In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres

Advantages: Interesting and fairly comprehensive history of 20th century warfare
Disadvantages: Far too many school trips

...plenty). As I'm particularly interested in the history of WW1, this was probably the main attraction here for me. I wasn't disappointed. There's an amazing amount and variety of artifacts on display, along with detailed information about the different phases and aspects of the war. I've visited many, dedicated WW1 museums, and while this one is very good, I don't think it's quite on a par with the In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres. However, The TRENCH EXPERIENCE was exceptional. You enter a darkened corridor which is actually a simulation of a trench system. There are constant flashes, and attendant booming, which gives a reasonable impression of an artillery barrage. The sound effects also include shouting and crying, rattling machine guns and a whole cacophony of battlefield noises. Life-size models are in various poses and attitudes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: An eye-opening experience, thoroughly absorbing
Disadvantages: Might be too 'real' for some people

..."IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields." John McCrae (1872 - 1918) IN FLANDERS FIELD MUSEUM is located on the upper floor of the Cloth Hall in the Grote markt, Eiper, or YPRES. The museum opened in 1998, replacing the dated WWI museum that had previously occupied the building. THE CLOTH HALL itself is a magnificent medieval edifice, but what is all the more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good atmosphere, amazing buildings, good shopping
Disadvantages: Very sad, extremly cold in winter!

...a man who gave his life to save his country. It then dawned on me how young these men were, some of them only a year or two older than me. Yet they were still so brave and died for their country. They would also have had parents, children, relatives and wives/partners. For each man that died, there were probably at least 10 people who were affected. Some of them would have had very young children who would never remember them. The wives would then have been left struggling to bring their children up by themselves as well as struggling with the grief of losing their husbands. Others would have been newly married and had never got to spend much of their lives with their new wives. We then drove a short distance to the town of Poperinge. Poperinge is 12km from Ypres and was an important town during the Great War. We visited the 'Flanders... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Fascinating chronicle into the town of Ypres during World War I
Disadvantages: Upsetting to see the evidence of wasted life

...INTRODUCTION Last year I had my first spell of working in the Netherlands and one weekend with the help of a friend visiting who'd hired a car, we thought about going to Ypres, Belgium, scene of much trench warfare in World War One. On out way to the Tyne Cot war cemetery (which are quite awe inspiring in themselves), we spent a little time in the pretty main square of Ypres, where we chanced upon this museum just behind the square. YPRES (IEPER) Lying near to the French border, the Belgian town of Ypres (the French name) or Ieper (Flemish) was the scene of much trench warfare during WWI. It was in fact a prosperous town pre-war and was a key place because it led the way towards the rest of Belgium and France for the Germans. There were several big battles as both sides needlessly wasted much human life, the most notable... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: you learn a lot about the world war, doesn't cost a lot if you visiting from U.K
Disadvantages: The weather could be really cold and muddy in some areas

...Ypres is the place to be if you are a sort of person who is interested in History of the World war mainly concentrating on German and Belgium. I been there three times mainly because of my history studies and the experience was extraordinary. However, Because i've mainly visited there for History studies it's hard for me to tell you about the city life style, entertainment etc. A return ticket to ypres only cost me £45 via Euro tunnel which is rather cheap. When we went to the flanders fields were there is lots of graves we were just wondering around and ma mate noticed a grave of her great grand dad and she was shocked i actually took the picture for her as she did not have a camera. The weather in the area can be a bit painful for the reason that it's hardly hot. Its mainly cold and if u visit the trenches it could be muddy just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: An eye-opening experience, thoroughly absorbing
Disadvantages: Might be too 'real' for some people

..."IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields." John McCrae (1872 - 1918) IN FLANDERS FIELD MUSEUM is located on the upper floor of the Cloth Hall in the Grote markt, Eiper, or YPRES. The museum opened in 1998, replacing the dated WWI museum that had previously occupied the building. THE CLOTH HALL itself is a magnificent medieval edifice, but what is all the more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful