Tyne Cot Cemetery Passendale, Zonnebeke, Ypres

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

...I have recently been on a day-long trip with my school to see Ypres as we are studying the 1st World War. I found it fascinating. Ypres is a small medieval town in Belgium. It used to be a small and sleepy town with only 20,000 inhabitants. It was taken by the German army in 1914 and after four years of war it was left in ruins. It was so flat and empty that you could see around you for miles. It was one of the best cloth towns in Belgium so the money from that paid for the town to be completely rebuilt. We excitedly boarded our coaches at five o'clock in the morning on 11 March. We crossed the channel in the Euro tunnel and drove through France and into Belgium. We arrived in a very cold Belgium at 11am, unprepared for the day that lay ahead. We stopped off at a few Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries, including the one... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great Historical Monuments
Disadvantages: The Weather! (?)

...I visited Ypres not so long ago for a day trip to have a browse around the World War grave yards and the old trenches that were used during the war. I visited both the Allied grave yards and the German grave yards and they both have sad yet interesting feel about them. The allied grave yard is amazingly kept, with the white stones and rememberence monuments naming those whose died defending their country. I also took the time to sign the rememberence book and filled it with simply a word that covers everything, "Respect". The German grave yard i visited was smaller but just as sad. With it's flat grey stones and basic look, however it is also very well kept and has a peaceful feel about it. The trenches that i visited were again, fantasticly kept. I even had a wonder through them. The dark tunnels and the thick mud would make a great... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful