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The Silent Cities: The CWGC Story
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for the graves and memorials of 1.7 million men and women who died in the two World Wars. Founded in 1917, its dedicated staff now work at 23,000 different places across more than 150 countries and territories. This special tour, developed in association with the CWGC, provides a unique insight into the story of this remarkable organisation.
Tour Includes
- 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast & 1 lunch
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
5 days from £699pp
Travel Options
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Inbound Travel
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Experiences
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary
Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in Belgium or northern France, where we stay for four nights.
We visit the ‘Forgotten Front’ today – the ground between some of the main battlefields of the later war period. Here we examine the early battles of 1914 and 1915, seeing the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing, and the Indian Cemetery at Zelobes. Lunchtime in Bethune and in the afternoon, we see the Loos Memorial and then visit the new extension to the Loos British Cemetery where dead recovered from new building work in Lens and the Canal du Nord will be buried. We also visit Quarry Cemetery for the story of Fergus Bowes-Lyon and the battles at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. We then return to our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we begin in Northern France near Arras and visit the CWGC Experience where we have a specially arranged visit looking at the global work the Commission does, with talks and demonstrations. We then visit Vimy Ridge to look at the Canadian commemoration of their dead, seeing battlefield cemeteries on the Ridge, and the missing commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. Lunchtime in Arras and then we visit the Somme Battlefields looking at the early work of the Imperial war Graves Commission at Louvencourt, one of the ‘experimental’ cemeteries. We then look at New Zealand on the Somme and their missing at Caterpillar Valley, examining the story of their Unknown Warrior. After dinner we return to the battlefields for a special illumination of the Thiepval Memorial as it gets dark, which means a late finish and return to our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we are in Flanders and look at the early war British sector along the Messines Ridge, visiting the Ploegsteert Memorial and some of the battlefield cemeteries started in 1914, also examining the story of the Christmas Truce. After included lunch at Hooge, with time to see the new exhibition about the cemeteries, we get an update from the Commission about the work at the Menin Gate, and then examine the cemeteries in Ypres itself including Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, and Ypres Town Cemetery, where we look at the story of War Graves Gardeners seeing their special plot and talking to modern day gardeners about the work they do today. We stay in Ypres for free-time and attending the Last Post Ceremony before we return to our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at a minimum 3-star hotel in Belgium or northern France.
Des Acacias Lille Tourcoing
The Des Acacias Lille Tourcoing Hotel is set in a leafy area near to the towns of Halluin, Roncq and Tourcoing to name a few. The hotel's facilities include a bar, a restaurant, lounge, fitness room and Wi-Fi/internet corner.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Menu
- Lactose or Dairy Free Menu
- Vegan Menu
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Gym
- Dogs Allowed on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Alize Hotel Mouscron
The 4-star Alize Hotel Mouscron is located in the heart of Mouscron. Despite not having its own restaurant, the hotel is ideally located only a short walk from the Mouscron Market Place, where a selection of bars and restaurants can be found. The hotel does have a bar, and all rooms are equipped with a T.V., tea and coffee-making facilities, and a fridge.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- English Speaking Staff
- 4 Star
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
- Central Location
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Menu
- Lactose or Dairy Free Menu
- Vegan Menu
Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Laundry Service
- Gym
- Dogs Allowed on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
- Train / Tram Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Luxuria Coach
Stylish and modern, state-of-the-art Luxuria is the business class of coaches. Boasting comfort of the highest standard, sink into the deluxe armchair-style seats, stretch out with much more space around you, and enjoy a vast choice of entertainment on your personal touch-screen TV.
Luxuria Features
- Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests* with cup holders, adjustable headrests and retractable calf rests on most seats to give you a more comfortable journey.
*Face to face seats are forward and rear facing with a table and will not have a calf rest. - Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch-screen TV offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
- There’s a selection of double and single seats, including six face-to-face seats with tables, and five single seats which are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
- Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
- Onboard toilet.
Silver Service Coach
More than simply your method of transport, Silver Service offers a coach with added comfort and facilities, such as deluxe reclining seats with leather headrests, an onboard entertainment system, and a spacious rear lounge so you can socialise with your fellow passengers.
Silver Service Features
- Specially designed reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and extra legroom.
- A spacious rear lounge where you can relax, socialise and get to know your fellow passengers.
- Our onboard entertainment and satellite navigation system makes your journey fly by.
- Free personal headphones mean you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs being played by your crew.
- Personal tables so you can enjoy your refreshments in comfort as you take in the passing scenery.
Departure Dates
