Ypres & Floralies in Ghent

Enjoy the incredible floral displays at the Floralies Festival in Ghent’s Citadel Park, and also explore the fascinating town of Ypres and its history during this lovely short break.

Friday 1st – Monday 4th May 2026

Tour Price £552.00
Single supplement: £149.00

o Three nights bed &
breakfast

o Hot/cold buffet breakfast

o Excursion to Ghent for the
Floralies Festival

o Time at leisure in Ypres

o Last Post ceremony at the
Menin Gate

o Return short ferry crossings

o All coach travel

FRI We set off this morning for Dover, where we board the ferry for the short crossing to Calais. We then continue on to our hotel located in a quiet area of Ypres’ city centre, just a moment’s stroll from the famous Menin Gate and Grote Markt. You are then free to explore the local area and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.

SAT After breakfast this morning, we head for the Flemish city of Ghent, which boasts an opera house, museums, ancient churches and dozens of bridges. Every five years in springtime, the iconic Floralies Hall in the Citadel Park in Ghent is the setting for the most beautiful floral creations by national and international florists, ornamental horticulturists, gardeners and artists. Returning in 2026, the themed indoor garden and discovery trail showcases incredible floral displays, trees and shrubs.

SUN Discover the historic charm of Ypres today, a beautifully restored medieval town in the heart of Flanders, Belgium. The town, once devastated by years of relentless warfare, has been carefully rebuilt and now stands as a symbol of resilience and remembrance. You may wish to visit the In Flanders Fields Museum, located in the historic Cloth Hall, which combines immersive technology with personal stories, letters, and artefacts to bring the experiences of soldiers and civilians to life. The museum provides a moving and educational insight into the realities of war and the enduring legacy it left behind in this region, and is a highlight for many visitors. Alternatively, take a walk through the town’s cobbled streets, and see the imposing Saint Martin’s Cathedral or the Market Square. This evening we experience the moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Held every evening at 8 pm since 1928 (with rare interruptions), the ceremony honours the memory of over 54,000 missing soldiers whose names are inscribed on the memorial’s walls. As the buglers play, the atmosphere is solemn and reflective, often drawing large crowds of visitors and veterans alike. It is then just a short walk back to the hotel for our last night before heading home.

MON We make our way back to Calais this morning, where we catch the ferry over to Dover, and then continue on homewards, arriving back in the early evening.