Guest Messenger Marshall Posted 30 April , 2006 Share Posted 30 April , 2006 Hi, Having been to see my Great Grandfathers grave in April and a brief visit to Ypres, I am heading back end of May but this time staying in Bruges. Planning a few days out at Ypres and wondered if anyone had gone on any of the organised battlefield tours that go from Ypres. Also I have found a couple of companies that do day trips from Bruges itself. Has anyone any experience of these tours or can anyone recommend one in particular. Any advice appreciated MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizM Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 Hi Philippe who runs Quasimodo Tours from Brugge does a very good day tour of the area. I can heartly recommed him. The website address is: http://www.quasimodo.be Have a good stay Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Messenger Marshall Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 Many thanks Liz - much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 The Ariane hotel runs a minibus tour which always seems to attract favourable comment in the hotel's guest book. There are others, including one run by the Grenadier bookshop , down towards the Menin Gate. I have heard mixed reviews about that one, it must be said, but I hasten to add that I have no personal experience of any of them. Try to go on one that injects some individuality into the tour, rather than just 'this is Tyne Cot, be back on the coach in 10 minutes'. Difficult to tell in advance, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Messenger Marshall Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 Hi yes thanks for your comments, will definatly look around, the last thing we want is to be rushed - might just try and do as much as we can independently (by bus and train) dont mind a bit of walk or cycling..... They all seem to visit pretty much the same places and I dont want to be on a tourist run... will keep investigating and looking to do it independently! Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizM Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 I thought you wanted a tour from Brugge. If you want a tour from Ypres there are several to choose from and some will even adure to your requirements - so you go where you want to. The tours based in Ypres are: Flanders Battlefield Tours - Ariane Over the Top Tours Salient Tours Trench Map Tours - Iain Also, Kristof Demey and Kristof who is a member of the forum also does tours to all areas. Hope this helps Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 1 May , 2006 Share Posted 1 May , 2006 On the whole, I would advise you to go with your instincts-do your own, with e.g the Holt's Guide and map. My wife and I would definitely recommend the cycle option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 2 May , 2006 Share Posted 2 May , 2006 A group of guides based in Bruges do tours to Zeebrugge and they are excellent. To contact them use URL and look under Zeebrugge: http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the...luxbrochure.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Whippy Posted 2 May , 2006 Share Posted 2 May , 2006 Talking from a tour guides point of view, I would have to politely suggest that there is a gulf of difference between taking a real guided tour and simply taking a map and going on your own. There is a real gulf of quality difference in tours, agreed, but the art of a Good guide is far more than simply acting as a map reader, they will give factual details, tell stories of daring, sadness and humour, in a way that enables the group to "smell the cordite" My advice is to carry on with your own research and choose carefully to ensure a great tour. Good luck JW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagpuss Posted 3 May , 2006 Share Posted 3 May , 2006 Would definately recommend Leger Tours. We have been with them on many occasions and have no complaints in fact have only the highest praise. We can all read books and absorb knowledge that way but their battlefield guides have so much information and make the whole tour so interesting. They will answer questions and will look points up and write to you after the tour ( this happened to us ) Two of their guides are Paul Reed ( walking the somme etc.) and peter williams ( don't start him on the zulu wars!) We are in fact travelling with leger for the 1st. july anniversary of the somme weekend and are really looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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