Lille, Flanders & the Somme
An emotive trip across Europe's Battlefields
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5 Days from $915per
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person
You are viewing the 2020 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
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 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.
Our excursion today takes us by coach to the Ypres area, a center of intense fighting during WWII. 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.
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.
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. where you tour concludes.
If requesting a twin room, please note the room layout of the Novotel Hotel will be a double bed and a sofa bed.
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.
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.
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.
An escorted experience and travel during your tour
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
of travelers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 3 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 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.
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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