All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet On The Western Front

Discover the stories, tragedy and bravery of the First World War Battlefields of the Somme & Ypres.

Your itinerary
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 never returned. B
Day 3 (5-day break) Tunnels and Trenches (included). We bedin the day at Arras and spend the morning in the Wellington Quarries - a massve system of tunnels used by British troops during WWI, 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 is arguably one of the finest memorials on the Western Front. B
Day 3 (4-day break) or Day 4 (5-day break) 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 Wilfrid Owen fought. B
Day 4 (4-day break) or Day 5 (5-day break) To Calais and then home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast

Your hotel
You will stay for three or four nights at the 4-star Best Western Ambassador in Menen. The Best Western Ambassador Hotel is situated 500 metres from the market place. 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 on 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. There is also a lounge and a lift. 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.

SPECIAL FAMILY DEPARTURES
To make these tours more accessible to families, we are pleased to offer reduced prices for children (aged 17 and under ) on selected dates in the school holidays.
This offer is available on 4-day breaks on 13 Aug, 29 Oct 2009 and 18 Feb 2010 and on the 5-day break departing on 31 May 2010.
1 child sharing a room with 1 or 2 paying adults pays £149 (4 days) £189 (5days). 2 or 3 children travelling with at least one adult, occupying their own room, pay £199 each (4&5 days). Offer subject to availability.

4 days from only £249

5 days from only £309

What’s Included?
• Specialist Battlefields Guide
• 2 or 3 Battlefield visits
• 3 or 4 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
• FREE local joining points
• Travel by executive coach
Note: Entrance fees to museums & places of interest are at extra cost.

Upgrade to Silver Service for luxury coach travel and enjoy added benefits.
As above plus...
• Deluxe, reclinging seats
• Extra legroom
• Comfortable rear lounges
• Porterage at your hotel

Prices are per person, based on two sharing paying the adult price.
Extras • Optional excursions

Book your Leger Holiday through First4Breaks and receive 5% discount off the prices below
Call us on 0191 514 5511 or click on the enquire button below to check availability or book