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Ypres (also known as Ieper) is a quaint town with a haunting history in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Being such a small town I wasn't expecting much but I was totally surprised and swept away by its charm. A Little History Ypres played a hugely important role in the First World War and sadly saw the loss of a generation of soldiers during the battles that took place here and in the surrounding areas. It is believed that 300,000 soldiers lost their lives on the front line here known as the Salient. There are plenty of war museums, memorials, military cemeteries and battlefields to tour, learn about and respectfully explore. During the war, the town centre was entirely destroyed and reduced to rubble. The main market square Grote Markt and most of the important buildings have been carefully reconstructed in the original 14th Century medieval style. It's a lovely town to explore and the friendly locals and delicious food make it even more so. With such an important history it is worth visiting on any trip to Belgium. Here are some of the top things to do in Ypres, with a few travel tips at the end, including where to stay and top places to eat. Flanders Fields Museum The In Flanders' Fields Museum is a must-visit, dedicated to the study of the First World War. It's located in the main town square on the second floor of the Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle). The museum uses various media and sensory experiences including videos, sounds and smells to fully immerse visitors. There are even interactive experiences including selecting a wartime persona and following their trials and tribulations throughout the war. Menin Gate Memorial The Menin Gate Memorial is dedicated to the missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. The memorial is a giant stone archway that crosses the town moat at the eastern side. Over 55,000 names are inscribed and honoured on the monument. Flanders Battlefield Tour There are a number of different companies that run private or group full-day or half-day tours around the main battle sights, memorials and war-related interest points in the area. Do your research to find which one is the most interesting and best for you. My husband and I joined a half-day tour with Flanders Battlefield Tour which we both highly enjoyed. We went to several sites over four hours, our tour guide was very informative and we learned a lot. We booked the tour directly at the Information Centre the day before. Tyne Cot Memorial One of the sites we visited on the tour was Tyne Cot Memorial and if you don't want to do a tour, visiting this site by itself is a must-do. This area on the Western Front was the scene of the Third Battle of Ypres. Also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, it was one of the major battles of the First World War. The memorial is the largest Commonwealth war grave in the world and is very moving to walk through. It bears the names of 35,000 men of the British and New Zealand forces, nearly all of whom died between August 1917 and November 1918. The Last Post Ceremony The Last Post Ceremony takes place at the Menin Gate every night at 8 pm. The ceremony is held to honour the fallen and express the gratitude of the Belgian nation towards those who died for its freedom and independence. The tradition started back in 1928 and has been held every evening without fail since. Traffic passing through the Gate temporarily comes to a halt as buglers sound the Last Post in remembrance of the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. The popular ceremony can get crowded so try to arrive a little earlier to ensure yourself a decent view. Market Square The main town square Grote Markt is home to stunning architecture, great restaurants, pubs, boutiques and little shops. The central feature, Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) is the most impressive building in Ypres and one the most impressive in the entire country. During the festive months an ice rink, Christmas markets and fun rides are set up in Market Square. How to get to Ypres The nearest airports are Brussels and Antwerp. If you don't have a rental car, Ypres is very easy to get to by train. Trains are an efficient and affordable way to get around Belgium and many of the surrounding countries. Find more information on how to get to Ypres here. Where to Stay View this post on Instagram A post shared by KRYSTI JAIMS ✘ NZ Travel Girl (@krystijaims) on Dec 22, 2018 at 8:32am PST My husband and I stayed at Main Street Hotel for two nights and we very highly recommend it. It's the number one hotel on Trip Advisor in Ypres for a reason! I loved the unique decor, the rooms each have a different theme and they're incredibly cosy. It's the little touches that make all the difference for me, like amazing customer service, having the mini bar all included and the most amazing breakfast served to you each morning - such as the best waffles I've ever had. It's one of my favourite hotels I've ever stayed at in Europe. Where to Eat We've all heard of Belgian cuisine and Ypres is a great place to indulge in everything it's well-known for. Chocolates, frites, waffles, beer, baked goods and traditional Flemish fare. You could enjoy eating here for days on end! I was only in Ypres for two nights but here are my top must-visit eateries (some of which my hotel host recommended to me). Brood Henk Banket - amazing bakery with a wide range of bread, pastries and cakes. I loved their custard-filled croissants and their chocolate eclairs. A L' Envers - a popular Belgian restaurant and number one on Trip Advisor. Reservations recommended! I highly enjoyed their pork cheek stew and creme brulee. Peter De Groote - for the finest Belgian chocolates. There are many boxed selections to choose from as well as a large cabinet display of various chocolate assortments to pick and mix. St Arnoldus - a speciality beer cafe with a large variety of local Belgian beers on tap and Flemish bar snacks. If you would like to see a bit more, check out my Ypres Travel Vlog I made for YouTube: Those are my top recommendations for things to do in Ypres. I hope you have some inspiration and are convinced to come and visit this historical and charming little town. Do you have any other top tips to add? Let me know in the comments below. Happy Travels, Pin it! :)
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Gjirokaster (aka the Stone City) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well preserved Ottoman-style town in Albania. Gjirokaster has the perfect blend of history, nature, and city which means there’s something here for everyone! In this guide I’ll tell you what to do in Gjirokaster, where to stay in Gjirokaster, and the perfect 2 day Gjirokaster itinerary. I spent 4 nights in Gjirokaster which really allowed me to experience the culture, food, and history here. I absolutely loved my time in Gjirokaster and you certainly will too! I personally think it’s one of the best places to visit in Albania, so definitely don’t overlook it whilst planning your Albania bucket list. Skip Ahead: Quick Facts About Gjirokaster View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor ♡ | Adventure Travel (@theholisticbackpacker) How to get to Gjirokaster If you’re visiting Gjirokaster, chances are you’re coming from Tirana, Himara, Saranda, or Berat. No matter which city you’re coming from, I’d highly recommend taking the bus. The bus is inexpensive and it’s the best way to travel within Albania. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous you could also hitchhike – hitchhiking is super common and relatively safe in Albania! A word of warning – the bus system is super confusing and unreliable in Albania. My best piece of advice for effectively navigating the transit system here is to ask the employees of your hotel or hostel for information. They’ll almost definitely have detailed directions for bus schedules and stops which is a safer bet than trusting any travel blogger or website which claims to have information about “how to get from point A to point B” in Albania. I’ve put together this guide full of Albania travel tips where I give useful tips and information for utilizing the public transit system in Albania. I’d HIGHLY suggest giving this post a read as it’s full of helpful recommendations and warnings. Where to Stay in Gjirokaster Luckily, Albania is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Europe! It’s not actually part of the EU and it hasn’t been subjected to Schengen inflation which makes it a total backpacker’s paradise. With that being said, Gjirokaster is a super affordable destination in Albania and you can easily find accommodations here for 10 euros/night. Booking.com Here’s a breakdown of the best accommodations in Gjirokaster for every budget: Hostels in Gjirokaster – For the Budget Traveller I’ve stayed at both the hostels in Gjirokaster, so here’s a quick review for each of them: Trademark Accommodations in Gjirokaster Things to do in Gjirokaster 1. Hike to Ali Pasha Hiking to Ali Pasha was my favourite activity in Gjirokaster, so it’s therefore making #1 on my list of things to do in Gjirokaster! Ali Pasha was previously used as an aqueduct, but it’s now used as a footpath for goats and the odd hiker. The lack of tourists and the superb mountain views make Ali Pasha the perfect escape from the “bustling city life” of Gjirokaster. I really loved my time here – I spent around 3 hours journalling, taking photos, and napping in the tiny bit of shade I found under the bridge. The only “people” I saw there were some goats and a Shepard! The hike to Ali Pasha is definitely a workout and you’ll need appropriate running shoes (or better yet hikers). Initially you’ll follow steep roads up until about this point (GPS) and from here you’ll have a really pretty walk through a tight valley to Ali Pasha Bridge. Just make sure you watch your step! The terrain gets quite rocky. TIP – hike to the bridge as early as possible to avoid the sweltering Albanian summer heat. 2. Try the Traditional Albanian Food of Gjirokaster Albania’s traditional food has a huuuuge Greek influence, so you already know it’s gonna be tasty. Gjirokaster in particular though has some traditional dishes local to the area that you must try. I found Edua Gjirokaster to be the best restaurant in town. They had alllll the traditional dishes at a super reasonable price. There were TONS of vegetarian and vegan options (which is hard to come by in the Balkans) and they had a super cute outdoor patio. The traditional foods of Gjirokaster are: ps. if you’re looking for the best 1 euro ice cream in town, check out Kodra! The ice cream is super rich and there are soooo many flavours (I loved the date flavour, yum)! 3. Visit the Gjirokaster Castle The Gjirokaster Castle is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a bit of history combined with beautiful views. The Gjirokaster castle overlooks the entire city of Gjirokaster and has tons of space to walk around and explore. Here you’ll find an old weapons museum, the old town clock, and lots of empty, dark rooms to explore. There is an entry fee of 400 LEK (approx 4 euros). 4. Walk Around the Bazaar The Gjirokaster Bazaar (similar to a market) is the highlight attraction of this historic town. The Bazaar is situated in the heart of Gjirokaster and features so many local artisan crafts, trinkets, and jewelry. My favourite things at the Bazaar were the beautiful, hand-made carpets and bowls. The colours and attention to detail were unreal! If you purchase anything you can expect a hefty $, however the quality and sentiment behind these pieces are truly priceless. 5. Go on a Walking Tour & Plunge into Local Albanian History Gjirokaster is FULL of history – this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site after all! I can admit I didn’t visit all these places when I was in Gjirokaster, however these are all the great cultural experiences the city offers: 6. Take Part in Gjirokaster’s Xhiro In the evening hours, the Albanians take part in what they call “xhiro.” In English xhiro translates to walk and this walk is a beloved Albanian pastime! You’ll find hanging lights, music, and a thriving patio life in the evening hours here (or anywhere else in Albania for that matter). 2 Day Gjirokaster Itinerary Day 1 in Gjirokaster I always like to start my itineraries off with a walking tour because it’s the best way to get your bearings, see the sights, and learn what the new place you’re travelling to is all about. With that being said, on day 1 in Gjirokaster I’m recommending a walking tour! I’ve listed all the things you can do and see in Gjirokaster above, but my “can’t miss” recommendations are the Bazaar and the castle. You could easily spend a day looking at the local crafts, grabbing lunch on the patio, or spending time exploring the castle. If you’ve got extra time, throw in a visit to one of the original Ottoman style houses or the museum. Better yet, grab a delicious ice cream from Kodras and have a snack while you roam the streets! For dinner I’d highly recommend grabbing some traditional qifqi, sarma, or shapkat from Edua followed up with a tasty Oshaf dessert. If you can, be like the locals and wait until the sun goes down to partake in the whole “xhiro” patio dinner vibe. End day one in Gjirokaster with a good nights sleep at the Stone City Hostel or the Old Bazaar 1790. Day 2 in Gjirokaster Start off day 2 early! Gjirokaster is situated in the perfect position to catch a beautiful sunrise. Have a quick breakfast and hit the trail – you’re hiking to Ali Pasha! The hike to Ali Pasha isn’t overly strenuous, however the midday Albanian heat makes the hike quite hot and tiring, so it’s best to go early. Roundtrip including photos and a quick break it should take you around 2-2.5 hours (although I did take around 4.5 because I journaled, napped, and enjoyed the views)! If you go early enough you should return to your accommodations in time for check out. Pack up your belongings, grab a quick lunch at the Bazaar (again, I’m recommending a return trip to Edua because the food is soooo good) and catch a bus to your next Albanian destination! Tips for Travelling to Gjirokaster
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