bureau Ltd. also reserves the right to decline, to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour, in which case equitable refund will be made at the discretion of the tour operators. AIR TRANSPORTATION: Transatlantic economy flight by scheduled IATA carrier(s), based on an economy class group fare. All fares are subject to specific rules and regulations, to changes and to government approval. Deviations from the group flights are possible but subject to higher rates.

7 APPLICATION FORM Please book seat(s) on the Maple Leaf Route tour, November 5-16, Enclosed is my/our deposit of ($750 per person, plus insurance premium if taken.) Deposit and insurance premium, if taken, are due with registration. You will be invoiced for the balance approximately 45 days prior to departure. WE REQUIRE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT (INFORMATION PAGES ONLY) TO BE SENT WITH YOUR APPLICATION FORM AT TIME OF REGISTRATION. Name as on Passport. Indicate the appropriate title before each name (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., Ms.) NAME(S): If applicable, give your commonly used first name as you would like it to appear on your name tag: (e.g. Liz for Mary Elizabeth ) ADDRESS: Postal Code: PHONE: (Residence) (Business) (Fax/ ) If traveling alone, please indicate your willingness to share accommodations: YES NO SINGLE ROOM REQUIRED: (We will try to find a roommate for those willing to share, but cannot guarantee success in doing so. For single travelers we are not able to match, the single supplement will apply.) SPECIAL REQUESTS: (Dietary, wheelchair assistance, frequent flyer number, twin beds, etc.): Please list here so we can do our best to assist you. Please be advised that due to airline policies, individual seat selection is not available on group fares and cannot be guaranteed by our Agency. I/we agree to the terms and conditions attached to the program. Insurance, I/we accept: All-inclusive Package Non-medical Package Decline Insurance Signature (s) If purchasing travel insurance, we require your date of birth: Name: Date of Birth Name: Date of Birth PAYMENT: Cheque payable to Pauwels Travel Visa American Express Mastercard Amount Paid: Card Number: Expiry: Security: Signature: Please forward this completed form, copy of passport and payment to: PAUWELS TRAVEL BUREAU LTD. 95 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 2J1 Tel: / Fax: