5 Days: Lille, The Somme, Amiens, Villers Bretonneux, Ypres, Ypres Salient, Menin Gate, Fromelles

Tour Overview:
This introductory tour allows visitors to see the major areas of British and Commonwealth involvement across the Western Front. Most importantly, the tour offers flexibility to ensure that visitors from all countries will see the memorials to their country’s fallen, as well as gaining a greater understanding of the overall conduct and strategy of the war.

Day 1 – Lille

Arrive in Lille then meet your Tour Leader for an included welcome dinner. Over the following days, we will visit the major areas of British and Commonwealth involvement across the Western Front including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India together with America. With a unique opportunity to see the memorials to each country’s fallen as well as gaining a greater understanding of the overall conduct and strategy of the war, this guided tour offers an unforgettable experience. (D)

Accommodation: Hotel Brueghel

Day 2 – Lille – The Somme – Amiens

We commence our first day by exploring the region of the Somme. Synonymous with great losses on the first day of battle, 1st July 1916, we will visit Newfoundland Memorial Park, where the original trench lines have been preserved, the Ulster Tower and Pozières. We will complete our first day at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme before heading to Amiens for our overnight stay. After an insightful and history-fuelled day, rest easy tonight and enjoy time at your own leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel le Prieure

Day 3 – Amiens – Villers-bretonneux – Ypres

We leave Amiens and travel to the Australian National War Memorial & Cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux. Later, we make time to visit the Canadian Memorial Park on Vimy Ridge before we reach Ypres. (B)
Accommodation: Kasteelhof’t Hooghe

Day 4 – Ypres – Ypres Salient – Menin Gate – Ypres

The beautiful city of Ypres was totally destroyed during the war, and sits in the epicentre of British endeavours during four long years of conflict. There is much to see around Ypres, including John McCrae’s Dressing Station at Essex Farm Cemetery, the German Cemetery at Langemarck, Vancouver Corner and the Hooge Crater trenches museum. As a fitting end to the day, you will be invited to attend the daily playing of the Last Post under the Menin Gate Memorial. (B,D)
Accommodation: Kasteelhof’t Hooghe

Day 5 – Ypres – Fromelles – Lille

After breakfast today, it’s time to prepare for a full day ahead. We spend today exploring Hill 60 and the area around Fromelles, Pheasant Wood Cemetery, VC Corner and the Australian Memorial Park. We visit the recent exhibition to commemorate the finding of 250 previously unknown set of remains in 2009 and their now marked burial place at Pheasant Wood Cemetery. Later, we end in Lille and say farewell to the group. (B)

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