Belgium in 1914

Belgium in 1914

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tourhub | Leger Holidays | Belgium in 1914 | 5bbwv
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5 Days From

$864

Belgium in 1914

5 Days Starting and ending in Belgium

Visiting: Avenue des Artisans, Liège, Charleroi, Mons, Dinant Citadel, Namur

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

5bbwv

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From:
$864

NB: Prices correct on 10-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

2024 is the110th Anniversary Year of the outbreak of the First World War, travel with us to some of the forgotten battlefields in Belgium from the opening year of the conflict – 1914. We’ll explore Fort Loncin and Fort de Barchon with two fascinating guided tours, take an in-depth look at the fighting beyond Liege and the darker chapters of 1914, and uncover more about the ’Battle of the Frontiers’.

Highlights

  • 2024 is the 110th Anniversary Year of the outbreak of the First World War, travel with us to some of the forgotten battlefields in Belgium from the opening year of the conflict – 1914

  • Explore Fort Loncin and Fort de Barchon with two fascinating guided tours

  • Take an in-depth look at the fighting beyond Liege and the darker chapters of 1914, and uncover more about the ’Battle of the Frontiers’

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Belgium

Location: Avenue des Artisans

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Horizon Ath-Lessines

Meals Included: No Meals

Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in Belgium for a four-night stay.

Day 2 : Liege 1914: Battle Of The Forts

Location: Liège

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Horizon Ath-Lessines

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

As the Germans launched the Schlieffen Plan in August 1914, their forces crossed the border into Belgium. This was an area close to the city of Liege, protected by a ring of mighty forts. German ‘Big Bertha’ guns and other heavy artillery smashed the Belgian defences, and today we visit two of the forts involved. At Fort Loncin, we see how the fort was besieged and bombarded, and its central magazine destroyed, leading to the loss of more than 350 Belgian soldiers defending it. Here, we get an included guided tour of the fort, see the museum and evidence of the battle in August 1914. In the afternoon we visit Fort de Barchon, the first of the Liege Forts to surrender. Here, we also get an included guided tour, seeing the gun positions, memorials and damage done to the fort by the German guns.

Day 3 : Charleroi And Mons 1914

Location: Charleroi, Mons

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Horizon Ath-Lessines

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we look at the fighting in the area beyond Liege as the German forces pushed hard against Belgian, French and then British forces in August 1914. Near Charleroi, we look at the battlefields where the fighting took place, seeing memorials and graves of the fallen from France, and then study one of the darker chapters of 1914 when German troops massacred Belgian civilians, visiting the Massacre Memorial at Tamines. After lunch, we travel to Mons and see where the British Expeditionary Force made their stand at Nimy Bridge and Jemappes, as well as the unique St. Symphorien Cemetery where British and German soldiers lay side by side, as well as the ‘first and last’ British casualties. We have free time in central Mons for an evening meal before returning to our hotel.

Day 4 : Battle Of The Frontiers 1914

Location: Dinant Citadel, Namur

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Horizon Ath-Lessines

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We travel down towards the Belgian-French border, where the Battle of the Frontiers was fought in 1914. On one day alone in August 1914, the French Army lost more than 27,000 men killed in a single day. Here, we have an included visit to the Citadelle of Dinant which played a key role in the fighting, and visit the French Military Cemetery. We then follow the fighting up towards Namur, seeing the battlefields of August 1914, memorials and looking at the story of Fort Marchovelette which defended Namur, visiting the graves of those who died in its defence.

Day 5 : Return Home

Location: Avenue des Artisans

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 4-star Hotel Horizon Ath-Lessines, near Ghislenghien. 

Check out our Q&As

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we 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.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Sue Sinfield (Google Reviewer)  

Due to covid it was...

21-Jul-2022

Due to covid it was 3rd time lucky for us to visit lake Garda, what a treat. One or two hiccups but no fault of Legers at all. Praise to Graham and Chris for their excellent driving and coffee service. Our visit to Verona, our guide was very informative but did walk at a pace sometimes had to hurry to keep up. A lovely holiday

Michael Stephen Shilleto   England

Four Countries New Year & the Swiss Glacier Express

07-Jan-2024

Firstly we must thank Alex and Dave our tour guide / drivers who entertained us through out . The tour was fantastic so was the hotel’s food and entertainment. The tour was through the new year holidays as expected lots of shops closed and hotels were understaffed which was lost on some travelers. We travelled back from stop 24 on a luxuria coach I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort alone

Roy Williams (Google Reviewer)  

Great company. We did the...

03-Apr-2024

Great company. We did the 4 day D Day Normandy Landing tour.We had 2 great driver's John and Ian.. Nothing was a problem for them. They kept us safe and entertained.Then we had Fred Greenhow as our guide And he was outstanding. He told us everything we wanted to know. Can't praise them enough Thank you all. We will do more tours with them......

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Mary Elmhirst (Google Reviewer)  

I was told by a...

19-May-2024

I was told by a customer service advisor (Michael) , our hotel overlooked the River Seine, which was totally untrue. It was nowhere in sight and a good walk to get to it. My view from the hotel room was a wall and a window, There was no porterage available and although our drivers offered, after a 15 hour journey to France, we all opted to take our own luggage. To get into the shower there was a step to it and the floor of the shower was like an ice rink when wet, with nothing to hold onto. ( I showered wearing my slippers to avoid slipping). The plunger to the sink was unusable; (the lever to retrieve it was broken). The staff were pleasant and helpful, the bed was comfortable and clean abd the breakfast was worthy of the 3 stars given. Otherwise, I have stayed in a better 2* hotel in France. The driver and travel rep, Paul were both very friendly and pleasant but it was the first time Paul had been on this trip and therefore had little knowledge of the places we visited! There was no commentary and the history of Monet and Versailles was read out from a book! All in all, nothing would persuade me to take part in another Leger tour.

TU  

Many thanks to Molly.

03-Jan-2023

I have recently booked a trip to Le Mans and had the good fortune to speak to Molly. She was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. She was able to answer all but one of my queries with clarity and promised to ring me with the answer to the un-answered question as it required further investigation. This she duly did. An unusually pleasant experience when making a booking over the phone, if only it could be this easy every the time.

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Aug 05, 2024 - Aug 09, 2024
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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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