Group tour operator for tours to Belgium
Battle of the Bulge – The Ardennes Counteroffensive
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Mardasson War Memorial, Belgium
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Bastogne War Museum
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Panoramic view of Dinant ©WBT, Photographer JP Remy
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Bastogne War Museum
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Bastogne War Museum
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Bastogne War Museum
2024 marks the 80th Anniversary of the commencement of the Battle of the Bulge
Take a group tour to explore a turning point in the World War II at the site of the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It took place from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945 as Hitler ordered this battle as a last ditch attempt to turn around World War II.
Hitler sent almost a quarter of a million troops through the densely wooded hills of the Ardennes region, in a sneaky and unexpected tank attack. The aim was to split the Allied forces and re-take the strategically important Belgian port of Antwerp. The German troops’ failure to divide Britain, France and the USA with the Ardennes offensive paved the way to victory for the allies.
On this tour, explore how the allies went on to victory after this battle. Also discover the tragedy of war that devastated the region, with an insightful battlefield guide. Their vibrant stories will bring this bloody winter to life and recount the specifics of the battle. The Bastogne War Museum features highly emotive exhibitions. Follow stories of individuals involved in various ways with the Battle of the Bulge to delve deeper into this topic. Furthermore, a visit to the 101st Airborne Museum allows you to step inside a shelter and experience simulated bombings. This is especially evocative as it captures an element of what the soldiers and locals experienced.
Take time to reflect in the Bois de la Paix (Wood of Peace) and at the German cemetery at Recogne. On this significant anniversary, it is important to remember and learn from this tragic conflict and, indeed, the Second World War.
Fancy a more relaxed approach to the Ardennes? Check out our Best Kept Secret Ardennes tour.
Dates
Dates throughout 2023 & 2024
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in the Ardennes
Head to Dover to cross the Channel to Calais. Continue through France and Belgium to the beautiful Ardennes region, where you will be staying for the next three nights. If you’d prefer, overnight sailings from Hull to Zeebrugge are available. Please enquire for more details.
Day 2
Bastogne Battlefields
Today an insightful guided battlefields tour will unearth the specifics of the battles of Bastogne. We visit the Bois de la Paix – the Wood of Peace – a remarkable monument to honour those who died during the winter of 1944-45. 4,000 trees were planted for the 50th anniversary in the shape of the UNICEF emblem, a symbol of tenderness.
Then we visit the German cemetery at Recogne where almost 7,000 German soldier rest. In the afternoon, we enjoy an evocative visit to the Bastogne War Museum which follows the stories of four people and their experiences of the Battle of the Bulge. Retrace this major conflict from their different perspectives and visit the nearby Mardasson memorial.
Day 3
Airborne Museum and Brewery
The 101st Airborne Museum, dedicated to the American paratroopers who fought this battle, takes us back to the cold winter of 1944-45. We see how soldiers and locals lived during WW2 and step inside a shelter to experience simulated bombings. In the afternoon, it is possible to visit the Bastogne Barracks, which features a Vehicle Restoration Centre. We then take some time to enjoy the culinary pleasures of Belgium. A beer tasting is the perfect way to relax after sightseeing and our historical journeys. Savour the taste of this Belgian masterpiece on our final evening.
Day 4
Return to the UK
It’s time to leave the Ardennes behind and head to Calais for your ferry crossing back to the UK. If you’re not ready to depart just yet, why not add an additional day to uncover the picturesque villages and beautiful castles of this region.
Suggested hotel
Castel de Pont-á-Lesse, Dinant ***
Located in the heart of the Ardennes, this renovated manor house is only three miles from the town centre of Dinant. The hotel rooms have satellite TV and black-out curtains for a comfortable sleep. Free bottled water and Wi-Fi are available in each room. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant and a terrace. The heated indoor swimming pool is a nice place to relax and swim a few laps. Coach parking on-site.
Floréal Hotel, La Roche-en-Ardenne ***
Located in a characteristic building amidst its own beautiful grounds, this holiday resort has its own heated outdoor pool, mini-golf course, tennis court and bowling lane. The Floréal La Roche-en-Ardenne offers a wonderful base on the banks of the River Ourthe and just 900 yards away from the historical town centre. The rooms feature TVs and telephones with private bathrooms complete with hairdryers. Coach parking on-site.
We offer a wide range of military themed tours:
World War 1 Battlefields – ‘In Flanders Fields The Poppies Blow’
| 4 days by land and sea | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| November 2023 to March 2024 | From £295.00 per person | From £89.00 per person |
