HIGHLIGHTS
With guidance from Liberation Route Europe, VVV (Dutch Tourist Information), KWBN (Dutch Walking League), battlefield tour guides, and the Canadian Embassy in The Netherlands, IOFF highlights include:
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A 60 km pilgrimage (over 3 days) along routes taken by the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Canadian Divisions
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Guidance from professional battlefield guides
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Flower Ceremony at Groesbeek Cemetery
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Candlelight Vigil
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Nijmegen Sunset March
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NL Remembrance Day Ceremony at Holten Cemetery
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Liberation Day Party in Almen
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Apeldoorn Liberation Festivities
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Canadian Camp at the Royal Family’s Palace (Het Loo)
ITINERARY 2025
Day 1 : Sunday April 27
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Overnight flight from Toronto to Amsterdam.
Day 2 : Monday April 28 - Arrival and orientation
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol and transfer to the hotel in Zeeland near Vlissingen (Flushing). Learn en route about the famous Delta Works protecting the low lands from flooding. IOFF group “meet and greet.” Orientation. Receive platoon assignments and associated gear.
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Hotel: Strandhotel Westduin, Vlissingen (50 m from the beach and North Sea, part of the Atlantik Wall)
Included meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 3 : Tuesday April 29 - Battle of the Scheldt 1944
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Learn with professional guides about Operation Switchback. Explore the Breskens Pocket, see selected villages, and visit German bunkers along the Atlantik Wall. Take the ferry across the Scheldt Estuary to Uncle Beach (Vlissingen). Visit the Liberation Museum Zeeland. Participate in the D-Day Flame Recovery Ceremony with The Canadian Remembrance Torch in Vlissingen.
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Hotel: Strandhotel Westduin, Vlissingen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 : Wednesday April 30 - Battle of the Scheldt 1944
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Participate in an IOFF ceremony at Sloedam Monument. Learn about the Canadian operations around Woensdrecht, including Black Friday. Walk the main street (that was fully destroyed) to our ceremony at the Black Watch Monument. See the battlefields. Visit Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery and participate in an IOFF ceremony. Visit the new Poppy Park in Welberg and participate in a ceremony honouring the 4th Canadian Division. Learn about the Battle of Kapelsche Veer and Operation Elephant. Later, in Nijmegen, walk the famous Sunset March, a tribute to fallen soldiers crossing the Waal during Operation Market Garden.
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Hotel: Van der Valk Cuijk Nijmegen, Cuijk
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 : Thursday May 1 - Operation Veritable, Reichswald Forest (Germany), Groesbeek Cemetery (NL)
In Germany, learn about Operation Veritable and Blockbuster, the heaviest battles along the western front in February 1945, led by the Canadian General Crerar. See the bridgehead site of the Rhine crossing at Rees. Returning to the NL, participate in an IOFF ceremony at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
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Hotel: Van der Valk Cuijk Nijmegen, Cuijk
Included meals: Breakfast, delicious lunch at a typical German 'Gasthof' , and dinner
Day 6 : Friday May 2 - IOFF’s Liberation Walk (20 km; 5 km x 4)
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Walk through fields and forests along the liberation routes of the Canadian regiments from Megchelen (the first liberated Dutch village) to Vorden. Enjoy grand welcomes by the mayors and locals. Together with a military band, walk the towns’ main streets as a large Canadian contingent. See Castle Hackfort (a Canadian field hospital during the war) and other highlights. Participate in IOFF ceremonies along the way. In the village of Almen, check into Landgoed Ehzerwold (also a former Canadian war hospital) for the duration of the trip.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, a tea time stop at the Castle Hackfort, and dinner
Note: To fully appreciate the IOFF experience, we expect that all participants will walk the Liberation routes.
(A bus will follow the group for those who require it.)
Day 7 : Saturday May 3 – Operation Cannonshot, Apeldoorn Liberation Parade, HRH Princess Margriet & Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven
After a musical welcome in Gorssel, learn about Operation Cannonshot from a local family. Cross the IJssel River by ferry and walk 3 km on the dikes to the famous church in Wilp. As guests of honour, walk in Apeldoorn’s Liberation Parade, featuring up to 20 pipes and drums bands known as “United Pipers for Peace.”
With HLGen Richard Rohmer (101-year-old Canadian veteran) as Parade Commander, join 25 Canadian Second World War Veterans, and a contingent of active Canadian soldiers in the Parade. Be surrounded by tens of thousands of spectators as you walk with the children of Dutch veterans. Visit the Canadian Pavilion. Attend the “80 Years Liberation” tap toe (military tatoo), followed by a private meeting with HRH Princess Margriet and her husband, Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 : Sunday May 4 – Remembrance Day - Holten Cemetery, Apeldoorn Ceremony, Torch Walk to Almen
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Attend the largest Dutch/Canadian remembrance ceremony at Holten Canadian War Cemetery during which an IOFF wreath will be laid. In Apeldoorn, participate in a unique Flame-Merging ceremony with the Wageningen 45 Committee at the Dutch/Canadian friendship monument, “The Man with 2 Hats” (counterpart to the same monument in Ottawa). Following the merging of the traditional flame (representing the 2nd British Army) with our flame (representing the 1st Canadian Army), this combined flame will become the National Dutch Liberation Flame at midnight in Wageningen. At sunset, join The Canadian Remembrance Torch and a pipes and drums band in an emotional candle procession to Almen where Canadian soldiers were temporarily buried. Participate, under the stars, in a heartfelt event with local villagers and musicians.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9 : Monday May 5 – Liberation Day Festivities
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In the morning, we’ll enjoy a traditional Dutch Liberation Coffee Concert in the village of Almen. Then, in the afternoon, we’ll be welcomed in the towns of Etten and Doetinchem where we’ll be entertained by choirs, cultural displays, games and festivities. In the evening, we’ll join the local villagers for a Liberation Party in Almen.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10: Tuesday May 6 - Free day
Spend the day as you please. Coach transportation will be provided to and from the locations described below.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Note: Today’s lunch and activity costs are not included.
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OPTION 1: AMSTERDAM
Visit the capital city of Amsterdam where you can shop, visit museums, or take a canal tour.
Schedule: Leave Ehzerwold at 8:00 am, arrive Amsterdam at 9:45 am. Leave Amsterdam at 4:00 pm, arrive Ehzerwold at 6:00 pm.
Note: Museum timeslots should be booked 6-8 weeks in advance, to begin no earlier than 10:30 am, and to finish no later than 3:30 pm.
OPTION 2: ZUTPHEN (FULL DAY)
Visit the medieval town of Zutphen with its beautiful canals
Schedule: Leave Ehzerwold at 9:15 am. Leave Zutphen at 4:30 pm. Arrive Ehzerwold at 5:00 pm.
OPTION 3: ZUTPHEN + LIBERATION MUSEUM IN NIJVERDAL
Spend the morning in the medieval town of Zutphen and the afternoon at the new Liberation Museum in Nijverdal.
Schedule: Leave Ehzerwold at 9:15 am. Leave Zutphen at 1:00 pm. Leave the Musuem at 4:30 pm. Arrive Ehzerwold at 5:00 pm.
OPTION 4: LUNCH AT MONDANI + ZUTPHEN
Have lunch at the Canadian Restaurant Mondani in Lochem, and see the HQ of the Royal Canadian Legion Br 005. Spend the afternoon in the medieval town on Zutphen.
Schedule: Leave Ehzerwold at 11 am. Leave Lochem at 1:00 pm. Leave Zutphen at 4:30 pm. Arrive Ehzerwold at 5:00 pm.
OPTION 5: SELF-ARRANGED ITINERARY
Spend a leisurely day on the picturesque grounds of the Ehzerwold estate where you can rent bikes, receive guests, or simply relax.
OPTION 6: BERKEL RIVER BOAT TRIP
Enjoy a one-hour boat trip along the beautiful Berkel River near Ehzerwold.
Schedule: Boat leaves at 9:00 or 10:00 am, and returns at 10:00 or 11:00 am.
Note: This option is only available to those who choose Option 4 or 5.
Day 11 : Wednesday May 7 - Market Garden, White Ribbon Mile,
Rha + Bronkhorst (3rd Div) or Doesburg
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In Arnhem, learn about Operation Market Garden. Walk the John Frost Bridge. In Oosterbeek, see “Hartenstein,” Operation Market Garden’s HQ. Walk the White Ribbon Mile (specially-arranged for IOFF). Learn about the Canadian Engineers’ heroic evacuation role after Market Garden’s failure. Participants related to the 3rd Canadian Div/Queens Own Rifles will visit Rha and its QOR monument, then walk to Bronkhorst (the smallest city in the Netherlands). All other participants will visit the medieval city of Doesburg, known for mustard and famous for its pub (the oldest in the Netherlands, built in 1417), and enjoy a guided walk. Attend a farewell gathering.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, drinks, and dinner
Day 12 : Thursday May 8 - Return to Canada
Check out, transfer to Schiphol, for the flight home.
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Hotel: Hotel Ehzerwold​, Almen
Included meals: Breakfast
Verstraete Travel and Cruises is IOFF’s exclusive travel agent, in cooperation
with BDL Group Travel in the Netherlands.
WANT TO ENJOY A FEW DAYS IN PARIS?
Contact Verstraete Travel and Cruises to learn more about their 4 day/3 night Paris excursion.
