Main image: Tyne Cot Cemetery. Picture courtesy Copper Tree Media
A journey through Flanders Fields is unlike any other. The soft rolling landscape of West Flanders, dotted with quiet villages and open farmland, belies its history as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds of the First World War.
Every cemetery, chapel and archway tells a story of lives cut short and of sacrifice and remembrance.
I must confess my knowledge of this tragic period in history is limited but the tour we took with Aussie Sharon of Quasimodo Tours was equally emotional and educational.
No place illustrates the scale of loss more starkly than Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world.
Rows upon rows of white headstones stretch into the horizon, silently bearing witness to the countless lives lost during the battles around Ypres. Here lie nearly 12,000 soldiers, many of them unidentified with a simple “known to God” on their headstone.
Standing in this vast resting place, you cannot help but feel the immensity of loss and now I get why so many Australians make this pilgrimage with an estimated almost 2,000 Anzacs buried here.
Flanders Fields is, in every sense, a living landscape of memory. For travellers, it offers not only history but also perspective – a chance to walk where history was made and to carry its lessons into the present.
Close by, the Brothers in Arms memorial deepens the impact. The centrepiece life-size sculpture depicts Jim Hunter holding his dying brother John in his arms, a representation not just of their story, but of families everywhere torn apart by war.
Designed in Australia, the bronze statue weighs about 800 kg and was placed on its concrete pedestal on September 25, 2022, 105 years to the day after the Battle of Polygon Wood.
Talbot House: A Respite from the Front
In nearby Poperinge, the atmosphere changes. Talbot House, known affectionately as “Toc H,” was a haven for weary soldiers during the war. Founded by two Army chaplains in 1915, it welcomed men of all ranks through its doors.
Today, it remains much as it was, filled with period furniture, letters and photographs that capture the laughter and camaraderie that existed even in the darkest times.
Walking through the modest rooms and into its tranquil garden, one senses how vital this sanctuary was – a place where soldiers could reconnect with their humanity.
We had a very lively lunch here where we were regaled with fantastic stories and historic facts wrapped up in hilarious humour.
Menin Gate and the Last Post
At the city’s edge of Ypres stands the Menin Gate, its walls inscribed with more than 54,000 names of the missing.
Every night at 8 p.m., the road beneath the arch is closed for the Last Post ceremony, when buglers sound a tribute that has continued without interruption since 1928.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with visitors from around the world, you feel the weight of history in that moment of shared silence. The ritual is haunting and bought tears to my eyes.
We were there on a Sunday evening and were treated to the added poignancy of a 40 strong choir. I have risen early for many Anzac dawn services, but this ceremony undid me. An unforgettable experience
Belgium’s Secret Ingredient: Its people…and the train!
For all the fairytale cities and gourmet delights, what lingers longest about Belgium is the people. Always quick to help with directions, eager to share a recommendation and even quicker to strike up a friendly chat.
There’s a sense of being slap bang in the middle of Europe here, which is another big reason to put Belgium on your bucket list. It’s a fantastic springboard for onward Europe travel.
I continued my European trip on the train…but no ordinary train. The EUROSTAR is just what it says…a STAR among trains.
Gliding from Belgium to London aboard the Eurostar in Premier Class is one of Europe’s most seamless travel experiences.
The moment you arrive at the terminal, the process feels effortless: dedicated check-in lanes, swift security and a relaxed departure lounge set the tone for a journey where comfort takes the lead.
Once on board, Premier Class carriages are a cocoon of calm. Wide leather seats and generous legroom make it easy to settle in, while attentive staff serve a seasonal meal and fine wine, (ooh la la, I actually had champagne) at your table.
Large windows frame the countryside as it slips by. Belgium’s fields, France’s villages and finally the dash beneath the Channel, before emerging in the heart of London.
The journey is smooth, swift and surprisingly quiet, a world away from the stresses of airports.
The greatest luxury of Eurostar Premier Class is its efficiency. City-centre to city-centre in just over two hours means no long transfers, no tedious waits and no baggage hassles.
You step off in St Pancras International refreshed and ready to explore, with London literally at your doorstep. It’s European travel at its smartest: stylish, stress-free and incredibly easy.
✨ Belgium may be small, but its heart is immense – rich in culture, history and humanity.
From golden squares to quiet canals, from chocolate workshops to fields of remembrance, it leaves you with stories you’ll carry forever.
With Singapore Airlines flying direct to Brussels from Singapore four times a week, it’s a great destination for Aussies to explore. https://www.singaporeair.com/
Curious to know more about Flanders?
For any support in selling Flanders and Belgium as a destination please reach out to the local DMO:
Jan Wittouck – Business Development & Partnerships – Visit Flanders E-mail: enquiries@visitflanders.com // jan.wittouck@toerismevlaanderen.be
Website : https://www.visitflanders.com/en/trade
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-wittouck-165b2a2/
