Things to do in Ypres

Enjoy a trip of historical discovery on this full-day minibus tour that takes you through West Flanders, from Bruges to the Belgian town of Ypres. The city, nicknamed Wipers, was rebuilt according to a medieval blueprint after being completely razed to the ground in the early 1900s. It was also here that the Germans invaded Belgium during World War I; a strategic move to attack France from the north. You will see the remaining artifacts and places of the Ypres Salient as you discover restored trenches, stroll among war graves in Passchendale and Polygon Wood, clamber over craters and bunkers on the preserved battlefield Hill 60, and visit key war memorials.  Behold the impressive sight of the imposing Menin Gate Memorial to the missing soldiers, complete with 55,000 names, erected on the spot where the soldiers left the city for the battlefront. As your day continues you will also see the iconic poppy fields of Flanders as you ride through the countryside in an air-conditioned mini coach, perfect for relaxing and taking in the picturesque scenery. It is possible to visit an ancestor's grave if requested ahead and when in the Ypres Salient, and it is also possible to extend the tour for the Last Post Ceremony under the Menin Gate Memorial with transport back to your hotel in Bruges.  This must be requested well in advance as well and if it is available, it will incur a fee of €30 to be paid on the day of the tour.

Join us on an all-encompassing journey as we explore significant locations that bring history to life. Our adventure begins with an insightful exploration of the events leading up to the Great War. As we traverse through various destinations, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the casualty system, and the post-war years. Brace yourself for an immersive experience that unravels the captivating events and stories tied to each location we visit. Through this extraordinary expedition, you'll develop a profound understanding of the historical context and the enduring impact of these momentous events. Our itinerary includes the following notable sites: 1. Essex Farm Cemetery 2. Yorkshire Trench and Dug-out 3. Langemark German Military Cemetery 4. The Brooding Soldier at Vancouver Corner 5. Traversing the Passendale battlefields 6. Tyne Cot Cemetery Prepare to embark on a remarkable journey that will transport you through time, allowing you to connect with the past and gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of these extraordinary places.

On the way to the Flanders Fields region, our guide will recount the events leading to the First World War and its disastrous unfolding. We’ll stop at a very moving German Cemetery before driving to a section of the WW1 trenches. We will visit the Monument of the Brooding Soldier, which commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000 Canadian soldiers during the first German gas attack. Close by is Hill 60, dug by tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers before falling into German hands. After a short lunch in Ypres our guide will take you to the outstanding Flanders Fields Museum where we’ll hear the touching stories behind four years of trench warfare. Our itinerary will also allow you to explore the battlefield at Passchendaele and to visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, where British, Irish, Australian and Canadian soldiers rest. The tour bus will then take us to Essex Farm, the field hospital where Canadian field surgeon Dr John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. We’ll head back to beautiful Ypres for a quick snack before attending the 8 p.m. Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate, a daily tribute to all Commonwealth soldiers and officers missing after battle.

On the way to the Flanders Fields area our guide will tell you which events led to the First World War and how the disaster developed. We stop at a very moving German Cemetery, from where we drive to a section of the WW1 trenches. We will visit the Monument of the Brooding Soldier, which commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000 Canadian soldiers during the first German gas attack. Close by is Hill 60 which had fallen into German hands but was mined by tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers. After a short lunch in Ypres our guide will take us to the outstanding Flanders Fields museum. We will hear the touching stories behind four years of trench war. You will then be taken to the battlefield at Passchendaele and visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world where British, Irish, Australian and Canadian soldiers rest. Then our coach will take us to Essex Farm. This was the field hospital where Canadian field surgeon Dr. John McCrae wrote the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" We will then arrive again in beautiful Ypres and eat a quick snack. At 8pm we will attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate (under restoration works until mid-2025), a daily tribute to all Commonwealth soldiers and officers that were missing after battle.

Bellewaerde Aquapark, it’s downright insane ! More than that, it’s an amazing place to let yourself go nuts. Splash around and get wet without worrying about the bath overflowing. At Bellewaerde Aquapark, you can glide down spectacular slides, clamber up the climbing wall and gad about in boats and forts. In short: it’s a bather’s paradise where you’ll be as happy as a fish in water! After your aquatic adventures, stop by the wellness space, which has a jacuzzi and sauna, and relax in our green and tropical oasis. Oh and one other thing: at Bellewaerde Aquapark, it’s a balmy 34 degrees all year round! So dig out your bathing suit and go crazy in the water!

Follow the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, South African, and British soldiers as they attacked towards Passchendaele in 1917. Tailor the tour to your interests and see the places that are important to you. Meet your guide at the place of your choice, at your Ypres-based accommodation, or the Ypres Railway Station. If you have ancestors that fell in the battle, your guide will tailor the tour to include them, where possible. Learn about the history of the area and the battles that took place here. See the memorial to the missing and the place where your guide's great uncle is commemorated. Follow the route of the soldiers as they fought in the Ypres Salient.

Explore the poignant history of World War I on a private tour designed for American visitors. Visit iconic sites like Vladslo's 'Grieving Parents,' Tyne Cot Cemetery, and experience the moving Last Post Ceremony in Ypres. Meet your guide in Brussels and depart for Flanders. Reflect at the 'Grieving Parents' sculpture by Käthe Kollwitz at Vladslo German Military Cemetery. Visit the "Brooding Soldier" monument in Diksmuide, honoring Canadian soldiers. Enjoy some free time in Diksmuide for lunch and personal exploration. Gain insights into World War I's impact at the Flanders Field Museum. Explore the historic battleground of the Passchendaele Battlefield. Pay respects at the largest Commonwealth cemetery, Tyne Cot Cemetery. Visit the Essex Farm Cemetery, where the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" was inspired. Explore the town of Ypres and learn about its wartime history. Attend the poignant Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, a tribute to fallen soldiers. Return to Brussels, reflecting on a day filled with history and remembrance.

Overview Step into the poignant history of World War I on our private tour designed for American visitors. Explore iconic sites like Vladslo's 'Grieving Parents,' Tyne Cot Cemetery, and experience the moving Last Post Ceremony in Ypres. Led by an expert guide, this immersive journey offers profound insights into the Great War's impact, returning to Brussels by 9:00 PM. 8:00 AM - Hotel Pickup in Brussels - Meet your knowledgeable guide and depart for Flanders. 9:30 AM - Vladslo German Military Cemetery - Reflect at the 'Grieving Parents' sculpture by Käthe Kollwitz. 11:00 AM - Diksmuide - Visit the "Brooding Soldier" monument, honoring Canadian soldiers. 12:30 PM - Free Time in Diksmuide - Lunch break and personal exploration. 1:30 PM - Flanders Field Museum - Gain insights into World War I's impact. 3:00 PM - Passchendaele Battlefield - Explore the historic battleground. 4:30 PM - Tyne Cot Cemetery - Pay respects at the largest Commonwealth cemetery. 5:30 PM - Essex Farm Cemetery - Visit where "In Flanders Fields" was inspired. 6:30 PM - Ypres (Ieper) - Explore the town's wartime history. 7:30 PM - Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate - Attend the poignant tribute to fallen soldiers. 9:00 PM - Hotel Drop-off - Arrive back at your hotel, reflecting on a day filled with history and remembrance.

At the start of the tour, the fairy-tale-looking Gravensteen Castle, surrounded by a moat, reveals the sinister yet interesting past when Ghent’s medieval ruler, Counts of Flanders, used the site as a barbaric prison. Today, the most attractive icon of the city is still in a great preservation state and houses a unique museum of dungeons and torturing tools for which another visit to explore is highly recommended. Continue to visit The House of Alijn in the cozy cobblestoned Patershol Quarter, which used to accommodate textile workers in the 15th century. The highlight of the museum which was once a hospice for sick children is not its exhibitions but a lovely courtyard garden and a typical working-class pub secluded behind a group of quaint houses, adding to the nostalgic beauty of the place. Then, head to the true centre of Ghent where its 14th-century City Hall prominently stands as the hub of the community witnessing historical events as well as important moments of its citizens. Its grand façade is a cocktail of architectural styles and laden with intricate details, most notably the sober sculptures of the Counts of Flanders. A stone’s throw away is the towering silhouette of the Ghent Belfry, built onto the Cloth Hall in the flamboyant Brabant Gothic style. For centuries, the stunning tower, recognized by UNESCO, has served as the town’s clock, treasury, and watchtower by the side of the hall which is an ode to the cloth industry once thriving in the city. Just opposite is St. Bavo's Cathedral, the oldest church in the heart of Ghent. But the town’s symbol of wealth in medieval times is another church nearby: St. Nicholas' Church, which defines the Ghent’s skyline, together with the cathedral and the belfry. Its opulent façade displays a harmonious mixture of Romanesque and the Flemish Gothic style. Behind the church lies the Korenmarkt Square, the heart of the Old Town beating with its vibrant rhythm. The bustling neighbourhood offers the best of both worlds with its attractive blend of old-world charms, including the imposing former post-office building and quaint artisan shops, and the modern conveniences of numerous cafés, restaurants, and outdoor markets. Make a perfect end to the tour capturing breathtaking views in all directions and great photography opportunities from the viewpoint of Saint Michael's Bridge. The historic stonework spans the Leie River at the most strategic spot with the sober-looking Saint Michael's Church and picturesque Wheat Quay on one end and the scenic Grass Quay and Old Town’s centre on the other.