The Somme, Flanders & The Last Post

Highlights

Step back in time and follow the poignant story of the First World War on this unforgettable journey through the Somme and Flanders battlefields. From countryside and historic towns to moving memorials and cemeteries, this tour offers a fascinating insight into the events that shaped history and honours the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.

Combining expert-guided visits, history and memorable experiences, this tour offers a remarkable opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history while paying tribute to those who gave so much. Rich in heritage, emotion and discovery, The Somme, Flanders & The Last Post is a thought-provoking and rewarding break that will stay with you long after you return home.

What’s Included?

• Coach travel with reserved seating
• Four nights dinner, bed & breakfast at The Ibis Douai Dechy, Dechy
• Full tour guide from Whizzbang Historical -  Joing at Dover the your tour guide will be on hand throught your break
• Three full day guided tours bringing the history to life. * Itinerary subject to your guides knowledge & local conditions

With an expert guide bringing the history to life throughout the day, these memorable excursions offers a moving insight into the courage, sacrifice and determination of the Allied forces during some of the most significant operations of the Great War.

Day 1 - Join us on a fully guided tour through the battlefields of Flanders. Visit the historic sites of Hill 60 and Hill 62, scenes of intense fighting during the First World War, before exploring Railway Wood and Polygon Wood, battlefields that witnessed some of the conflict's fiercest encounters. Visit Essex Farm Cemetery, linked to John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, and gain an understanding of the experiences of those who served on the Western Front. The day concludes in Ypres at the iconic Menin Gate Memorial, home to the Last Post Ceremony, a poignant tribute honours the thousands of servicemen who lost their lives and have no known grave.

Day 2 - Journey through the historic battlefields of the Somme. Explore Railway Hollow and Sheffield Park, where soldiers prepared for the opening of the Battle of the Somme, before visiting the famous Sunken Lane, immortalised in wartime photographs taken on 1 July 1916. Visit the dramatic Hawthorn Crater, created by the detonation of a huge mine beneath German positions, and learn about the events that unfolded on the first day of the Somme offensive. Pay your respects at the Thiepval Memorial, the largest British war memorial in the world, dedicated to more than 72,000 soldiers with no known grave. Visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge and commemorating Canada's remarkable achievements and sacrifices.

Day 3 - Exploring some of the most poignant sites of the First World War in Flanders. Begin in the charming town of Mesen (Messines), the setting for one of the most successful Allied operations of the war, before visiting the moving Football Memorial, which commemorates the sporting connections made by soldiers during the conflict. The Ploegsteert Memorial, dedicated to more than 11,000 servicemen who have no known grave.  Visit the iconic Brooding Soldier Memorial, one of the most recognisable monuments in the Ypres Salient, honouring the thousands of Canadian soldiers who fought during the Second Battle of Ypres. The tour concludes at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, the second-largest Commonwealth war cemetery in Belgium and the final resting place of almost 11,000 servicemen and women.

The Ibis Douai Dechy - Ideally located in the heart of northern France, the Ibis Douai Dechy offers a warm welcome and a comfortable base for your stay. With modern furnishings, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere, this contemporary hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the historic battlefields and attractions of the Somme and Flanders region.