Top Things to do in Belgian Westhoek
10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Belgian Westhoek That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Belgian Westhoek, Belgium including Somme and Ypres Battlefields WWI 2-Day Trip from Paris, Vimy and Flanders Fields Canadian Battlefield Tour from Lille, Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Bruges, Private New Zealand Battlefield Tour in Flanders from Bruges, Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Brussels, Private Vimy and Belgium Canadian Battlefield Tour from Brussels, 2day Australian WW1 battlefield tour in Flanders the Somme from Lille and Arras, Flanders Fields WW I, From Ypres, The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour, Fromelles and Ypres Day Tour from Arras and Lille.
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1. Somme and Ypres Battlefields WWI 2-Day Trip from Paris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Spend two days immersing yourself in World War I history as you visit the battlefields, memorials and cemeteries of Belgium and northern France, where some of the deadliest conflicts took place. On this tour from Paris to the Ypres Salient and Somme, your expert guide will take you to the site of the Battle of Hill 60, the site of the Battle of Pozières, the Lochnagar Crater, Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Villers–Bretonneux Australian National Memorial and more. You’ll also attend the Last Post ceremony in Ypres before spending the night in Lille in a 3-star hotel, with breakfast included. This 2-day tour will shed a whole new light on WWI, enriching your understanding of the successes, failures and plights of all nations involved. Numbers are limited to 12 people on this small-group tour, so you’ll enjoy a more personalized experience.
Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Professional driver/guide or guide depending on group size, Overnight accommodation in a 3-star hotel, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast)
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Entrance fees to other monuments or museums
Reviewed By kathleenvaras
This tour was absolutely amazing. We had a wonderful tour guide who described our surroundings, historical events, and landmarks from the moment we left Paris to the moment we returned, which broadened our understanding of all the areas we got to know on this trip. Once in Normandy, the visit to the museum was inspirational as it continued with a show and rooms including pictures and articles from WWII and at times, it was possible to believe one had gone back in time. Walking the beach at Normandy and seeing the different landing sites is something that mere reading (which I have done a lot of or movies) cannot fully express, and our visit to the American Cemetery-memorial and seeing the rows of all the young men and women who fought and died for freedom was breath-taking and inspirational. Upon our return to Paris, we arrived just when the Eiffel Tower lights started sparkling and twinkling 9pm which was an awesome sight. Highly recommend this tour-a long day, but well worth it!
2. Vimy and Flanders Fields Canadian Battlefield Tour from Lille
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Explore Canadian World War I history in Vimy and Belgium on this battlefield tour from Lille or Arras. Follow a guide through Vimy’s WW1 trenches and discover sites of interest including Hill 145, the Canadian Passchendaele Memorial, the St. Julien Memorial, and the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery. See where John McRae wrote his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Then, finish your tour at the Last Post ceremony in Ypres. This tour of Canada’s WW1 sites includes round-trip travel from Lille or Arras.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lille or Arras, Guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Lunch, Bottled water, Private transportation
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By greyfatman
Claude was prompt in picking us up from our hotel in Lille and then took us to see the final resting places of two of our family members, who were both killed in 1918. He was very flexible and worked in with our plans to visit these two graves at two different war cemeteries. He then took us around numerous battlefield sites and war cemeteries, involving New Zealanders, and his knowledge was first class. For that special day in connecting with those special soldiers, contact Claude and he will make it happen.
3. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Bruges
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
You will stand in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers in Fromelles, Ploegsteert and Messines. You will see some of the mine craters laid by the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie. Polygoon Wood, and Passendale will be visited. You will finish your day at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres
Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer
My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.
4. Private New Zealand Battlefield Tour in Flanders from Bruges
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Stand on Messines ridge where the New Zealand Corps launched the attack after the explosion of the 19 mines. You will visit Passendale, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Gravenstafel and many other places in which the ANZAC Corps was involved.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Lunch, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer
My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.
5. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Brussels
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
You will stand in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers in Fromelles, Ploegsteert and Messines. You will see some of the mine craters laid by the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie. Polygoon Wood, and Passendale will be visited. You will finish your day at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres
Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer
My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.
6. Private Vimy and Belgium Canadian Battlefield Tour from Brussels
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Stand in the tunnels in Vimy, walk in the trenches where Canadian troops stood in April 1917. See the CWGC's largest cemetery in Europe, come to see the Brooding Soldier where the first gas attack took place. Attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. See the dressing station where John McRae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields".
Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local taxes, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Hotel pickup
Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer
My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.
7. 2day Australian WW1 battlefield tour in Flanders the Somme from Lille and Arras
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The first day you will stand in Fromelles, visit the museum and the Pheasant Wood cemetery, go to VC Corner Cemetery and the Australian Memorial Park. You will see one of the mine craters of Messines, Hill 60, Polygoon Wood and Tyne Cot Cy. in Passendale. That night you will attend the Last Post at the Menin Gate in Ypres. The second day will put the focus on the Somme, Villers Bretonneux, the Memorial, Le Hamel where General Monash will use new tactics and Pozières and its Windmill and Moo Cow Farm.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off, Hotel pickup, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, Hotel
Reviewed By greyfatman
Claude was prompt in picking us up from our hotel in Lille and then took us to see the final resting places of two of our family members, who were both killed in 1918. He was very flexible and worked in with our plans to visit these two graves at two different war cemeteries. He then took us around numerous battlefield sites and war cemeteries, involving New Zealanders, and his knowledge was first class. For that special day in connecting with those special soldiers, contact Claude and he will make it happen.
8. Flanders Fields WW I
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
In the 13C., along with Bruges and Ghent, Ypres was one of the great Cities of Flanders though it later entered a long decline. In the First World War it was the fulcrum of the Ypres Salient, a bitterly fought-over enclave protruding into the German lines, and the town was almost completely destroyed. After the war, it was rebuilt in traditional style. Today, it is a focal point of commemoration of the terrible slaughter that took place between 1914-1918, while the countryside around is a vast necropolis with around 170 military cemetery and many other reminders of war. Beside visiting the town, we will discover: The Menin Gate; Saint George Church; Flander Field Museum; Tyne Cot Cemetery; The Memorial Museum Passchendaele; Mont Kemmel and Bayernwald Trenches; The American W.W.I. Cemetery; Diksmuide. The delightful countryside surrounding the city of Ypres offers many picturesque routes for walking and bicycling, and welcomes visitors to a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Inclusions: Tour Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By jimsZ2896HZ
Thankfully, the battlefield is largely as it appeared in 1815. Rolling hills, farm fields, the wooded and walled Hougoumont (well-restored) and la Haye Saint (not so much). Still, the vibe and the atmosphere is evocative of the crucial Napoleonic struggle that took place here. The museum is excellent. Creative displays, lots of artifacts. The great Lions mound is a bit of a distraction. But it does afford spectacular views of the entire battlefield. Two downsides: the busy road that runs right through the field, north to south, is a little offputting. And Napoleon’s command position was overgrown with shrubs when I was there.
9. From Ypres, The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
This tour covers the Ypres Salient from Messines to Passchendaele spanning 1914 to 1918, we follow the Australian/Canadian/New Zealand/ South African/ British soldiers as they attacked towards Passchendaele in 1917, if you have ancestors that fell in the battle I will tailor the tour where possible to include them Minimum x2 guests Max x5 Not a private tour but small group size max 5
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
10. Fromelles and Ypres Day Tour from Arras and Lille
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 17 reviews
Visit Fromelles and Ypres, and delve into Europe’s World War I history on this fully guided day tour from Arras. Explore famous WWI battle sites including Fromelles and the Pheasant Wood cemetery and Cobbers’ Memorial. We follow the path of the War through 1917, Messines Ridge and Hill 60, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele and the Tyne Cot Cemetery. Explore Ypres at your leisure, then take part in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate before your onward travel to Lille or return to Arras. This is a long and emotional day and can be taken alone or added with another of our day tours. There is an opportunity to follow in a relatives footsteps or lay a wreath at the Menin Gate Ceremony in the evening.
Inclusions: Hotel pick-up (selected hotels only), Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Guide, Drop-off in Ypres, Lille, or Arras
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 619careyb
Hands down the BEST tour I have ever taken! An absolutely FANTASTIC day!! I’ve lived and travelled all over the globe (North America; Caribbean Europe; Africa; Middle East) and I can honestly say “The Battle of the Somme Guided Day Tour from Arras” was by far the best experience I have ever had. My guide for the day (Jackie) was a star! Knowledgeable; interesting; engaging; personable; Jackie demonstrated a genuine passion for the subject matter. Thank you for an unforgettably amazing day. Carey Barrett
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