Battle of the Bulge
4 - 5 days from £399pp
About the tour: Battle of the Bulge
- Campaign: World War 2 (WW2)
- Campaign Dates Covered: Dec 1944 - Jan 1945 (What's this?)
This tour will cover the following key events
- Battle of the Bulge begins - 16 December 1944In the early hours of the morning on the 16th Dec 1944, German troops launched a massive artillery bombardment through the Ardennes. As a result the defending Allied line took the shape of a large bulge, as they attempted to fend off the Germans – Giving the battle its name.
- Bastogne is surrounded - 20 December 1944As the Germans attempted to secure the harbour in Antwerp, they came head to head with the Americans as they faught for the roads in easten Belgium in Bastogne.
- Battle of the Bulge ends - 25 January 1945As Nazi offensives ran low on everything from moral, to Luftwaffe to ammo, and found that they were unable to replenish what they had lost, their advance began to slow. This gave the Allied forces time to allow the weather to improve, so that they could take to the skies and push back the Germans.
Tour Introduction
Choose a four or five day tour option, as we explore what is now the largest battlefield area in Europe. The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive of any importance in the West in World War 2, and we delve into its harrowing past as we visit the Ardennes Battlefields. We see memorials, cemeteries, foxholes and tanks, as we learn the true extent of what happened here all those years ago. On our five day tour, guests will learn of the British contribution to the fighting in the Ardennes, as we visit the British Cemetery in Houffalize and the Ardennes Museum in La Roche.
Tour Includes
- 3 or 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
(Deposits from £150pp)
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.
If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.
Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.
Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
Day 1
Local departure by coach, then to Liège for a three night stay.
Day 2 - Siegfried Line; Kampfgruppe Peiper & La Gleize
We begin our tour at the massive Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery where the dead and missing of the Ardennes battlefield are buried; we learn the stories behind the many brothers who died together and are buried here, along with medal winners and those killed in some of the terrible battlefield massacres.We then move on to an area where the Battle of the Bulge started, seeing the front line positions close to the Siegfried Line at Hollerath. Here we see Dragon’s Teeth anti-tank defences, trenches and foxholes and memorials to both the German and American troops who were here in December 1944. We then follow the story of Kampfgruppe Peiper, seeing their start positions at the Losheim Gap, and looking at the sad story of the Malmedy Massacre.
After lunch we follow Peiper and his tanks into La Gleize where one of his mighty King Tigers still remains and is on display; we also visit the excellent museum here before looking at the defence of Parker’s Crossroads and ending at Grandmènil where we look at a German Panther tank used by 2nd SS Panzer Division.
Included meals: Breakfast
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery (5)
Key Visits
- Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery
- Malmedy Massacre site
- La Gleize
- Dragon's Teeth, Hollerath
- Panther Tank, Manhay
Day 3 - Band of Brothers; Bastogne
We get an insight into the dreadful German losses in the Ardennes at the German cemetery in Recogne before following the ‘Band of Brothers’ in the fighting for the village of Foy. We see where they attacked Foy and go into the area where their foxholes have been preserved in Bois Jacques, also seeing the Easy Company Memorial nearby.In Bastogne we visit the 101st Airborne Museum before having time for lunch. In the afternoon we see where General Patton’s men and tanks linked up with the Airborne troops surrounded at Bastogne before seeing one of the Sherman turrets that now mark the defence perimeter around the town.
At Mardasson we see the impressive American Memorial and take time to visit the Bastogne Historical Centre, full of equipment, tanks and memorabilia connected with the fighting here.
Included meals: Breakfast
Recogne German war cemetery (7)
Key Visits
- Recogne German war cemetery
- Mardasson Memorial
- Foy
- Bois Jacques
- Easy Company Memorial
- 101st Airborne Museum
- Bastogne War Museum
Day 4
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 1
Local departure by coach, then to Liège for a four night stay.
Day 2 - Siegfried Line; Kampfgruppe Peiper & La Gleize
We begin our tour at the massive Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery where the dead and missing of the Ardennes battlefield are buried; we learn the stories behind the many brothers who died together and are buried here, along with medal winners and those killed in some of the terrible battlefield massacres.We then move on to an area where the Battle of the Bulge started, seeing the front line positions close to the Siegfried Line at Hollerath. Here we see Dragon’s Teeth anti-tank defences, trenches and foxholes and memorials to both the German and American troops who were here in December 1944. We then follow the story of Kampfgruppe Peiper, seeing their start positions at the Losheim Gap, and looking at the sad story of the Malmedy Massacre.
After lunch we follow Peiper and his tanks into La Gleize where one of his mighty King Tigers still remains and is on display; we also visit the excellent museum here before looking at the defence of Parker’s Crossroads and ending at Grandmènil where we look at a German Panther tank used by 2nd SS Panzer Division.
Included meals: Breakfast
La Gleize (5)
Key Visits
- Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery
- Malmedy Massacre site
- La Gleize
- Dragon's Teeth, Hollerath
Day 3 - Band of Brothers; Bastogne
We get an insight into the dreadful German losses in the Ardennes at the German cemetery in Recogne before following the ‘Band of Brothers’ in the fighting for the village of Foy. We see where they attacked Foy and go into the area where their foxholes have been preserved in Bois Jacques, also seeing the Easy Company Memorial nearby. In Bastogne we visit the 101st Airborne Museum before having time for lunch. In the afternoon we see where General Patton’s men and tanks linked up with the Airborne troops surrounded at Bastogne before seeing one of the Sherman turrets that now mark the defence perimeter around the town.At Mardasson we see the impressive American Memorial and take time to visit the Bastogne Historical Centre, full of equipment, tanks and memorabilia connected with the fighting here.
Included meals: Breakfast
Recogne German War Cemetery (7)
Key Visits
- Recogne German War Cemetery
- Mardasson Memorial
- Foy
- Bois Jacques
- Easy Company Memorial
- 101st Airborne Museum
- Bastogne War Museum
Day 4 - Britain’s Battle of the Bulge – Battle of the Ardennes Museum, La Roche
In December 1944 British troops were rushed to the Ardennes to help their much pressed American Allies. We start today at the Panther Tank in Houffalize used by 116th Panzer Division. From here we see the British Memorial, an M10 Achillies Tank where the 51st (Highland) Division fought and visit the British graves at Hotton War Cemetery. In Hotton we see where 116th Panzer Division was stopped on the bridge and visit a rare Sherman Firefly Turret, a memorial to the British troops where were here in 1944/45.After lunch in Hotton we travel out to where the German advance was stopped at Celles, seeing a Panther tank knocked out by the Royal Tank Regiment, and visit the Battle of the Ardennes Museum in La Roche.
Included meals: Breakfast
Panther Tank, Celles (5)
Key Visits
- Houffalize
- Hotton War Cemetery
- Achilles, La Roche en Ardennes
- Battle of the Ardennes Museum
- Panther Tank, Celles
Day 5
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Museum package available whilst on tour approx. cost €40 (4 days), €48 (5 days).
Pre-Tour Reading
A selection of related books for pre or post tour reading.
- Arnold, J.R. - Ardennes 1944 (Osprey 1990)
- Cavanagh, W.C.C. -A Tour of the Battle of the Bulge Battlefields (Pen & Sword 2001)
- Cross, R. The Battle of the Bulge 1944: Hitler’s Last Hope (History Press 2002)
- Pallud, J-P. - Battle of the Bulge: Then & Now (After The Battle 1986
- Rawson, A. Battle Story: Battle of the Bulge 1944 (History Press 2011)
- Vorwald, P.M. Battle of the Bulge: Through the Lens (After the Battle 2000)
Passenger Information
Foreign Currency
This tour takes place in Belgium and therefore you will only need the Euro. You are advised to get Euros – in cash – in advance of your tour, as many banks in France do not provided currency exchange services.
What to Bring
The weather in the Belgian Ardennes can be changeable, and it is advisable to bring sensible clothes and always pack a jumper and waterproofs. Good, stout shoes are essential – remember this was once a battlefield and we will be going into some of the forests. Walking shoes/boots are ideal. In warm weather always bring a hat and sun cream, and it is advisable to have a supply of water.
Specialist Battlefield Guides
All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.
Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.
Hotel
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liege
+ View more
About the hotel
Situated in the Liège suburb of Herstal, the 4-star Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liège boasts beautiful views of the Meuse Valley. The hotel facilities include a bar, a restaurant and swimming pool (seasonal); all rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, safe, and tea and coffee making facilities.
Hotel Features
- Bar
- English Speaking Staff
- Lift
- Restaurant
- Swimming Pool
- WiFi Available
Room Features
- Bath and/or Shower
- Hairdryer
- Single or Bunk Beds
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Telephone
- TV
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.
Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.
When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.
Executive Coach
+ View moreExecutive Features
- Air conditioning
- Drinks machines
- Onboard toilet
- Reclining seats
Silver Service Coach
+ View more
Silver Service Features
- Sit back and relax in specially-designed, deluxe reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and more legroom than standard coaches.
- Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.
- Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
- Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
- Porterage* at most hotels, so you really don’t have to lift a finger.
- Time flies with our onboard entertainment system.
- With free personal headphones you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs.
- Onboard toilet
Silver Service Seating Plan
Silver Service Virtual Tour
Luxuria Coach
+ View more
Luxuria Features
- Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests with cup holders and retractable calf rests give you a more comfortable journey.
- Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch screen T.V. offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
- There’s also a selection of double and single seats, including four seats face-to-face with tables. And with a total of 7 single seats available, these are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
- Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
- Onboard toilet.
Luxuria Seating Plan
Luxuria Virtual Tour
Travel Extras
With an overnight stay or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...
Join coach at Interchange
+ Find out moreJoin your tour coach at the interchange.
On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
