The 2026 Tour Registration Portal Is Now Open!
Be among the first to secure a place on this exclusive 15-day Remembrance Tour, presented by CanHist Tours in partnership with Rotary.
Join our community of heritage walkers as we explore Canada’s most iconic wartime sites and honour the legacy of those who served.
Limited spaces — Register Now!
2026 CanHist Rotary Remembrance Tour – Highlights
The Tour Portal is NOW OPEN — secure your place on this unforgettable journey.
Join CanHist Tours and the Rotary Club for a remarkable 15-day pilgrimage through Belgium and France, exploring the most meaningful Canadian sites of the First and Second World Wars.
A Rotary Tour Signature Experience: Remembrance Day at Juno Beach
On November 11, 2026, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your Rotary group at the official Canadian Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Juno Beach Centre — the most significant commemorative moment of the tour.
Your participation includes a $200 contribution to the Juno Beach Centre Capital Campaign. Together, we honour those who served, deepen our understanding of Canada’s role in world history, and create meaningful connections with fellow travellers.
Tour Highlights
- Experience the Last Post Ceremony at the newly renovated Menin Gate, where a Rotary delegate from the group will lay a wreath in honour of the fallen.
- Walk the battlefields and memorials of Flanders, including Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, St. Julien, Essex Farm, and Tyne Cot.
- Explore key Canadian sites in Normandy, including Juno Beach, Canada House in Bernières-sur-Mer, Bény-sur-Mer Cemetery, Arromanches, and the D-Day landing sectors.
- Reflect on the sacrifice at Dieppe, visiting the landing beaches and Canadian War Cemetery with expert historical interpretation.
- Enjoy cultural and fellowship moments — from the medieval charm of Bruges to the vibrant streets of Paris.
- Travel with expert guides, including Group Leader Neil Orford, who bring Canada’s military history to life.
- Comfortable accommodations and curated pacing, with accessible touring options, and Rotary camaraderie throughout.
A Journey Rooted in Rotary Values
This tour embodies the core principles of Rotary — service, fellowship, education, and remembrance. Together, we honour those who served, deepen our understanding of Canada’s role in world history, and create meaningful connections with fellow travelers.
With accommodations at top-rated hotels!
- Ieper (Ypres), Belgium – 3 nights
- Dieppe, France – 2 nights
- Bayeux, France – 6 nights
- Paris, France – 3 nights
Explore the complete Rotary Remembrance Tour Itinerary to discover every activity, ceremony, and historic site included in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meet our Tour Historians & Guides
Neil Orford
Neil Orford
Neil Orford
Neil, a retired History Teacher from Dufferin County, Ontario, is a distinguished educator with accolades such as the Governor General’s and Ontario Premier’s Award for History Teaching. His innovative Digital Historian Project© earned him the 2015 Government of Canada History Award. Neil has made appearances on CBC’s “The National” and
Neil, a retired History Teacher from Dufferin County, Ontario, is a distinguished educator with accolades such as the Governor General’s and Ontario Premier’s Award for History Teaching. His innovative Digital Historian Project© earned him the 2015 Government of Canada History Award. Neil has made appearances on CBC’s “The National” and TVO’s “The Agenda” and has been featured in publications nationwide. A seasoned writer, he contributes to major Canadian outlets and is a sought-after presenter at conferences and workshops. With a strong commitment to history education, Neil has collaborated with the Juno Beach Centre and organized a Summer Institute for History teachers in Normandy. He is also the Co-Founder of Defining Moments Canada.
Anna Gray
Neil Orford
Neil Orford
Anna Gray is an experienced Blue Badge Tour Guide offering friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and all other areas of Cumbria. On her guided tours, you receive an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural landscapes you visit, but delivered in such a way that the information is easy to d
Anna Gray is an experienced Blue Badge Tour Guide offering friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and all other areas of Cumbria. On her guided tours, you receive an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural landscapes you visit, but delivered in such a way that the information is easy to digest and easy to remember. Before training as a Blue Badge Tour Guide, Anna's career was in environmental interpretation (production of leaflets, booklets, posters, information panels, websites) that convey complicated messages in easy to understand ways.
Anna thoroughly enjoys imparting her extensive knowledge to visitors and locals in a friendly and informative way. Her sole aim is for you to take away positive memories and an enhanced understanding of your visit to Cumbria, and to exceed all your expectations!
Rebecca Grimes
Rebecca Grimes
Rebecca Grimes
A French and History teacher for over twenty years, Rebecca strives to pass on her love of languages, history, and travel to her students. She has organized and managed past Ellison Tours for students and adults, and is a veteran of the DMC Battlefield Tours. Rebecca is an avid traveler, a photography enthusiast, and a foodie. In her tra
A French and History teacher for over twenty years, Rebecca strives to pass on her love of languages, history, and travel to her students. She has organized and managed past Ellison Tours for students and adults, and is a veteran of the DMC Battlefield Tours. Rebecca is an avid traveler, a photography enthusiast, and a foodie. In her travels (thirty countries on five continents and counting!), she always looks for opportunities to learn about the people, the culture, and the history of the places she is visiting. Her photography is a way to look closer at these places and to remember her adventures. She loves to try local cuisine – especially the pastries! Having lived in France twice (Nantes and Bayeux), Rebecca always loves returning to the country she considers a second home.
David Godfrey
Rebecca Grimes
Rebecca Grimes
A native of Liverpool, David Godfrey recently retired from a career teaching Languages at many secondary schools throughout the English Midlands. Over three decades, he has led multiple tours across Europe and now specializes in history & heritage walking experiences for many of the UK’s top tourist agencies. Fluent in five languages (i
A native of Liverpool, David Godfrey recently retired from a career teaching Languages at many secondary schools throughout the English Midlands. Over three decades, he has led multiple tours across Europe and now specializes in history & heritage walking experiences for many of the UK’s top tourist agencies. Fluent in five languages (including Canadian occasionally), David is an expert in Canada’s Second World War history and has led tours to the Juno Beach Centre and throughout Normandy for ‘Juno70/Juno75 & Juno80’ over the last 15 years. David has led six tours for CanHist Tours and we are thrilled to welcome him back again in November 2026 for our Fall Remembrance Tour.
Registration Portal is NOW Open!
This tour is expected to fill quickly. We encourage you to Register NOW to secure your spot. *
