Join your fellow Solos on a journey through Ypres to explore the poignant history of World War I, taking us back to 1914 to 1918, when Europe was engulfed in war and Ypres was a battleground for full four years of war. We walk the front lines where soldiers fought and were in stalemate with the German Army, visiting cemeteries and memorials, preserved trenches and craters created from tunnelling beneath the front lines and detonating mines. This historic escorted group tour offers a deep, immersive experience of the region’s battlegrounds and war stories, perfect for those fascinated by wartime history.
We arrive into Lille Station and transfer to Ypres, a city in the Belgian province of West Flanders, known for its significant role during World War I. The city and surrounding area is infamous for its bloody battles during World War 1 and was virtually destroyed during the war. The city has been meticulously rebuilt to resemble its pre-war state. This includes the Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
This evening, we gather for a welcome drink and dinner.
Today we begin exploring the area, transferring to Essex Farm Cemetery & Dressing station. The cemetery is situated on the site of a former Advanced Dressing Station (ADS), which was used by the British Army during the war to provide medical treatment to wounded soldiers close to the front lines. Essex Farm is also famously associated with Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian doctor and poet. It is here that he wrote the iconic war poem “In Flanders Fields” in May 1915, inspired by the death of a friend and the sight of poppies growing amidst the graves of fallen soldiers.
We then head to Ypres North Visitor Centre and walk to the Yorkshire Trench and dug out – a preserved trench system discovered in 1990. We move on to Welch Cemetery ( Caesar’s Nose), Carrefour des Roses, Artillery Wood Cemetery before returning to Ypres.
This morning we begin the day heading to the interactive ‘In Flanders Fields Museum’. The exhibition has touching video projects, unique sound fragments, and the most up-to-date multimedia applications, designed to immerse you in life at the front. Each visitor receives a poppy bracelet that enables him/her to discover four personal stories.
This afternoon we walk the Ypres Ramparts, a series of historical fortifications surrounding the city of Ypres. The ramparts were part of the defensive positions held by the Allied forces and the fortifications provided some protection to soldiers and civilians from the relentless artillery fire. We continue to the Maple Copse and Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. Not far from here, we visit Hill 62, which was strategically important during World War I because of its elevation, providing a vantage point over the surrounding area. The area saw intense fighting, especially during the Battle of Mount Sorrel in June 1916, where Canadian forces played a significant role in recapturing the hill from German control.
We journey to Hill 60 this morning, another strategic point due to its elevation, Hill 60 was a crucial position for observation and artillery spotting. It changed hands several times between Allied and German forces throughout the war. Hill 60 is particularly famous for the underground war that took place beneath it. Both Allied and German forces dug extensive networks of tunnels and placed large mines beneath enemy positions. The most notable event was the detonation of several large mines by British forces in April 1915 and later in June 1917, during the Battle of Messines. These explosions created massive craters, some of which are still visible today. Other sites to suffer from ‘The Underground War’ was Hill 59 and the Bluff. Both the Allied and German forces dug extensive tunnel networks beneath the hill and in February 1916, the British detonated several mines under German positions on the Bluff, causing massive explosions and significant casualties.
This afternoon, we head to Messines Church, before walking to the Island of Ireland Peace Park, the 1914 Christmas Truce Monument, Mud Corner Cemetery and Plugstreet Memorial.
We depart the hotel today after breakfast and make our way to Lille Station for our return Eurostar journey back to the UK.
The hotel is in prime location in Ypres set on the market square, opposite the medieval Cloth Hall and the In Flanders Fields Museum and this hotel is three minutes on foot from Saint Martin’s Cathedral
The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. When the weather is warmer, the terrace will be open to enjoy a drink. There is Wi-Fi within the hotel.
Rooms consist of a TV, private bathroom with shower, coffee and tea-making facilities and a fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
From Lille Train Station to the hotel in Ypres, this will be approximately 50 minutes.
Please note: At the beginning of your trip, your Tour Leader will ask if you would be happy to sign a photo permission form. This means that any photographs taken during your holiday can be used by Solos to share what the Solos experience is all about. It also means you have lots of memories to go home with! Details will be given at your welcome meeting.
WhatsApp Group: Just before the start of your trip, you will be sent an invite to the WhatsApp group which will put you in touch with your fellow Solos travellers and Tour Leader prior to your departure day. By choosing to join, you’re consenting to share your contact details with other members of your group. However, if you prefer not to join, that’s completely fine, and you can meet the group on your first day instead. Please note, if you have not received an email within 24 hours of departure, we recommend you check your email junk folder.
You will need a reasonable level of fitness for this tour as there will be between 3-6km of walking per day when in resort.
We advise of comfortable footwear for this tour. Walking boots/shoes are advised as the ground could be soft, wet and uneven.
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots/shoes that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
Passport Requirements:
Belgium follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
Visa Requirements:
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Belgium, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
The requirements for working in Belgium are different.
If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Before you travel check that:
Belgium uses the Euro
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