Dunkirk & Fortress Europe

Dunkirk & Fortress Europe

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Dunkirk & Fortress Europe

4 Days Starting and ending in Belgium

Visiting: Belgium, Dunkirk

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

bdk

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through history with the "Dunkirk & Fortress Europe" tour, exploring the poignant battlefields and memorials of France and Belgium. This immersive experience takes you to the heart of World War II's pivotal moments, visiting the war graves, memorials, and battle sites of 1940, including the iconic beaches and port of Dunkirk. Discover the stories behind the Durham Light Infantry and Royal Welch Fusiliers, and witness the remnants of the V-weapons launch sites. Stay at the charming 3-star Hotel Oude Abdij in Lo, and enjoy comfortable coach travel from the UK. This fully guided tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past, with visits to local war museums and the chance to participate in the moving Last Post Ceremony in Ypres. Perfect for history enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of Europe's wartime legacy.

Highlights

  • Visit the war graves, memorials, and battle sites of 1940 in Dunkirk.

  • Explore the beaches and port of Dunkirk, including the wrecks of the Little Ships.

  • See the Dunkirk Memorial and War Cemetery.

  • Discover the War Museum of Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk.

  • Explore bunkers and defenses, including V-weapon launch sites.

  • Visit the massive Blockhaus at Eperlecques, a V2 rocket launch site.

  • Experience the Last Post Ceremony in Ypres.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Location: Belgium

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Oude Abdij

Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for a three-night stay.

Day 2 : Battle Of France: Retreat To Dunkirk

Location: Dunkirk

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Oude Abdij

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start the tour with a look at some of the fighting in the Battle of France in May 1940 following the story of the Durham Light Infantry and Royal Welch Fusiliers at St. Venant, seeing the memorial and nearby graves. At Cassel Hill we examine the last stand here by the Oxs & Bucks and Glosters. Following lunch we visit the site at Wormhout where a massacre of British troops took place by the SS and then go into Dunkirk to visit the excellent War Museum of Operation Dynamo, followed by a visit to the East Mole. We end the day in the dunes of Dunkirk to remember the sacrifice of French troops in May-June 1940.

Day 3 : Miracle Of Dunkirk: The V-Weapons

Location: Dunkirk

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Oude Abdij

Meals Included: Breakfast

We return to Dunkirk to see the Dunkirk War Cemetery and the Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing. At Bray Dunes we look at the story of the evacuation beaches and the ‘little ships’, forever connected to the Dunkirk story. At Eperlecques we see the massive Blockhaus, built as a launch site for V2 rockets. We then see a typical V1 Doodlebug ski-ramp site, hidden in the woods near Morbecque and constructed to fire more than 2000 V1s a day at London. In the evening join us on an optional trip to nearby Ypres for the moving Last Post Ceremony.

Day 4

Location: Belgium

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Meals
    3 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is provided 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.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

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

  • Fully Guided

    The tour is fully guided.

  • International Travel

    International travel is included.

  • Transport

    Transport is provided by a comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach.

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

    Insurance is not included.

  • Tipping & Gratuities

    Tipping and gratuities are not included.

Accommodation

You will stay for three or four nights at the 3-star Hotel Oude Abdij in the historic town of Lo.

Mode of Transport

Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price, with comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach transport.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    You will stay for three or four nights at the 3-star Hotel Oude Abdij in the historic town of Lo.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Meals are included as detailed in the itinerary.

  • What kind of transport is used during the tour?

    The tour includes travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach.

  • Is there an option to join the Last Post Ceremony in Ypres?

    Yes, there is an optional trip to nearby Ypres for the moving Last Post Ceremony on the evening of Day 3.

  • What historical sites related to World War II will be visited during the tour?

    The tour includes visits to the Dunkirk War Cemetery, Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing, the evacuation beaches at Bray Dunes, the Blockhaus at Eperlecques, and a V1 Doodlebug ski-ramp site near Morbecque.

  • 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 .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

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.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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