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Commonwealth Experience, WWI & WWII in France & Belgium

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Normandy Beaches, The Somme, Vimy Ridge, Ypres Salient...2014 - 2018 World War I Centenary Commemorative Tours, Special Tours in Remembrance

6 days/5 nights from Paris

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Overviewicon Itineraryicon

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

pre-tour

This tour begins and ends in Paris. SGT recommends enhancing your touring adventure by spending some independent pre/post-tour time exploring this wonderful capital city independently. We are happy to assist you with incoming journey if you wish. Please ask us for details.

 

AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE/CUSTOM DEPARTURES: If you have a personal interest following the path of a fallen loved one, have a student group, are a history buff or even if you are just curious about learning about these events that changed history, please come and join us on what is sure to be a poignant, informative and enjoyable journey of discovery.

Day 1

Sunday

We depart our Paris meeting point at approximately 9am, making our way to Normandy via a rare bit of motorway driving.

 

We have today and tomorrow morning to explore and pay our respects to those brave soldiers who fought in the Normandy Beach Landings. We will follow the sites associated with American, Canadian, Australian and Commonwealth troops as appropriate to the group on board. Normandy locations can include the D-Day beaches Omaha, Utah, Juno, Pegasus Bridge, the Falaise Pocket, Authie, just North of the Caen-Bayeaux road where the first tank battles took place against the 12th SS Panzer Division. There’s the option of Ste Mere Eglise, where paratrooper John Steele got caught on the church steeple and home to the Iron Mike Memorial and US Airborne Forces. There’s Authie, where the first tank battles took place, where Kurt Meyer’s 25th SS Panzer Grenadiers encircled the Royal Winnipeg Rifles at Putot-en-Bassin, and the terrible experience at Abbaye d’Ardenne.

 

NIGHTSTOP Bayeux

Day 2

Monday

 

We have another poignant day exploring the Normandy Landing Beaches. Later, discussing the battles of Operation Spring, we’ll take the coastal route to our overnight stop in Dieppe.

 

NIGHTSTOP Dieppe

Day 3

Tuesday

 

Dieppe is where, on 19 August 1942, five thousand troops of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, along with a thousand British troops, attacked. The purpose was to make a successful raid on German-occupied Europe over water but the results were disastrous. Also today, we focus on the events of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk and one of the most celebrated military events in British history.

 

This evening, we will arrive into Ypres in time to experience the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menen Gate.

 

NIGHTSTOP Ypres

Day 4

Wednesday 

 

Today we focus on the sites around the Ypres Salient, perhaps the bloodiest of all Imperial held lines in the First World War. The many sites that make this such a special area include Hooghe, John McRea’s Essex Farm, Hill 60, Passchendaele, Hill 62 and Tyne Cot Cemetery. 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.

 

NIGHTSTOP Ypres, same property as above

Day 5

Thursday

 

We’ll follow the western front trench line, across the Loos battlefield travelling the short distance to Vimy Ridge where it is generally agreed the Canadian Nation was forged over Easter 1917. Here you’ll have a guided tour the underground tunnels, hear in detail how this tremendous victory was achieved, and see the magnificent memorial.

 

Also on today’s itinerary will be the Somme, including a visit to Courcellete, scene of savage fighting in September 1916, and finally the town and museum at Albert.

 

NIGHTSTOP Albert/Amiens area

Day 6

Friday

 

Today, we concentrate on the Somme battlefield. To most people the Somme signifies one day – July 1st 1916. That day the British Army suffered its greatest ever losses in a single day, nearly 60,000 casualties. The actual battle for the Somme raged until November of that year, and saw massive fighting again in 1918. What remains is truly awesome; sites seen today are sure to be etched into your consciousness forever. 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 and the Pozieres battlefield, an important site for Australians.

 

We will return to Paris by early evening, where our tour concludes. Accommodation is available separately tonight.

 

 

Why not extend your stay in Paris? SGT is happy to assist you with your add-on plans if you wish.

 

 

Please note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to changes in opening days or times beyond our control.

 

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

Inclusionsicon

What Your Tour Package Includes:

The services of a driver/guide for 6 touring days, accommodation for 5 nights while on the tour including breakfast daily and dinners as listed. Your price also includes entrance fees to listed attractions, transportation, services of driver/guide-companion and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide.

 

Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, Paris city tours, transport passes and theatre tickets are not included but can be added to your package as you wish for a supplemental fee. Please discuss your needs with us, SGT is at your service!

Mapicon Why SGT?icon

The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

 

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

 

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!