Western Front Signature Tour with Mat McLachlan – 2027

Group Tour

Departs 12 June 2027 from Paris

$ 6999

9 Days

PRICE: per person, twin share
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1539
DEPOSIT: $1000 per person

Join historian Mat McLachlan to follow in the footsteps of the Anzacs on the Western Front.

Western Front Signature Tour with Mat McLachlan – 2027

Welcome to my Signature Tour. I have hand-picked this itinerary to explore some of my favourite places on the Western Front, places that define the Australian spirit of mateship and sacrifice. Over nine days we will visit all the key Australian battlefields of the Ypres Salient, Flanders and the Somme, and enjoy a host of special inclusions that I have personally organised. Behind-the-scenes access, special events, wonderful dining experiences and, of course, the stories of the Anzacs who served on these sacred fields will all be part of this very special tour. I look forward to walking the battlefields with you.

Day 1 > Saturday, 12 June 2027 I Arrive Paris

Welcome to this very special journey. We will enjoy a welcome dinner together, the perfect opportunity to get to know each other better and discuss our upcoming journey in the footsteps of the Anzacs. (D)

OVERNIGHT: Le Méridien Paris Arc De Triomphe or similar

STAR INCLUSION ★ Welcome dinner in Paris

Day 2 > Sunday, 13 June 2027 I Paris to Ypres

We will depart Paris this morning and drive north towards the Belgian border. Our destination is the famous wartime town of Ypres, the scene of five huge battles during the war. On arrival in Ypres we will enjoy an introductory walking tour around the rebuilt town, seeing key sites associated with the town’s wartime history such as the magnificent Cloth Hall and the Menin Gate. This evening is free to explore the delightful bars and restaurants around the main square. (B)

OVERNIGHT: Albion Hotel, Ypres or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Ypres introductory walking tour

Day 3 > Monday, 14 June 2027 I The Ypres Salient

Join me today on an exploration of the Ypres Salient, one of the key Australian battlefields of the war. More than 30,000 Australians were killed or wounded in this small corner of Belgium. Today we will explore their legacy at key sites starting with the Passchendaele 1917 Museum. We will then continue to the 5th Australian Division Memorial at Polygon Wood and the Buttes New British Cemetery where we will see the graves of Private Hunter and Sergeant Calder, the two Australian soldiers who featured my documentary ‘Lost in Flanders’. We will enjoy a unique lunch at the Old Cheese Factory in Passchendaele, as well as sampling their famous Passchendaele beer.

After lunch, we will get a taste of the devastation caused by four years of continuous artillery fire at the cratered landscape of Hill 60, before visiting Tyne Cot, the world’s largest Commonwealth war cemetery. Our final stop is at the German Cemetery at Langemark, where we will learn about the men on the other side of the line. As we drive back to Ypres, we will see the magnificent Canadian memorial at Langemark, marking the spot where poison gas was first used in the war. This evening, we will make our way to the Menin Gate for the Last Post service, the most moving commemorative service on the Western Front. The Ypres fire brigade has performed this bugle ceremony every day and in all-weather since 1928. The only interruption was during the four years of German occupation during WWII – the ceremony recommenced on the day the town was liberated. I have arranged for us to participate in the service, with two of our passengers laying a wreath on behalf of the group. (B, L)

OVERNIGHT: Albion Hotel, Ypres or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Ypres Salient battlefields – Passchendaele, Hill 60, Polygon Wood & more ★ Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony

Day 4 > Tuesday, 15 June 2027 I Ypres

We will enjoy a leisurely start to the day with the chance to explore independently this charming Flemish town of Ypres. Our touring begins after lunch with a visit to the village of Messines, which was liberated by Anzac troops in 1917. We will hear about their sacrifice and the strong bonds of friendship that still link the town with Australia and New Zealand. We will then visit the town of Poperinge, an important support base throughout the war.

Tonight, I have arranged an exclusive evening at Talbot House, an historic ‘Everyman’s Club’ dating from the First World War. The house is being opened exclusively for our group and, while dining in the private dining room of the house, we will be entertained by musicians and performers who will share stories from the First World War. (B, D)

OVERNIGHT: Albion Hotel, Ypres or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Messines ★ Poperinghe & Talbot House

Day 5 > Wednesday, 16 June 2027 I Ypres to the Somme

We farewell Ypres this morning and cross back into France. Our first stop is the very moving battlefield of Fromelles, scene of the most disastrous 24 hours in Australian military history. More than 5500 men were lost here during our first action on the Western Front, and we will pay our respects to them at the Australian Memorial Park and VC Corner Cemetery. We will also see the site of the mass grave at Pheasant Wood, and the new Pheasant Wood Cemetery and Fromelles Museum. Our final stop of the day is the battlefield at Bullecourt, where Australia lost more than 10,000 men in two great battles in 1917. Here we will see the moving Digger sculpture on the site of the German front line, and the Slouch Hat Memorial in the village. Late afternoon arrival in Amiens for hotel check-in. The evening is at leisure to explore the town and the many local restaurant options nearby. (B, L)

OVERNIGHT: Mercure Amiens Cathedrale, Amiens or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Fromelles ★ Bullecourt

Day 6 > Thursday, 17 June 2027 I The Somme

Our touring begins with a visit to the former Australian HQ at the Chateau of Bertangles, where General John Monash commanded Australian operations in the first half of 1918. I have arranged exclusive access to the chateau and grounds, giving us the chance to walk in Monash’s footsteps in the rooms where he planned some of Australia’s greatest victories. We will also visit Vignacourt 14-18, a new photographic museum located in the old Thuillier family farmhouse. A packed lunch today is included today, and after our day of touring, we will return to Amiens where our evening is free. (B, L)

OVERNIGHT: Mercure Amiens Cathedrale, Amiens or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Chateau Bertangles ★ Vignacourt 14-18

Day 7 > Friday, 18 June 2027 I Somme 1916

Today we will explore the killing fields of the Somme from 1916 and pay tribute to the men from all nations who perished in this bloody battle. Our first stop is Hawthorne Ridge Mine Crater, which was blown by the British on the first morning of the Somme battle. Next, we will visit the Newfoundland Memorial Park, which contains a full sector of preserved battlefield, including British and German trench lines, with no man’s land in between. We will then travel on to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, which records the names of more than 72,000 men missing from the Somme fighting. Our next stop is Mouquet Farm and the village of Pozieres, scene of the most costly battle in Australian military history – 23,000 men were killed or wounded here in six weeks’ of fighting. We will pay tribute to them at the 1st Division Memorial and the Windmill Memorial in the town. A packed lunch is included today, and we will enjoy a free evening in Amiens. (B, L)

OVERNIGHT: Mercure Amiens Cathedrale, Amiens or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Hawthorne Ridge Mine Crater ★ Newfoundland Memorial Park ★ Thiepvel Memorial ★ Mouquet Farm & Pozieres

Day 8 > Saturday, 19 June 2027 I Somme 1918 to Paris

Leaving Amiens, we will explore the ground where Australian forces achieved so much in 1918. Our first stop is the village of Villers-Bretonneux, captured by Australian troops in one of the finest feats of the war. This is arguably Australia’s most important battlefield on the Western Front and there is much to see here. We will visit the Australian National Memorial, which contains the names of more than 10,000 Australians missing from fighting in France. While here we will also visit the Sir John Monash Interpretive Centre, which tells the complete story of Australia’s war on the Western Front. Next, we will visit the Victoria School Museum and see the famous sign that entreats the school children to ‘Never Forget Australia’. We will also visit Adelaide Cemetery, where Australia’s Unknown Soldier lay before being reinterred in Canberra. Leaving Villers-Bretonneux, we will visit the Australian Memorial Park at Hamel, the scene of General John Monash’s famous victory in July 1918. We will also see the site where the Red Baron was shot down by Australian troops in April 1918. A packed lunch is included today.

We will then farewell the battlefields and return to Paris. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner while cruising on the River Seine, a wonderful farewell to one of the world’s great cities. (B, L, D)

OVERNIGHT: Le Méridien Paris Arc De Triomphe or similar

STAR INCLUSIONS

★ Villers-Bretonneux ★ Australian National Memorial & Sir John Monash Interpretive Centre

★ Hamel ★ Farewell Dinner Cruise in Paris on River Seine

Day 9 > Sunday, 20 June 2027 | Farewell

Sadly our tour in the footsteps of the Anzacs ends after breakfast. Thank you for joining me on this very special journey. (B)

The journey may be over, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Personally escorted by Mat McLachlan
Custom-designed itinerary visiting Mat’s favourite sites in the Ypres Salient, French Flanders and the Somme
8 nights accommodation in central Paris, Ypres and Amiens hotels
Deluxe coach transportation
Special access to exclusive sites, personally organised by Mat
Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 3 dinners in delightful traditional restaurants
All entrance fees as per the itinerary