From the first Canadian fighting at ‘Second Ypres’ in April 1915 to the breakthrough Canal du Nord crossing in September 1918, you can follow them all on this suggested 3-day (2 nights) itinerary. Naturally we can put together a family-specific tour, and tours of different durations (only got a day? see below for information about Day Trips).

Day One - Ypres; night in town centre
- After a night in Canterbury, or a 40 minute train journey from London to Ashford - 35 minute Tunnel crossing in our car, then 1 hr drive from Calais.
- Drive from Paris (2 hr 45 minutes) or Brussels (1 hr 30 minutes)
- Meet at Lille station (1 hr 30 from London St Pancras) - 45 min drive

Arrive Ypres late morning: tour taking in the site of the April 1915 gas attack ('Brooding Soldier' monument), Essex Farm (John McCrae), Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62: Mt Sorrel) preserved trenches, Caterpillar/Hill 60 (Canadian mining operations), and Passchendaele - then into Ypres itself for night in hotel, with attendance at the 8 p.m. Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate memorial to the Missing.

Day Two - Vimy Ridge, Monchy-le-Preux, Canal du Nord;
night in Arras or Peronne
Travel 1 hour south to Vimy Ridge - tour taking in the preserved trenches and craters, the beautifully restored Canadian National World War I memorial, and less-visited parts of the battlefield such as Zivy Crater cemetery. Visit nearby Cabaret Rouge cemetery to see where the Unknown Soldier, now in Ottawa, was taken from. Drive 20 minutes east to Monchy-le-Preux scene of brave Newfoundland resistance in April 1917, then a further 20 minutes to Cambrai to see the Canal du Nord and its memorial from Canada's impressive September/October 1918 advance.  Night in Arras or Peronne.

Day Three - The Somme
Day tour taking in the Courcelette area (Canada’s part of the Battle of the Somme, September to November 1916), the Thiepval Memorial, preserved trenches in the Newfoundland Memorial Park (at Beaumont Hamel), the Newfoundland Memorial at Guedecourt, and Lochnagar Crater (the largest crater on the Western Front).  Leave mid-afternoon, aiming to get you to your finishing point by 5.30 p.m.
- 90 minute drive to Channel Tunnel. Back in the UK we will put you on a high-speed train to London, arriving there around 7.45 p.m.
- Drop-off in Paris or Brussels - 2 hr drive
- Drive to Lille Eurostar station - 1 hr

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Do get in touch to discuss details and possible dates.

Day trips to Ypres or the Somme:
Ypres - start/finish: After night in Canterbury, or a train journey from London to Ashford; or from Lille (train from Paris or London).
7 hours exploring the battlefield and town (Tunnel option: stay for early evening meal followed by the 8 p.m. Last Post Menin Gate ceremony; back in Canterbury 10.30 p.m.)

Somme - start/finish: After night in Canterbury, or a train journey from London to Ashford; Lille (train from London), or Amiens (train from Paris).
6 hours exploring the area (Tunnel option: break for French evening meal en route back; Canterbury 10.30 p.m.).

See also:
World War I Tours

Above: The mud of Paschendaele
Below: The Canadian memorial in Passchendaele village

Preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood near Ypres

The Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge

Below left: The 'Brooding Soldier' monument to the Canadian battle after the first-ever use of gas by German forces at Ypres, April 1915
Below right: Choir performing on the steps of the Vimy Ridge Memorial during a ceremony for the 90th anniversary of the battle (April 2007)