Good morning all -
I am looking for tips/hints/suggestions. I want to rent a car for one day while I am Brussels for an independent tour of the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery and environs (the very few guided tours that I found are outrageously expensive).
I think there might be time to visit a point of interest to/from Brussels and the cemetery. Any suggestions?
I have not been here but it is a part of the American Battlefields Monuments Commission. This governmental agency does a sterling job with the graves under their care. The staff members I've had contact with at other ABMC cemeteries have all been amazing. If you happen to have a family member buried here, do let them know ahead of time and they will escort you to the graveside and take special care of you. They are awesome.
https://www.abmc.gov/Henri-Chapelle
The website has driving directions as well.
Thanks very much! I found this site and it is very useful!
I read somewhere that there are folks in the visitors center that, if asked, will be happy to give a little history and information about the cemetery but I'm not sure the specific person mentioned is still there. We don't have family buried there but my father, who was born in 1943, was very interested in visiting a WWII cemetery since that's the era he grew up in.
Hi aussie2liz, just so you know - there are no Australians connected with the Battle of the Bulge sites in eastern Belgium. There are however Australians buried at the WWI sites (e.g. Tyne Cot) near Ieper (Ypres) and at the Menin Gate there (so in the other direction).
If you visit that part of the world (i.e WWII sites) a car is highly desirable. You might even find it easier to come from Luxembourg, which is closer.
Lavandula
Battlefield tours are generally expensive…..you’re paying for the intellectual “capital “ of former military members, history majors, professional historians and so on that put time and passion in the subject matter.
Personally I would catch an early train to Liege, rent a car and visit the ABMC Cemetery, Bastogne and perhaps the Belgian fortress at Eben-Emael. No Aussies fought in Belgium but the courageous American defense of Bastogne and the daring German capture of a Belgian fortress will all give you a sample of the immense conflict in this region. Absent a tour guide even a simple google search can give you something to work with.
Thanks for the great idea!
Actually my father (and I) are both American although I am dual Amcit/Aussie, hence my moniker. All of your suggestions are relevant to what I think he wants to see/experience.
