Anzac Day 2027 River Cruise: Netherlands & Belgium

Today we make our pilgrimage to the sacred ground of the Ypres Salient, where Anzac forces distinguished themselves in some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. The Salient, that infamous bulge in the Allied lines, witnessed four years of devastating warfare and became synonymous with Anzac courage and sacrifice.

After docking in Ghent, we will drive to Ypres. Our day begins with the moving 11am Anzac Day ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial, where we’ll join the traditional commemoration alongside visitors from around the world. Following the service, we will enjoy free time for lunch in historic Ypres before embarking on our comprehensive battlefield tour.

We’ll explore the Passchendaele 1917 Museum, where the story of the Third Battle of Ypres unfolds through immersive displays and personal accounts. At Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, we’ll pay our respects to the thousands of Australians and New Zealanders who made the ultimate sacrifice. We’ll visit Polygon Wood, scene of a successful Australian attack in September 1917, and Hill 60, where Anzac tunnellers played a crucial role in the underground war.

Throughout the day, your Historian will bring these hallowed sites to life, sharing the personal stories of courage, mateship and sacrifice that define the Anzac spirit. In the evening, we will return to Ghent and reboard our ship in time for dinner.