b'THE SALONIKA CAMPAIGN Scan here for the full WALKING THE BIRDCAGE itinerary2530 April 2026 Historical Background6 days The Salonika (or Macedonian) front was established in 1915 by the allies Expert Historian: as an attempt to protect Serbia against a combined German, Austro-Alan Wakefield Hungarian and Bulgarian attack. Due to the late arrival of the mixed allied army and the sudden political upheaval in Greece, which resulted in them Activity Level: 2 / 3 remaining neutral, they failed to stop the fall of Serbia. A stable frontline was established near what is now the Greek/North Macedonian border, which saw various actions until a big, allied advance in the September This fabulous tour to the quiet andof 1918 led to the collapse of Bulgaria and Serbias liberation. The Salonika untouched area of northern Greecefront is characterised by the huge mix of nationalities and armies that and North Macedonia takes us to thetook part in the actions and also the terrible conditions endured by the battlefields of one of the least visitedsoldiers. Weather extremes and disease were rife on the front line, the and much overlooked campaigns of thebiggest problem being malaria which inflicted many more casualties First World War. The scenic backdropthan the fighting itself. There were around 160,000 admissions to British will never be forgotten: spectacular hillshospitals due to malaria over three years, which is almost equal to the and mountains, the picturesque Lakefighting force.Doiran, wonderful springtime flowers, verdant vegetation and rustic villages. The battlefields on the Salonika front are some of the best preserved from the First World War and offer a great insight into the conditions which the men on both sides withstood. This necessarily means considerable walking (of up to 9 miles on one day) on occasionally awkward terrain, although at times local farmers with tractors will be at hand to provide all terrain transport. We will be staying in comfortable hotels in Thessaloniki, Serres and Star Dojran, almost on the battlefields themselves, offering the chance to sit on the terrace with a cold drink in the evening reflecting on the days explorations.Day 1Arrival: Fly London to Thessaloniki Drive to Dojran Check in to hotel 4 nights Welcome drink and introductory talk (D)Day 2 Doiran:La Tortue; two-hour circular walk to Hill 340 via Petit Couronne(3 miles/level 3) (B,L,D)Day 3 Doiran: Doiran battlefield - uphill walk (1 miles/45 minutes) to Bulgarian bunkers; optional ascent to Grand Couronne and Devils Eye bunker, Hill 340, The Hilt (round trip 9 miles/level 3 walk); boat trip on Lake Doiran (B,L,D)Day 4 Kosturino: battlefield incl memorial (7 miles on foot and using tractors) (B,L,D)ESSENTIALS Day 5 Struma Valley:cross border to Greece Dorian - old station, British 4-star hotels, meals as indicated,monument, CWGC cemetery; drive to River Struma to explore battlefield drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Hotel near Serres - 1 night (D)tour manager and expert historianDay 6Return: Visit the Birdcage defences, Lembet Road cemetery Drive to throughout, all internal travel,Thessaloniki airport for flight back to London (B)optional travel from UK.495926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 49 22/08/2025 13:35'