Getting There -- Because it lies in a corner of Belgium that's awkward to reach, some visitors combine a visit to Ypres with a trip to Bruges or the nearby seacoast resorts. Trains depart hourly from Bruges. Look out for the Dutch name, Ieper, on the station name board. The trip takes around 1 hour and you may need to change trains at Kortrijk. Going by bus from Bruges is a bad option unless you have time to take in every haystack and hamlet along the way. By car from Bruges, take A17/E403 south to the Kortrijk interchange, and then A19 west; from the coast at De Panne, take N8 south.
Visitor Information -- Toerisme Ieper is in the Lakenhalle, Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper (tel. 057/23-92-00; fax 057/23-92-75; www.ieper.be). The office is open April to September, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and weekends from 10am to 6pm; October to March, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and weekends from 10am to 5pm.
Getting Around -- Sights in the town are easily reached on foot, though if you're arriving by train you can save time by taking a De Lijn (tel. 070/22-02-00; www.delijn.be) bus to the Grote Markt from the bus station adjoining the rail station. Taxis often are available at the rail station, or call Taxi Leo (tel. 057/20-04-13). You can rent bicycles (Apr-Sept) from the rail station for 9€ ($11) daily.
Iper Travel Experiences
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Iper
Next we head off to Iper, formerly know as Ypres. On the way we pass by Hellfire Corner, a name I recognise, but I’m not sure why. My gue... Continue reading »
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Mount Kemmel
Back in the car we head for the Mountains … Belgian style! We head out to Kammel Burg or Mount Camel. The name is misleading on tw... Continue reading »
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Talbot House, Poperinge
Our next stop is in a town called Poperinge. Talbot House was an everyman club for soldiers, offering a little rest bite from the horror... Continue reading »
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German Cemetery, Langemarck
Our first stop is the German war cemetery at Langemarck. Also called the Students’ Cemetery; 44,000 German soldiers or, to be more... Continue reading »
