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ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service (Northbound)

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Our Price From 3,429 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 70 Per Person
 Trip Length
7 Days
 Trip Starts
Lille
 Trip Finishes
Lille
7 Day ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service (Northbound) Itinerary (Back-Roads)
Countries Explored: France, Belgium
Trip Style
Small Group
Departures
Accommodation
Boutique
Max. Group Size
18
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
BWFLL5

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Back-Roads 7 Day ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service (Northbound). From the trenches of Ypres to monuments marking The Somme, our ANZAC tour maps Australian and New Zealand troops’ movements in WWI – delving into the stories of the soldiers’ involvement in the battles of the Western Front. With poignant visits to cemeteries and national memorials on the agenda, as well as a special ANZAC Day service at Villers-Bretonneux – join us in remembering those who fought during the Great War on an unforgettable history-themed journey.

Itinerary

After meeting the group in Lille, we'll kick off our remarkable journey with a delicious welcome dinner. Stay: Hôtel Couvent des Minimes (or similar) (D)

Today's itinerary will take us from Lille to Ypres via the historic Messines Ridge. Our first stop will be the Passchendaele battlefields – where we'll walk in the footsteps of WWI allied soldiers who fought to break the German line in 1917. Next, we'll pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery before visiting the shell-scarred Hill 60.

This afternoon, there's an opportunity to explore the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum – home to a unique collection of WWI artefacts and reconstructed trenches. We'll enjoy some free time this evening in Ypres – our home for the next two nights. Stay: Hotel Recour (or similar) (B)

After breakfast, we'll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front beginning with a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace.

This afternoon, you'll be free to explore Ypres at your leisure. A medieval town that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew, there is plenty of history to uncover here.

This evening we'll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we'll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years. Stay: Hotel Recour (or similar) (B)

Today it's out of Belgium and across the border. Our destination? Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916 – where we'll pay an emotional visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the fascinating exhibition nearby. After, we'll move on to the Wellington Quarries: a network of tunnels built by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. We'll remember Australia's role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Concluding the day in lovely Amiens, we'll have the evening to spend as we wish. Stay: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar) (B)

The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918 – during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Since 2008, the memorial has been the site of a special ANZAC Day service. Today, stand with fellow visitors from Australia and New Zealand alongside local townspeople in remembering those who lost their lives in the Great War. Stay: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar) (B)

The Somme still captivates the soul and it's here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. This morning, we'll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – significant sites for the Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly monumental to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we'll also take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

This evening, we'll regroup for one final dinner together and reminisce on our unforgettable journey. Stay: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar) (B/D)

As the home of the National War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. Before we say our goodbyes today, we'll visit the Franco-Australian Museum – a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town and a monument to international solidarity. We'll make a brief stop at the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel. Our tour will conclude upon our return to Lille. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Attend a poignant ANZAC Day Service in Villers-Bretonneux
  • Delve into the Australian story on the Western Front at the Franco-Australian Museum
  • Visit the Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels dug by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company

  • 6 nights in hand-picked accommodation
  • Premium mini-coach transportation
  • Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

  • 6 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Prices are for land/cruise only. International flights not included.
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Europe & UK

Back-Roads Europe & UK (2024-25)

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Back-Roads. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Back-Roads. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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