The 10 best First World War Tours
By Caroline Hendrie THE 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War on November 11 makes this a special year for trips to the battlefields and monuments to the fallen…
1GO FORTH WITH CAPTAIN BLACKADDER
A four-day Blackadder’s War tour, led by the show’s producer John Lloyd and historian Gary Sheffield, looks at the true story behind the classic comedy. Visits include Passchendaele and Thiepval Memorial Arch. Departure, via Eurostar, is on June 8 and costs from £1,595pp. historicaltrips.com
2COMMEMORATE THE END OF THE GREAT WAR
A seven-night cruise aboard Braemar stays overnight in Ghent, allowing you to commemorate Armistice Day in Brussels. The round-trip, costi ng from £ 799pp, departs Southampton on November 8. fredolsencruises.com
3A SOMBRE TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN
Discover The Battlefields, a five-day coach tour, includes a poignant evening visit to the Menin Gate at Ypres to hear the Last Post. It costs from £329pp from April to October. shearings.com
4RIDE I NTO THE HEART OF THE BATTLEFIELD
A ride on a steam-hauled train on the Somme Bay Railway, which played a crucial role in the closing months of the war, is a highlight of a threenight trip. During the trip, you will be based at a five- star hotel in Amiens. From £695pp via Eurostar. planetrail.co.uk
5LIVING LIFE UNDER GERMAN RULE
Learn about civilian life in Antwerp, which was occupied by the German army, during a guided tour being offered on a six- night Battlefields & Stories Of The Great War cruise on t he Dutch and Belgian water ways. The cruise departs from Amster- dam on April 3 and costs from £829pp. rivercruiseline.co.uk
6 YOU’LL NEED STEEL FOR THE I RON PATHS
When Italy joined the Allies in 1915 to fight Austria, a series of iron paths were built i n the Dolomites to move troops quickly. You can climb them during a three- night summer break based in Colfosco. From £435pp. summitandblue.com
7RELIVE THE TRAGEDY I N TURKEY
Tour the Gallipoli battlefields such as Brighton Beach and Anzac Cove as part of a two-centre holiday i n Turkey, which costs from £1,580pp. kirkerholidays.com
8OPEN UP A NEW FRONT I N GREECE
Trace the course of the Salonika Front on a break based in Thessaloniki. The Greek city was the transit centre for British, French, Italian and Russian soldiers helping the Serbs against AustriaHungary. A four- night trip costs from £1,887pp. Planet Holidays, 01438 841270
9FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
During a ten-day trip to Jordan, you’ll stay in a tented camp in Wadi Rum, see the Seven Pi l l ars of Wisdom monoliths, cross the desert t o Mudawwara and meet descendants of those Bedouins who fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia as he helped the Arab Revolt against Turkey. From £2,450pp. corinthiantravel.co.uk
10SEE THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEMORIAL
The 150- mile Great Ocean Road – one of Australia’s most scenic routes – was built by returning servicemen and is the world’s l argest war memorial. Enjoy a leisurely selfdrive trip along the route from Melbourne to Adelaide from £387pp. austravel.com