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'In Flanders' fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row … '

YPRES SALIENT

First World War Trenches & Battle sites, Ypres Salient, Belgium
One-day tour from London (or Lille)

Sundays, 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.

YPRES SALIENT, Belgium

Meet London St Pancras at 08.05 for departure at 08.53
Return London St Pancras 21.56

You board Eurostar's service at London's St Pancras Station. You have to be at the self -ticketing machine 08.05. On arrival at Lille you're met by your specialist battlefields guide. Those who have been on the day's prior's Ypres Salient tour will be collected from our hotel base.

'The Salient' struck fear into the Great War Tommy for being the hottest spot on the 70 mile front held by Imperial and Empire troops. Over a quarter of a million men gave their lives to hold this last bit of Belgium from the Germans. Although history records three great battles fought at Ypres, it was in fact a constant battle against shell, bullet, bomb, gas, water and rats.

On our day touring the Salient you'll see, in the company of a first class guide, some of the most important sites that remain; the German trenches at Kemmel, 'Shot at Dawn' execution sites, sites of the first gas attack and where flame thrower were introduced into modern warfare, John McRae's Essex Farm site, the grave of double VC winner, Noel Chavasse, Hoogt crater and museum, the Passendaele dug-out and Tyne Cot cemetery. You'll walk the moonscape of the Hill 60 battlefield and see literally dozens of memorials to British, Australian and Canadian regiments. We'll also spend time in Ypres itself with the opportunity to visit St George's Chapel, the Menen (Menin) Gate Memorial. Those who have stayed overnight on the Saturday will have the opportunity to take an optional tour of the 'In Flanders Field' Museum to do so.

If you're returning to London tonight, you'll be catching the 21.06 Eurostar from Lille, arriving in London St Pancras station at 21.56 from where you travel independently.

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