4-Day Break

Day 1 – Local departure by coach then onwards to Belgium or northern France for a three or four-night stay.
Day 2 – Battlefields of Flanders (included). Today we look at the battlefields around Ypres; this was the main British battlefront in World War I where more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died. We start at the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood and see the museum. We then move on to Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the afternoon we head to the Messines Ridge sector and the nearby Irish Peace Tower which commemorates the role of Irish troops from both North and South. At Ploegsteert we study the story of the Christmas Truce and see the Memorial. We end the day at the ‘Last Post Ceremony’ in Ypres. Each night, at 8pm the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate which commemorates approximately 55,000 men who were never found. B
Day 3 – The Somme, Death of a Generation (included). The haunting Somme battlefield is our destination today. We begin at the Historial Museum at Péronne and then to the largest British Mine Crater on the Western Front at La Boisselle. At Thiepval we visit the Memorial and the new visitor’s centre then the Ulster Tower, which commemorates those from Northern Ireland who fell on the Somme, before seeing Newfoundland Park with its preserved trenches. We end the day at Serre and see the area where war poet Wilfred Owen fought. B
Day 4 – To Calais and then home. B

5-Day Break

Day 1 – Local departure by coach then onwards to Belgium or northern France for a three or four-night stay.
Day 2 – Battlefields of Flanders (included). Today we look at the battlefields around Ypres; this was the main British battlefront in World War I where more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died. We start at the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood and see the museum. We then move on to Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the afternoon we head to the Messines Ridge sector and the nearby Irish Peace Tower which commemorates the role of Irish troops from both North and South. At Ploegsteert we study the story of the Christmas Truce and see the Memorial. We end the day at the ‘Last Post Ceremony’ in Ypres. Each night, at 8pm the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate which commemorates approximately 55,000 men who were never found. B
Day 3 – Tunnels and Trenches (included). We begin the day at Arras and spend the morning in the Wellington Quarries – a massive system of tunnels used by British troops in WW1, and dug by New Zealand Tunnellers. This fascinating new site only opened in 2008, and is fully accessible via a lift and walkways. We then visit the Arras Memorial, and travel out to Monchy le Preux to look at the defence of the village by the Newfoundland Regiment. We end the day at Vimy Ridge, captured by the Canadians in April 1917, seeing the preserved trench system, visitors centre and impressive memorial on Hill 145 – the highest point on Vimy Ridge. Vimy was a defining moment for Canada in World War I and this is arguably one of the finest memorials on the Western Front. B
Day 4 – The Somme, Death of a Generation (included). The haunting Somme battlefield is our destination today. We begin at the Historial Museum at Péronne and then to the largest British Mine Crater on the Western Front at La Boisselle. At Thiepval we visit the Memorial and the new visitor’s centre then the Ulster Tower, which commemorates those from Northern Ireland who fell on the Somme, before seeing Newfoundland Park with its preserved trenches. We end the day at Serre and see the area where war poet Wilfred Owen fought. B
Day 5 – To Calais and then home. B

Included Meals: B=Breakfast

Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.

Accommodation
You will stay for three or four nights at the 4-star Best Western Ambassador in Menen. The hotel has a bar and lift. All bedrooms have T.V., telephone and hairdryer. When demand is high, other hotels such as the 3-star Hotel Des Acacias in Neuville-en-Ferrain may be used.

Silver Service departures will stay for three or four nights at the 4-star Best Western Hotel Alize situated close to the main square of Mouscron in Belgium. The hotel does not have a restaurant, but snacks are available from the bar. There are also a number of restaurants and bars nearby. The hotel has a lift and all bedrooms have T.V., telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and air-conditioning. When demand is high, other hotels such as the 4-star Hotel Ambassador in Menin or the 3-star Hotel Acacias in Neuville-en-Ferrain may be used.

Extras
Optional Excursions.
Single room supplement £82 (4-day), £97 (5-day).

Travel Insurance: from £29.95

Battlefield Tours prices are per person, based on two sharing. Named accommodation may be changed if necessary by the tour operator. If this is the case you will be advised of all new details at time of enquiry. All holidays and prices are subject to availability and changes.