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Free standard class return tickets to London from your local station, on selected 2019 European holidays by rail when you book between 15th February 2019 and the 10th May 2019.
A short rail journey to Lille takes us close to the Battlefields of Ypres and the Somme, two of the most infamous and iconic sites of the First World War. We also explore the fascinating city of Lille on a guided tour which includes a traditional beer and waffle tasting.
Our tour begins at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras International, where we meet our Tour Manager, a specialist in battlefields history, and board the Eurostar to Lille. On arrival we transfer to the Novotel Lille Centre for a four-night stay.
Our excursion today takes us by coach to the Ypres area, the centre of intense fighting. During our time in the area we visit Poperinge - the most important town behind the lines. Here we visit Talbot House. Known as 'Toc H', Talbot House was somewhere for soldiers to use as a retreat - an 'everyman's club' - where rank had no relevance. We then visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery, and Langemark, the last resting place of 44,000 German soldiers.
We continue to Ypres, a city which was nearly destroyed by the four years of fighting but is now remarkably restored to its former glory. Here we visit the Cloth Hall to explore the insightful 'In Flanders Fields' Museum. After free time to explore Ypres, we meet up this evening to walk to the Menin Gate - the famous 'Memorial to the Missing' - and witness the moving Last Post ceremony.
This morning we are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of delightful Lille. During the tour we pass some of the city's main sights, including the 15th century Palais Rihour, the Grand Place and the Notre Dame Cathedral. We also enjoy a tasting of two of Lille's local specialities: beer and waffles. Your afternoon and evening are then at leisure to continue exploring.
We travel by coach to the immense Lochnagar Crater, formed by an exploding mine. We continue to Thiepval, a striking memorial dedicated to the missing of the Somme. Our next visit, on our return towards Lille, is to Vimy Ridge then we continue to the Australian cemetery and VC Corner in nearby Fromelles. Tonight we sit down to a farewell meal before making the journey back to England tomorrow.
After a morning at leisure, this afternoon we take the Eurostar back to London.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Enhancing your tour
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 12 verified reviews
Good general organisation, an excellent guide who was able to draw on his extensive military experience.
John was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, witty, and kind.
Very good trip with a guide who was amazingly thorough and went above and beyond for the group members. Visited all places of interest. Hotel in good location of accessibility and centre and meals were good with a pleasant bar. The room was the only thing id give any negative ratings for due to air conditioning not working as it was out of season so we were told to open the window which resulted in my husband getting bitten 17 times by a mosquito and me 10 times not to mention the noise levels.
Excellent itinerary, knowledgeable guide. Very good hotel no problems anywhere.
Well organised . Well look after
Brilliant guide well planned tour
Well organised from start to finish
An excellent itinerary coupled with an experienced and very knowledgeable Tour Manager.
Very well organised, very informative
Wonderfully organised Superb guide John Elder. Excellent hotel in Lille. The trip was well paced with 2 long days of tours with a walking tour of Lille and free time between the two. Excellent guide on the Lille walking tour. Cannot fault the experience.
An emotive trip across Europe's Battlefields
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