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Bruges, Ypres & the First World War Battlefields
4 days from £239 per person
Note that there may be small differences between our general Itinerary for this break and a specific departure.
Remember the fallen heroes of the First World War and rejoice in the freedom they have given us today on this thought provoking tour. We visit Ypres, which was at the heart of some of the largest battles, and Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest British war cemetery in the world. We also walk through the doors of ‘Every Man’s Club’, where hundreds and thousands of British soldiers passed through to find respite from the front line. This is a unique chance to visit these moving places 100 years on and acknowledge the courage and honour of all those who fought, as well as the men and women who followed in their footsteps to become today’s soldiers.
Remember the fallen heroes of the First World War and rejoice in the freedom they have given us today on this thought provoking tour. We visit Ypres, which was at the heart of some of the largest battles, and Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest British war cemetery in the world. We also walk through the doors of ‘Every Man’s Club’, where hundreds and thousands of British soldiers passed through to find respite from the front line. This is a unique chance to visit these moving places 100 years on and acknowledge the courage and honour of all those who fought, as well as the men and women who followed in their footsteps to become today’s soldiers.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hotel
Your holiday begins when you board our private coach in the early morning and travel to Dover for the crossing to Calais. On arrival in Calais we continue the journey to our hotel where we enjoy a relaxing evening.
Your holiday begins when you board our private coach in the early morning and travel to Dover for the crossing to Calais. On arrival in Calais we continue the journey to our hotel where we enjoy a relaxing evening.
Day 2: Bruges
After your included breakfast you can enjoy a full day in Bruges, starting with a walking tour to point out the main places of interest. Bruges is a beautiful example of medieval Belgium, filled with gabled houses, majestic churches, cobbled streets and charming canals which gave the city the name the ‘Venice of the North’. There is plenty to see and do – you can tackle the 370 steps of the 13th century Belfry of Bruges with its 47 bells, which take you to a height of 83 metres for unparalleled views across the city. Saint-Salvator’s Cathedral is worth a visit, as is the Groeningemuseum, one of the top museums in Europe which takes you through six centuries of Flemish, Dutch and Belgian painting. For a unique and entirely Belgian experience, visit the Frietmuseum or Museum of Chips, or if you have more of a sweet tooth, Choco Story: The Chocolate Museum will give you a glimpse into the world of the chocolatier. If you’re intrigued by Bruges’ lace making tradition, head for the Kantcentrum lace centre, and the Apostelientje lace shop just opposite. You can also join our optional excursion to visit the Half Moon Brewery, one of the oldest active breweries in Western Europe where you can learn about the history of the brewery and try the award winning beer. Please note: there are steep stairs to go up/down during the brewery tour.
After your included breakfast you can enjoy a full day in Bruges, starting with a walking tour to point out the main places of interest. Bruges is a beautiful example of medieval Belgium, filled with gabled houses, majestic churches, cobbled streets and charming canals which gave the city the name the ‘Venice of the North’. There is plenty to see and do – you can tackle the 370 steps of the 13th century Belfry of Bruges with its 47 bells, which take you to a height of 83 metres for unparalleled views across the city. Saint-Salvator’s Cathedral is worth a visit, as is the Groeningemuseum, one of the top museums in Europe which takes you through six centuries of Flemish, Dutch and Belgian painting. For a unique and entirely Belgian experience, visit the Frietmuseum or Museum of Chips, or if you have more of a sweet tooth, Choco Story: The Chocolate Museum will give you a glimpse into the world of the chocolatier. If you’re intrigued by Bruges’ lace making tradition, head for the Kantcentrum lace centre, and the Apostelientje lace shop just opposite. You can also join our optional excursion to visit the Half Moon Brewery, one of the oldest active breweries in Western Europe where you can learn about the history of the brewery and try the award winning beer. Please note: there are steep stairs to go up/down during the brewery tour.
Day 3: Ypres - Tyne Cot Cemetery
After your included breakfast you can join our included coach excursion visiting Ypres, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Talbot House. The Belgian city of Ypres was the scene of numerous battles which led to it being almost totally destroyed. Today it is a beautiful and moving place to visit. The Menin Gate is perhaps the most visited Great War Memorial on the Western Front and is dedicated to the thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salient. There’s also the In Flanders Field Museum, which tells the story of the Great War by the people who experienced it (entrance not included). After some free time we move on to the Flanders Battlefields where we visit Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – the largest British war cemetery in the world with 11,953 burials, nearly 70% of which are unknown soldiers. The sight of all the headstones is a deeply moving experience which brings a realisation of the impact of the First World War and the scale it was fought on. Our next stop is Poperinge, a town that was commandeered by The British Army during the First World War and became a base camp with some 250,000 men in the area. In the centre is Talbot House, the infamous place that became “Every Man’s Club”, where soldiers of all ranks found a little bit of humanity and respite during the war. There was always an urn of tea on the go so after looking around we enjoy a cup of tea ourselves before return to our hotel.
After your included breakfast you can join our included coach excursion visiting Ypres, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Talbot House. The Belgian city of Ypres was the scene of numerous battles which led to it being almost totally destroyed. Today it is a beautiful and moving place to visit. The Menin Gate is perhaps the most visited Great War Memorial on the Western Front and is dedicated to the thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salient. There’s also the In Flanders Field Museum, which tells the story of the Great War by the people who experienced it (entrance not included). After some free time we move on to the Flanders Battlefields where we visit Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – the largest British war cemetery in the world with 11,953 burials, nearly 70% of which are unknown soldiers. The sight of all the headstones is a deeply moving experience which brings a realisation of the impact of the First World War and the scale it was fought on. Our next stop is Poperinge, a town that was commandeered by The British Army during the First World War and became a base camp with some 250,000 men in the area. In the centre is Talbot House, the infamous place that became “Every Man’s Club”, where soldiers of all ranks found a little bit of humanity and respite during the war. There was always an urn of tea on the go so after looking around we enjoy a cup of tea ourselves before return to our hotel.
Day 4: Bruges - Return Journey Home
After your included breakfast we check out of our hotel and travel to Calais for our return crossing to Dover, where we continue by coach to arrive back in your local area in the mid to late evening.
After your included breakfast we check out of our hotel and travel to Calais for our return crossing to Dover, where we continue by coach to arrive back in your local area in the mid to late evening.
Included in the Price
- Private coach travel from your local area.
- Return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais
- Three nights bed and breakfast accommodation (continental)
- Entrance to Talbot House including the famous cup of tea
- Walking tour of Bruges
- Visit to Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery
- Visit to a Bruges
- Services of a Tour Manager
4 days from £239 per person
Hotel
Ibis Kortrijk Belgium
Board Basis : Bed & Continental Breakfast
Single Room Supplement : £60.00 per person
Coach from the UK
On many of our breaks you can take advantage of our convenient and FREE regional coach departures aboard our modern executive coaches from a town or city near you to the port of departure and onwards to your hotel.
Departure
Fri 27 May 16
Coach
4 Days
From £239.00 per person
Fri 26 AUGUST 16
Coach
4 Days
From £239.00 per person
Thur 10 NOVEMBER 16
Coach
4 Days
From £239.00 per person
* Price may vary depending on availability at time of booking.
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