10 Historical & Heritage Tours in West Flanders Province That You Shouldn't Miss

You will stand in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers in Fromelles, Ploegsteert and Messines. You will see some of the mine craters laid by the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie. Polygoon Wood, and Passendale will be visited. You will finish your day at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres

Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Stand in the tunnels in Vimy, walk in the trenches where Canadian troops stood in April 1917. See the CWGC's largest cemetery in Europe, come to see the Brooding Soldier where the first gas attack took place. Attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. See the dressing station where John McRae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local taxes, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Hotel pickup

Explore Bruges with a private guide on a day trip from Amsterdam. Visit the historic center, join a boat tour, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the historical houses that date back from the medieval times. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel or any other desired location. From here he will drive you Bruges in a comfortable vehicle. When arriving in Bruges you will see why the historic center of Bruges was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the historic city center, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the Church of Our Lady. Explore the charming area around the Dyver canal, and then stroll the cobbled square of Walplein. After exploring Bruges by foot your guide will take you on a 1-hour boat tour of Bruges. This is included with the tour. You also get the option to do a Belgium Beer and chocolate tasting. After the tour the guide will drive you back to your hotel.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, You can pick a departure time between 8:00am - 1:00pm.

Exclusions: Dinner

In the 13C., along with Bruges and Ghent, Ypres was one of the great Cities of Flanders though it later entered a long decline. In the First World War it was the fulcrum of the Ypres Salient, a bitterly fought-over enclave protruding into the German lines, and the town was almost completely destroyed. After the war, it was rebuilt in traditional style. Today, it is a focal point of commemoration of the terrible slaughter that took place between 1914-1918, while the countryside around is a vast necropolis with around 170 military cemetery and many other reminders of war. Beside visiting the town, we will discover: The Menin Gate; Saint George Church; Flander Field Museum; Tyne Cot Cemetery; The Memorial Museum Passchendaele; Mont Kemmel and Bayernwald Trenches; The American W.W.I. Cemetery; Diksmuide. The delightful countryside surrounding the city of Ypres offers many picturesque routes for walking and bicycling, and welcomes visitors to a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Inclusions: Tour Guide

Exclusions:

Discover the green fortresses of Bruges along an enchanting bike ride, with its old gates, ramparts, mills, and its centuries-old hospital and chapel of Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Potterie. During the stop you will be spoiled with a real Bruges waffle made by and consumed at a 'local'.

Inclusions: During the stop you can enjoy a real Bruges waffle with a delicious butterscotch sauce, Use of bicycle

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages

This tour covers the Ypres Salient from Messines to Passchendaele spanning 1914 to 1918, we follow the Australian/Canadian/New Zealand/ South African/ British soldiers as they attacked towards Passchendaele in 1917, if you have ancestors that fell in the battle I will tailor the tour where possible to include them Minimum x2 guests Max x5 Not a private tour but small group size max 5

Inclusions: Bottled water

Exclusions: Lunch

The most passionate guides to be found in Bruges will take only you and your private group on a tour through the fascinating medieval city centre of Bruges. At the beginning of the tour we'll make sure to customise the experience so you'll get to see what's most interesting to you.

Inclusions: Local Storyteller (available for English, Spanish & Dutch)

Exclusions: Gratuities

Receive a warm welcome to Bruges on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way possible! In only 90 minutes, a local guide will get you acquainted with Bruges to help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest. Discover where to find Eiermarktand Church of our Lady, and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? We got you covered; the local guides are experts in the subject! Forget about touristy traps; on this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction. Private City Kickstart Tour: Bruges is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Inclusions: Private Tour, Small-group tour option available, Local Guide, Local Tips and Tricks, City Orientation

Exclusions: Hotel pick up & drop off, Extra food and drinks

Walk around Bruges with a local guide, explore the historic centre and travel back in time to the golden days of Bruges. Our guide will tell you interesting facts and stories of love, glory and fortune, but also of intrigue, war and conflict. He or she can also advise you on where to eat and where to drink during your stay. By the end of the tour you'll know more than a local! IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Gratuities

Discover the fascinating history, myths and legends of Bruges on an evening walking tour with an expert local guide. Get off the beaten track and discover a side of Bruges most tourists never get to see. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and ends with a free beer in a local pub called the Bauhaus (if Covid measures allow it)! IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.

Inclusions: Free beer (only weekends)

Exclusions: Gratuities