ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE 25th April 2011.
The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle on the 24th/25th April 1918, where Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town of Villers-Bretonneux . In front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of other Commonwealth soldiers and since 2008 is the site of the special ANZAC Day dawn service. Back-Roads will offer an extension to the ANZAC tour departing 20th April where you may join fellow country men and the local town to remember those who fought in this monumental battle.

 

 

2011 Dates/Prices to be released soon

Tour Inclusions:
• 5 nights in traditional & unique accommodation
• Specialist Battlefield Guide/Driver
• All mini-coach transportation
• Full European breakfast daily
• Full evening meals x 2
• Return transfers to Dawn Service at Villers-Brettonneux

Entrance fees as listed:

• Hooghe Museum Ypres
• Hooghe Crater Trenches
• Wellington Tunnels
• Victoria School Museum

Itinerary:

Day 1   Ypres Salient
Meeting in Lille we then travel from "Plug Street" up the line along the Messines Ridge, where the New Zealand and Australian troops played a crucial role in capturing the ridge. Our ANZAC experience continues with a walk up Hill 60's moonscape. We visit Polygon Wood where the monument to the 5th Division towers over the fallen and Tyne Cot, where the ANZACS played such an important role in the Battle of Passchendaele. Our first day finishes with the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate (8pm) before enjoying a local dinner.
(B/D)

Day 2    Artois
Our first stop of the day is at Fromelles, where mass graves containing unidentified British and ANZAC soldiers have been exhumed for possible identification. Here we also find one of the most inspiring of the Australian memorials - the Digger carrying his mate to safety after his cry, "Don't forget me, Cobber!" We continue our day exploring the Wellington Tunnels in Arras, a city beneath the city and vastly expanded by the New Zealand Tunneling Company. Experiencing victory and defeat, we follow the push east with the capture of Bapaume and the battle at Bullecourt. We visit many sites around here, including the evocative Digger memorial.
(B)

Day 3  The Somme
Today, we tour the front line on the battlefields of the Somme. On the 1st July 1916, the British Army suffered its greatest losses, with nearly 60,000 soldiers becoming casualties. We visit the battlefields of Pozieres, the famous Windmill site and Mouquet Farm. New Zealanders will find the monument at Longueval, honouring the New Zealand efforts during the autumn battles for Flers. The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing will leave an everlasting impression by its sheer size.
(B/D)

Day 4    Villers-Bretonneux
We visit Villers-Bretonneux, where the great German push during the Spring Offensive was countered and broken. We see the inspiring Australian National Memorial, honouring all those who died in France during the war and have no known grave. The Franco-Australian Museum at the Victoria school with the words Never Forget Australia still proudly displayed will not leave you untouched. We continue in the footsteps of the ANZACS via the Memorial Park at Le Hamel, recalling Monash's victory of July 1918.
(B)

Day 5 (24th April) Amiens
Today is at your leisure to enjoy this city. Taste more of the local French cuisine and explore the local sites. Make sure you get an early night as we have an early start tomorrow morning.
(B)

Day 6 (25th April) Lille
We leave Amiens early in the morning and travel to Villers-Bretonneux, arriving in pleanty of time for the start of the Dawn Service, which commences at 5am. The Ceremony finishes at about 7am, after which we will return to our hotel for a well deserved breakfast and rest before continuing day towards Lille for late afternoon departure.
(B)

Price

Pick-up/Drop-off Information:

This tour starts at 11.00am from 'The Meeting Point' at Lille Europe Rail station (Eurostar terminal)

Make your own way to the pick-up point at 11:00 am at the 'Meeting Point' inside the Lille Europe station. If you are staying in Paris you may catch SNCF operated train service from Paris Nord to Lille Flanders (approx 1 hr 20 mins). From Lille Flanders make your way to Lille Europe for the 11.00am pick up at 'The Meeting Point' inside the rail terminal. Please note that transfers from Paris are not included in the price of your tour. The tour will return to Lille on Day 6.

If you require transfers from London, please ask for our Eurostar prices.


EARLYBIRD SPECIAL!
Book your tour before the 31st December 2009 and save 10% off the price of your tour.*


*Discount applies to the full tour price. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Tour must be booked and paid before deadline for discount to apply. Normal tour terms and conditions apply.