5-Day Break

Day 1 – To northern France and our hotel for four nights.
Day 2 – Arras Underground – The Bloodiest Battle (included). We start our tour at the Wellington Quarries. This newly opened location offers unrivalled access to a whole system of underground tunnels and chambers used by the British Army during the battle of Arras in 1917, and dug for them by the New Zealand Tunnellers. We see walls with original graffiti, follow the underground tour, watch the film and see the excellent exhibition of artefacts about the fighting at Arras in WW1. One of the most remarkable visits you are ever likely to make on the Western Front. We follow this up, with a visit to the battlefield which the Quarries led to, and look at the attack of the 2nd Suffolks in April 1917. Lunch nearby, and in the afternoon we head out onto the Arras battlefield to Monchy le Preux where we look at the story of the ‘lost’ Royal Fusiliers and their discovery by archaeologists many years later. In the village of Monchy we see the magnificent Caribou memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment, who defended the ground here against repeated German attacks. We then follow the Hindenburg Line via Wancourt and Croisilles down to Bullecourt, where the Australians fought in 1917, seeing the Digger Memorial and Bullecourt War Museum. B
Day 3 – Vimy Ridge – Canada’s Glory (included). Today we look at the high ground which surrounds Arras. We start at Notre Dame de Lorette, seeing the ground where a quarter of a million Frenchmen fell in 1915 and visiting the largest French cemetery from WW1. We also see the church at Ablain St Nazaiare – left as it was in 1918 – and visit the huge cemetery at Cabaret Rouge, where Canada’s Unknown Soldier was selected in 2000. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon we explore the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge, seeing the preserved trenches, visitors centre and memorial on Hill 145. We then travel via Farbus down onto the Douai plain, seeing the ground captured at the end of the battle for Vimy Ridge. B
Day 4 – Chemical Works – Bloody April (included). Returning to the Arras area, we begin at Oppy Wood where the Hull Pals fled in droves in May 1917. We then look at the story of the Royal Naval Division at Gavrelle, seeing their memorial, before visiting the ground at Fampoux, and following the story of the Seaforth Highlanders. At Roeux we see the site of the Chemical Works and remains of its defences. Lunch in Arras. We then see the Arras Memorial to the Missing, and move out to Écoivres, the site of a Dressing Station and where composer Vaughn Williams served. We then see the ruined abbey of Mont St Eloi, where the Royal Flying Corps had an aerodrome; above the skies of Arras the RFC suffered terrible losses in what became known as ‘Bloody April’. We end at La Targette where we see cemeteries from Britain, France and Germany in one small area; a unique way to end a fascinating tour. B
Day 5 – Calais for our return joiurney home. B

B=Breakfast

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.

Accommodation
You will stay for 4 nights at the 3-star Mercure Arras, situated in the heart of the city. The hotel has a restaurant and bar and all bedrooms have T.V. and telephone.

Extras
Optional Excursions.
Single room supplement £119.

Travel Insurance: from £29.95

Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Named accommodation may be changed if necessary by the tour operator. If this is the case you will be advised of all new details at time of enquiry. All holidays and prices are subject to availability and changes.