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'In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row … '
THE SOMME
First World War Trenches & Battle sites One-day tour from London (or Lille)
Saturdays, 22 March - 15 November 2008
Until the launch of this special joint Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd and Eurostar package, it has been very difficult to organise single-day, short visits to the incredibly poignant Great War Battlefields of the Somme,Ypres Salient and Arras/Vimy sectors of the Western Front. This unique programme, combining rail with local mini-bus, now allows you to choose between a one, two or three-day tour at a reasonable price. We can also design a day for groups who might wish to have a special focus on family connections, a particular regiment, or particular battles. These tours are run in small groups, average 10 persons, and are accompanied by either ex-army personnel or Battlefield Guides with postgraduate qualifications. We will always try to include specially requested sites.
2008 Cost: $249 USD per person, inclusive of Eurostar, mini-coach tour and all entrance fees. Lunches and dinners are not included.
The cost of the day tour with independent travel to Lille (no Eurostar) is $149 USD per person.
THE SOMME, France
Meet London St Pancras station 06.15 for departure at 07.00 Return London St Pancras approximatley 21.50
You board Eurostar's service at London's St Pancras Station. You have to be at the self-tiketing machines by 06.15. On arrival at Lille you're met by your specialist battlefields guide.
To most people the Somme signifies one day - July 1st 1916. It was the day that the British Army suffered its greatest ever losses in a single day with nearly 60,000 casualties. But the actual battle for the Somme raged until November of that year, and saw massive fighting again in 1918.
What remains is truly awesome. There are sites seen today that will be etched into your consciousness forever. We tour the Somme battlefield covering major sites from the calamitous first day through the whole five months of the battle. You'll see Delville Wood, the Welsh memorial at Mametz Wood, the huge Lochnagar mine crater, the sunken road where the Accrington Pals were virtually wiped out, Sausage Valley, the Poziere battlefield and Windmill Hill (both important site for Australians), Courcellette, site of the first major use of tanks supporting Canadian troops, and the nearby the tank memorial. We include Albert, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and the Ulster Tower. An undoubted highlight, however, will be our guided walk around the incredible preserved Beaumont Hamel battlefield site. Other sites will be added according to the interest of the tour participants.
The return to London is on the 21.06 train from Lille, arriving at St Pancras at 21.56 from where you make your way independently.
Those staying on for the weekend have the option of remaining in Ypres to attend the moving Menen Gate ceremony while those on the one-day tour are returned to the Lille rail station where you'll have time for a meal before returning to London.
JOINING THE TOUR FROM LONDON: When using Eurostar, you are given a self-ticketing reference number that you use to get your ticket at the station of departure. We advise all tour participants to call the Back-Roads Touring London office a day or two prior to departure to ensure they have the correct ticket reference as we do not have a representative at the station on the morning of departure.
Please note: on occasion when there is no availability on Eurostar, we transfer to Calais using a mini-coach. Tour participants are collected at 06.00 from central London locations.
JOINING THE TOUR FROM PARIS: If you are staying in Paris and want to join us, you can do so by catching the TGV from Paris to Lille. You have to book these tickets independantly as they are not included in your package. Trains leave from Gard du Nord at 07.58 for Saturday's tour, 09.58 for Sundays and for Monday at 08.58. (please check these for any changes). Return times should not be booked before 20.00. Cost of the train ticket depends on day of the week traveled and how much in advance tickets are booked. We will provide you with a special “tour only” rate, without the Eurostar - The cost of the day tour with independent travel to Lille is $149 USD per person.
Please note: Paris trains arrive at Lille Flanders Station which is a 10 minute walk from our meeting point at Lille Euro Station.
Why not make it a 2-day or a 3-day Weekend on the Western Front?
Join us on a single day-tour, or combine several days to make a weekend of it. Each day focuses on a special sector of the Western Front. British, Anzac, Canadian, South African and Indian Army sites are all highlighted. We can often include visits to requested battlefield locations, memorials and cemeteries. These tours can be taken from London (on Eurostar), or from Paris (by local train) to Lille, where you're met by our mini-coach. If you're combining days, overnight accommodation is in Ypres and/or Lille.
This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd
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