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Lille, Flanders & the Somme

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(22 reviews)
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An emotive trip across Europe's Battlefields

5 days From $985 per person

2020 Tour code: LEB20

About the tour

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.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Lille

Our tour begins at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras International, where you meet your group and Tour Manager, a specialist in battlefields history, and board the Eurostar to Lille. On arrival we transfer to the Novotel Lille Center Grand Palace for a four-night stay.

Includes
  • Dinner
Lille
Day 2 - The Battlefields of Flanders

Our excursion today takes us by coach to the Ypres area, a center of intense fighting during WWI. During our time in the area we visit Poperinge - the most important town behind the Allied lines. We also visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery, and Langemark, last resting place of 44,000 German soldiers.

We continue to Ypres, a city which was nearly destroyed by 4 years of fighting, but which is now restored to its former glory. Here we visit the Cloth Hall, exploring the insightful 'In Flanders Fields' Museum. After free time in Ypres, we meet up this evening to walk to the Menin Gate, the famous 'Memorial to the Missing' where we witness the moving Last Post ceremony.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Langemark German Cemetery
Day 3 - Exploring Lille

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 specialties: beer and waffles. Your afternoon and evening are then at leisure to continue exploring.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Fine Arts Museum, Lille
Day 4 - The Battlefields of the Somme

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Thiepval
Day 5 - Homeward bound

After a morning at leisure, this afternoon we take the Eurostar back to London. where you tour concludes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Eurostar

Additional information

Please note

If requesting a twin room, please note the room layout of the Novotel Hotel will be a double bed and a sofa bed.

Recommended airports

For this tour, we recommend arriving to, and departing from, London Gatwick or London Heathrow airport (LGW or LHR). London Gatwick is approximately 30 miles from your start and end point, and London Heathrow is approximately 19 miles from your start and end point.

Airport waiting room
Visa Requirements

It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Departure times

You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.

Hotel

Novotel Lille Center Grand Place, Lille

Novotel Lille Center Grand Place, Lille

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Train

Eurostar

Reviews

95% of travelers would recommend this tour

Based on 22 verified reviews

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Anonymous

Submitted Oct 31, 2019

Very good vacation. Plenty of variety and excellent tour manager/guide

Anonymous

Submitted Oct 25, 2018

Good general organisation, an excellent guide who was able to draw on his extensive military experience.

Mrs H Klapperich

Submitted Oct 25, 2018

John was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, witty, and kind.

Mrs J McCarthy

Submitted Oct 25, 2018

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 center 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.

Anonymous

Submitted Sep 27, 2018

Excellent itinerary, knowledgeable guide. Very good hotel no problems anywhere.

Mrs J Douglas

Submitted Jun 28, 2018

Well organised . Well look after

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