b'FranceEchoes of War: Beyond the Trenches of World War IIn an age of fast news cycles, fleeting crises, and a constantly shifting global landscape, the First World War can seem like a distant shadow, confinedto sepia photographs and fading trench maps. Yet more than a century later, the echoes of the Great War remain deeply embedded in the political, social, and cultural foundations of the modern world, shaping borders,institutions, and global relationships that continue to influence life today.Across the Western Front, World War I emerges as a truly global conflictone that dismantled empires, redrew the map of four continents, and reshaped ideas of nationhood, democracy, and international responsibility. For Americans, the story is inseparable from a deep affection for France that long predated U.S. entry into the war, expressed through humanitarian aid, volunteer service, and enduring cultural and political bonds between the two nations.In France and Belgium, battlefields, memorials, and world-class museums illuminate not only the unprecedented scale of destruction, but also the civilian experience, humanitarian response, and the evolving ways societies have sought to remember, interpret, and give meaning to loss.More than a tribute to the past, the landscapes and legacies of the Great War offer a lens through which to better understand the present, reminding us that peace is never guaranteed, democracy must be actively defended, and remembrance without understanding is not enough.ITINERARY12 nights| Paris, 2 nights; Amiens, 2 nights; Arras, 3 nights;Reims, 2 nights; Verdun, 2 nights; Paris CDG Hotel, 1 nightHIGHLIGHTSExplore World War I as a global conflict that reshaped nations, borders, and international relations, through immersive visits to battlefields,memorials, and leading museums across France and Belgium.Gain deep historical context at the Muse de la Grande Guerre and the Historial de la Grande Guerre, examining the war as a total societalexperience affecting soldiers and civilians alike.Walk the landscapes of the Western Front at the Somme, Verdun, and Chemin des Dames, where geography, technology, and endurance defined modern warfare.Descend into the underground world of the Carrire Wellington and visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, exploring coalition warfare andPrices Upon Requestevolving practices of remembrance. Group Size: Minimum 14 / Maximum 24 travelersDiscover the human side of war in Belgium at Talbot House in Poperinge, Season: April-May; September-Octobera rare space of refuge and equality behind the lines. Accommodations: Four-Star & Boutique HotelsConclude a full day in Flanders, Belgium, with the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, an enduring ritual of remembrance History performed nightly since 1928.Contact Us|journeys@conservancytravel.org 9'