ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE
France WESTERN FRONT
APRIL 2009
FINAL ITINERARY – 26/03/09
NB: Please note that when we mention “you” this refers to the group as a whole, including teachers and students.
DAY 1: MELBOURNE – DUBAI
Sat 4th Apr
Please meet at Melbourne International Airport at 7.00pm ready for a 7.25pm check in at Emirates check in counter. Your Emirates flight EK407 will depart Melbourne at 10.25pm and arrive into Dubai at 5.40am (5th Apr).
EMIRATES FLIGHT EK 407
DEPARTS MELBOURNE 10.25PM / ARRIVES DUBAI 5.40AM (5TH APR)
DAY 2: DUBAI - PARIS (D)
Sun 5th Apr
Upon arrival in Dubai at 5.40am you will transfer to your Emirates flight EK73 which will depart at 8.20am. Upon arrival in Paris at 1.30pm, you will be met by your guide Beatrice Trefcon and Coach Company SET to be transferred to your hotel. En-route you will be taken on a panoramic tour of Paris. The rest of the day is free to explore the city with your teacher to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Dinner tonight is at Restaurant La Villa 15, 47 rue Saint Charles at 7.00pm. After dinner, you will make your own way to the Siene River Cruise (included), Bateaux Parisiens Port de la Bourdonnais – Harbour 3, where you will go on an evening cruise down the Seine River where you can view beautiful Paris by night. (River cruise tickets included, any other entrance fees at own expense).
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
EMIRATES FLIGHT EK 73
DEPARTS DUBAI 8.20AM / ARRIVES PARIS 1.30PM
DAY 3: PARIS (B)
Mon 6th Apr
This morning after breakfast, is free for teacher organized activities. You can see such sights as the Arc de Triomphe (open from 10am daily) and Champs Elysees – the most prestigious avenue in Paris, where some of the world famous couture houses, jewelers, and antiques shops are housed. You will then visit the Eiffel Tower at 3.00pm where you will see the spectacular city view from the 3rd floor. The Eiffel Tower, named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, is 320m high, including the television antenna at the very tip. Three levels are open to the public with each level giving a spectacular view of Paris (entrance fee to Eiffel Tower and Arc De Triomphe included). The rest of the day is free for teacher supervised activities.
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
DAY 4: PARIS – COMPIEGNE - PERONNE- YPRES (B,D)
Tue 7th Apr
After breakfast this morning, check out of the hotel and board your coach to Ypres at 9.00am, Coach Company Chaumont TTI. En-route you will visit Compiegne at 10.30am, where your will visit the Armistice Wagon (entrance included), in the Rethonde Clearing. It is a replica of the one that was used for signing the Armistice in November 1918. Display rooms with information on the two World Wars are open to the public. You will then re-board your coach at 12.00pm and travel to Peronne, where you will arrive at 1.15pm and visit the Australian Memorial and Peronne Castle at 1.30pm, an imposing fortification, which was severely damaged during the First World War and was liberated by the Australians on 2 September 1918. You will then continue onto Fromelles at 3.30pm, where you will arrive at 5.00pm, here is where the majority of Australian troops were transferred to France when the battle on the Western Front had reached an impasse. Here you will visit the Australian Memorial Park, Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery and the VC Corner Cemetery, which is the only all Australian cemetery in France. The memorial situated at its rear commemorates 1299 Australians killed in the infamous Battle of Fromelles (19-20 July, 1916). You will then depart for Ypres at 6.30pm and arrive at 7.30pm where you will be transferred to your hotel. (Entrance fees to Peronne Australian Memorial and Peronne Castle Museum, Australina Memorial Park, VC Corner Cemetery and Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery included). Dinner tonight will be at 8.30pm at Restaurant De Trompet, Grote Markt 28.
Accommodation: Hotel Sultan
DAY 5: YPRES (B)
Wed 8th Apr
After breakfast this morning, you will board your coach at 9.00am and embark on a tour of World War 1 sights that are particularly relevant to Australians. You will have an independent visit to the Tyne Cot Cemetery. Tyne Cot Cemetery is the resting place of nearly 12,000 soldiers of the Commonwealth Forces, the largest number of burials of any Commonwealth cemetery of either world war. You will then visit Buttes New British Cemetery, the Memorial Museum in Passchendaele at 11.00am, where the third major battle of Ypres, the Battle of Passchendaele, took place between July and November 1917. You will also make a stop at the Varlet Farm, which was the name given to this farm by British troops during the war, and it appears under this name on trench maps of the period. By the time of the Armistice, the farm had been completely destroyed and the present farmhouse was built in 1920, close to the ruins of the original buildings. In the evening you will proceed to Menin Gate. Considered one of the 'hottest' spots of the Western Front, and certainly in Ypre, Menin Road was the scene of frequent artillery fire directed by German forces against the predominantly British presence in the Salient. Here you will have the chance to witness the last post ceremony, which begins at 8.00pm at Menin Gate. This ceremony has run everyday since 2nd July 1928. You will then return to your hotel in Ypres at 8.30pm. (Entrance to Tyne Cot cemetery, Memorial Museum, Varlet farm and Menin gate ceremony included).
Accommodation: Hotel Sultan
DAY 6: YPRES (B)
Thu 9th Apr
This morning after breakfast you will walk to the Flanders Field Museum where you will have an independent visit at 10.00am. There is a poem "In Flanders Fields" written by a Canadian army physician John McCrae, which to this day remains one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres. The rest of the day is free for teacher supervised activities; coach is at the group’s disposal. (Entrance to Flanders Field Museum included).
Accommodation: Hotel Sultan
DAY 7: YPRES – POZIERES – AMIENS (B,D)
Fri 10th Apr
This morning you will board your coach to Amiens at 9.00am. En-route you will stop in the Village of Pozieres, arriving at 11.00am. This was the first attacking engagement of the Australian troops; here you will see the memorials to the 1st and 2nd Australian divisions and the Mouquet Farm, which was the site of nine separate attacks by three Australian divisions between 8 August and 3 September 1916. You will also visit the Pozieres Windmill Memorial, which relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields. You will then re-board your coach at 2.00pm and proceed to Amiens where you will be transferred to your hotel at 3.00pm. (Entrance fees to Pozieres Windmill, Moquet Farm, First Australian Division memorial, Pozieres British Cemetery included). Dinner tonight will be at the hotel at 7.00pm.
Accommodation: Hotel Kyriad Amiens
DAY 8: AMIENS - VILLERS BRETONNEUX - AMIENS (B,D)
Sat 11th Apr
This morning after breakfast you will board your coach at 9.15am for a full day excursion of the Sommes Area. Here you will have an independent tour of Villers Bretonneux at 10.00am, where you will visit Franco Australian Musuem, then on to the Adelaide Cemetery, the National Memorial and the Military Cemetery. This is a place for all Australians to visit, remembering the links between the two countries built from the ANZAC tradition and experiences of the western front. You will then continue on to D’Albert at 2.30pm to see where the Battle of Albert happened. For many people, the first day of the Battle of Albert has come to represent the futility and sacrifice of the war, with lines of infantry being mowed down by German machine guns. Here you will have an independent visit of the Albert - Somme 1916 Museum at 3.00pm. You will then re-board your coach and transfer back to your hotel in Amiens. (Entrance fees to Somme 1916 Museum in Albert, The Franco Australian museum, the National Memorial, the Military Cemetary and Adelaide Cemetery). Dinner tonight is at the hotel at 7.00pm.
Accommodation: Hotel Kyriad Amiens
DAY 9: AMIENS – PARIS (B)
Sun 12th Apr
This morning after breakfast, you will embark on your coach journey at 9.00am for Paris. On arrival at 12.00noon you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. You will then have the rest of the day free for teacher organized activities. Make your way with your teacher to visit the awe-inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral, which is over 800 years old. The Gothic loftiness of Notre Dame dominates the Seine as well as the history of Paris. On the spot where this majestic cathedral now stands, the Romans had built a temple to Jupiter, which was followed by a Christian basilica and then a Romanesque church (the Cathedral of St. Etienne, founded in 528). It was also here that Napoléon, wishing to emphasize the primacy of the state over the church, crowned himself emperor, and then crowned Joséphine, his Martinique-born wife, as his empress. You will then make your own way with your teacher to visit the Sacre Coeur Cathedral. This Basilica, also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is located at the highest point in the city. The church is resplendent in bright white, and stands out as one of the most beloved landmarks in all of Paris. The exterior of the basilica is built in Roman-Byzantine style from Travertine stone. When you visit the Basilica, you should go to the top of the dome for an incredible view of the city. Another popular area is the meditation garden which features a beautiful fountain. Later this afternoon you will make your own way back to your hotel. (Any entrance fees at own expense).
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
DAY 10: PARIS – NORMANDY - PARIS (B)
Mon 13th Apr
This morning after breakfast you will meet your coach at 8.00am for your full day excursion of the Normandy Area, Coach Company SET. Upon arrival in Normandy at 11.00am you will visit the D Day beaches, the American Cemetery and the Arromanches Museum at 2.45pm. (Entrance fees to Arromanches Museum included). This afternoon you will depart Normandy at 4.00pm to return to Paris by coach where you will arrive in Paris at 8.00pm.
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
DAY 11: PARIS (B)
Tue 14th Apr
This morning after breakfast you may like to explore one of the finest Palaces and gardens in Europe, The Chateau Versailles. The Chateau Versailles was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV to project to both home and abroad the absolute power of the French monarchy. (Any transport and entrance fees at own expense today).
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
DAY 12: PARIS (B,D)
Wed 15th Apr
Today after breakfast, you can enjoy a day of independent sightseeing with your teacher. You may wish to make your own way to the Louvre where you can see one of the world’s most famous paintings by Da Vinci - the Mona Lisa. (Any entrance fees at own expense). Dinner tonight is at 7.00pm at Restaurant Face au Square, 53 rue Didot.
Accommodation: Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
DAY 13: PARIS – DUBAI (B)
Thu 16th Apr
After breakfast this morning, check out of the hotel (luggage room available) and have the day free for teacher organized activities. At 5.30pm you will board your coach for Paris airport for your flight home, Coach Company SET. Your Emirates flight EK76 will depart Paris at 9.50pm and arrive into Dubai at 6.20am (17th Apr).
EMIRATES FLIGHT EK 76
DEPARTS PARIS 9.50PM / ARRIVES DUBAI 6.20AM (17TH APR)
DAY 14: DUBAI – MELBOURNE
Fri 17th Apr
Upon arrival in Dubai at 6.20am you will transfer to your Emirates flight EK406 which will depart at 10.10am and arrive into Melbourne at 5.30am (18th Apr).
EMIRATES FLIGHT EK 406
DEPARTS DUBAI 10.10AM / ARRIVES MELBOURNE 5.30AM (18TH APR)
DAY 15: MELBOURNE
Sat 18th Apr
Arrive into Melbourne at 5.30am.
INCLUSIONS:
· Return International Economy Airfares: Melbourne / Paris / Melbourne
· Accommodation: Based on 2 star hotels with 12 tour participants in twin rooms, 8 tour participants in double rooms, including the complimentary staff member and 6 tour participants in triple rooms. All room with private ensuite facilities.
· 2 nights Paris, 3 nights Ypres, 2 nights Amiens, 4 nights Paris
· Meals as per itinerary B-Breakfast, D-Dinner
· Guided tours: Panoramic City tour of Paris
· Boat tickets: Seine river cruise
· Coach travel and transfers as per itinerary
· All road tolls, driver expenses and parking
· Entrance fees: Eiffel Tower (3rd level), Arc De Triomphe, Peronne Castle Museum, Australian Memorial Park (Fromelles), Australian Memorial (Peronne), VC Corner Cemetery and Le Trou Aid post Cemetery, Tyne cot Cemetery, Varlet Farm, Menin Gate Ceremony, Flanders Field Museum, Pozieres Windmill, Mouquet farm, First Australian Division Memorial, Pozieres British Cemetery, Adelaide Cemetery, The National Memorial, Military Cemetery, Franco Australian Museum and Albert Somme 1916 Museum.
· 5 days metro pass in Paris (zone 1 to 3)
· All applicable taxes with Emirates
· Local Office in Paris
· Local taxes
· Trekset Travel Wallets
· Airport assistance on day of departure
· 1 complimentary information evening (1 hour)
HOTEL LIST
PARIS (5th, 6th Apr & 12th, 13th, 14th 15th Apr)
Hotel Jardins de Paris Alesia
147 Rue D‘Alesia
75014 Paris
Tel: 01 45420637
Metro: Alesia (line 4), Plaisance or Pernety (line 13)
YPRES (7th, 8th & 9th Apr)
Hotel Sultan
Grote Markt – Market Place 33
8900 Ypres
Tel: 0032 57219030
AMIENS (10th & 11th Apr)
Hotel Kyriad Amiens
Rue le Greco
ZAC Vallee Saint Ladre
80000 Amiens
Tel: 03 22520404
RESTAURANT LIST
PARIS
La Villa 15 (5th Apr)
47 Rue Saint Charles
75015 Paris
Tel: 01 45771443
Metro: Dupleix (line 6)
Restaurant face au Square (15th Apr)
53 rue Didot
75014 Paris
Tel: 01 45431887
Metro: Alesia (line 4), Plaisance or Pernety (line 13)
YPRES (7th Apr)
Restaurant De Trompet
Grote Markt
28 8900 Ieper
Tel: 32 257200242
AMIENS
Hotel Kyriad Amiens (10th Apr, 11th Apr*)
Rue le Greco
ZAC Vallee Saint Ladre
80000 Amiens
Tel: 03 22520404
CONTACTS
COMPUSURE INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER
QT071071
Calling from France: 0800 90 5097
Or
Reverse charge: 61 +3 +8805 2800
Within Australia: 1300 555 019
Please speak to your tour leader before calling the Insurance Company
LAND OPERATOR
French Travel Partners
Beatrice or Anne: +33 (0)1 43 48 40 820
COACH COMPANY
SET
Ph: 01 43829191
Chaumont TTI
Ph: 01 47922240
AIRLINE
http://www.emirates.com/
For hand luggage items, please refer to http://www.melair.com.au/ and click on UK/US security for the latest updated information
Monday, March 30, 2009
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