Innovative Travel – WWI Specialists
P.O. Box 21-247, DX WX10078
W: www.innovative-travel.com
T: 0508 100 111
E: [email protected]
May 23, 2016
Somme/Flanders WWI commemorative
CroisiEurope river cruise
100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
12 – 18 September 2016
7 days ex Ostend to Lille
An opportunity for New Zealanders to take a Journey of Remembrance to honour their ancestors
who bravely fought on the World War I Western Front.
From Belgium to France, take a special commemorative river cruise and visit the battlefields of
Flanders and The Somme from the ship. At Longueval, attend the 100th anniversary
commemorations of the Battle of the Somme – the Anzacs first major action on the Western
Front – and visit Ypres (Ieper), Messines & Passchendaele.
SPECIAL TOUR HOSTS
Roy & Dawn Ferguson
Roy is a career diplomat passionate about New Zealand military
history. He hosted the Gallipoli Anzac 2015 tour to Turkey and has
visited the Western Front on many occasions. In his capacity as
former NZ Ambassador, Roy has participated in Anzac Days in
many parts of the world. Accompanied by his fluent Frenchspeaking wife Dawn, he will share his knowledge of the Somme and
Passchendaele in the context of WWI following on from the Gallipoli
campaign.
Mon 12
6 p.m.
Ostend
Today make your way to Ostend to embark the CroisiEurope 7 day Great War
commemorative cruise. Boarding starts from 6pm and will be followed by the
Captain’s welcome cocktail and crew introduction. (B,D)
Optional: as a suggestion you may fly into Brussels and catch a train from Brussels to
Ostend.
Tue 13
Ostend – Bruges
This morning cruise to Bruges and take a guided tour of the town. Crossed by canals,
the “Venice of the North” is one of the best preserved medieval towns of Europe. Visit
ends with a trip along the town’s canals on board little motor boats. (B,L,D)
Wed 14
Cruise Bruges – Kortrijk and visit Messines & Passchendaele
Morning of cruising. This afternoon visit Messines; the capture of this strategically
important village by New Zealand soldiers was one of the most successful offensives
of WWI. See the memorial to Samuel Frickleton, VC, the statue of the New Zealand
soldier and St.-Nicholas Church with its Peace Carillon formed of bells donated from
all over the world, including New Zealand. Continue to the Messines Ridge British
Cemetery; see the NZ Memorial & Obelisk, part of the NZ Memorial Park with views
of the battlefields. Visit Passchendaele 1917 Memorial Museum, its restored trench
system and Memorial Poppy Garden before continuing to Bellevue Spur where the
Gravenstafel NZ Memorial is located. The attack on Bellevue Spur marks the blackest
day in NZ military history with over 2,700 casualties in just 4 hours.
Last stop today will be at Buttes New British Cemetery at Polygon Wood, where
impressive NZ and Australian Memorials are located.
Return on board in Kortrijk. (B,L,D)
Thu 15
Longueval – 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme
and evening visit of Ypres (Ieper)
This morning attend the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of
the Somme at Longueval.
The area around Longueval was captured by the New Zealand Division during the
First Battle of the Somme. From there, the successful attack on Flers was launched
with tanks used in battle for the first time. Visit Caterpillar Valley Cemetery and its
NZ Memorial.
Tonight attend the Last Post at Ypres’ Menin Gate before returning on board in
Kortrijk. (B,L,D)
Note: today’s itinerary is subject to change depending on the final programme by the
New Zealand Government and local organisations.
Fri 16
Visit Poperinge and cruise Kortrijk – Comines
This morning visit Poperinge, one of the rare towns to have remained under allied
control throughout the war.
Continue to the military cemetery and visitor centre at Lijssenthoek; from 1915 to
1920, the town hosted the largest evacuation hospital in the Salient of Ypres. This
afternoon cruise to Comines. (B,L,D)
Sat 17
Visit Arras and cruise Comines – Lille
This morning visit Arras where New Zealand Tunnellers created a large underground
military system used to hide troops and supplies in the preparation of a surprise
offensive in which soldiers would emerge to attack in front of enemy lines. See the
New Zealand Memorial and visit the Wellington Quarry Museum. After descending 20
meters below ground in a glass elevator you will be able to see sections of the original
underground system.
Afternoon of cruising to Lille. Farewell dinner evening on board. (B,L,D)
Sun 18
9 a.m.
Lille
After breakfast on board, disembark in Lille. (B)
Optional: from Lille you may catch a direct train to Paris/CDG Airport or the Eurostar to
London.
Itinerary maybe subject to change. All commemorative services are subject to final authority of the New
Zealand Government. The order of schedule, timings and inclusions are subject to change at any time and
will be confirmed when final information is available. Final visits to cemeteries is subject to local conditions
and accessibility on day of visit.
TOUR PRICE:
NZ$ 3,975 pp/twin
Single supplement on application
TOUR INCLUSIONS:

7 day CroisiEurope WWI Commemorative cruise including all sightseeing, entrance fees and meals
from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day as pert above itinerary

Professional Tour Manager / Guide assistance for all services
 Special features:
Canal boat ride in Bruges
Attendance to the official 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme
EXCLUSIONS:
x Personal Expenses
x Full Insurance (compulsory)
x Tour extensions
x Train tickets & airfare
x Any other services not clearly mentioned din the inclusions above
General information:
The tour is subject to the normal tour conditions and operational procedures as listed on the Ancient
Kingdoms Holidays brochure. Please ask for your copy.
Remember that traditional customs, infra-structure and daily manners will differ from country to country.
Please be patient if you think things are happening at a different pace than you are used to and respect the
differences in culture.
Tour conditions:
Signed registration form must be sent to The Innovative Travel Company to confirm registration on the tour.
Registration is not guaranteed until acknowledgement is provided by the company. After registration
cancellation fees apply – see registration form for details. Full payment due upon registration.
Your itinerary has been prepared in 2015 and the order of schedules, timings and inclusions are subject to
change at any time due to local conditions. The price is subject to a minimum of 18 participants, if less than
18 travel, a surcharge will apply. The final tour price may also be subject to currency fluctuations.
A copy of your travel insurance policy and passport copy must be supplied to The Innovative Travel
Company, prior to the final documentation being released.
Travel Advisory Information can change at any time and we suggest clients refer to The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Travel Trade Advisory website at www.safetravel.govt.nz prior to departure for the
latest up to date information and general advice regarding the countries you are visiting.