Battlefields, Barges, Bicycles, and Blooms

Day 1- Overnight flight Toronto to Paris April 30th

Join your BST Tour Manager at Pearson International Airport late this afternoon. Our journey begins with our overnight flight from Toronto to Paris. Sit back and relax as we fly across the Atlantic.

Day 2- Arrival Paris, Bayeux MAY 01,

Welcome to France! After we clear French customs and gather our luggage, we will meet our local guide and driver to begin our exploration of Northern France, Belgium and The Netherlands. We’ll make a stop for lunch, before we travel through the French countryside enroute to the Novotel Bayeux, our hotel for the next two nights. Dinner is included this evening. (L, D)

Day 3-Bayeux, France May 02

Breakfast this morning before we begin our D-Day beaches excursion. Our first visit will be to Courseulles-sur-Mer where we will visit the Juno Beach Centre and have a guided tour of Juno Park. This afternoon we visit the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Reviers. Dinner included this evening. (B, D)

Day 4- Arras, France May 03

After breakfast we begin our day in Ranville, the first village liberated in France when the bridge over the Caen Canal was captured intact in the early hours of June 6, 1944. We visit Pegasus Bridge and the Memorial Pegasus. We continue our journey northeast to finish our day in Arras. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is the Mercure Arras Centre Gare Hotel. (B)

Day 5 Arras, France May 04

Breakfast included as our day begins with a visit to Beaumont Hamel, where the Newfoundland Regiment alone lost 700 souls in one day. We visit the Newfoundland Memorial and view Courcelette Canadian Memorial. Lunch included today prior to our visit of the Thiepval Memorial and Lochnager Crater at Ovillers-la-Boisselle before returning to Arras for overnight (B,L)

Day 6 Ypres, Belgium May 05

After breakfast we depart for the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Following our highlight visit, we continue to Ypres for the next two nights. Balance of day free to explore. Ypres was one of the sites that hosted an unofficial Christmas Truce in 1914 between German and British soldiers. During World War II, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) would fight the Germans in a delaying action at the Ypres-Comines Canal, one of the actions that allowed the Allied retreat to Dunkirk. This evening an included dinner before we attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate. Our hotel for the next two nights is the conveniently located Hotel Novotel Ieper Centrum. (B,D)

Day 7 Ypres, Belgium May 06

This morning, we visit Essex Farm, where John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” in May 1915. Travel to the Passchendaele Canadian Memorial, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and St. Julien Canadian and Battle of Ypres Memorial (the Brooding Soldier Monument). Return to Ypres to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Admission to the Flanders Museum in Ypres is also included today. This evening you may once again choose to attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate. (B, L)

DAY 8 – Bruges, Belgium May 07

Breakfast included as we continue our northward trek with our arrival in Bruges. Our first excursion is a Canal Cruise. A visit to Bruges is not complete without a boat trip on the Bruges canals, the arteries of the city. Accompanied by swans floating alongside you on the water, you will discover Bruges from a surprising perspective, because some things you can only see from the water! The country is known as the world’s chocolate capital, and in Bruges, you’ll find dozens of chocolatiers selling pralines, chocolate truffles and other heavenly treats as we include admission to Choco-Story The Chocolate Museum. Our overnight stay is at Hotel Duke’s Academie. We enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9 – Amsterdam, Netherlands May 08

This morning we travel to the southwestern part of The Netherlands to view the Delta Works Project, consisting of 13 sections, which together form the largest flood protection system in the world. This imposing project, also referred to as one of the seven modern wonders of the world, illustrates how the Dutch deal with water. We also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Kinderdijk Windmills, which again showcase how the Dutch have been managing the water for over 1000 years. A truly unique spectacle. We view a film, visit inside the mill and enjoy a short boat tour. Upon arrival into Amsterdam, we check into Hotel Moevenpick Amsterdam City Centre for the next three nights. Dinner included this evening. (B, D)

Day 10 – Amsterdam, Netherlands May 09

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of Amsterdam with a guided tour to view the main sights such as Dam Square, Beguinage and floating flower market, a walk along the canals and a short Canal Cruise. This afternoon, you may wish to visit the Anne Frank House, a writer’s house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank (subject to availability). Balance of day is free to relax or explore on your own. Your guide will offer suggestions. (B)

Day 11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands May 10

Today our first stop is Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring garden in the world! Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, situated in the municipality of Lisse, in the Netherlands. According to the official website, Keukenhof Park covers an area of 32 hectares and approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the gardens annually. We continue our exploration of the Dutch countryside with a stop at Volendam, best known for its collection of historic windmills and wooden houses. As no visit is complete without a cheese factory stop and wooden shoe factory visit, we have included this today. This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands May 11

Following an early breakfast, we transfer to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for our return flight to Toronto. Upon arrival in Toronto, we will clear Canadian Customs. We hope that you have enjoyed your tour to Northern France, Belgium and The Netherlands with BST Vacations, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. (B)

Cost Includes:

• Air flights from Toronto to Paris and Amsterdam to Toronto
• Airline baggage fee for 1 checked suitcase (subject to maximum weight and dimension restrictions)
• 10 nights accommodation, including taxes and fees
• Motorcoach transportation as per itinerary
• Local guide and driver Day 2 to 12
• Breakfast Daily
• 6 Dinners including a glass of wine, beer or soft drink
• 3 Lunches
• D-Day beach excursions
• Pegasus Bridge and Museum visit
• Beaumont Hamel visit
• Thiepval Memorial visit
• Vimy Ridge Memorial visit
• Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate
• Essex Farm visit
• Flanders Museum in Ypres admission
• Bruges Canal Cruise
• Choco-Story The Chocolate Museum in Bruges
• Delta Works visit
• Kinderdijk Windmills visit
• Guided tour of Amsterdam
• Amsterdam Canal Cruise
• Keukenhof Gardens admission
• Visit to Volendam
• Wooden Shoe Factory and Cheese Factory visits
• BST Tour Manager
• BST Professional Fee
• All Taxes and Fees

Cost does not include:

• Items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, bottled water, etc.
• Any meals or items not specified as being included
• Trip Cancellation, Interruption and/or Out-of-Province Medical Insurance
• New Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases beyond our control
• Any fees for required passport or visas

Blowes & Stewart Travel Group highly recommends the purchase of Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance as well as Out-of-Province Medical Insurance Coverage for your holiday.

BST Escorted Group Terms & Conditions

(These Terms & Conditions do not apply to Charters. Separate T & C apply.)

Please carefully review the Terms & Conditions outlined below. Any reservation made with BST constitutes a binding agreement signifying your acceptance of, and your agreement to follow, these Terms & Conditions, and to be bound by them.

To process your reservation, we will need your personal information including your name, address, telephone number, email address, passport number, date of birth, citizenship, and information you have disclosed regarding health, medical, dietary, mobility and other special requirements. BST will require a copy of your valid passport at time of deposit.

Deposit and Final Payment

Deposit is due at time of booking to secure your reservation. A Non refundable Deposit of $1500.00 per person due at time of booking CAD per person.

The final payment deadline is due in our office on or before Febuary 27, 2026

All payments once received are non-refundable. Please refer to insurance sections below.

Please make cheques payable to Blowes and Stewart Travel. We also accept in-office cash / debit payments, or Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards. E-transfers are accepted, please send to pgraham@bstvacations.ca

Completion of the electronic credit card authorization form or the PDF credit card authorization form commits you to your reservation and the charges on your credit card.

The Company reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment has not been received by the specified due date.

Final Travel details will be issued 2 weeks prior to departure.

Not Included in the Trip Cost

All quoted trip costs do not include items of a personal nature such as but not limited to; medical insurance, cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, phone calls, airline baggage fees where applicable and meals that are not included or listed in the itinerary.

Escorted Group Cancellation Policy

All escorted groups require a minimum number of passengers to travel. Should minimum numbers not been reached, the Company has the right to cancel the tour with a full refund to the passengers booked. Refund will be processed in manner received. Tours unable to operate due to Travel Advisory, acts of God, Terrorism or any other event and no fault of BST, will be subject to cancellation charges as listed above.

BST highly recommends the purchase of cancellation/interruption insurance for all trips. BST will not be held responsible for loss of monies due to cancellation/changes. Your travel advisor will review your travel insurance options at booking.

Medical insurance is mandatory for all trips outside of the Province of Ontario. If client has out of province medical insurance with a separate insurance provider, BST must be advised of insurance company name, policy number & company contact information prior to trip commencement.

Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a refund of unused services and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client. For additional information on packages/plans offered, please visit https://www.igoinsured.com/Direct/ManulifeGlobal.aspx?ag=STEWPET&lang=E

Global Pandemic

Customer acknowledges the risks related to the spread of infectious or contagious diseases. It remains the customer's responsibility to take the necessary precautions applicable to any health hazards, including but not limited to a Global Pandemic. To ensure the safety of all guests and employees, suppliers may have mandatory safety protocols in place, and the availability of their services and facilities may be impacted.

Customer agrees to follow all current and future regulations/protocols set forth for safety in compliance with government policies at your own expense.

BST is not responsible for any fees for, or associated with, mandatory government testing in destination or for returning to Canada, quarantine or expenses relating to any Global Pandemic or similar. If additional insurance protection is declined, it remains the customer's responsibility to verify if their travel insurance policy covers a Global Pandemic.

BST will not be held liable should customers be denied boarding due to insufficient proof of a negative Global Pandemic test prior to departure, or displaying symptoms of a Global Pandemic upon check in. No monies will be refunded to customers who have been denied boarding or refunded at port of entry.

Additional Notes

All prices listed are per person in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted. Pricing is based on supplier cost, currency exchange rates and conditions in effect at the time of brochure printing. Final payment may fluctuate based on changes to the currency exchange at that time. Should there be a pricing increase, a maximum of 7% of base cost, may be applied, or to the taxes and/or government-imposed fees, fuel surcharges or additional airline fees before final payment, these increased charges will be levied to the customer and applied to the final invoice. No additional surcharges may be applied after the trip is paid in full. All trips may be subject to change in situations beyond our control.

When travelling outside of Canada all Canadian passengers require a valid passport. If travelling with a foreign passport (not Canadian) BST must be advised at time of booking so we can advise accordingly. Most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months beyond the expected return date.

Some countries may also have visa requirements for entry. Any fees to obtain visas or additional travel documentation that may be required are the responsibility of the traveler. Entry into another country cannot be guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the local authorities. BST takes no responsibility for a customer being denied entry into another country. Cancellation charges and any additional fees will be at the customer’s expense.

It is the passenger's responsibility to obtain information, and to have in their possession, all the required documentation to travel (such as passports, visa where applicable, etc.) required by the relevant governmental authorities, for themselves and passengers in their care. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.

BST is not responsible for any missing or inappropriate documents. Failure to have proper travel documents will result in denied boarding and automatic cancellation of your reservation without refund.

BST accepts any passengers that have a disability, intellectual or physical condition providing they are able to care for themselves during the trip which includes boarding the plane/bus on their own; participating in any included tours/sightseeing without assistance; the ability to understand meeting points/times and the ability to care for their own documents. BST will accept any passenger who’s intellectual or physical condition is such as to render him/her incapable of caring for him/herself without assistance, provided that he/she is accompanied by an attendant (at an additional cost) who is responsible for the passenger enroute and with the care of such attendant, he/she will not require attention or assistance beyond that which is usually provided by BST tour escort. Some destinations may not be suitable for physical mobility issues.

Baggage restrictions vary by airline and destination. Specific details will be provided with your final travel documents.

Please ensure that you have secured baggage tags to your luggage prior to arriving at the airport, train station or boarding the coach.

Please note that you are responsible for carrying your own luggage and are responsible for the safety and security of your luggage at all times. BST will not assume liability for loss, theft, or damage due to breakage, fire, water, or theft, during transport on the plane, coach, train or at hotel. Ask your agent for details of Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance coverage.

Airline seating requests are taken into consideration and sent to each airline if applicable. Additional charges apply for premium seating on aircraft. Specific seating on coaches or trains cannot be guaranteed. BST will try to accommodate all requests.

BST reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the trip at any time before or during the trip should such person’s presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort, and enjoyment of the other members. Persons leaving the trip after commencement will not receive a refund of unused services and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client.

When travelling outside of Ontario, please note local customs may differ and conditions of travel may not be the same as home. Clients not travelling on full itinerary as outlined assume full responsibility for any cancellation penalties or fees incurred due to cancellation or alteration to itinerary in any way.

Our Role

In offering travel arrangements for sale, BST acts solely as the organizer of the tours and responsible for making all reservations as outlined. BST cannot be held responsible for supplier errors or omissions. We do not maintain any control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and we assume no responsibility for, and shall not be expected or required to pay for any financial loss, personal injury, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which you may experience either by reason of (1) non-performance by any supplier for whatever reason (2) wrongful causes, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its employees or on the part of any other party not under the control of BST (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any aircraft, train, bus, automobile, accommodation, ship or other equipment or instrumentality operated and owned or otherwise used by a supplier or (4) BST is not liable for any loss, damage, injury or death resulting from circumstances beyond its direct control such as unexpected weather conditions, civil unrest, acts of God, force Majeure or any other unforeseen circumstances.