Itinerary - 4 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

Brussels

Take the Eurostar from London to Brussels (journey time approximately 1 hour 51 minutes). On arrival check in for 1 night at the historic Crowne Plaza Brussels - Le Palace.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in one of the many cafes which line the city's avenues and squares or stroll around one of the many museums. Brussels is also the perfect place for shopping; from designer boutiques to fashion and craft shops, Brussels has it all!

After an afternoon sightseeing, enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants Brussels has to offer.

Day 2

Ypres

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before travelling by train from Brussels to Ypres, which takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. On arrival in Ypres check-in for a 3 night stay at the Novotel Ypres Centrum.

During the middle ages, Ypres was a prosperous city, renowned for its linen trade. Today it is synonymous with the battles of the First World War. The town occupied a strategic position for the German planned advance through Belgium and into France. As a result, some of the bloodiest battles in human history were fought in the area and the town itself was completely devastated.

The main square was rebuilt after the war and is now the first stop for any visit to the city. The imposing Cloth Hall, originally built in the 13th Century is now home to the ‘In Flanders Fields Museum’ which offers a fascinating and moving history of WWI.

Day 3

Ypres Battlefields

After breakfast in the hotel you depart to discover the World War I battlefields. Explore the history of the Ypres Salient on this half day tour.

The first stop is the first aid dressing station where John Macrae wrote the famous poem 'In Flanders Field'. You then proceed to Langemark, the only German cemetery in the area, where tens of thousands of men lie together in a mass grave.

Continue through the tranquil countryside which is now dotted with dozens of peaceful cemeteries, before arriving at the infamous Passchendaele Ridge. Once here you visit Tyne Cot, which is the world's largest Commonwealth War Cemetery. Over 12,000 men lie together on the slope where they died. The tour finishes when you are taken to Salient to visit the fascinating old museum at Sanctuary Wood where thousands of artefacts and hundreds of original photographs are housed.

The tour finishes when you are taken to Salient to visit the fascinating old museum at Sanctuary Wood where thousands of artefacts and hundreds of original photographs are housed.

Return to Ypres to watch the moving "Last Post" ceremony which takes place every night at Menin Gate.

Day 4

Ypres

Spend a final day discovering all Ypres has to offer. A trip to Ypres is not the same without a visit to Saint Martin's Church. It was badly damaged during World War I, but material from the damaged church was collected and used to reconstruct this beautiful medieval church. Decorations from different periods can be found throughout the church.

You may also choose to visit the impressive Cloth Hall, which overlooks the Market Square. The building was destroyed during WWI but was carefully and beautifully restored and is a particularly impressive sight at night!

After a busy day sightseeing, relax in one of the restaurants that Ypres has to offer.

Day 5

Ypres to London

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before travelling back to London by train.