WW1 in Flanders Fields, the Ypres Salient, History tour with local guide. Starts in Bruges

Lorna Y.Canada

I cannot say enough good things about our guide, Carl! His expertise was astonishing. He managed to make this both a huge learning experience for us and also tell the stories of the people who gave their lives for our country, Canada, during WW1. The tour was so personalized to our Canadian experience, even though we didn’t specifically request same. Carl is a fountain of information and there was no question or topic that stumped him. We met his friend, Steve, who owns a wonderful bookstore near the Menin Gate. My son can’t wait to go back to see Steve! We ate yummy strawberries, chocolate and soup, and we saw history come to life in the topography of Flanders. Best of all, Carl kept my 12 year old son engaged for 7+ hours!! I highly recommend this tour and Carl - it was A++++.

Carl was absolutely one of the best guides we have ever had. His knowledge was impressive and succinct. He went over and above to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see plus some sights we didn’t know about. In the cemeteries he interpreted the markings on the headstones, told us the story of Dr McCray and Flanders fields poem. He was kind enough to pick us up at our hotel and bring us back there after Last Post. His is warm and personable and easy to talk to all day. Thank you.

Carl is an outstanding guide! Extremely knowledgeable. History told in a story format.

We had an excellent tour with Carl. He was very informative and had interesting insights related to the WW1 history in the area. We would highly recommend this tour. Carl also allowed us extra time in Ypres which is a must see location.

We had a great time on our tour. Carl was exceptionally knowledgeable and was excellent at explaining the events that happened at the sites we visited. We learned a lot about the details of the life of the soldier and the flow of the war. Highlights were visiting the Canadian cemetery where Flanders Field was written, seeing the site of the Christmas truce, and seeing the Peace Lake left by mining a hilltop. We found every sight we visited fascinating. Carl was very personable and thoughtful. He came all the way to Bruges to pick us up and drop us off.

Our three Canadian Granddaughters enjoyed very much the history of Canadian soldiers sacrifice in "The Flanders Field" in WWI. Carl, beside a great historian of WWI also a great person picking a delicatessen of Belgian sandwiches. At the end of the tour, he took us a place for Belgian waffles and chocolate. Alex