Dunkirk & Fortress Europe Value Tour - Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe – Value Tour

Tour Includes

3 or 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefield Guide
Hundreds of convenient joining points in the UK, or begin/end your tour in Europe
Travel by Executive coach or upgrade to Silver Service

4 or 5 Days from $734 per person

DATES & PRICES

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe – Value Tour

The evacuation of more than 330,000 British and French troops from Dunkirk in May 1940 during Operation Dynamo, following the Battle of France, was one of the turning points of WW2. Four long years of occupation followed which saw the construction of the Atlantic Wall in this part of Northern France and Belgium, to prevent any Allied return. On this tour we visit the war graves, the memorials, the battle sites of 1940 and both the beaches and port of Dunkirk, even seeing wrecks of the Little Ships. In addition we see some fantastic local war museums as well as the Dunkirk Memorial and War Cemetery. We explore bunkers and defences, as well as seeing where the V-weapons such as the Doodlebug and V2 were launched from.

4-Day Tour – Dunkirk & Fortress Europe

Day 1

Depart from your chosen UK pick-up point and travel to the port where a coach interchange will take place, you will then join your tour coach for the Channel crossing. On arrival on the Continent we continue to our hotel (passengers joining the tour in Europe will meet the group at the hotel this evening).

Day 2 - Battle of France: Retreat To Dunkirk

We start the tour with a look at some of the fighting in the Battle of France in May 1940 following the story of the Durham Light Infantry and Royal Welch Fusiliers at St. Venant, seeing the memorial and nearby graves. At Cassel Hill we examine the last stand here by the Oxs & Bucks and Glosters. Following lunch we visit the site at Wormhout where a massacre of British troops took place by the SS and then go into Dunkirk to visit the excellent War Museum of Operation Dynamo, followed by a visit to the East Mole. We end the day in the dunes of Dunkirk to remember the sacrifice of French troops in May-June 1940.

*Breakfast Included

Day 3 - Miracle of Dunkirk: The V-Weapons

We return to Dunkirk to see the Dunkirk War Cemetery and the Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing. At Bray Dunes we look at the story of the evacuation beaches and the ‘little ships’, forever connected to the Dunkirk story. At Eperlecques we see the massive Blockhaus, built as a launch site for V2 rockets. We then see a typical V1 Doodlebug ski-ramp site, hidden in the woods near Morbecque and constructed to fire more than 2000 V1s a day at London. In the evening join us on an optional trip to nearby Ypres for the moving Last Post Ceremony.

*Breakfast Included

Day 4

We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.

*Breakfast Included

5-Day Tour

5-Day Tour – Dunkirk & Fortress Europe

Day 1

Depart from your chosen UK pick-up point and travel to the port where a coach interchange will take place, you will then join your tour coach for the Channel crossing. On arrival on the Continent we continue to our hotel (passengers joining the tour in Europe will meet the group at the hotel this evening).

Day 2 - Battle of France: Retreat To Dunkirk

We start the tour with a look at some of the fighting in the Battle of France in May 1940 following the story of the Durham Light Infantry and Royal Welch Fusiliers at St. Venant, seeing the memorial and nearby graves. At Cassel Hill we examine the last stand here by the Oxs & Bucks and Glosters. Following lunch we visit the site at Wormhout where a massacre of British troops took place by the SS and then go into Dunkirk to visit the excellent War Museum of Operation Dynamo, followed by a visit to the East Mole. We end the day in the dunes of Dunkirk to remember the sacrifice of French troops in May-June 1940.

*Breakfast Included

Day 3 - Miracle of Dunkirk: The V-Weapons

We return to Dunkirk to see the Dunkirk War Cemetery and the Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing. At Bray Dunes we look at the story of the evacuation beaches and the ‘little ships’, forever connected to the Dunkirk story. At Eperlecques we see the massive Blockhaus, built as a launch site for V2 rockets. We then see a typical V1 Doodlebug ski-ramp site, hidden in the woods near Morbecque and constructed to fire more than 2000 V1s a day at London. In the evening join us on an optional trip to nearby Ypres for the moving Last Post Ceremony.

*Breakfast Included

Day 4 - Atlantic Wall: Liberation

On the Belgium coast at Raversijde we see how the WWI Aachen Battery was turned into a section of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans, seeing the bunker, trenches and many original features. We then travel to the French coast for lunch and in the afternoon visit Batterie Todt, a massive bunker that housed a huge artilery piece which bombarded Britain and could be used to fire on any invasion fleet. We see the museum here which includes a very rare German 280mm Railway Gun, then visit the V3 super-gun system at Mimoyecques. Here we go through tunnels built to house this incredible weapon which was never fired in anger due to Allied bombing. We end the day looking at the liberation of the coastal region in northern France in September 1944 with a visit to Calais Canadian Cemetery.

*Breakfast included

Day 5

We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.

*Breakfast Included

Departure Dates & Prices

Departure Date	Days	Travel By	Tour ref	Price
Mon 20 August 2018	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1033
Fri 31 August 2018	4	Executive	4BDK	$734
Fri 14 September 2018	4	Executive	4BDK	$734
Mon 1 October 2018	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$987
Thu 25 October 2018	4	Executive	4BDK	$734
Mon 25 March 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$987
Fri 26 April 2019	4	Executive	4BDK	$757
Mon 20 May 2019	5	Executive	5BDK	$964
Mon 10 June 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1079
Fri 19 July 2019	4	Executive	4BDK	$780
Mon 29 July 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1079
Mon 19 August 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1079
Fri 30 August 2019	4	Executive	4BDK	$780
Mon 23 September 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1079
Mon 21 October 2019	5	Silver Service	5BDKV	$1010

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe - Value Tour

4 Days from $734 per person
Enquire online or call our friendly travel advisers on 1300 880 340

DATES & PRICES

Travel Options

When it comes to getting you to your destination, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours makes it easy, with a selection of travel options for you to choose from on our Value Tours. You can join your coach at a convenient joining point in the UK (we have hundreds to choose from throughout England, Scotland and Wales), or join/depart the tour in Europe.

Coach Options: Executive or upgrade to Silver Service

Please note: Coach options can differ between each tour

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe - Ibis De Panne

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe - Oude Abdij Hotel

Accommodation

You will stay for three or four nights at the Hotel Oude Abdij in the historic town of Lo. This family-run 3-star hotel has a spacious lounge area, bar, restaurant, large patio and lift.

Due to demand we may also use the Ibis Hotel de Panne.

FAQ

Hotel Oude Abdij

Ibis De Panne Hotel

Hotel Oude Abdij

The 3 Star Oude Abdij hotel is located in unique 18th century Dovecots of the Augustine monks which still remains. The hotel grounds have beautiful views and include an orchard and fishing lake for you to enjoy. Also on offer in the hotel is lounge, bar, a restaurant and Wi-Fi/Internet access. All bedrooms features T.V and en-suite bathroom.

Hotel Features

English Speaking Staff
Guest Lounge
Bar
Restaurant
Lift
WiFi Available

Room Features

TV
Bath and/or Shower
Telephone

Ibis De Panne Hotel

The Ibis De Panne hotel is located on the French borders and near to some local attractions such as Plopsaland amusement park in Belgium, museums for both World War I and World War II and the Coast Tram which leads you from De Panne beach to Knokke and back. The hotels facilities include Wi-Fi/Internet access, 24hr reception, a breakfast restaurant and bar. All bedrooms feature a desk, Wi-Fi/Internet access, LCD flat screen T.V with all major channels and en-suite bathroom.

Hotel Features