Comments
5th of February 2011,
Have just spent an amazing afternoon with Lionel on a tour, this guy is so passionate about his hobby/business. We have already decided to come back to Ypres and do a week tour. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn about WW1. Thanks Lionel for a great afternoon, we now regret not booking you for a longer tour, but rest assured we will be back.
Richard Reeve
16th of January 2011,
My Family and I are grateful for the wonderful tour we took of Ypres and surrounds in January this year. We appreciate your extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the the history of WW1. We are most appreciative of your assitance in finding the details of my Great Uncle at Menin Gate. I throughly recommend your tours of the Frontline.
Rob
Australia, 10th of January 2011,
Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge and interest in the World War One battlefields with us. You were recommended to us by the B+B we booked with and you were a pleasure to deal with from the first email. Your suggestions for how best to use our single day in Ypres by combining the Northern and Southern salient tours worked extremely well . Until your tour I had not realised just how tiny the battlefield area was in contrast to the level of carnage and destruction that occurred across it's surface. As a history teacher I found your preparation, enthusiasm and obvious passion for your subject, heightened my own understanding of the battlefields and brought to life the experiences of the fighting men of all armies, not just the Australians. We particularly appreciated your willingness to tailor the trip so that we could visit my husband's great uncle at the Railway Yards cemetery and took into account places we had visted in a previous trip. I feel I have seen hidden corners of the salients and enjoyed sharing my new knowledge with my students when I returned home to Australia. If I ever had the chance to bring my students across to Belgium on a school trip I would definitely want you to lead the trip. I hope your tour company continues to flourish.
Denise and Grant Clift
Great Britain, 4th of December 2011,
We'd like to thank you for the fascinating tour we had with you on Saturday covering both the North and South Salient. We particularly appreciated you adjusting your tour to take in areas of particular interest to us. It's clear that your extensive knowledge has been gained from years and years of research, enthusiasm for the subject and a strong connection to the first and second world wars. Your very effective presentation and visual aids made the afternoon extremely interesting and enjoyable. Thanks Again
Mark & Sally Bradley
France, 4th of December 2011,
Thanks, Lionel...for a battlefield tour way beyond our expectations. I could pretend to be clever and suggest that I picked Frontline Tours after hours of poring over brochures and websites. But I wasn't and I didn't. There was just something about your site that inspired confidence and I booked. It could all have been a military boffin's delight, a dry recital of the names of generals and regiments. It wasn't. It wasn't remotely that. It was the story of "the boys", as you so rightly called them, and their experiences, their dreads, their personal triumphs, their life, in a war we are fortunate to have only to imagine. It was especially interesting for the American friends with us when you observed that more men died simply in the fields surrounding Ieper than in the entire American civil war. Lionel, you said you'd wished you'd had the confidence to conduct these tours years earlier. Just imagine how many more satisfied customers you'd have had!
Nog steeds onze danken, mijn vriend. We zullen terug komen!
Et pour les autres, les français comme nous, faites confiance à Lionel, qui conduit ses tours aussi en français. Vous serez pas déçu!
Léo
(small correction by Frontline Tours: ‘Not: More men died in Ypres during WW1, but: Almost as many men died as in the American Civil War)
Canada, 14th of November 2011,
I have meant for several weeks to write and thank you for the wonderful trip /tour that you took Michael and me on when we were in Ypres in September. You will probably not remember us but I was the tourist who just had to see Nellie's grave. Thank you for taking us there. It was so meaningful to me. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon with you. You were a wonderful guide and you certainly made the things that we saw as well as the history of World War 1 take on new dimensions. Our visit through Talbot House and Poperinge was perfect . You also most graciously took us to Hooge -- which we realized, some time after we had asked you if we could see it, was on the other side of Ypres. You are a great guide. Thank you for letting us walk through the graveyards and fields of Belgium with you to remember and pay tribute to those young men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in a mindless war. Thanks again and when we are in Ypres again ( we hope) we'll call you.
Elizabeth and Michael McAteer
Great Britain, 11th of November 2011,
We had a very informative and interesting tour. Lionel could not have been more helpful or knowledgeable. We were a party of 11 and we were visiting my father's grandfathers grave for the first time. Lionel organised 2 minibuses and our trip around that graveyard. Cannot recommend Frontline Tours highly enough.
Shona Wallace
7th of November 2011,
Well what can I say...? If you are thinking of having a tour with this fantastic company...don't hesitate! My husband, teenage son and myself went on a 2 hour tour on the 24th october with Lionel and it was just so interesting and informative. We all felt we benefited from Lionel's extensive knowledge and went home richer more informed about the events of World War I. A huge thank you.
Joanne Hoare
28th of October 2011,
I can not thank or praise Lionel enough. My wife, grown up son and myself had 4 hour tours on successive days. What an inspired choise it was to choose Lionel to be our guide. fortunately for us there was just the three of us on the tours which allowed Lionel to ascertain which aspect of the Great War was of interest to us and then tailor the tours to suit us, which included taking us to the grave of our relative. Lionel is so knowledgeable on the subject and is able to draw you in so much that in your minds eye you could visualise the carnage that went on. I could go on forever, but I will end by saying there can be no one better than Frontline Tours where battle field tours are concerned. Thank you Lionel, you were brilliant.
Pat, Paul & Neil
23rd of October 2011,
Anyone considering this trip should not think twice, this is a "Must Do". Lionels ability to bring to life this particular period of history is second to none. His in depth knowledge was superb, and he has obviously spent a long time researching this period. His passion for the part that all who fought here comes through loud and clear in his tours.
Rab & Mark
18th of October 2011,
Just to give a big thank you to Lionel for giving us an amazing "taster" this weekend (Friday 14th October)of the Ypres experience and making us to do more now!! the trip was informative and moving, we cannot recommend it higher!
Sue and Nigel
9th of October 2011,
To quote a famous Australian, "do yourself and favour" and go with Lional. He was simply brilliant, this is not a rote learned experience - he has such an indepth knowledge and enthusiasm of the subject that he adapts his tours on the run based on who is there. We had Australians, NZers and English on our tour all with different connections to WWI; and Lional could cater to all with apparent ease. Even better he puts everything into context of the world as it was in those times. The combination of his knowledge of history and of war strategy along with being a local Belgian passionate about his country and in particular this region, is, we believe, a rare find. So, do yourself a favour and go with Lional.
Graeme and Barbara Criddle
9th of October 2011,
Just a quick word to say thankyou once again for the wonderful tour, full of fascinating detail and expertly conducted. We all enjoyed it immensely, and I will certainly recommend the tours to others.
John (Lionel) Harding
3rd of October 2011,
Wow. What a wonderful Northern tour we took with you. My estimation of WW1 soldiers on both sides has risen dramatically. Anyone who wants a taste of the personal side of the war as well as the facts won,t find better.
Mick and Mo Newing
24th of September 2011,
My 8 friends and I took a four hour tour with Lionel. What an e3cellent decision. Lionel is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He engaged in discussion with us and even shared our humour, when that was appropriate. He not only looks at military matters but also is keen on the psychological aspects and the poetry and literature that the war created. I recommend him, and his wife, who works with him for an excellent day.
Ron Marchant CB FRSA
Australia, 21st of September 2011,
We were a group of 4 Australians who did a full day tour with Lionel earlier this year. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone considering a visit to Ypres. We were able to design the day to suit ourselves as Lionel gave us several options. He was very easy to understand as he speaks fluent English. He is also very passionate about the War & full of information, having maps, photos & fact sheets. He also took an genuine interest in us as we had grandparents involved in the War giving us relevant information as we went. The day was well spent & came to an end all to quickly but was a day we'll never forget.
Milton
3rd of September 2011,
We booked our tour with Lionel for the following afternoon. When we arrived we found that we were the only two for that trip and we can only say what an amazing and educational 4 hours we had. Lionels knowledge and enthusiasm were astounding and quite motivating. His commentary and photographic matter gave you a real insight into the life of the young soldiers on the battle fields. After a very moving afternoon we stood at the Menin Gate that evening. As the Last Post sounded, Lionels words and descriptions came back into your head and you could picture in your mind these courageous young men we were there to salute! A tour with Frontline Tours is a MUST!!!
Greg and Anne Bowles
Nederland, 29th of August 2011,
Hartelijk dank voor de mooie en leerzame rondleiding.
Oma met twee klein-zonen
17th of August 2011,
Lionel was so well prepared and gave us a very interesting and informative tour of the World War One battlefields and cemeteries. We cannot recommend him highly enough.
Darryl and Di Dyson
8th of August 2011,
We went on a 4 hour tour with Lionel on 04/08/2011 and found this to be a wonderful experience. Lionel was the perfect guide, knowledgeble and most courteous. We learnt so much about the terrible times the soldiers and local people had to endure, this trip will remain in our memories forever, a tour with Lionel and Frontline is a must.
Malcolm & Frances
Australia, 1st of August 2011,
Went on a 4-hour tour with Lionel on the 1st of August 2011. The tour itself was amazing. Lionel was an excellent guide- he made a point of putting us in a position so that we could understand what the soldiers and townspeople were feeling, thinking and seeing. This made the experience all the more fascinating. I would highly recommend Frontline Tours, as you will be assured a knowledgeable guide who is happy to answer questions, and the transportation is also of a high standard. Many thanks to Lionel.
Leigh and Sage
1st of August 2011,
Lionel took the 3 of us on a fascinating 4 hour tour of the North Salient. It went by in a flash as we were all spellbound by the stories Lionel told us. It was an incredibly moving and interesting experience and Lionel made it even more thought provoking by relating these incredibly huge events to the individuals involved. I can only give him the highest of recommendations.
K.Quinteros
United States, 1st of August 2011,
Lionel gave us and our two children, ages 9 and 13, an unforgettable four hour tour of some of the many sites in the area. His stories and photographs made the history come alive. This was a very moving experience and one none of us will ever forget.
Francesca and Geordie
13th of July 2011,
On a rainy day in Ypres, we were lucky enough to come across Lionel at Frontline Tours. We took a two-hour tour and wish we can taken a four-hour tour. It was a fascinating and moving tour. Lionel has great respect for the past and deep knowledge of the events of the first world war. He is a born storyteller. He wanted to make sure he showed us what we wanted to see and was very willing to adapt his tour to focus on, for us, the Canadian experience. We highly recommend a tour with Lionel and Frontline Tours and hope to come back one day for another tour!
Amy Kaufman & Sivan Almosnino
12th of July 2011,
On Saturday 10 July Lionel took my father and me on a 4-hour tour of the Ypres area. What fascinated me was how Lionel managed to get us to see things through the eyes of the people of the time - the naive young lads arriving to "do their bit" in the war, the surgeons tending the wounded, and the people who are usually forgotten in the history books - the people of Flanders, whose lives were shattered by the battles. I have no hesitation in recommending Frontline Tours - I don't think it would be possible to find a guide with a greater passion and deeper knowledge of the subject than Lionel, or more skill in describing events - Lionel isn't just a tour guide, he is a kind host, a wonderful storyteller and a time traveller! My Dad is 76 and had always wanted to visit a WWI site, and Lionel gave us a moving, fascinating afternoon to remember for ever.
Anne Cahling
New Zealand, 10th of July 2011,
We first met Lionel 15 minutes after arriving in Ieper while we were looking for somewhere to stay. Not only did Lionel find us the second last room in Ieper but he drove us there! His 4 hour tour reconfirmed our impression of his friendliness and helpfulness and showed us his passion for and knowledge of war history. The research he had done and the way he presented his knowledge with relevant photos made history come alive. We appreciated his devotion to the fallen of all nations - in our case, especially New Zealanders. Many thanks Lionel.
Owen & Pam
Great Britain, 4th of July 2011,
We, a party of two adults and three teenage girls (one an exchange student from Australia) joined Lionel for a four-hour whistle-stop tour of a few key sites in the Ieper/Ypres area. Wow! What well-spent time. Lionel is a great enthusiast for his subject and has researched his tours to meticulous and riveting detail. Using a mixture of anecdotes, photographs and written documentation, he illuminates each stop with details about specific individuals who were involved at that very spot. It makes for a captivating and moving experience. Thank you Lionel.
Alison Watson
29th of June 2011,
We spent a full afternoon exploring Commonwealth WWI sites with Lionel in June. He blew us away with his knowledge of his subject and the passion in which he communicated his knowledge. He ensured that the afternoon was tailored to ensure we got the most out of our experience - and we did. You cannot go wrong by doing a tour with Lionel and Frontline Tours, continue the great work Lionel.
Tracy
Great Britain, 11th of June 2011,
Myself, husband and grown up son enyoyed a memorable and quietly moving afternoon with Lionel, on a battlefield and cemetry tour. Lionel was very good at judging what we would find most worthwhile, and although very knowledgable did not just give a history lesson. On the way home from Ypres the three of us were very quiet -it gave us all a great deal to contemplate.
Maggie MacEntee
Montreal (Canada), 9th of June 2011,
Our family was privileged to have Lionel as tour leader of the Canadian monuments around Ypres in May 2011.. Lionel was as indefatigable as he was resourceful. He was genuinely concerned to meet our needs, directing us to sights where family members had been stationed and wounded. We remember climbing Kemmel Tower and Lionel’s impressive explanation of the battlefield below. His reading of John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” at Essex Farm will always stay with us. Recommended without hesitation!
Michael Huberman
The 2nd of June 2011,
We've just taken a great trip with Lionel today to Essex Farm, Paschendale and Hill 62. His level of knowledge and enthusiasm were fantastic. He was able to answer all of our many questions. We definitely recommend Lionel and his tours to anybody who wishes to learn more about the battles around Ypres.
Peter and Dale
Great Britain, the 24th of May 2011,
On May 19th, my son and I took a 4 hour trip with Lionel.An absolute superb trip. The 4 hours flew by. His passion for the subject was all so evident..Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Kevin
England, 20th of May 2011,
On Monday 16th May I was lucky enough to come across FRONTLINE TOURS preparing to start a 4hr tour. I had had little joy trying to sort out a tour, and was on the last of 2 days in Ypres with my Grandmother. I believe Lionel was our tour guide (my memory with names is terrible) so if I'm wrong I apologise. Lionel showed great consideration to my grandmother’s needs, like getting on and off the mini bus safely amongst others. For this I am truly grateful. Upon arrival at each site on the tour Lionel shared his great knowledge of the events. He doesn’t just reel off dates, but showed great passion in trying to paint a picture of what it would be like for the people that lived and fought in the war. This ability to tell you the events is superb and just made me think he would have been a great history teacher. I had no real knowledge on the First World War before the tour, but left knowing a vast amount and wanting to learn more of the events. The 4hr tour is great but if I return to Ypres, I will try and book a longer tour as I’m sure he has so much more to tell.
Many thanks again,Rob Foot
England, the 17th of May 2011,
We took a four hour tour,with Lionel,on May 9th & were totally absorbed by his obvious knowledge & passion about the Great War.He is a very personable chap who tells the stories with great warmth & much feeling.Hearing him read a dying soldiers last letter to his mother was a truely moving experience,amongst the graves of the fallen.If you ever find yourself in Ypres you must take on of the tours as you'll learn so much more than going it alone.And to you,Lionel,can we thank you bringing to life not only the horrors of the war but also the personal side of the soldiers.We hope to see you again,next time we are there.
Dave & Jo
Great Britain, the 10th of May 2011,
We recently, April 30 2011, went on 2 hour tour with Lionel and thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. Our son James, 12, sat in the front with Lionel and showed relevant photos during Lionel's talks and opened the door of the van for people. Lionel is very knowledgeable about the War and we would definately go with him again but for a longer time as the 2 hours went too quickly. THANK YOU Lionel for a most enjoyable afternoon in Ypres. We love Ypres!!
Lyn, Andy and James
Monday, the 9th of May 2010,
Excellent. As a Professional Soldier and amateur historian I was extremely pleased to undertake a tour with Lionel. Whatever level your knowledge is at he has the depth of knowledge and ability to push the boundaries and teach you more, A man with a genuine interest and infectious thirst for the details so often missed by others. Thank you Lionel for our tour during the first weekend in April 11.
Terry Fade
UK, the 25th of April 2011,
Fantastic tour. Some tourist tours are conducted by minimally trained staff, reading anecdotes from scripts. This is not that kind of tour. Lionel is well informed, versatile, and clearly has a genuine expertise in the subjects of his tours. He is also a stupendous polyglot. We can't recommend his tours highly enough.
Clare & Toby
England, the 14th of March 2011,
Firstly I must say what an experience our frontline-tour was, this was Alex's and my second tour with Lionel . The tours are of the highest standard and I would not hesitate in recommending anyone to take the tour(s) with Lionel. They are an ideal length (not too long), very informative ,the locations we wanted to visit were covered particularly the 1914 Christmas Truce site. All in all tip/top event. Well done Lionel
David & Alex Dean
Great Britain, the 1st of March,
This was an amazing experience! One I will never forget! Our guide, Lionel, provided us with the big picture - the politics, strategy and geography but combined it all with the 'human touch' of the cost to individuals - the soldiers on both sides and the local inhabitants. Lionel was inspirational and passionate about his subject. I learnt an incredible amount but I want to learn more. He was also very knowledgeable and patient with my questioning. To have been in the theatre of war where my Grandfather had been was extremely moving and I definitely want to go back. When I do revisit I will be getting in touch with Front Line tours again.
Debra York
Maastricht (NL), 27.2.2011
I enjoyed the tour with you so much! you not only passed on factual information, but also made me aware of the way of thinking back then and the emotional and other human aspects of this war. the amount of knowledge you seem to have is huge! and your passionate way makes it impossible, not to be touched deeply while walking on the paths of these heroes and look over the fields of disaster. i want to come back and know more. thank you for your efforts of not letting us forget what happened.
be well,Azahar Baeriswyl
Manchester, 25th of february,
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Lionel. I had visited the sites before, but without a guide. With a guide the whole thing was much clearer as to the why and wherefore. He delivers excellent information in a very clear way. I have already recommended this tour to my family and friends.
Many thanksAndy Walker
Great Brittain, 23rd of February,
A huge 'thank you' to Frontline Tours and especially to the 'brilliant' Lionel whose knowledge and passion seemed to know no bounds. Our tour was one of the most fascinating and moving experiences I have known and walking in the footsteps of some of those brave men was an extremely humbling experience. We will definately be back!
Ginette and Andy Pywell-Kiff
Great Britain, 2nd of November 2010,
We very much appreciated the tour on Saturday, both your commentary and anecdotes, and seing the geography of the battle zones. Before arriving in Ieper we had just visted the Arras Memorial to see a relative's name. We are his only living relatives. Whilst in Arras we also went to the Wellington Quarries, Sheffield Park, and paid our respects at the Animal memorial in Serre les Puisieux. From this we grasped something of the scale and awfulness of the war. But otherwise we knew very little of the detail. It was very useful and interesting after that to find out from you how the war started and the significance of the Ieper Salient. When we were at school , just after WW2, neither war was was on the curriculum. Thankfully they now are. And one hopes that eventually the full lesson, of how destructive human beings can be to one another, will be learnt.
John & Stefanie Leigh
Great Brittain, 27th of October 2010,
Many thanks for the great and very informative visit for our group of 8 over the weekend. Your attention to detail and knowledge on the subject surpassed our expectation, and we all came away saying it was one of the best tours we have been on. Next time, we will book for another tour, and will also ensure we stay for the Menin Gate salute.
Steve & Liz Dagnall
Great Brittain, 26th of October 2010,
I just wanted to write to say thank you for the wonderful tour we had with you on the 5th. It made a very sad and important part of history incredibly interesting, I could have spent a full week touring the area on a subject which I didn't realise I had so much interest. Myself and Wayne also wanted to say thank you for making it a reality seeing his grandfathers final resting place - a truly moving experience and it made me so happy to see that in was in a beautiful and peaceful place. I would recommend everybody does like this at least once in their lifetime as it is important that this dark period of history is never forgotten.
Thank you,Wayne & Clare Burgess
Canada, 26th of October 2010,
Thank you very much for a wonderful experience, it was nice having the history put into context as we were driving through the country side. Just a minor correction on one of the facts I mentioned yesterday. The poem, "In Flanders Fields" is written in on the Ten dollar bank note, not the five. The theme with the Canadian bank notes for this series is based on the Canadian experience, the five has an ice hockey player and children playing in the snow. The ten denotes our military experience through the veterans of past wars. What was odd was we actually have a ten dollar bank note with us on the tour. If you are interested in seeing the note you can go to the "Bank of Canada" web site and look for "bank notes".
Again thanks,Kim & Margi Horne
Gouda, 16 oktober 2010,
Donderdag 14 oktober hebben we gebruik gemaakt van uw dienst, en hebben van u een rondleiding gekregen, vanuit Ieper. Bij deze nog onze dank daarvoor. We vonden het zeer indrukwekkend, en mede door uw rondleiding hebben we een dieper begrip gekregen van de verschikkelijke gebeurtenissen van WOI, en de gevolgen daarvan tot op de dag van vandaag.
Henri Boere, Carola Remeijer
England, 1st of october 2010,
I just wanted to write to say how much my father, brother and I appreciated your expertise and insight into the events that led to the my great grandfathers death in 1917. We all could have happily spent further days with you as your subject and area knowledge seemed to be never ending. We all cant thank you enough as we feel that we truly were following in the footsteps of so many young men of many different nations.
Thanks for a fantastic and moving day.Stuart, Tim and Auburn
North Carolina, US, 29th of September 2010,
Lionel's use of maps, diagrams and photos were tremendously helpful in allowing us to absorb the extent of what happened in/around Ypres almost 100 years ago. His insights as to the reasons behind events and strategies during WWI were sot-on.
Robert Dunn
Durham, England, 11th of September 2010,
anyone who visits Ypres must venture out of the town on a battlefield tour, and Lionels tour is of the highest standard, he brought history to life, a pleasure to have been in his company on the 4hour step back in time.
John Hartis & John Gordon
Switzerland, 22 August 2010,
Dear Lionel,
Thank you for your very personal tour on August 6. You brought the Ypres Salient to life for us. I will try to search for my grandather's experience there. He received a head wound and was exposed to gas, but he made it home alive to Glasgow, Scotland - one of the fortunate British soldiers, who survived but suffered all his life from the experience.
Thank you. Hope to see you again in YpresAnn and Fabio
London, 16 August 2010,
I cannot recommend Frontline Tours highly enough. Lionel is warm, friendly, and passionate and well informed about his subject. He was extremely patient with our six year old daughter, and made the subject of the First World War come alive with his personal interest and his infectious enthusiasm. Lionel is a natural story teller! You will not find a better guide.
Julian Bell
Canada, 16 August 2010,
Just wanted to say how much my niece and I enjoyed our tour with you last Monday.We learnt more than we could have hoped and was delighted you could help us find my great uncle on the Tyne Cot memorial.It has given me a taste for more and i will definately return.Thank you for sharing your knowledge and personal family stories with us also.
Kind regardsJanice and Emma
NL, Augustus 2010,
Een middag in Augustus. Wij hebben in het begin van onze tijd in Ieper een reis geboekt bij frontline-tours. Daar waren we heel blij mee. De reis zelf is heel interessant en informatief. Ook was er voldoende tijd om vragen te stellen en rond te kijken. Maar alle informatie die je krijgt neem je mee als je naar museums gaat. Je kunt dan zo veel meer terug leiden naar plaatsen waar je bent geweest, dus waar de gebeurtenis plaats vond. Of de informatie beter begrijpen. Wij vinden front-line tours een echte aanrader.
NL, 21 July 2010,
Frontline tours biedt een buitengewoon interessant en gevarieerd programma in Ieper en omgeving. Door de kleinschaligheid kan er zeer veel rekening worden gehouden met de wensen van de klant. Voor mij was het dan ook het hoogtepunt van mijn bezoek aan Ieper. Iedereen die deze stad bezoekt en geïnteresseerd is in de rijke geschiedenis van de omgeving kan eigenlijk niet om Frontline tours heen.
David van Duuren
UK, 20 July 2010,
You very kindly took me and my four colleagues for a tour on Wednesday afternoon last. It was a very wet day and we sure were lucky to be taken round by you as you are well prepared for all weathers. Thank you so much for making our visit a very informative one. It was a good taster and I certainly, and I know some of the others too, will be back.
Andrew Grantham
UK, 17 July 2010,
Thank you so much for the tour - it makes such a difference to see the land and have it explained after having read about the war. We learned so much, four hours was not nearly enough and we hope to come back for some more in the next year or so. We loved the slides which made it all come alive, and especially the clearest explanation of the causes of the war that I have ever heard.
Toby and Angela Churchill
UK, 24 June 2010,
We just wanted to say how grateful we are for your considerate tour of the salient on June12th. Treating our father with such respect and doing the tour at his pace was indeed a blessing. The insights we gained on the tour were pivotal to a great weekend. Thank you. We may be back for more!
Chris, David, Stephen and Cecil Green
England, 20 June 2010,
Many thanks for your time and Historical information you gave us during the many Battlefield Sites/Memorial Cemeteries we visited with you on this day. The personal approach you have is to be recommended.
Robin & Dianne Sharvin
Northern Cyprus, 20 june 2010,
Perfect tour. Just a few words of appreciation for the excellent full day tour that you gave us of the Flanders WW1 Battle Fields. Your tours are well researched, hugely enjoyable and very good value. The combination of our stay at Varlet Farm (Passendale)and your tour made our visit to the area one to remember for a long time to come. Well done Lionel!
Paul Robinson and James McCamley
UK, 31 May 2010,
We have just returned from a weekend away in Bruges and were keen to have a have a tour of the main sights of Ypres. Lionel was a first class guide, with lots of interesting information and stories. We would definitely recommend him to anyone else visiting the area.
Ruth, Peter, Jonathan & Benjamin Adams
UK, 27 May 2010
Your knowledge, insite and humour made this a most enjoyable and worthwhile tour , back in April. Thank you so much, and we hope to see you again next year.
Regards Steve, Sarah, Norman, and Jeanne
UK, 21 May 2010
We booked a 4 hour tour for our first visit to Ypres and Lionel did not disappoint us. He was very knowledgable and made you feel part of the history of the area. There is so much to see that 4hours was not long enough. The mini bus was very comfortable with air-conditioning and we would recommend this company.
John Hyett
Australia, 23 May 2010
Just a great big thank you, for an informative and moving experience. It was one of the biggest highlights of our trip, and it is truly unforgettable to see the battlefields and cemeteries around the Ypres Salient, which enhanced our knowledge of the First World War. Also a very personnel touch by taking the time to take us to my wife's great uncles grave site and it was this personal touch that made it such a unique and touching experience. So thank you once again.
Ben & Lauren Hokin
UK, 20 May 2010
We wanted to thank you once again for the wonderful tour you gave us last week. You really brought to life the terrible times the soldiers lived through. We all found it very moving and were very grateful for the research you had done on the attack at Morteldje Estaminet where our Great Uncle died. You made it very personal to us. We would definitely recommend your tours.
Sue,Ros,Jack & Chris
Dublin, Ireland, 2 may 2010
Hi Lionel, just a note on behalf of all of us to thank you for a wonderful tour last monday. We really enjoyed it, you provided us with a deeper insight into the battle in Flanders where our Grandfather fell( St Julien) we hope to return maybe next year, this time we shall stay in Ieper and hopefully you will do a full day with us. anyway thanks again for a wonderful day.
Eamonn White
Dumfries Scotland, 28 april 2010
Finding Lionel for our battlefield tour was a great stroke of luck. The five hours we spent flew by and we learned an enormous amount about Ieper and WWI. Lionel's thorough knowledge of the area and it's history, and his slides and anecdotes made it a wonderful day for us. Thank you.
Tom & June
US, 21 april 2010
Lionel proved to be the perfect guide on our tour last week. Initially I thought four hours might prove a bit too long but the time flew in and such was Lionel's knowledge and enthusiasm we could have spent hours more. Not many bargains left nowadays, but this is one of them!
The Davidsons
UK, 15 april 2010
Many thanks for a very enjoyable and informative tour last week; I learned many new and interesting facts and only wish we'd had more time to explore further!
Julian Blackmore
UK, 7 april 2010
Many thanks for including us on your four hour morning tour last Wednesday. It was an interesting morning made all the better by the weather. Our granddaughter, Hollie, learnt a lot more than if she had been on a school trip. She enjoyed her visit and knows that Belgium has a lot more to see on another visit.
Thanks again for such an interesting morningIan & Jennifer Chalmers
US, 23rd March 2010
Thank you Lionel for a great tour, we all really enjoyed the morning and you were really friendly and informative, you really brought what happened there alive and even made me cry! We would recommend you to anyone wanting to visit Ieper, as taking the tour as an introduction was really helpful in finding out about what happened in the different areas that we would have perhaps not known about if we were looking around by ourselves. We hope to return to Ieper one day and would definitely be interested in taking another of your tours as we know there is still so much to see as 5 days was not long enough to take it all in.
Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you again.Ali, Jase and Harold Hobbs
U.K., 12 march 2010
Our thanks to Lionel, The only way to visit the battle fields, A very informative tour. We all would recommend you to any one. The seven welsh lads, We got back safely to Lille. Once again thank you for your wonderful hospitality.
Charlie Owen Otley
Wales U.K., 12 march 2010
Just a quick note, to thank you for time and effort you put in to making our tour with your company an unforgettable experience. We all thought you so helpfull and went over and above to help us with train times etc, we did manage to see the last post would not hesitate to recommend. regards
Chris Saunders
Nederland, 17 maart 2010
Vandaag maakte ik met Lionel een tour van vier uur langs enkele hoogtepunten uit WO I. De middag vloog voorbij en was zeer instructief, vol detail, met liefde en aandacht gebracht en af en toe zelfs ontroerend. Aanbevolen!
Michiel van Kleef
Canada, October 2009
My mom and I had a tour from you in October and really enjoyed it. Thanks again and we will recommend you to anyone from our little corner of the world that might be going to Belgium.
Trevor and Carole Miller
België, 8 januari 2010
Bedankt voor de indrukwekkende rondleiding in en om Ieper. Zonder gids moet je niet naar hier komen omdat je simpelweg de geschiedenis en de kleine details niet kent. Wij zijn 2 jonge mensen die enkel de oorlog kennen van de schoolbanken en de TV. Als je hier echt bent geweest en de massale kerkhoven en loopgraven onder ogen krijgt wordt je toch wel even stil. Spijtig dat de 2 uur voorbij vlogen.
Rob en Katrien Van Uffel
England, 3 december 2009
On behalf of myself and my wife & daughter I would like to thank you for the wonderful tour you did for us last Thursday afternoon - 3rd December. Your knowledge and passion for the whole battlefield area along with your flexibility and suggestions made for a really truly memorable experience for us. I was personally very grateful to have had the opportunity to see my Grandfather's memorial at Ploegsteert and for that thank you very much. We stayed in Ieper for the last post which rounded off a very enjoyable and emotional day. Once again thank you very much for the tour and we will certainly recommend Frontline Tours.
Kind Regards, Martin Lennon
Zürich, 5 Dezember 2009
Ich war am 19.10.09 den ganzen Tag unterwegs auf dem Schlachtfeld und hatte das Glück, Hr. Roosemont, den Guide alleine für mich zu haben und voll und ganz von seinem historischen Wissen über das ganze Schlachtgeschehen zu profitieren. Ich war tief beeindruckt von den genauen Details der Ereignisse in Verbindung mit der schönen westflandrischen Landschaft unter der noch das mörderische Grauen mit seinen zugeschütteten Schtüzengrben und Toten liegt. Dieser Krieg muss der ganzen Menschheit als Erinnerung und Mahnung für künftige Generationen dienen und sollte uns lernen, ehrfurchts- und verantwortungsvoll mit unserer Vergangenheit umzugehen. Denn wer die Vergangenheit und seine Geschichte auszulöschen versucht und ignoriert, ist auch geneigt, verantwortungslos und kopflos sich in das nächste zukünftige Abenteuer zu stürzen, ohne sich dabei über die Konsequenzen für die nächste Generation im klaren zu sein. Hr. Roosemont sei deshalb auch nochmals herzlich gedankt, dass er mir die Türe für eine alte und neue Welt aufstiess und diese in einem erweiterten Horizont zu verschmelzen wusste mit seinem Wissen, das auf Menschlichkeit beruht.
Esra Richter
US, 16 oktober 2009
We had a very informative tour with Lionel,it is the only way to see a lot in a short time. You miss a lot if you try to do it on your own.
Randall
Nederland, 14 oktober 2009
Wij willen u graag bedanken voor de interessante tocht die wij vandaag gemaakt hebben. Met veel enthousiasme heeft u ons verteld over de gebeurtenissen in en rond Ieper in de eerste wereldoorlog. De \"slides\" werkten zeer verhelderend en hebben ons veel duidelijk gemaakt. Vooral Sanctuary Wood heeft veel indruk gemaakt. We kijken er met veel genoegen op terug. Wie weet tot een volgend keer.
Paul en Astrid Roding
België, 26 september 09
Eerst en vooral bedankt voor de zeer interessante tocht door Ieper en omgeving. De informatie was enorm leerrijk en boeiend. We kijken er zeker naar uit om ook kennis te maken met de andere georganiseerde tochten doorheen dit stukje Westhoek. We kijken de agenda na en zoeken naar een datum ergens in februari- maart. We zullen later contact opnemen om verdere regelingen te treffen i.v.m. deze uitstappen. Nogmaals bedankt en tot een van de volgende keren.
Groetjes Marc en Kathy De Boeck – Moens
Great Brittain, 15 September 09
We have just returned from our holiday and would like to thank you for our tour 15th September, we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon with Lionel and learnt so much about the area, this made the rest of our stay in Belgium easier to plan as we knew exactly where we wanted to go. We went to the last post on two evenings - very moving, and headed to kemmelberg and the pool of peace by ourselves as advised by Lionel at the end of our tour - once again thank you.
Alison Crisp
Nederland, 20.9.'9
Geweldige rondleiding gehad, wij Nederlanders weten weinig van de 1ste wereldoorlog. Maar door de tour en de goede uitleg zeggen wij: 'doen'! Zeer interesant en bedankt.
Siem, Maria en Elly Hoogerwaard
Scotland, 2 September 2009
I would just like to say thank you very much for the tour of Iper Salient, it was a fantastic experience, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, and also thank you for expanding the tour, and for allowing me time to take photographs of the graves.
It was a valuable experience to see the places where the men fought, and to see the Wieltje area. You made it thoughly enjoyable, and with the depth of your knowlege, the experience was even more valuable to me. I also thorougly enjoyed our conversations as we were driving from place to place.
I would like to come again and will I will certainly be in touch in the future.Thanks again.
Tom Canty
Great Britain, 22 August 2009
My friend & I recently undertook a 6 hour private tour, which was excellent. We were picked up on time from our hotel and the minibus was very comfortable. Lionel was knowledgeable and we had a very interesting day. I do not hesitate to recommend this company.
Thank you
Wayne Browning
England, 20 August 2009
During our stay at the Novotel Hotel in Ieper, my wife and myself joined your 2 hour Tour covering the Northern Salient and Passchendaele on Friday the 14th August 2009.
We found the Tour a truly moving experience and although we had visited the Ieper area before, your presentation using your vast knowledge of the War, demonstrated the horrors of the Battles and the conditions that the Soldiers had to fight in and contend with.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your expertise, and we will pass on your contact details to our friends who may be visiting Belgium.
Be assured that when we are next in Ieper, we will contact you for a further Tour.
Many thanks once againGlenda and Ian Rothwell
South Africa, 20 July 2009
I found the 3-4 tour of the trenches and the grave sites very interesting and informative. It is a moving experience for someone from outside of Europe like myself. Lionel also makes it inspiring by reading letters that some of the soldiers wrote as they watched their fellow comrades die by their side. Thank you
Peter Rice
16 June 2009
We found ourselves staying the night at Hostellerie Kemmelberg and read the Frontline Tours pamphlet. The hotel recommended the tour and we are really please that we took the advice and booked the 4 hour tour, which actually over-ran by thirty minutes. We could have listened for longer. Lionel took us all over the Salient, the mine-fields, museum and to so many sites. The whole experience was enhanced by his personal knowledge and interest in the subject, imparted with great enthusiam and supported by photographs, plans, maps etc. All this was enjoyed from a most comfortable vehicle, which was large enough for six or seven passengers. We shall definitely recommend Frontline Tours to everyone we know who is going to Flanders.
Kris & Barry Musikant
29 Mai 2009
I would like to thank Frontline Tours for a wonderful personalised tour of the places where my great grandfather Major Julius Kennedy DSO served with his Royal Field Artillery Battery in Summer-Autumn 1917. This was at no notice, so extremely impressive.
Tim Kennedy
Deutschland, 21 April 2009
Ihre Tour war sehr informativ, man kann sie unbedingt empfehlen!
Weiterhin viel Erfolg!
Mit freundlichen GrüssenJutta Kuhse-Kemper und Knut Kuhse
Canada, 12 Mai 2009
We would like to say thank you to Frontline Tours for an excellent tour. We particularly wanted to see the grave of Ireland’s best known war poet, Francis Ledwidge. Lionel brought us there and also pointed out the monument erected where Francis fell. We also visited Essex Farm Cemetery, where John McCrea worked and composed “In Flanders’ Fields”. Lionel told us a lot about the conditions the soldiers found themselves in, surrounded by the Germans on high ground, and being shelled out of it even as they were only on their way out of Ieper. He pointed out certain graves and explained stories attached to them. All told, we felt Frontline Tours gave us a very personal and well thought out tour and much to follow up on (by way of reading & DVD) when we got home. Thanks so much – we highly recommend Frontline Tours.
Sheila & Tony Murphy, Drogheda, Ireland
Canada, 26 April 2009
It was our great pleasure to have experienced a 2 hour tour with a focus on Canadian troops' history in WW1. The guide was well informed and prepared with numerous laminated printouts and maps that he would show throughout the tour. We were very lucky in having a personal tour just between the guide and us two, which was very personalized and individual. Lionel even did not take the 2 hours as a strict time limit, enabling us to have fun over almost 2.5 hours. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much, it was an unforgettable experience!!Stefan & Vanessa from Canada
Great Britain, 22 March 2009
Just a quick note to say many thanks for the tour you gave me on Tuesday 11th March in the afternoon. You gave a very personal, knowledgable explanation of the Salient and helped me get an overall view of the First World War in a very short time. I would not have been able to find all those places in the short time that I had available without you. I will obviously have to spend more time now understanding those truly terrible events.
Many thanksNick
Belgie, 23 februari 2009
Als belg ben ik fier over het verhaal en de rol dat de belgen gespeelt hebben in de oorlog van 14-18 hoe zij, ook al is het maar 1 dag, de duitsers tegen gehouden hebben in Luik. Maar het meest ben ik onder de indruk hoe al die landen komen strijden zijn in Belgi en wat deze mensen allemaal hebben meegemaakt. Dit hebben wij met de profesionele begeleiding van Lionel precies echt meebeleefd. Het was echt een heel leerrijke ervaring en zeker voor ons zoontje die heel erg gefassineerd is door deze gebeurtenis. Bedankt nogmaals lionel
Hans, Lincy en Senne
Australia, February 5
Travel as a result of work enabled me to do the four hour tour on 31 January. This turned out to be the experience of a lifetime - Lionel was as generous with his time as he was with his information. He is a real expert in the subject and also in communicating the facts. I intend to visit the Ypres salient again - in his inestimable company! You will never regret taking this tour. The way Lionel moves around the salient, making a complex topography seem simple, is a great experience. I would recommend this to anyone interested in a first hand exposure of those tragic years in this surprisingly small part of Belgium. Afterwards make sure you stroll around the town of Ypres itself, and try to catch the 'last post' at the Menin Gate
Albert Farrugia Canberra
England, November 16
Number of us went on the Kemmel tour and we were so impressed that we booked the Passchendale tour for the following day. Lionel gave not only the usual tour but imparted some interesting and thoughtful opinions also.
We recommend Frontline Tours
Andy Taylor
Australia, October 18
What a fantastic and knowledgable guide Lionel is. My husband and I orginally booked for the 2 hour Northern Salient and Passchendaele tour and half way through that tour we both decided to extend it to include the Mine Battle tour. We were totally blown away by Lionels passion for his subject. We would certainly recommend his tour.
Thank you again Lionel.
Pauline & Rohan Gleeson
Canada, October 5
I, along with two friends of mine, took a tour of Ieper and the WWI battlegrounds with Lionel from Frontline Tours in September 2008. We all thoroughly enjoyed our experience and were so thankful to have received such a well-informed and personal tour. We were captivated and moved by the wealth of knowledge and passion that Lionel had for the subject. We were so enthralled by the stories and the history of the area that we were dissapointed when the tour came to an end. I recommend to anyone who has an interest in WWI history to arrange for a tour with Frontline Tours. My friends and I agree that it is an experience that we will not soon forget.
Thank you Lionel!
Jane Van Criekingen
Nederland, 20 september 2008
In de zomervakantie zijn wij samen drie dagen in Belgie geweest, een dagje Antwerpen, een dagje Brussel en een dag naar Ieper. Vooral het dagje Ieper was erg indrukwekkend. Een tante die Ieper al eerder bezocht had was erg enthousiast over de rondleiding van frontline tours en zei dat we dit echt niet moesten missen. Dit advies hebben we dan ook opgevolgd en het was zeer geslaagd!! De informatie die de gids ons gaf over de Eerste Wereldoorlog en de plaatsen die wij hierbij bezochten hebben indruk op ons gemaakt. We zullen Ieper en haar geschiedenis niet snel vergeten.
Nogmaals willen we u hiervoor bedanken. Ook anderen bevelen we deze tocht aan.Ariette en Gerineke Nieuwenhuis
England, August 26
My Wife and I are very were very pleased with our tour of Ypres also for the knowledge and courtesy shown to us by our guide, it was a very informative tour, full of interesting scenery, and we would like to thank our guide , Lionel, for his help and endeavour to customise this brief tour to suit our needs and situation.
Thanks Again
Ibrahim & Crissi
Australia, August 10
My daughter and I want to express our most sincere thanks for the excellent tour Frontline Tours arranged for us of the Ypres Salient. In particular, the courtesy, knowledge and sensitivity of the guide, Lionel, to our individual needs was deeply appreciated. The fact that he had researched about the Australian participation in the battles made our own specific journey much more meaningful and I will certainly be spreading the word in Australia! I have a number of friends who are interested in travelling to visit the battlefields who would benefit immensely from the type of tour you provide. My husband was delighted that we had seen so much and in particular that were looked after so very well. I know Frontline Tours is the perfect touring advisor to help us tailor-make a trip which will visit all the key sites we now know about. Concerning our relative, it is so comforting to know that we were in the general area and that some of the unanswered questions are now clearer to us. Again, our most sincere thanks and very kind regards.
Colleen van Hemert