A special Mercat Tours International commemorative journey marking the centenary of the Menin Gate Memorial and exploring how a century of remembrance has shaped the Western Front.
There are some journeys that stay with you long after you've returned home.
Twelve years ago, the Mercat Tours International Pals gathered on a cold December day to commemorate the Christmas Truce of 1914. It was a remarkable experience that brought together history, remembrance and friendship in a way few of us will ever forget.
Then, eight years ago, we met again to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War. Together we stood in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, reflected on the events that shaped a generation, and celebrated a shared passion for history aboard the Seine.
Ever since, one question has surfaced time and again:
Will MTI ever do something like that again?
The answer is yes.
In 2027, we return to the Western Front for a very special commemorative journey marking a significant centenary: one hundred years since the completion of the Menin Gate Memorial.
For many thousands of soldiers who fought in the battlefields around Ypres, there was no known grave. Their final resting place remained somewhere beneath the fields of the Salient.
The Menin Gate was built to ensure that their names would never be lost and their sacrifice never forgotten.
For a century, and through the daily sounding of the Last Post, it has stood as one of the world's most powerful symbols of remembrance.
As we approach the centenary of the memorial's completion, Always Remembered will explore not only the story of the Menin Gate itself, but the wider story of remembrance across the Western Front.
Throughout the week, guests will visit some of the most significant memorials, cemeteries and commemorative sites in Belgium and France, examining how nations, communities and families have chosen to remember those who never came home.
Through expert guiding, archive film, personal stories, music and guest speakers, we will explore three themes that continue to shape remembrance today:
By visiting sites associated with many nations and traditions, the tour will examine how grief, commemoration and collective memory have evolved over the last hundred years.
As with previous Mercat Tours International commemorative journeys, this experience is about far more than the places we visit.
It is an opportunity to learn, reflect and remember alongside fellow travellers who share a passion for history and remembrance.
One of the highlights of the week will be a formal dinner in the unique surroundings of Talbot House, Poperinge, a place that provided refuge, friendship and comfort to countless soldiers during the Great War.
Each coach will be accompanied by expert MTI guides who will bring the stories of the Western Front to life through archive material, personal testimony, humour, reflection and, of course, the occasional song.
The Menin Gate bears more than 54,000 names of soldiers who have no known grave.
A century after its completion, their names continue to be spoken, remembered and honoured.
Always Remembered is an opportunity to reflect on that legacy, explore the remarkable landscapes of remembrance across the Western Front, and share a special experience with old friends and new.
54,000 Names. No Known Grave. Always Remembered.
We look forward to welcoming you in 2027.
