Australians-at-war tour

New Police Association of South Australia alliance partner Champion Travel is offering association members a special tour to Gallipoli and other historical European war sites.

This outstanding offer comes with three options, and the discerning traveller can select any one of them or all three:
Option 1 - Gallipoli, four nightsplus inclusions as stated $1,535
Option 2 - Western Front, plus inclusions as stated $2,545
Option 3 - Normandy Beaches, plus inclusions as stated $2,155
Total $6,235

Discount - if all options taken $350
Early-bird discount - book and deposit before June 30 $200
Reduced cost $5,686

Former Police Association of SA president Peter Alexander and his wife, Joan, will escort this exceptional tour. Peter, who is an experienced traveller and known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of history, has a particular passion for the Australian war sites of Europe.

But, as well as Peter, local tour guides will be on hand in respect of each option and provide even more detail about these poignant sites.

Accommodation throughout the tour is four-star, except the three-star Kum Hotel in Eceabat, Gallipoli. Accommodation options which provide easy accessto Gallipoli are quite limited.

The tour costs do not include airfares but Champion Travel has arranged a special airfare with Malaysia Airlines and would take delight in assisting association members. The fare starts at $1,465 (plus taxes of $735) subject to availability on the dates required at the time of booking and includes flights which travel Adelaide/Kuala Lumpur/Istanbul/Brussels - Paris or London/Kuala Lumpur/Adelaide.

Anyone taking the tour is free to extend the trip, departing from Australia earlier or returning later than the scheduled tour dates. This is subject to the appropriate additional costs.

Option 3 concludes in Paris with one night at the 3.5-star MercureSacre Coeur near Monmarte.You can then stay on in Paris for additional nights at a cost of $145 per person per night, which includes breakfast.

Gallipoli is inextricably linked to the history and tradition of Australia. It is a must for all Australians to visit at some point in their lives. The horrific events there in 1915 created the Australian identity and character, as well as the image of the laconic but unbelievablybrave Aussie digger who gave his all for his mates.

The Western Front, the scene of the unthinkable deaths, misery and atrocities in the "war to end all wars", is now the resting place of thousands of diggers who made the ultimate sacrifice for king and country.

Option 2 visits many of the sites whichare now household names in Australia - Ypres, Arras, Amiens, Bullecourt, VillersBretonneux and the Somme.

The Normandy Beaches did not feature a largeAustralian involvement but was the scene of the largest invasion force the world had ever seen. Success there was pivotal in bringing WWII to a close and exposing the full extent of the atrocities of the Nazis.

The connection

Peter Alexander and Champion Travel chairman and CEO Mal Simpson have known one another for many years, chiefly through their involvement in the Sturt Basketball Club.

So, when Peter and wife Joan were making plans to travel to Europe last year, they decided to get Champion to take care of all their trip arrangements.

"Mal had his travel manager Cathy Schahinger look after us and we could not have asked for more, Peter says.

"Her very thorough and professional approach in managing all of our arrangements really did make a difference.

"Cathy was also able to make specific recommendations to us on locations where we were unsure where to stay and what to do. That was a huge help in making our trip so memorable and enjoyable.

"I'm delighted to recommend Champion Travel to Police Association members for their travel plans.