Historic battlefields

Belgium is known for its historic castles, beautiful countryside, rich chocolate, and great beer, but it also has a turbulent history in terms of war. Belgium is one of Europe's smaller countries, but because it is surrounded by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, its location has always been critical tactically.

Belgium has seen more than its fair share of conflict for a country of its size, having been a major part of the Western Front during World War I and previously being part of both the French and Dutch empires. It can be difficult to get around using public transportation, so we recommend taking the car ferry to one of our ports in Calais or Dunkirk and then driving to Belgium. Alternatively, sail from Newcastle to IJmuiden and then drive to Belgium through Holland.

Belgium used to be the preferred meeting place for the armies of many major European powers, despite its flatness and lack of significant defensive points. As a result, the countryside is dotted with historic battlegrounds. The most famous are the Battlefield of Waterloo, where the armies of Napoleon, Prussia, the United Kingdom, and Russia met exactly 200 years ago in 1815; Bastogne, site of the legendary Battle of the Bulge during World War II; and Flanders Fields, site of several horrific battles during World War One. This definitely is one of the reasons to visit Belgium.