1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Tour
14-23 May 2027

Join Fields of Fire Tours and Merit Travel Canada for an unforgettable journey through the historic battlefields of France, Belgium and Germany, commemorating the legacy of Canadian soldiers who served in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. This expertly guided tour sponsored in association with the Canadian Airborne Forces Association (CAFA) and led by experienced military historians and veterans, offers a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of these airborne troopers and honour Canada’s military heritage.

The tour begins on May 14, with departure from Canada to Paris. Upon arrival, participants will travel by coach bus to Caen, France, where they’ll explore the renowned Memorial de Caen and settle into the Mercure Caen Port de Plaisance for three nights. Over the next two days, guests will visit the D-Day beaches and explore in detail the experience of 1 Can Para from its drop zone near Varaville, to the two months spent holding the Eastern flank of the bridgehead and then advancing to the Seine River. Visits to Pegasus Bridge and the Airborne Museum, as well as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries where the airborne fallen lie, will be included.

On May 18, the group travels to the area of Namur, France, where our exploration of the 1 Can Para action during the Battle of the Bulge will begin. We will stay at the Mercure Namur Hotel. We will leave Namur in the morning of May 19 and see the blocking positions held by 1 Can Para on the North face of the Bulge where XVIII Airborne Corps was deployed to halt the advance of the enemy. We will then take a step into airborne history with a visit to Fort Eben Emael where German glider troops achieved a stunning victory in 1940 to open the path for the advancing armour. before checking into the Hotel Valkenburg in Maastricht, Netherlands for an overnight stay..

We will continue into the Netherlands on May 20, driving to the Nijmegen area. We will visit the Freedom Museum that has an excellent exhibit on the battles of the 82nd Airborne during Operation Market Garden, as well as the Canadian Army’s Rhineland offensive - Operation Veritable. We will follow that tour with a visit to the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. Many of the I Can Para troopers who fell in Operation Varsity are buried here. We will end teh day by checking in to the Mercure Nijmegen Centre Hotel, where we will stay for three nights.

The famous airborne Operation Market Garden will be the focus of today’s tour on May 21. We will tour the drop zones, John Frost Bridge, and the Airborne Museum before returning to Nijmegen.

May 22 will be our look at Operation Varsity, the drop across the Rhine executed by 1 Can Para as part of 6th Airborne Division. We will visit the drop zones and battlefields of this important victory that saw the only 1 Can Para VC earned by Cpl Fred Topham, and witnessed the death of the battalion CO, LtCol Jeff Nicklin. On rerurning to our hotel we will enjoy a farewell dinner.

The tour concludes on May 23, with departures from Amsterdam. Optional extended stays in Europe are easily arranged.

Tour Cost (Land Only): CAD $4000 per person (double occupancy)
Single supplement: CAD $1050 (limited availability)
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required at booking, with final payment due in December 2026.

Included in the price are all breakfasts, daily bagged lunches (except May 23), coach transportation, accommodations, a final dinner, and the services of expert guides. Airfare, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.

Contact us at info@foftours for more information.

Terms and Conditions

Connection Custom Travel

 Please note that terms and conditions are set by the supplier. A full copy of the supplier’s terms and conditions can be reviewed at the following link: https://www.connectiontours.ca/terms-conditions. These terms serve as a general guideline; however, specific conditions may vary due to the fact that this group is traveling during peak travel season. Final policies, including payment schedules, cancellation penalties, and other requirements, will be determined by the supplier and may differ from the general terms provided.

 Once the trip is paid for in full, the package is fully non-refundable. Changes are $100 per person plus any applicable fare difference.  If Connection Custom Travel suspends or cancels service to your destination on your travel dates, there may not be a refund offered. There may only be a future travel credit offered.

 Cancellation Policy (Merit Travel Group): A $100 per person fee, plus applicable taxes, in addition to supplier fees, will be charged as an administration cost for managing and servicing the group reservation.

 Please note that there is also a merchant fee of 3% for all credit card payments.