|
| |
Atkinson Ian
Three weeks ago I was fortunate enough to do the battlefield tour with Annette and Christian of Camalou Tours.
As I was arriving in Ypres a day early, they not only arranged for my extra accommodation, but they also extended their hospitality by providing me with a wonderful Belgian traditional lunch and a pass to the Flanders museum. During lunch Annette quizzed me about any special requests and I mentioned my two great-uncles whose names are on Menin Gate and three other graves I wished to visit in the Somme area. Not only were all requests fulfilled, she arranged for a wreath for me to lay at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony; an experience I will never forget.
The tour is conducted in modern Mercedes Benz vans fitted with video so that documentaries can be shown when traveling to and from battle sites.
At no time was there more than five people in our party and the information passed on by both Christian and Annette was absolutely mind-boggling.
During my time in Ypres I had the opportunity to observe other tours which all seemed to be in large groups which could not possibly have provided to all in their party the personalised information and service that Christian and Annette convey so easily.
Their battlefield tour came to me through a recommendation of a friend who also cannot speak highly enough of their tour and the personal service provided by these two wonderful people.
Their knowledge of the Flanders and Somme battles extend to all the allied participants and I cannot recommend their tours highly enough.
I hope that some time in the future to revisit this area which has so much significance to Australia and would not entertain using any other tour organisation than Camalou.
Thank you very much, once again, Chirstian and Annette.
Ian Atkinson
Posted on 2010-10-24 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Johnson Victoria
My family and I stayed with Annette and Christian in July 2010 and we thought the entire tour was the best part of our European holiday! They are both terrific hosts and even more brilliant historians! Christian and Annette could answer any question we had!
The tour is both comprehensive and compassionate. You visit every major battlefield and also museums, monuments, cemeteries and areas of interest that such as old German trenches. Many of these areas other tour groups simply overlook!
The accommodation is fantastic - clean, beautiful, comfortable and very homely!
I absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who has a love of military history or who wants to learn about the sacrifices our ANZACs have made for us. I look forward to doing this tour again! This is the BEST WW1 Battlefield tour - bar none!
Posted on 2010-08-23 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Devine Stephen
Wow. What a fantastic tour you guys put together. It didn't hit me till a few days after I left just how much information you provided and effort you put in, tailoring it to my interest in the Australian part of the conflict. The B&B is one of the best I have stayed in. Thank you so much.
Posted on 2010-07-18 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Eastman Avalon and Ron
We stay with Annette and Christian regularly and have never been disappointed with our holiday. Camalou is so comfortable that when we arrive we feel as though we are coming "home" to see our friends.
Thank you for all you did for us last week, the Battlefield Tours were excellent and we enjoyed our walks around the lake and surrounds. Thank you for lending us your bike too.
We will see you as soon as we can fill the Piggy Bank again.
Posted on 2010-05-31 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Lamont Duncan
I would just like to thank you for your hospitality on our recent trip to Ypres, your warm welcome, excellent accomodation and extensive knowledge of the area certainly made our stay all the more enjoyable.
Thank you again.
Posted on 2010-03-22 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Proud David
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you very much on behalf of myself my wife and friends for the brilliant day you gave us on Saturday 20.03.10,your passion on this subject left us all in awe.and added to the enjoyment of the day.your kindness shown to us the following day by picking us up from our hotel and running us to the station was very much appreciated,and we look forward to perhaps seeing you again in the near future and we would certainly recommend you to anyone wanting to do the battlefield tour
Posted on 2010-03-21 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
John Healy
I spent three nights at Camalou and took the 4 day Australian tour with Annette & Christian. I\'d been planning to do a Great War tour for a long time, and Christian and Annette made the trip unforgettable. Annette was very knowledgeable and passionate about the Great War, the many battlefields and cemeteries and especially the respect for our soldiers. They both visited Australia in 2009 and visited the places where our soldiers came from.
Providing me with details of a Great Uncle and a Grandfather who were both lost during the war during the battle of Passchendaele was extremly appreciated. I would recommend both of them to anyone considering tours of the Somme or Ypres. My experience in Belgium was made complete by the friendliness of the Belgian people,who all spoke English.
Posted on 30-01-2010 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Helen, Madeleine and Benjamin Hoare
We had a very memorable time with you and appreciated your hospitality and kindness. Your depth of knowledge of the battlefields is truly remarkable and you made the three days we spent with you, a very personal and moving experience.
Camalou is a delightful guest house; spacious rooms, wonderful breakfasts, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. I would happily recommend you to anyone visiting the area.
Many Thanks for an unforgettable experience,
Posted on 05-01-2010 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Tubby and Janice McGuire
The tour following the footsteps of the New Zealand soldiers and espacially our grandfather as well as other places the kiwis fought was wel organized and behind all expectation. We saw much more that we ever could imagine.
We still can’t get over the number of cemeteries and the number of people sacrificed and for what cause?
Once again, we must thank you and your family for the hospitality and the simply exceptional tour you gave us. You are truly an exceptional guide and you have helped me to achieve one of my life long goals. It was a trip we will never forget!! Thank you very much for that!
Posted on 29-12-2009 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Dale & Suzi Mahoney
Dale and I made it back to the states. We had such a wonderful time in Belgium! Especially at the Camalou. I am still talking about the day we had touring around Flanders with you. Your knowledge is so amazing. It was just totally great!!!
Posted on 2009-12-22 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
Elisabeth, Jodie & Neil Brough
Following the barge trip, our Battlefields Tour with Annette and Christian was excellent. Camalou Guesthouse, like our hosts, was charming. We were especially impressed and appreciative of Annette’s research into the possible final resting place of a relative who had no officially listed gravesite. They knew all the places of interest, many of which the independent traveller would be unaware of. We cannot praise them highly enough and would unhesitatingly recommend their services to anyone thinking of touring the battlefields. Wonderful!
Elisabeth, Jodie & Neil
Posted on 2009-12-12 - Back to top - Sign guestbook
|
|
| |
|
