In Flanders Fields - Ostend, Bruges & Ypres.

Join us in Northern Belgium and follow in the footsteps of the young men who fought in the First World War.

Join us in Northern Belgium and follow in the footsteps of the young men who fought in the First World War. Our thought-provoking short break explores the forever-changed landscapes and the towns and cities shaped by the events of the Great War, with visits to the Tynecot Cemetary, the Menin Gate Memorial, and Essex Farm, where John McCrae penned his famous short poem, In Flanders Fields.

INCLUDES

Return coach travel

Return ferry crossings

1 night half board, 2 nights bed & breakfast

Hotel entertainment on 1 evening

Excursions to Tyne Cot Cemetary, Essex Farm, Ypres, Bruges & Ostend

Free time in Blankenburge

Day 1

After pickups this morning, we travel across the English Channel and into Belgium. An evening meal is included tonight.

Day 2

Enjoy a leisurely start to this morning in Blankenberge, a charming seaside resort home to Belgium's only pier. The afternoon takes us through the Flanders countryside, where the poppies once grew here. Our first stop is Tyne Cot Cemetery, the world's largest British and Commonwealth military cemetery. We continue onto Essex Farm, where Canadian soldier John McCrae penned his poignant 'In Flanders Fields' poem, and then Ypres. Home to the Menin Gate Memorial, why not also take the opportunity to visit the 'In Flanders Fields' museum or explore the array of chic shops and eateries before witnessing the famous nightly last post ceremony tonight?

Please note - restoration work of the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres will continue until Summer 2025. During this time, scaffolding will be present. The daily last post ceremony will continue to take place nearby.

Day 3

We travel to Bruges, the 'Venice of the North', famous for chocolate and lace. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its medieval fairy?tale centre combines cobbled lanes, dreamy canals, market squares, soaring towers and historic churches. We also visit Ostend, the cosmopolitan 'City by the Sea'. This thriving seaside resort and port is renowned for its mussels, a delicacy in Belgium and its seafood specialities, including Ostend Sole (sole filled with shrimps and mussels).

Day 4

We return home today.

Holiday Alfa Inn 3*, Blankenberge, Belgium

Blankenberge's Alfa Inn is a family-run hotel and is found within an old monastery; this hotel offers modern accommodation and is a short walk to the local beach.

Hotel Facilities

Restaurant
Bar
Lift
WiFi
Garden terrace
Spa & wellness centre

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Alfreton	Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold	High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston	Beeston Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA
Bulwell	Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE
Chesterfield	Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH
Derby	Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY
Heanor	Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG
Ilkeston	Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF
Leicester	St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG
Long Eaton	The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ
Loughborough	Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE
Lutterworth	George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG
Mansfield	Bus Stop, Walkden Street Mansfield, NG18 1QN
Nottingham	Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE
Ripley	Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ
Rotherham	Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB
Sheffield	Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG
Toton	Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA