2017 - APT Europe River Cruising Preview

74 Visit Arromanches, where the remains of the Mulberry Harbour are a reminder of huge effort involved in the Allied invasion of 1944 22 Day Battlefields of France with Magnificent Europe 6 Nights France | 1 Night Belgium | 14 Night Luxury River Cruise France | Belgium | Netherlands | Germany | Austria | Slovakia | Hungary Day 1. Arrive Paris. Be transferred to your hotel on arrival. Enjoy a Welcome Reception. Three Night Stay: Paris, Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe. Day 2. Paris. Set off on a city tour then take a trip to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. Tonight, head to the Moulin Rouge. BD Day 3. Paris, Freedom of Choice. Perhaps take an enthralling culinary walking tour, explore The Louvre with a guide or visit the Montmartre district. B Day 4. Paris, Bayeux. Journey through the Norman countryside to the village of Beuvron en Auge. Enjoy the chance to sample a selection of the renowned regional produce, including speciality cheese and cider. After, enjoy some free time before continuing to Bayeux. On arrival, visit the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest WWII cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France. Stay: Bayeux, Château La Cheneviere BD Day 5. Bayeux, Amiens. Explore the coastal town of Arromanches and see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Gold Beach – considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the Second World War. Continue to Omaha Beach and its surrounds, which includes a visit to the poignant Normandy American Cemetery. At eight kilometres long, Omaha Beach was one of the most difficult places to land on D-Day, resulting in the largest casualties of all the five landing beaches. Later, travel to Amiens. Two Night Stay: Novotel Amiens Pôle Jules Verne. BD Day 6. Amiens, Villers-Bretonneux. Travel to Villers-Bretonneux, stopping at Adelaide Cemetery to see the original resting place of the Unknown Soldier. Then, spend some time at Victoria School, where the words 'Do not forget Australia' are emblazoned on the playground shelter. Continue on to Pozières and the Thiepval Memorial. Set in the heart of the Somme Battlefields, this striking arch is a tribute to the soldiers who have no known graves. After, visit the Caterpillar Valley New Zealand Cemetery and the moving memorials at Bullecourt. B Day 7. Amiens, Ypres. Spend today touring some of the most significant battlefields of WWI. On the way to Ypres, you'll stop at Vimy Ridge, then Fromelles – the site of the failed 'sideshow' resulting in more than 5,000 Australian casualties in a single night. Be guided through the once-muddied fields from Polygon Wood to Tyne Cot Cemetery, with time for reflection at Menin Gate and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele. Stay: Ypres, Novotel Ieper Centrum Flanders Fields. BD Day 8. Ypres, Ghent, Amsterdam. Travel by coach to Ghent and enjoy a cruise along the city's canals. Continue afterwards to Amsterdam where you'll transfer to your ship. 14 Night Stay: one of APT's luxurious Concerto River Ships. BLD Day 9. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice. Perhaps cruise Amsterdam's canals aboard a glass-top boat or visit Zaanse Schans, a lovely village famous for its wooden windmills. Tonight, attend a Gala Wel come Dinner. BLD Freedom of Choice TM Inclusions Signature Invitation A Royal Invitation The Royal Collection AUSTRALIANS AT WAR Fromelles was the first major battle fought by the Australians on the Western Front. It was a violent initiation for the inexperienced soldiers of the 5th Division. A week after entering the trenches, the troops were ordered to attack the German frontline, where thousands were killed and wounded. The same division were called upon in Belgium at Polygon Wood, another costly battle, this year marking its 100th centenary. NEW FOR 2017 www.aptouring.com.au

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