Can anyone recommend some good WW2 Battlefield Tour Companies covering the 1st Canadian Army in Italy, for the time period mid 1943 to late March 1945, when the Corps was transferred to NW Europe. My father was with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 4th Field Company. Interested in visiting battlefields, memorials, cemeteries, key sites. Much research yet to do, so any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
London, UK
453 posts
For cemeteries have you looked at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website? www.cwgc.org.
Posted by
OP
Canada
70 posts
Thanks Katy, will check it out. We are most interested in touring the key battlefields where the Canadians fought, most specifically for the period from late December 1943 and the battle of Ortona, to March of 1945 when the Canadians were transferred to NW Europe. We are interested in private tour companies as opposed to guided tours that are all inclusive. We will be renting our own vehicle, and want to remain flexible with our schedule. I am hoping that there are contributors on this site who have utilized private tour companies, who might point us in their direction. Our searches so far, have only turned up the all-encompassing tours that include air fare, transportation, accommodation, etc. We are hoping to rent a car, and book accommodations as we go. We did this in Normandy, Belgium, Holland last year, and it worked out well for us. Thanks for your response.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4051 posts
I took the 70th anniversary tour in July from http://connectsolotravelers.com/thebattlefieldtours/?p=48
and enjoyed every minute (with deep respect how terrible the war was for everyone concerned.) It was a small group led by the company boss, Ian Cowan of Connection Tours in Toronto. His flexible planning and knowledge of the subject satisfied all personal interests. However, his company specializes in custom tours so it would be best to contact him directly through his website to get more information.