2024 ANZAC DAY with Dawn service in the Somme

Reference: 24BRT

Tour Overview

From the trenches of Ypres to monuments marking The Somme, our 2024 ANZAC DAY with Dawn service in the Somme tour maps Australian and New Zealand troops’ movements in WWI – delving into the stories of the soldiers’ involvement in the battles of the Western Front. With poignant visits to cemeteries and national memorials on the agenda, as well as a special ANZAC Day service at Villers-Bretonneux – join us in remembering those who fought during the Great War on an unforgettable history-themed journey.

Departure dates: 21st or 22nd April 2024
7-Day / 6-Night tours
Small Group of 18 maximum

2024 ANZAC DAY on the Western Front

France and Belgium

Small-Group of a maximum of 18

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2024 ANZAC DAY with Dawn service in the Somme tour

Departing Dates: 21 and 22 April
Duration: 7 Days - 6 nights

You can choose between two directions on this 2024 ANZAC DAY with Dawn service in the Somme and Flanders: northbound or southbound. Simply view and select your preferred route by clicking on the buttons above! If you join our tour departing 21 April, Day 5 and Day 6 of the itinerary will be exchanged – meaning we’ll visit The Somme on Day 5 and attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Day 6.

Tour Highlights

Attend a poignant ANZAC Day Service in Villers-Bretonneux
Delve into the Australian story on the Western Front at the Franco-Australian Museum
Visit the Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels dug by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company

Tour Inclusions

- 6 nights in hand-picked accommodation
- 8 Meals 6 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver
- Premium mini-coach transportation

From $2,860.00 per person Twin-share

Single supplement $780.00

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FROM LILLE TO LILLE

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Day to Day itinerary (Northbound) departing 21st April 2024
Tour Itinerary departing 21st April 2024
Day 1 - Lille (France)

After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our remarkable journey with a delicious welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hôtel Couvent des Minimes (or similar)

Meals - Dinner

Day 2 - Lille – Ypres (Belgium)

Today’s itinerary will take us from Lille to Ypres via the historic Messines Ridge. Our first stop will be the Passchendaele battlefields – where we’ll walk in the footsteps of WWI allied soldiers who fought to break the German line in 1917. Next, we’ll pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery before visiting the shell-scarred Hill 60. This afternoon, there’s an opportunity to explore the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum – home to a unique collection of WWI artefacts and reconstructed trenches. We’ll enjoy some free time this evening in Ypres – our home for the next two nights. Accommodation: Hotel Recour (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 3 - Ypres

After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front beginning with a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Ypres at your leisure. A medieval town that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew, there is plenty of history to uncover here. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years. Accommodation: Hotel Recour (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 4 - Ypres – Fromelles (France) and Arras – Amiens

Today it’s out of Belgium and across the border. Our destination? Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916 – where we’ll pay an emotional visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the fascinating exhibition nearby. After, we’ll move on to the Wellington Quarries: a network of tunnels built by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. We’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Concluding the day in lovely Amiens, we’ll have the evening to spend as we wish. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 5 - Amiens – ANZAC Ceremony – Amiens

The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918 – during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Since 2008, the memorial has been the site of a special ANZAC Day service. Today, stand with fellow visitors from Australia and New Zealand alongside local townspeople in remembering those who lost their lives in the Great War. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 6 - Amiens – Somme – Amiens

The Somme still captivates the soul and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. This morning, we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – significant sites for the Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly monumental to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll also take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening, we’ll regroup for one final dinner together and reminisce on our unforgettable journey. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 - Amiens – Villers Bretonneux – Lille

As the home of the National War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. Before we say our goodbyes today, we’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum – a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town and a monument to international solidarity. We’ll make a brief stop at the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel. Our tour will conclude upon our return to Lille.

Meals - Breakfast
Day to Day Itinerary (Southbound) departing 22nd April 2024
Tour Itinerary departing 22 April
Day 1 - Lille (France)

After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our incredible journey with a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hôtel Couvent des Minimes (or similar)

Meal - Dinner

Day 2 - Lille – Villers-Bretonneux – Amiens

The first day of our tour will take us from Lille to Villers-Bretonneux: home of the National War Memorial and a central location to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. We’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum, a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town from German advances. After, we’ll pay a visit to the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel, the site of the successful 4 July attack. Then, it’s onwards to Amiens – our home for the next three nights. Accommodation: Hôtel le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 3 - Amiens – Somme – Amiens

The Somme still captivates the soul – and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. Today we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – sites that were especially important for Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly significant to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain – with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening will be ours to spend exploring Amiens or relaxing back at the hotel. Accommodation: Hôtel le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 4 - Amiens – ANZAC Day Dawn Service – Amiens

We’ve an early start this morning as we make our way to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux. The memorial commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918, during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Here we’ll join locals and meet fellow Australians and New Zealanders who have journeyed here to pay tribute to the brave ANZAC soldiers. The rest of the day will be yours to spend at your leisure. Accommodation: Hôtel le Prieuré (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 5 - Amiens – Arras and Fromelles – Ypres (Belgium)

Today’s first stop? The Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels the New Zealand Tunnelling Company built as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. Later, we’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Then, we’ll move on to Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916. Here, take the time to pay your respects with a poignant visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the incredible exhibition nearby. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner together and reflect on the day’s events. Accommodation: Albion Hotel (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 - Ypres

After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front with an included visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to spend as you please in Ypres. A site that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew – take the time to visit the town’s magnificent cathedral or treat your taste buds to a sampling of Belgian chocolate. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years. Accommodation: Albion Hotel (or similar)

Meals - Breakfast

Day 7 - Ypres – Lille (France)

For our final morning together, we’ll visit the shell-scarred Hill 60 and fascinating Hooge Crater Museum before walking in the footsteps of WWI soldiers at the Passchendaele battlefields – where allied forces fought to break the German line in 1917. Before returning to Lille, we’ll have the opportunity to pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery – the site where 11,900 Commonwealth servicemen of WWI are commemorated.

Meals - Breakfast