Ypres tours
 

Going to Belgium and France in June and planning on spending a day in Ypres. Wondering if anybody could recommend a tour company to see the major sites in Ypres.

I've done a search but the most recent thread was back in 2006, tour operators may have changed by now.

Thanks.

My husband used www.quasimodo.be/ and was very happy. Good reviews on tripadvisor as well.
Have a great time.

We used Flanders Fields Battlefield Day Tours a couple of years ago. Nathan only takes small groups in a mini bus and will pick you up from your hotel. His wealth of knowledge is unbelievable. It was a long day time wise but so worthwile. I have his freecall no. 0800 99133 I have misplaced the email address sorry. We just booked in Bruges.

I'll vote for Flanders Battlefield Tours as well. I turned up without a booking and there was just myself and another couple. Perfect if you have just a day. Very personal and detailed. http://ypres-fbt.com/

We picked up a tour at the Flanders Field Museum. Bought the tickets in the museum. I forget the name though. A mini van that held 6 people. There were only 4 of us and the guide was excellent

Thankyou all for your help, Flanders Battlefield Tours is just we are looking for. We are not overnighting in Ypres, will be moving on to Albert for the night but hope to arrive in Ypres by 9am so looking at the 10AM to 12.30AM standard tour. Not sure if we will see enough, any thoughts??

Hi Patricia

Are you planning to stay in Ypres to see the evening ceremony at Mennin Gate? It would be a pity to miss this - there's always the last post played by the members of the local Fire Brigade, plus laying of wreaths and other ceremonies by any other visiting groups and individuals.

Click on my screen name to see details of our visit last year.
Happy travels, Di

Another vote to stay and see the Mennin Gate ceremony.

It is very moving. My husband and I did a tour of the battlefields/memorials a couple of years ago. We drove from Bruges and spent the night in Ypres.

Hubby is a great war history person and "collects battlefield visits". He gave me a list of the battleefields he wanted to see and I mapped them out for us (we were driving). This part of the trip was just for him, since after 45 years, I am a littel tired of battlefields! I must say though, I did enjoy the cermony and was glad we stayed. The little town is nice too.

My husband is also a 'battlefield freak', in the past we have visited most of the WW1 and WW2 sites, so yet again we are going back to see a bit more of the Somme area. Anyway after the comments re the Menin Gate ceremony we would hate to miss this so had a long look at our itinerary - done a reshuffle to allow us to stay the night in Ypres, now my DH is VERY happy.

Thanks all once again.

I just remembered something that my husband also enjoyed. You may have done this or already know about it or it may not appeal to you. But:

There is a gentleman in the area that makes lead soldiers and such from the old shells. he also has an interesting aray of stuff dug up in his "back yard" and that people have given him. We had a very interesting visit. If you have any interest, I will get the info from my husband and post it here. We contacted him by email and set up a time to visit.

Glad you could work in the Mennin Gate ceremony. There is a nice little parade through the center of town right after the ceremony, don't miss it either.

Patricia - I should have added that we stayed in the Novotel in Ypres; very central and comfortable. Too late we discovered that the on-line price was quite a bit cheaper than the walk-in price!

There's also a great walk that you can do around the outskirts of the main town area. It's an easy walk, and most interesting - takes you to many significant sites (Aussie emphasis), and gives a good overview of the area. It's in the Walking with Anzacs book, or you can pick up one that's similar at the Tourism Office at the Cloth Hall (another not-to-be-missed experience).