Gallipoli, Somme and Flanders 1914-1918
WWI Battlefield Trip
Gallipoli & the Western Front
Join us as we retrace some of Australia’s major WWI Battlefields in Turkey, France and Belgium
23 September - 6 October 2010
GALLIPOLI & WESTERN FRONT TRIP DETAILS
This year marks the 95th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. To commemorate this event Executive Excellence (EE) is proud to present a travel experience retracing some of Australia’s major WWI battlefields. The trip takes in Gallipoli and the battlefields of The Western Front in France and Belgium. There is also sight seeing in Istanbul, Troy and Paris along the way.
EE is delighted to announce that your expert military commentator on this trip will be Major General Paul Irving, former commander of Australia’s 2nd Division. Paul will help you understand what happened and where it happened in layman terms. You’ll come away rich in knowledge of the history of the Australian Imperial Force’s (as it was then known) involvement in “the war to end all wars” and an understanding of why the Australians volunteered en masse to fight for King and Country.
You’ll visit some very special places which helped form our nation’s heritage including the major sites at Gallipoli, Turkey and Fromelles in France, where the Australians encountered what is still today, the worst 24 hour period in our history in terms of number of casualties. You’ll visit Mont St Quentin which is generally considered as Australia’s greatest battle victory by many historians and military writers. Whether you have ancestors who were involved in The Great War or whether you are just interested about the history, suitable for young and old, women and men, this is a trip not to be missed!
2010 DEPARTURE DATES 23 September - 6 October 2010
TRAINING To help you enjoy your experience as much as possible, EE will provide you with a basic training program.
PRICE $7,650 per person on twin share basis (excluding international airfares from/to Australia)*
* Airfares from Sydney to Europe and return $2030(economy class as at 20 May. Subject to availability at time of reservation)
INCLUSIONS
All meals except for Paris which is at leisure, all accommodation, and air fare from Istanbul to Paris economy class, transfers and training program travel insurance.
EXCLUSIONS
Visa requirements for Turkey, personal expenses, phone calls, beverages with meals unless stipulated, international flights to and from Australia.
ITINERARY Importantly, this trip is a deliberate ‘snap-shot’ of the Australian military action from the battlefields we visit. The itinerary has been put together based on the combination of WWI major Australian battles, practicality and of course, the need to enjoy the experience!
DAY 1 - 24 September
Arrive in Istanbul. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel.
DAY 2 - 25 September
Discover Istanbul – After breakfast, we are taken to many of the “must see” places which Istanbul has to offer. These include some of the Byzantine remains – Chora Church, The Tekfur Palace, parts of the Old City and the Underground Cistern. Lunch provided on the way. Dinner is provided at a traditional Turkish restaurant.
DAY 3 - 26 September
Discover Istanbul – We set off after breakfast for famous sites from the Ottoman Empire including Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque and Dolmabahce Palace. Lunch provided on the way. Dinner is at a local seafood grill restaurant.
DAY 4 - 27 September
After breakfast, we meet at the hotel foyer for your group transfer to Canakkale by air conditioned mini bus. Lunch will be provided along the way by the pier in the peninsula. On arrival at the hotel Akol you will be invited to drinks on the balcony over looking the Dardanelles prior to a sumptuous group dinner.
DAY 5 - 28 September
After an early breakfast, today is a long outing where you will walk the major areas of Gallipoli where the Australians spent their 8 month campaign. You’ll see ANZAC Cove where the landings took place, Lone Pine, The Nek, Hill 60, Shrapnel Gully and other places you will probably have heard of or read about helping create Australian folklore. Picnic lunch is provided. Dinner is at the Hotel on return.
DAY 6 - 29 September
Today we venture south and explore the ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage listed Troy – the centre of the Trojan Wars. We also visit surrounding areas including The Temple of Athena and Assos where we will lunch at a coastal restaurant. Back to Canakkale for dinner.
DAY 7 - 30 September
After breakfast, we travel by air conditioned mini bus back to Istanbul airport from where we transfer to Paris by plane. Arriving in Paris in the evening, we transfer to our hotel - the Au Manoir in St. Germain Des Pres. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
DAY 8 - 1 October
A day in Paris at your leisure! Climb the Eiffel Tower, visit the Luxembourg Gardens, walk the Champs-Elysees from end to end – the worlds most celebrated boulevard! Or perhaps you’d prefer to visit the Arc de Triomphe, or take a trip on the River Seine by night? Visit the Louvre or, maybe you’ll just hang out in the hip St.Germain area. In Paris, there are a thousand things to do (which is why this day is at leisure).
DAY 9 - 2 October
Today, after breakfast, we take an air conditioned mini bus from Paris to the Battlefields of the Western Front, arriving in Amiens where we will stay for the next four nights. Comfort stops along the way, lunch in Amiens and a group dinner is organised at the hotel – Mercure Amiens Cathedrale.
DAY 10 - 3 October
We set off after breakfast for a full day. First stop is Villers-Bretonneux - a small village liberated by the Australians from the Germans in 1918. You’ll visit the Australian Memorial, Victoria School and ANZAC Museum – so named after the mainly Victorian forces who forced the Germans out. On to Hamel, Peronne, Mont St. Quentin and Pozieres where you’ll visit Australian Divisional memorials, museums and have the opportunity to explore these charming towns – all steeped in ANZAC history. Lunch and dinner is along the way.
DAY 11 - 4 October
After a hearty breakfast, we will set off to Fromelles to visit the VC Corner Cemetery and other local sites. Many of you will be aware that Fromelles is where hundreds of diggers and British soldiers buried in mass graves by the Germans, were recently discovered. Lunch along the way, afternoon team in Lille and dinner in Amiens.
DAY 12 - 5 October
Today we visit the Belgian battlefields with Australian significance. After breakfast we’ll drive to Messines, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Village stopping at relevant sites along the way. In the afternoon we’ll stop at Ypres where you can explore the Flanders Museum and market square before the moving Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gates. Dinner is at a local Belgian restaurant before heading back to Amiens.
DAY 13 - 6 October
After breakfast we head back to Paris in air conditioned comfort, stopping for lunch along the way. At arrival in Paris* you’ll depart for home or your own extended itinerary should you have planned this.
Stop at Charles de Gaulle Airport or Central Paris,
RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!
To reserve your position on this trip or to ask any questions in relation to this tour, please call our Sydney office on (02) 9906 5770 or 0400 20 20 80 or email bg@executiveexcellence.com.au Availability is limited so don’t delay.
To reserve your specialairfares please contactFranceTourismon (02)9247 4233or email sales@francetourism.com.au
Terms and Conditions. This itinerary is subject to change. Accommodation is based on twin share. For a full list of terms and conditions, please visit www.executiveexcellence.com.auand click on Terms and Conditions. Minimum 10 participants required. Cut off for commencement of trip is 31 August 2010. EE may need to change final pricing depending on fluctuations in currency rates. Deposit is due within 7 days of booking. Cancellations fees are: 1. If cancelled earlier than 60 days before the departure date - cancellation fee is the deposit. 2. If cancelled within 60 days before the departure date: 100%.
Major General Paul Irving, AM, PSM, RFD – your expert commentator for this trip
Major General Paul Irving has over 30 years experience in the Australian Army since being called up for National Service in 1972. He graduated as a 2nd lieutenant from the Officer Training Unit. He transferred to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals where he undertook service in 5th Signal Regiment. After being promoted to command the 8th Brigade he was again promoted in 2003 to Major General of the 2nd
Division, the Australian Army Reserve Division. Paul has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Legal Studies, Diploma of Labour Relations and the Law, and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies. He is married with four adult children.
ABOUT EE
EE is a team of professionals founded 10 years ago by former senior members of the Australian Army. With backgrounds in the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Commandos, Health and Fitness, Medical Corps, and Learning and Development. EE is committed to helping people enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
EE has taken over 2,500 people safely on adventures all over the world. This success is due to our thorough planning, risk management processes, experience, and organisational skills and is further underpinned by our proven customised training and preparation methodology. Our staffs prepare you and provide everything you need to do the trek safely and comfortably.
For more background information on EE click here.
To Book or Enquire
Please call us now on +61 (0)2 9247 4233.
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