Military History Tours Australia Western Front ANZAC Day at the Somme Memorial 2009 Itinerary
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DAY
1: Thursday 23 April 2009
Guests arriving in Paris, have the option of travelling to The Somme on one of our coaches that will depart Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1100 hours, or by own arrangements.
On arrival at your hotel, your historian will assist with your check in. The remainder of the day is free to relax, unpack and meet some of your fellow guests.
After settling in guests will travel to Peronne where you will be able to visit the “Historial de la Grande Guerre” museum followed by a reception to meet local dignitaries. You return to your hotel for dinner.
DAY 2: Friday 24 April 2009
After breakfast, your coach will depart for the first of three days touring The Somme Battlefields. Your military historian travelling with you will brief you during the day on events and the significance of the places you visit.
During the touring days you will visit the battle sites, memorials and cemetaries of the Somme including Bullecourt, Lochnagar Crater, Pozieres, Delville Wood, Beaumont Hamel, Villers-Bretonneux, Mont St Quentin and many more. You will also visit Bellenglise, the 4th Division Memorial and where the Australian Corps under General Monash left the line for the last time, Montbrehain.
Today, if you have a specific cemetery to visit to pay your respects to a relative, or for a friend, your historian will use some time today to do so. If the location you are seeking is outside the scope of the coach and time available, we will have hospitality vehicles available to do a special trip for you. On return to your hotel, dinner and a quiet evening for tomorrow is a big day.
DAY 3: Saturday 25 April 2009 (Our Other ANZAC Day)
A wake up call pre dawn, coffee and tea in your hotel lobby
and then it is all aboard for the Dawn Service, the second in
91 years on the Western Front in The Somme.
On arrival at the site you will be ushered into the area at the base of the memorial for the traditional Dawn Service. (A separate program will be issued at the site).
At the completion of the service, you will have time to mingle with one another, meet other visitors and inspect this magnificent structure which carries the names of almost 11,000 Australian diggers who lost their lives fighting for you and who have no known grave in France. Mid morning your coaches will come forward to take you into Villers-Bretonneux. Here you will be served a well earned breakfast.
During the rest of the day, there will be time to meet the locals and visit the Victoria School, famous for its sign over the school playground, “Do not forget AUSTRALIA”.
A visit to the Australian Museum at the school is also a must. A great opportunity for souvenirs as well.
No ANZAC Day is complete without a march. With military bands playing and at least one Australian RSM Infantry Corps to marshal you, you will march through this historic town to the sounds of Waltzing Matilda, finishing in the town square where our guests of honour will take the salute.
As it was a very early start we intend to move back to our hotels in the early afternoon.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 4: Sunday 26 April 2009
Breakfast at leisure. Your historian will determine a departure time by mutual consent for your second day of battlefield touring. With a box lunch for sustenance, you will again be led through the Somme battlefields by your historian.
Our hospitality vehicles will again be available for those special visits to that specific cemetery.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 5: Monday 27 April 2009
After breakfast, and at an agreed time, you set off for your third day touring The Somme with your trusty box lunch in hand.
Again, based on individual requirements your military historian on board will aim to get to places you need to visit. Our hospitality vehicles will support him in this task.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 6: Tuesday 28 April 2009
A not too early breakfast. Coaches will be returning to Paris for those who have booked this arrangement. Those who are on Program 2, will depart for Belgium via the Australian battlefields at Fromelles and the Ieper Salient.
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DAY 1:
Tuesday 21 April 2009
Guests will be met at Charles de Gaulle by MHT staff and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is free to relax and meet other guests.
DAY 2: Wednesday 22 April 2009
After breakfast at the hotel, coaches will depart for a half day city sightseeing, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, Opera, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. Guests may leave the coach at any time and use the rest of the day to explore this beautiful city. The evening is at leisure.
DAY 3: Thursday 23 April 2009
After breakfast, your coaches will depart for The Somme and your hotel for the next 5 nights.
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(You now join tour 1 through until
28 April, 2009)
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DAY 8: Tuesday 28 April 2009
After a not too early breakfast, you and your military historian will depart for Belgium. We travel via Fromelles, VC Corner, the Cobber Memorial, Ploegstreert Wood and Messines. On arrival, there may be time to visit the Cloth Museum before dinner at your hotel.
DAY 9: Wednesday 29 April 2009
Breakfast at your hotel. A change of pace today. Just relax or take your coach to Brugge for a morning, afternoon or day shopping and taking in the sights. Lace and chocolate are said to be the best in the world.
Tonight before dinner we will visit the Menin Gate and attend the Last Post ceremony. Dinner at your hotel.
DAY 10: Thursday 30 April 2009
After breakfast, and with your box lunch, we set out to visit the Ieper Salient Battlefields including Hill 60, Polygon Wood, (the 5 Division Memorial), Passchendale and Tyne Cot cemetery.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 11: Friday 1 May 2009
Breakfast at your hotel. Today we leave the Continent and travel to London via Calais and Dover. Your coaches from Dover will arrive at your London hotel mid afternoon.
The evening is free for making your own plans.
DAY 12: Saturday 2 May 2009
Breakfast at your hotel. Free day to take in the sights of London. Evening at leisure.
DAY 13: Sunday 3 May 2009
Today, after breakfast, your Tour ends.
