Alumni Adventures Abroad

Alumni Adventures Abroad: Travel to Belgium and France with Dr. Graham Broad!

For the first time ever, King's alumni and friends have the opportunity to travel with Dr. Graham Broad, esteemed historian and Chair of King's History Department, on a 12-day guided tour of Belgium and France. We've secured excellent rates, but only for a limited time.

To move forward, we must confirm there's enough interest.
Please complete our short survey by August 26 to let us know what you think about this opportunity.

More Information about this trip:

Tentative Dates: May 31 – June 11, 2026
Destinations: Brussels, Ypres, Arras, Dieppe, Caen, Paris
Includes: Round-trip airfare from Toronto, chartered coach, accommodations, excursions, and some meals.

Trip Highlights
  • Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, including an augmented reality tour of the Ghent Altarpiece
  • An interactive self-guided tour of the In Flanders Fields Museum
  • Tour the trenches at Vimy Ridge and visit the Ring of Remembrance at Notre Dame de Lorette
  • Walk the main Dieppe landing beaches and visit Canada House while touring Juno Beach
  • Tour the interior of the Château de Versailles
  • and more!

Dr. Broad will provide expert historical insight at each destination, making this a deeply personal and enriching journey.

Costs

Cost per person is up to $6,468 (price may be lower, depending on the total number of participants).
**Single supplement: Add $1,300 per person

What's included for this price?

  • Return airfare from Toronto to Brussels, returning from Paris. *Note outgoing flight is overnight.
  • Transportation via private coach for the duration of the tour
  • 10 nights' accommodation in 3-star and 4-star hotels
  • Daily breakfast and 2 group dinners, including a dinner cruise on the Seine and gratuities
  • Visits, admissions and tours of battleground sites in Belgium and France, with expert historical insight by Professor Graham Broad
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Additional costs

  • Travel, trip cancellation and health insurance
  • Costs associated with visa or passport processing
  • Meals and snacks not indicated above, alcohol
  • Wi-Fi services on motor coach (optional to purchase)

Payment schedule

  • September 8, 2025: 1st deposit - $1500/person
  • October 24, 2025: 2nd deposit - $1500/person
  • January 7, 2026: 3rd deposit - $1500/person
  • February 23, 2026: Final payment due
Itinerary Overview

Day 1 - Sunday, May 31
Departure from Toronto Pearson Airport

Day 2 - Monday, June 1
Brussels, Belgium
Visit St Bavo's Cathedral and travel to Ypres

Day 3 - Tuesday, June 2
Ypres, Belgium
Visit historic sites, including the John McCrae Memorial, In Flanders Field Museum, St. Julien Memorial, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and Menin Gate, where the group will participate in The Last Post Ceremony and lay a wreath on behalf of King's. This day includes a group dinner.

Day 4 - Wednesday, June 3
Ypres, Belgium to Arras, France
Tour Vimy Ridge, including the trenches and Vimy Monument, and visit the Ring of Remembrance at Notre Dame de Lorette.

Day 5 - Thursday, June 4
Arras, France
Visit Carrière Wellington Museum, including a forgotten underground British field hospital that was located 800 meters from the German front lines.

Day 6 - Friday, June 5
Arras, France to Dieppe, France
Visit the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park, Thiepval Museum and Amiens Cathedral.

Day 7 - Saturday, June 6
Dieppe, France
Tour the main landing beaches (Red and White) and the GE Artillery Lookout on the cliff.

Day 8 - Sunday, June 7
Dieppe, France to Caen, France
Tour Juno Beach, including Canada House, and visit Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery

Day 9 - Monday, June 8
Caen, France
Visit the Abbaye of Mont-St. Michel, one of the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Day 10 - Tuesday, June 9
Caen, France to Paris, France
Visit the Palace of Versailles for a guided tour of the interior.

Day 11 - Wednesday, June 10
Paris, France
Participate in a guided walking tour of the Eiffel Tower area and enjoy a farewell group dinner cruise.

Day 12 - Thursday, June 11
Return to Canada

Additional Questions

Do I have to be a King's alumnus to take part?
You are welcome to bring friends and family. We welcome all alumni and friends of King's to participate.

What level of fitness is required?
A moderate level is required to enjoy the various activities of this tour. Passengers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs and step on and off a bus to participate in this tour.

Will we have any free time?
On most days, you will have several hours in the evening to enjoy at your leisure.

Will I need travel insurance?
Insurance is not included in the tour package, but is recommended and is required for the Belgium portion of the trip. Ellison Tours can provide some options.

Can I upgrade my flight seating?
Changes to seats may be completed by the traveller at the time of check-in, pending availability. Specific requests may be available for an extra charge.

What if I have further questions?
Please reach out to alumni@kings.uwo.ca with additional questions or to request a phone call.