Jen P.United States
Amazing tour with Carl that offered wonderful stories and incredible insights along with a beautiful cycling route. Highly recommend!
Choose a currency
Private tour in Ypres Carl O
Ypres, Cycle Flanders Fields, Full Day Biking Tour
5.0
(13) reviews
-
8 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
8 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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.
Riding the routes of the Great War in Flanders, Belgium, Private Tour with Local Guide
Overview of your Ypres tour
Cycling the Ypres Salient is a enjoyable way to combine relaxed outdoor activity in flat farming country with obtaining a better understanding of the 20th century European military history. I like to tell stories and to share my views on the matter. This is why I published a guide for cyclists who wish to ride the routes of the Great War in Belgium and France. This single day tour takes you around Ypres along the old British-German frontline of WW1. For the best part of 4 years, both sides were entrenched, waiting to open fire upon troops advancing in the no man's land. A century later, many Military Cemeteries, Monuments, Memorial and other relics testify to this pointless massacre. This 35 km or 22 mi. bike tour really is not much of a challenge! The highest elevated position is only 60 m. or 200 feet above sea level. We ride mostly on safe and waymarked cycle paths, away from traffic. We have other tours for more experienced riders! In case of bad weather then I always have my mini-van. . .
Recent Reviews
Matt C.
Highly recommended. I was taken to locations which are away from the beaten track and then Carl explained the historical significance. There’s not a better way of understanding the military significance of the geography than cycling through the landscape. And the landscape is wonderful. The enormity of the Great War becomes evident with the sheer number of CWGC Cemeteries we cycled past.
Vincent D.United States
Exceptional! Carl is not simply knowledgeable. He has a rare knack to impart the most important and relevant information through quick and effective narratives. He’s passionate about his subject matter (in our case the WW1 history of the 1914-1917 battles around Ypres). His bikes were in fine condition and perfect for the tour ahead. Pacing was excellent. He is clearly mindful of the safety of his group. Although so much of the tour was along canal paths and former railroad right of way meandering through the countryside, it’s flat and stress free for novices. Can’t recommend a highly enough.
Gayle F.Canada
Carl is an extremely knowledgeable historian with a knack for creating a story that kept all of us engaged. We are Canadians who learned more history of WW1 from Carl than we learned in our own country. We would highly recommend Carl as a tour guide.
Amanda H.Canada
Carl O is a wonderful guide. He tailored a cycling trip through the Ypres Salient to our interests and abilities. Although I had read history books, the on site insights that Carl gave us of the past and present legacy of the Ypres Salient was haunting and memorable. We had just finished an organized bicycle tour through parts of Netherlands and Belgium including the popular cities. Our day with Carl and in the Ypres Salient was the most memorable.
Patrick K.United States
Carl was a fantastic guide for our tour. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the area and WWI, and relates that history through interesting stories rather than dry recitation of dates and places. And the places we visited were very moving and meaningful. For anyone interested in learning more about the Great War this tour is highly recommended.
Your Ypres tour itinerary
We meet at the Menin Gate Memorial Monument, and kick off the tour . . . - Market square, - Essex Farm Cemetery and Monument, - Langemark German cemetery, - Vancouver Corner, - Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial, - Polygon Wood, - Menin Gate, - Halfway the day we take a short break for a light lunch Contact me for a customized tour plan. I can meet you & drop you off at the Lille Europe station. The high-speed Eurostar train travels via the Channel Tunnnel, and brings you from London to Lille in only 90'. Paris to Lille, or Brussels to Lille, takes 60' only. If you are staying in Bruges, then we can customize your tour with a Bruges pick-up and drop-off. You could even ask for a late return, then you can attend the 20:00 h Last Post service at the Menin Gate. See also https://lastpost. be/. There is no extra cost if you choose the late ( 20:30) return ride to Bruges. ETA Bruges will then be 21:30 h .
Want to customize this tour?
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.
Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Taxi
We use commuter or "Dutch" style 7 speed bikes. These bikes are perfect for this type of tour. There is a bike rack to cary your backpack. My pictures show the type of bikes that we use. Wearing a helmet is not mandatory over here.
What's included
Other: Helmets are made available to riders when asked for
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. - E-Bike rental. Should you prefer the use of a bicycle with a battery-powered motor to assist you when you're pedalling, then the extra cost is 15,-- € for every extra E-Bike.
Ask for your customized tour.
Food Drinks Snacks
Accommodation
Public Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Private Transportation
Tickets
Meeting location
Ypres, Flanders, Belgium
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Menenstraat, 8900 Ieper The Menin Gate Memorial is located some 200 yards from the Market Square
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Food And Drink
History
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Day Trip
Adventure
Tour reference number
847286
Languages
French
Dutch
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Ypres best suited for?
This private tour in Ypres is perfect for those interested in 20th-century European military history and who enjoy cycling through scenic, flat farming country. It's suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly, and the light activity level makes it accessible to most travellers. If you're looking to connect with a local guide for deeper insights into the history of the Great War, this tour is ideal.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Ypres be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
8 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
8 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in Ypres by Carl O.
Explore more of Ypres
Vimy Ridge and Belgian Canadian private battlefield TourCustomised World War I TourFrom Brussels: World War 1 Tour... Ypers, Tranches, Flanders fields & Noman's landA day in Flanders WW1 battlefield experienceWW1 in Flanders Fields, the Ypres Salient, History tour with a local guide. Starts in Ypres.Experience Ypres and its surroundings - the Flanders FieldsYpres, Cycle Flanders Fields, Full Day Biking TourWorld War I battlefiels and YpresFull Day Private Tour in Flanders Fields' battlefields, cemeteries and memorialsFlanders Fields and Vimy Ridge, the Canadian dimension tour, starts in Ypres (Be).Private one day tour to World War I battlefields, cemeteries and memorials in Flanders Fields including the Last PostCanadian World War 1 Vimy & Flanders private battlefield tourAustralian Private Tour in Fromelles and Flanders.New Zealand battlefield private tour in FlandersPrivate Full Day Bike Tour in Flanders FieldsFollow and Feel what Canadians did in Flanders Fields in WorldWar1
Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.