They Called It Passchendaele
They Called It Passchendaele
They Called It Passchendaele
5 Days Starting and ending in Ypres, Belgium
Visiting: Ypres, Ploegsteert, Mesen, Pilkem, Tyne Cot, Passendale, Menin Gate, Poperinge
Tour operator:
Tour code:
bym
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
A century ago in Flanders, Belgium, the year 1917 was dominated by two great offensives: the Battle of Messines in June 1917 when nineteen mines were detonated under the Messines Ridge, and the Battle of Passchendaele where men fought in terrible battlefield conditions or mud and rain. Passchendaele has become one of the most iconic battles of the First World War and this new centenary tour allows us to look at the campaign in some depth.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Ypres
Location: Ypres
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum
Local departure by coach, then to Ypres for a four-night stay.
Day 2 : Messines & Ploegsteert
Location: Ploegsteert, Mesen
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we look at the Battle of Messines in June 1917 when British and Commonwealth tunnellers exploded nineteen mines under positions along the Messines Ridge. We start at Hill 60 where the two northernmost mines were blown, seeing the impressive Caterpillar Crater. At St. Eloi we visit the crater formed by the largest mine blown in June 1917 and at Wytschaete visit the Tunnellers Memorial. At Spanbroekmolen mine crater we examine the story of the Ulster troops who attacked here, visit the Lone Tree Crater Cemetery. After lunch at Hooge Crater we travel along the Messines Ridge to Messines itself, seeing the visitors centre, and visiting the New Zealand Memorial seeing German front line bunkers. We remember the contribution of Irish soldiers at the Irish Peace Tower and visit the southern area of the battlefield around Ploegsteert ('Plugstreet') including the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Day 3 : Pilkem Ridge & Tyne Cot
Location: Pilkem, Tyne Cot
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following Messines, the Third Battle of Ypres began on 31st July 1917 and we start at Buffs Road Cemetery where the battle began just outside Ypres. We then travel to Pilkem Ridge to look at the story of war poets Francis Ledwidge and Hedd Wyn, also seeing the Welsh Memorial. At Langemarck we see the memorial to Harry Patch, the ‘Last Fighting Tommy’ and at Poelcapelle examine the use of tanks during the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing the tank memorial. After lunch we visit the superb Passchendaele Memorial Museum at Zonnebeke, exploring their reconstructed trench system. At Tyne Cot we visit the largest British military cemetery in the world and end on the Frezenberg Ridge to see the memorial to Scottish troops.
Day 4 : Passchendaele & Poperinghe
Location: Passendale, Menin Gate, Poperinge
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Third Battle of Ypres ended with the capture of Passchendaele and today we start at the Canadian Memorial at Crest Farm before going into the village itself to see the memorial in the church. We then take time to visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres and after lunch look at life behind the lines at Ypres in 1917, see Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and its visitors' centre, before going to Talbot House in Poperinghe and its museum. We then look at the story of men ‘Shot at Dawn’ at the Death Cells, and at Brandhoek visit the grave of medical officer Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, also seeing his memorial. We end the day in Ypres for the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
Day 5 : Return Home
Location: Ypres
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Novotel Ypres Centrum, in the heart of Ypres. The hotel is located only a couple of minutes' walk from the Menin Gate Memorial where the 'Last Post' is sounded every evening. The hotel has a lift, bar and restaurant.
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.