MAIN TOUR – 22 – 30 JULY 2023 - OPERATION HUSKY 2023 BATTLEFIELD & CULTURAL TOUR DAY 1 – 22 JULY Departure from Canada and travel to Catania, Italy DAY 2 – 23 JULY We arrive in Catania and travel to Siracusa. The afternoon is spent in this historic and beautiful city while our group assembles. A meet and greet reception will be held before dinner. We will stay overnight near Siracusa. DAY 3 - 24 JULY This is our day to explore the beaches at Pachino where the 1st Division landed. We will also visit the town of Pachino and its memorial to the landings. After lunch, we will set out for our move to Enna, in the centre of the island. On the way we will stop at Vizzini and Grammichele, where the Canadians first encountered the German defenders of Sicily. We will be staying near Enna for the next four nights. DAY 4 – 25 JULY Today we will visit one of the ancient wonders of Sicily, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. This Greek city has some of the best-preserved temples outside of Greece. DAY 5 – 26 JULY A busy day as the morning will see us examine the battles for Piazza Armerina, the afternoon will include a visit to the amazing Roman Villa at Casale, and the evening will see us participating in the unveiling of a new Canadian monument in Leonforte. DAY 6 – 27 JULY Today will see us tour the battlefields of Assoro and Agira. These two iconic battles, the first an amazing feat of fieldcraft unparalleled in the Italian campaign, and the second the largest Canadian battle in Sicily, are emblematic of the Canadian experience in Sicily. DAY 7 – 28 JULY Our last day on the battlefield will see us look at Regalbuto and meet up with the Op Husky 2023 marching group for a final ceremony in Adrano. DAY 8 – 29 JULY A morning off in Enna will be followed by a moving ceremony in the Canadian cemetery in Agira where the whole Op Husky 2023 team will join us to remember the fallen. Following this, an optional hike to Agira (3 km) and an afternoon in this wonderful town will lead up to the gala concert that closes the Op Husky 2023 pilgrimage. DAY 9 – 30 JULY Those leaving the group will depart for the airport in Catania and return to Canada. Part 2 of the tour begins today. TOUR EXTENSION – 30 JULY – 5 AUGUST 2023 DAY 9 – 30 JULY As some of our friends head for home, those staying for Part 2 will tour the castle at Acireale, and then take a guided tour of the historic city of Catania. Our hotel that night will be the Nettuno Hotel in Catania. DAY 10 – 31 JULY We will tour the Museo dello Sbarco in Catania. We will then examine the crossing of the Straits of Messina at Santa Teresa di Riva from which many of the Canadians departed –That evening we will board our ferry in Messina for the overnight trip to Salerno. DAY 11 – 1 AUGUST We will arrive at the port of Salerno in the morning and head for Ortona. We will visit the battlefields, the museum and Moro River cemetery before checking into our hotel for the night in Lido Riccio. DAY 12 – 2 AUGUST We set out for the Cassino area and will visit the battlefields of the Hitler Line battles, and the Abbey of Montecassino. DAY 13 – 3 AUGUST Today we will visit the Cassino War Cemetery before driving to Rome. An optional tour of some of the highlights of the eternal city will be available. DAY 14 – 4 AUGUST This will be free day in Rome for you to explore this amazing city. DAY 15 – 5 AUGUST Today we will head to the airport for our flights back to Canada.