The Silent Cities: The CWGC Story

The Silent Cities: The CWGC Story

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The Silent Cities: The CWGC Story

5 Days Starting and ending in Belgium

Visiting: Belgium, Le Touret Memorial, Loos Memorial, Arras, Ypres

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

bwc

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for the graves and memorials of 1.7 million men and women who died in the two World Wars. Founded in 1917, its dedicated staff now work at 23,000 different places across more than 150 countries and territories. This special tour, developed in association with the CWGC, provides a unique insight into the story of this remarkable organisation.

Highlights

  • This special tour, developed in association with the CWGC, provides a unique insight into the story of this remarkable organisation

  • Visit the ‘Forgotten Front’ today – the ground between some of the main battlefields of the later war period

  • Examine the early battles of 1914 and 1915, seeing the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing, and the Indian Cemetery at Zelobes

  • Visit the CWGC Experience where we have a specially arranged visit looking at the global work the Commission does, with talks and demonstrations

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Travel To Belgium Or Northern France

Location: Belgium

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel

Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in Belgium or northern France, where we stay for four nights.

Day 2 : Visit The ‘Forgotten Front’

Location: Le Touret Memorial, Loos Memorial

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We visit the ‘Forgotten Front’ today – the ground between some of the main battlefields of the later war period. Here we examine the early battles of 1914 and 1915, seeing the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing, and the Indian Cemetery at Zelobes. Lunchtime in Bethune and in the afternoon, we see the Loos Memorial and then visit the new extension to the Loos British Cemetery where dead recovered from new building work in Lens and the Canal du Nord will be buried. We also visit Quarry Cemetery for the story of Fergus Bowes-Lyon and the battles at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. We then return to our hotel.

Day 3 : Arras

Location: Arras

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we begin in Northern France near Arras and visit the CWGC Experience where we have a specially arranged visit looking at the global work the Commission does, with talks and demonstrations. We then visit Vimy Ridge to look at the Canadian commemoration of their dead, seeing battlefield cemeteries on the Ridge, and the missing commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. Lunchtime in Arras and then we visit the Somme Battlefields looking at the early work of the Imperial war Graves Commission at Louvencourt, one of the ‘experimental’ cemeteries. We then look at New Zealand on the Somme and their missing at Caterpillar Valley, examining the story of their Unknown Warrior. After dinner we return to the battlefields for a special illumination of the Thiepval Memorial as it gets dark, which means a late finish and return to our hotel.

Day 4 : Ypres

Location: Ypres

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we are in Flanders and look at the early war British sector along the Messines Ridge, visiting the Ploegsteert Memorial and some of the battlefield cemeteries started in 1914, also examining the story of the Christmas Truce. After included lunch at Hooge, with time to see the new exhibition about the cemeteries, we get an update from the Commission about the work at the Menin Gate, and then examine the cemeteries in Ypres itself including Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, and Ypres Town Cemetery, where we look at the story of War Graves Gardeners seeing their special plot and talking to modern day gardeners about the work they do today. We stay in Ypres for free-time and attending the Last Post Ceremony before we return to our hotel.

Day 5 : Return Home

Location: Belgium

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • 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.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at a minimum 3-star hotel in Belgium or northern France.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • 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.

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • 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

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • 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.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

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