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I'm considering this as a tag on to a visit to a pal in Brussels in September.
It seems like a good size to cover on a bike (potentially a Brompton)...is there a variety of museums etc to see (non war as well as war) to keep me occupied for a few days?
The weather looks potentially iffy...correct?
Weather, you can't possible tell that far in advance. It's rained most of July so far in Northern Europe. September can be great. Same weather as South of England.
Just been out to Ypres for the tour we saw
Hill 62 - Sanctuary wood
Tyne Cot
In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres
Menin Gate at 8pm, they play the last post, it was to busy when we were there to be special but supposed to be awesome
Def recommend all of them, although they are all WW1
Can't think of too many WWII sites in Belgium - although there is an Atlantic Wall site near Ostend which I very much want to visit.
Andyfla has nailed the sites around Ypres, plus there's the Essex Farm site where John McCrae served, the German cemetery at Langemark, the cemetery at Poelcapelle where the youngest known soldier who was killed is buried, the grave of Noel Chavasse VC and bar at Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Talbot House in Poperinge (another lovely town).
The Last Post at the Menin Gate is always busy and special anyway - hard not to be deeply moved however many people are there (and it's good that so many people still go).
Den Anker and Oude Tom are great places to eat in Ypres, and the Ariane and the Ambrosia are great places to stay. The Ariane is more expensive than the Ambrosia but both are excellent for their respective price brackets.
Haven't cycled around Ypres but there appear to be dedicated cycle routes around WWI which go past some of the sites above.
Love Belgium - I'd live there like a shot.
There was a really good write-up in yesterday's "i" if you can still get hold of it.
Battle of the Bulge was WW2, and in Belgium?
Ta, I'll do more research.
Bastogne was where the American General said "Nuts" I believe, nice town with a Sherman tank in the main square.
I have nothing to add beyond "Brussels is awesome." I envy you.
nice town with a Sherman tank in the main square.
See, you do that here you'd get arrested.
cynic-al - Member
Battle of the Bulge was WW2, and in Belgium?Ta, I'll do more research.
Yes, it was, but in the Ardennes - quite a long way east though...
Very broad minded the Belgians 😉
German graveyard in Lommell. Really takes your breath away the sheer scale of the place.
Theres some bits and bobs in [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastogne ]Bastogne[/url]
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I've been to Bastogne, seen/had the/a tank.
The museum was shut tho ;(
theres [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Eben-Emael ]Fort Eben-Emael[/url] [url= http://www.fort-eben-emael.be/en/ ]official site[/url]
Go. Worth going. Im going again in August.
Following this thread, heading out to Ypres area in Sept and thinking about Ardennes next year.
The Ardennes area is fantastic. Spa is a good place to stay, Durbuy is lovely.
Stavelot Abbey has a good motor racing museum, the Falls of Coo are good, and who could resist a trip to Plopsaland (I kid you not!) Coo?
There are caves, good walks, mountain bike routes, lovely towns, a preserved railway or two...
The food is good, the beer is good, the scenery is good. Great place.
We've just been to le coupole at st omer which is worth a visit and could be on your way