Our Educational Tours Account Manager Robert Fox went to Flanders this summer to experience our WWI history trip for himself.
“I’d highly recommend this student travel tour to students for many reasons. Staying at the well-located Peace Village, made the experience feel very focused and tailored.
“Everything was thought of and the timings were all done well. There is so much on offer for groups, and the whole experience can be personalised to your needs, whether that be concentrating on a regiment from your local area or even a country.
“There are Welsh, Scottish and Irish cemeteries to visit as well as the many Muslim soldiers fighting for France or the Indian regiment for England. There are literally hundreds of cemeteries to see and they make sure you can see many of the less touristy sites if you’d like to avoid the busy sites.
“I did a coach tour on one day, although there is a bike ride alternative, which is an excellent way to see cemeteries off the beaten track that are just as good as the main few that everyone sees.
“There is only a maximum of 15 minutes drive between each site, which means you’re never too long on the coach at any one time. Our guide also made sure that the visits were as linked to each group as possible, offering back stories from each cemetery we visited.
“In Flanders Fields Museum was interesting. They gave out personalised wristbands that students use at terminals to get a story that can be linked to their school’s borough or area. This makes it a much more personalised visit.
“At Hooge Crater Museum, the craters in the fields behind were brought to life by our guide with yet another captivating real life story.
“Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 was my personal favourite. They had interactive displays where students can wear soldiers’ clothes/armour and even smell what it was like in the trenches. They can also fully explore the dug outs and trenches, which really gave the whole experience life. It was very realistic.
“The Medical evacuation route was something I did at school myself and now it’s in the curriculum it’s a must see. Our guide gave yet more personalised stories that all linked together at the different sites and gave a great insight to one man’s role in the war.
“Our guides always ask ahead in case anyone has any relatives buried so that the group can visit them and we had such an experience in our group. We found the cemetery and grave stone of one man’s Great Great Uncle who hadn’t had a visitor in 99 years. Our guide managed to find information on his battalion and role in the war and even the day he died and where he was when it happened.
“Talbot house was quaint and a lovely end to the trip. The staff were all very accommodating and we had lunch there as well. They play a short humorous film and the grounds are very well kept and pretty. It was a nice way to end the tour as it was of a much happier view on the war. Somewhere the soldiers came to relax and enjoy themselves and it was nice hearing stories of an optimistic nature.
“Peace Village was very well kept and such a nice place for students. It’s well designed so that the rooms all surround a small courtyard which makes it very easy for teachers to keep an eye on things. They offer so many activities on site - football, campfires, volleyball etc. - and. they’re always willing to provide the equipment for other sports so that teachers don’t have to bring anything with them.”
For more information on our WWI tours call Dane or Rob now one Freephone 0800 496 4996. Or click on the links for more on our WWI battlefields trips, our Normandy history trips or all our student travel tours.
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