Join an expert guide on this intensely emotional, evocative journey through some of Europe’s most renowned World War I relics and battlefield sites.

Tour Inclusions

• Specialist Battlefield driver/guide
• All mini-coach transportation
• All entrance fees

DEPARTS: Every Mon ( 20 Mar - 15 Nov 2010)--------------------------------Mon 9-Aug 10 (0 nights) GMon 16-Aug 10 (0 nights) GMon 23-Aug 10 (0 nights) GMon 30-Aug 10 (0 nights) GMon 6-Sep 10 (0 nights) GMon 13-Sep 10 (0 nights) GMon 20-Sep 10 (0 nights) GMon 27-Sep 10 (0 nights) GMon 4-Oct 10 (0 nights) GMon 11-Oct 10 (0 nights) GMon 18-Oct 10 (0 nights) GMon 25-Oct 10 (0 nights) GMon 1-Nov 10 (0 nights) GMon 8-Nov 10 (0 nights) GMon 15-Nov 10 (0 nights) G

Itinerary:

Day 1    (Monday)  Fromelles & Vimy Ridge

Today a one-day Western Front battlefield visit takes us to the line between Armentieres and Arras, dubbed the nursery trenches. Today we'll visit sites connected with the 1915 battles of Aubers Ridge, Festubert, and Neuve Chapelle, where the Indian Army gave a magnificent account of itself. We see where Adolf Hitler served and the bunker he is reputed to have used as a billet. Australians will be touched at seeing the 'Cobbers' Memorial in Fromelles. An archaeological investigation during 2009 exhumed many soldiers remains from mass graves, and these bodies will be re-interred during 2010 in the new cemetery that is being constructed opposite the exhumation site by Pheasant Wood. We cross the Loos battlefield, site of the disastrous battle of 1915. For Canadians, Vimy Ridge is undoubtedly the highlight, where we take a trench tour and spend time at the massive and imposing Vimy Monument and Memorial Park, before returning to our Lille departure point.

Price

JOINING THE TOUR IN LILLE/ FROM PARIS

Already in France and no need for transfers from London? Join this tour in Lille. 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 the 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 11.00 am 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.


JOINING THE TOUR IN LONDON
We can pre-arrange your Eurostar ticket from London (St Pancras International Rail Station) to Lille where you may then meet your guide at 11.00 am at the 'Meeting Point' inside the Lille Europe station. If you nominate this option, Back-Roads will book your Eurostar on your behalf. You will be provided with a reference number that you use to retrieve your ticket at St Pancras station. Please ensure you arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the train departure time. We advise all tour participants to call us a day or two prior to departure to ensure they have the correct ticket reference as we do not have a representative in London on the morning of departure.