WWI SOMME AND FLANDERS TOUR

22 May 2025

Depart Dublin airport at tbc for direct flight to Brussels airport (+1hour ahead. Flight time: 1 hr. 35 mins)

On arrival in Brussels transfer to Moorsele. Visit memorial 36th Ulster memorial.  Moorsele was liberated by the 36^th Ulster Division on 13 & 14 October 1918. Visit the Moorsele Military Cemetery. Sandwich brunch included at "De Gouden Bank".

Drive further to the Somme for your 2-night stay at Arras (Ibis Style Arras Centre): 95Km.  Overnight at hotel.

23 May 2025

Breakfast at hotel.  Today you will have a tour of significant points around the Somme area where memorials arise at every turn to those who lost their lives.  Visit Beaumont-Hamel New Foundland Memorial.  -Ulster Tower & Connaught Military Cemetery. -Thiepval memorial. -Authuile military cemetery. Free time for lunch.

This afternoon, visit Lognacar Crater. -Delville Wood, Tank Corps Memorial + Animal WW1 Memorial and last but not least, Vimmy Ridge.

Return to Arras (12Km) Overnight in Arras.

24 May 2025

As you depart the Somme area and head north after breakfast your stop includes Poperinge with the Shot at Dawn Memorial, La Poupée and learn a bit about Talbot house – Every Mans Club. Lunch at the Hooge Crater Museum on route to Ypres with time to visit the Artillery Museum.

This afternoon, visit Zero Hour Kemmel, Pool of Peace, and Lone Tree Cemetery 16Th-36Th Memorial at Wijtschate, Messine, Island of Ireland Peace Park. Site of Christmas Truce and Hill 60 before finishing your day in the beautiful town of Ypres.

Evening meal included at a local restaurant.  Overnight in Ypres

25 May 2025

Breakfast at hotel.  Your day starts with Essex Farm, the scene of the medical stations of the Battlefields in which John McCrae wrote in Flanders Fields.  The cemetery also holds one of the youngest soldiers killed in WW1.  Continue to Harry Patch Memorial and close by to the Langemark German Cemetery.  It is a very different type of cemetery to that of the British and other nationalities of soldiers commemorated. Poel Capelle British Cemetery

Lunch at De Dreve.

This afternoon you will have time to visit the Brothers in Arms Project just opposite Polygon Wood.  This is a story of brothers, fathers and sons and others who fought side by side in the war.  A fantastic story of 2 Australian brothers is the inspiration for the recently erected memorial.

Your day finishes at Tyne Cote Cemetery where the names of 35,000 soldiers line the walls as well as the vast graveyard of almost 12,000 there.  It is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world in terms of burials.

Tonight, you will have the opportunity to visit the Menin Gate Last Post Memorial,

Overnight in Ypres.

26 May 2025

Breakfast at hotel. Free time in Ypres to enjoy the cathedral, the St George’s Commemorative Church, or the Flanders Museum.

Check out of hotel at 11am.  You can leave your luggage in the hotel before pick up at pm for your transfer to Brussels airport.

Flight departs Brussels tbc.

Total Price: -

£995pp sharing                     Single Supplement: £200pp.

Deposit                                                            £200pp

2^nd Payments by 12 November 2024             £200pp

Final balance by 12 February 2025               Balance          

Luggage allowance: 10kgs in the hold plus a small carry-on bag for under seat in front of you.  If you wish to take an additional 20kgs case, the price is a further £55.

Sort Code: 90 23 54   Account 64837731      Ref: YourSURNAMEfollowedbySommeMAY25 for online payments.

Unit 2 Kernan Shops Lurgan Road Portadown BT63 5QR T: 028 38 394489 Option 2

This itinerary is subject to change based on numbers travelling, hotel rooms available and any other factors beyond our control.  We will endeavour to offer a reasonable alternative should this arise. The tour leader is subject to change in cases beyond our control.

Unit 2 Kernan Shops Lurgan Road Portadown BT63 5QR T: 028 38 394489 e: leanne@thompsontvl.co.uk