DAY 1:
Local departure by coach then onwards to Belgium or northern France for a three or four-night stay.

DAY 2: Battlefields of Flanders (included)
Today we look at the battlefields around Ypres; this was the main British battlefront in World War I where more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died. We start at the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood and see the museum. We then move on to Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the afternoon we head to the Messines Ridge sector and the nearby Irish Peace Tower which commemorates the role of Irish troops from both North and South. At Ploegsteert we study the story of the Christmas Truce and see the Ploegsteert Memorial. We end the day at the 'Last Post Ceremony' in Ypres. Each night, at 8pm the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate which commemorates approximately 55,000 men who were never found. B

DAY 3: (5 day break) Tunnels and Trenches (included)
Tunnels and Trenches (included). We begin the day at Arras and spend the morning in the Wellington Quarries – a massive system of tunnels used by British troops in WW1, and dug by New Zealand Tunnellers. We then visit the Arras Memorial, and travel out to Monchy le Preux to look at the defence of the village by the Newfoundland Regiment. We end the day at Vimy Ridge, captured by the Canadians in April 1917, seeing the preserved trench system, visitors centre and impressive memorial on Hill 145 – the highest point on Vimy Ridge. Vimy was a defining moment for Canada in World War I and this is arguably one of the finest memorials on the Western Front. B

Please note: the Wellington Tunnels are accessible to visitors of all abilities. The tunnel system is reached by a lift, and there are wooden walk-ways throughout.

DAY 3: (4-day break) or Day 4 (5-day break) The Somme, Death of a Generation (included)
The haunting Somme battlefield is our destination today. We begin at the Historial Museum at Péronne and then to the largest British Mine Crater on the Western Front at La Boisselle. At Thiepval we visit the Memorial and the new visitors' centre then the Ulster Tower, which commemorates those from Ulster who fell on the Somme, before seeing Newfoundland Park with its preserved trenches. We end the day at Serre and see the area where war poet Wilfred Owen fought. B

DAY 4: (4-day break) or (5-day break)
To Calais and return home. B

Included Meals: B=Breakfast 

• FREE local joining points

• Travel by executive coach
• Specialist Battlefield Guide
• Battlefield visits as described

• 3 or 4 nights' accommodation with continental breakfast

Note: Entrance fees to museums & places of interest are at extra cost

You will stay for three or four nights at the 4-star Best Western Ambassador in Menen. The hotel has a bar and lift. All bedrooms have T.V., telephone and hairdryer. When demand is high, other hotels such as the 3-star Hotel Altia or Des Acacias in Neuville-en-Ferrain or the 4-star Hotel Alize in Mouscron may be used.

Silver Service departures will stay for three or four nights at the 4-star Best Western Hotel Alize situated close to the main square of Mouscron in Belgium. The hotel does not have a restaurant, but snacks are available from the bar. There are also a number of restaurants and bars nearby. The hotel has a lift and all bedrooms have T.V., telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and air-conditioning. When demand is high, other hotels such as the 4-star Hotel Ambassador in Menen or the 3-star Hotel Altia or Hotel Acacias in Neuville-en- Ferrain may be used.

To make these tours more accessible to families, we are pleased to offer reduced prices for children (aged 17 and under) on selected dates in the school holidays.

1 child sharing a room with 1 or 2 paying adults pays £159 (4 days) £199 (5 days). 2 or 3 children, occupying their own room, pay £199 each. Offer subject to availability.

4-day break departing Oct 27 2011 and Feb 16; Apr 6; Jul 27; Aug 24 and Oct 25 2012.

5-day break departing Oct 24 2011 and Feb 13; Apr 9; Jul 30; Aug 20 and Oct 22 2012.