Australia’s wartime heroes have fought in many historic battles throughout the years and for many Australians remembering those who fought for our country and freedom is something we hold very dear.
On April 25 at dawn around the country and the world Australians pay respect to those who fought and fell in Gallipoli in 1915 with a minute’s silence and the poignant lone buglers Last Post, on August 18 we remember the Vietnam vets who fought courageously in the battle of Long Tan and at 11:00am on November 11 we pause for a minute silence to mark the end of the First World War.
We are a passionate bunch and it is our courage, mateship and determination that has seen us come to the aid of our allies in their times of need over the course of history.
In honour of Anzac Day and all the diggers who have served our country in conflicts overseas, Travel Associates, My Adventure Store, Escape Travel and Student Flights have put together their top tours to commemorate our wartime heroes.
Lest We Forget.
1. WWI: WESTERN FRONT
Explore the French country side, visit charming towns that were once the scenes of many great and horrific battles of the Western Front and experience an Anzac Day you will never forget at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Available through Travel Associates, this 10-day tour departs from Paris and visits Epernay, Reims, Ypres, Bruges, the Somme and Villers-Bretonneux before returning to Paris.
Highlights of the tour includes the moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate where the names of 54,000 missing British and Commonwealth soldiers are recorded, explore the Australian battlefields in the Salient, visit the battlefield of Fromelles where Australia lost 5,533 men during its first action on the Western Front and the battlefield of Bullecourt where Australia lost 10,000 men in two great battles and attend a moving Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux to pay your respects.
The tour is priced from $3,395* per person twin share and includes nine nights in 3- and 4-star hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, four lunches and four dinners, services of an expert WWI Historian, Anzac Day Dawn Service at the National Memorial Villers-Bretonneux, services of a Tour Manager and transport by first-class touring coach.
Valid for sale until April 10, 2016. For travel only on 18 April, 2016.
For bookings and details, phone Travel Associates on 1800 019 130 and quote deal code 3903910 or see www.travel-associates.com.au
2. WWII: BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI
Pay you respects to the Aussie soldiers who gave their lives during the construction of the infamous Thai-Burma railway during WWII with a Bangkok package that includes a rail journey along the infamous Death Railway.
Available through Student Flights, this three day package includes accommodation in Bangkok, River Kwai tour visiting the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Thai-Burma Railway Museum and a Grand Palace tour.
Travellers will be able to experience part of the historic train route that is still in use today, boarding the train in Kanchanaburi and experiencing the stunning, exciting and haunting route that clings to steep cliffs and travels over wooden viaducts that were constructed by prisoners of war.
The package is priced from $385* per person twin share and includes four nights for the price of three at the four-star Mode Sathorn Hotel in a Deluxe Mode, breakfast daily, airport transfers and guided River Kwai and Grand Palace tours.
Valid for sale until November 16, 2016. For travel 1 April – 31 March, 2017.
For bookings and details, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or see www.studentflights.com.au
3. VIETNAM WAR: LONG TAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
August 18, 2016, marks 50 years since 108 heavily outnumbered Australian soldiers from D Company held off an assault from the Viet Cong in a rubber plantation during monsoon rain.
Veterans and ordinary Australians alike will be able to pay their respects and explore this significant chapter in our wartime history with Travel Associates’ 11-day tour guided by Gary McKay, who served as a platoon leader in Vietnam and was awarded the Military Cross after being wounded during Australia’s last battle of the war.
Visit the former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum, the Post Office, the famous Cu Chi tunnels, attend the Long Tan 50th Anniversary Commemoration at the iconic battle site, visit the Courtenay Rubber Plantation and the scene of the Battle of Nui Le, Red Beach where the Marines came ashore in 1965.
Priced from $3,345* per person twin share, the tour includes 10-nights accommodation in 3- to 4-star hotels, breakfast daily, nine lunches and eight dinners, expert Vietnam War Historians, Memorial Service for the 50th Anniversary at the iconic Long Tan battle site, overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay on a traditional wooden luxury junk and transport by air-conditioned vehicle.
Departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the 11-day tour visits Saigon, Cu Chi, Vung Tau and Long Tan, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay before finishing in Hanoi.
Valid for sale until August 7, 2016. For travel only on 15 August, 2016.
For bookings and details, phone Travel Associates on 1800 019 130 and quote deal code 3903915 or see www.travel-associates.com.au
*All prices subject to change and availability.