It is possible to take a school battlefield tour in almost every country in Europe as a result of the two world wars that ravaged the continent for much of the first part of the 20th century. However, there are few places more poignant than Ypres, where thousands lost their lives.
Indeed, this medieval town was so devastated by World War I, where three major battles and around six conflicts were fought in and around it, the settlement was raised to the ground. As a result, this is one of the best places to give your students a glimpse of what the wars have meant - and continue to mean - for the people of Europe.
Begin your school trip with a walking tour of the town square, where you can see the stunning Cloth Hall. This magnificent building provides an insight into the efforts made by the people of Ypres to rebuild their town following the war, as it was reconstructed stone by stone after being demolished during the conflict.
Walking the cobbled streets past the shops selling Belgium chocolates and souvenirs, it is hard to believe that less than 100 years ago this was the site of such devastation. The First Battle of Ypres took place between October and November of 1914 and from then until October 1918 no less than six major battles took place here.
The worst was the Battle of Passchendaele, which resulted in around half a million casualties from all sides. You can learn more about what life was like during this period at the In Flanders Field Museum.
You can also take your students to visit the cemeteries that lie outside the town. Much like witnessing those in France, seeing the seemingly endless rows of graves stretching out before you really demonstrates the scale of the battle and puts into perspective the sacrifice made by the soldiers involved.
Be sure you head over to Menin Gate before you leave Ypres. This colossal monument is carved with the names of tens of thousands of soldiers who were missing after the war and have no known grave.
Every night at 20:00 local time, traffic around the structure stops and the people fall silent as the Last Post is sounded. This event is led by a different group each evening, with people travelling from all over the world to witness it. The fact that it still takes place almost a century after the first battle was fought is particularly poignant.
There are arguably few better destinations for a battlefield tour for schools than Ypres in Belgium. STS Travel, the UK's largest educational travel company, can help you organise school trips here and in a variety of other destinations.
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