Private tour in Ypres Carl O
5.0
(17) reviews
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
Carl O.
5.0
Guide rating
140
Reviews
Tours delivered
17 hrs
Avg. response time
After working 15 years for a multinational cy. I decided that it was time for a career change! Sharing my passion for European history combined with my local knowledge, is just what I like to do for travellers. After I managed a hotel for a decade, I took 2 years of training to become a tour guide. Now, when I give tours, I am happy like a dog in a butcher's shop. Even the COVID-19 slowdown doesn't make me regret my career shift. For these tours I own a people carrier that can sit 8 people. When travellers go for one of my guided bike tours, then my van becomes our support vehicle for the ride. When we are cruising, then I am the happiest butcher's dog in town ! I find it fascinating to see how the 2nd industrial revolution changed the world in so many more ways than how we manufacture and mass produce goods. The mechanisation triggered a fundamental social and political change. The progress in science was spectacular. Along with all the above, new weapons became available to the armies of ambitious emperors with ideas of conquering. To make your journey to Europe both an entertaining and interesting experience, that is my mission. Sharing local knowledge combined with historic information, gives travellers a unique understanding of "my" corner of Europe ! The location where I pick you up doesn't necesserily have to be the location where I drop you off after the tour. I can meet you in Brussels and drop you off in Bruges, or meet you in Bruges and drop you off at the Lille Europe station where you can catch a 1 h train to Paris or 90' to London. Smart travellers make good use of my van, it has room for luggage. Don't hesitate to use my local knowledge to improve your travel plan. guide license in Belgium ; TOERISME VLAANDEREN guide license in France ; Somme Battlefield Partner transport license VVB 1609 No restrictions
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Carl O.
On 25 April 1915, when the shelling died down, chlorine gas wafted across no-man's. While French troops fled in panic, the Canadians held their ground. After several days of chaotic and brutal fighting, the Ypres position remained in Allied hands. Having learned from the 1916 Battle of the Somme, the Canadian Corps used new tactics, including improved artillery techniques, to capture Vimy Ridge as part of a larger Allied spring offensive in April 1917. In order to relieve the pressure on other allied troops fighting a strategic campaign in Flanders, the Canadian Corps captured Hill 70 in August 1917. Arthur Currie proved to be a capable and innovative commander. His Corps soon advanced north to support Haig and his struggling campaign. In mid-October, Canadians relieved Australian troops near Passchendaele and were shocked by the terrible battlefield conditions. With his preparations complete, Currie launched the attack on October 16. 000 Canadians were killed or wounded before the ridge was captured.
Carl adjusted our tour to make a brief visit to an ancestor's burial site. This simple act was very appreciated and for our family aged 12-48, brought home the impact of WW1. Carl is very knowledgeable and our family learned so much and realized how much we have to be thankful for and the sacrifice given by our Canadian Soldiers. Thank you Carl.
Very well put together tour. Carl is very friendly and professional. He was able to adjust the tour to our needs. He had excellent recommendations along the way. He is very knowledgeable of the region and everything WWI. Highly recommend!
Carl was great and very accommodating to our group's needs. He is very knowledgeable, we learned so much. Thanks for a wonderful day!
Excellent tour. Carlos is easy going and very knowledgeable. I would not have been able to accomplish the number of sites we visited on my own nor have the history behind each.
This tour was absolutely amazing! We saw and learned so much about our Canadians in battle. The tour was very moving, very interesting and very, very well done. Karl our guide for the day was truly amazing. His knowledge, expertise and passion was outstanding to say the least. With just the four of us in the van with Karl, it was the most perfect way to do this wonderful tour. There were four of us all travelling together - we all thought the tour was outstanding!
What can we say? Carl was the most energetic and enthusiastic tour guide we have ever met. He was completely in tune with our group’s needs at all times. He made all the sites come alive with his story telling and vast knowledge of the history of Canada’s military role in WWI. He inspired a sense of pride in us as we discovered Canada’s contribution to the War effort. He even helped one of our group locate memorials to soldier relatives with little information to go on. Carl comes with our highest possible recommendation. He is articulate, friendly, and wastes no time!
This tour starts at the Menin Gate ( Ypres , Belgium). If you are staying in Lille (Fr), we can customize a tour for you, with a Lille pick-up and drop-off. Among other points of interest, we visit the : - the Vimy Ridge Canadian Visitor Centre - Grange Tunnel, battlefield & front line trenches - Vimy Memorial - Hill 70 or Cabaret Rouge Cy. - Essex Farm Cemetery and Dressing station - Tyne Cot Military Cemetery - Passchendaele Canadian Memorial - Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing If you are staying in Bruges (Be), book tour # 1035911 We will gladly optimize your travel plan: Drop-off in Bruges (Be) or Brussels is an option that can be organized at an extra cost. Drop-off in Lille (Fr) is free. FYI: Lille has this 60' train connection with Paris or Brussels, and in 90' you are in London St Pancras.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
I own and drive a Mercedes Benz Vito Tourer van. The van sits 8 people, has leather seats and a/c front and rear. Transport license 1609 .
Ypres, Flanders, Belgium
ByGuide: Menin Gate Memorial Monument. This is situated in the town of Ypres and is easy to find: Menenstraat, 8900 Ieper. Other locations, like hotels, are also negotiable.
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8 hours
1
8 hours
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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