We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit sites around Europe in remembrance of the sacrifices made in World War II. Our trip to Normandy in June for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day was one of our top trips of the year, and the American Cemetery in Luxembourg is another incredible nearby place. This past weekend, we drove 5 hours to Bastogne, Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
Visiting these WWII sites is a different experience than being a tourist around Europe in general. We always feel so genuinely welcomed from everyone in the area, from hotels to airbnbs to restaurants and shops, but also from our encounters with local residents.
Remembrance and gratitude is strong in Bastogne, for the Americans, and all the Allies, coming to help in a terrible time of need. This includes the young people, as their great-grandparents told stories that passed down through each generation. The locals are also thankful that visitors still want to come to see the places where their great-grandparents fought.
American, Belgium, and Luxembourg flags were displayed all around Bastogne, and we proudly sang along to the Star Spangled Banner as bands played national anthems. Military vehicles circled in convoys through Bastogne and neighboring villages, with flags flying, waving to everyone. It was a cold weekend, in the high 20’s F, and there were surprise snow flurries on Saturday. The weather contributed to the re-enactments of troops in the woods, at the camps, and driving in open-air Army Jeeps and Trucks.
Watch our quick video for highlights of the NUTS! weekend:
Bastogne
Bastogne is a great place to visit at any time, with the War Memorial Museum, Jack’s Woods with the foxholes, and the 101st Airborne Museum. Just to see the area, the winding country roads and the thick woods, to see these settings of the fierce battles, is incredible.
It’s always nice to see Christmas Markets around Europe, and we had a great time at Bastogne’s. Set against an old city gate, with heat lamps running to beat the cold, there were plenty of crafts, food, and beer on offer. And, of course, when in Belgium, it’s nice to make a visit to a brewery. D’Achouffe Brewery was only a short walk from our Airbnb.
Our weekend in Bastogne for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge was another one of our most special trips here in Europe. We travelled with good friends, and will treasure these memories for the rest of our lives.
Watch a quick video of our weekend in Bastogne:
80th Anniversary of The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge took place in the winter of 1944. American troops were dug into defensive positions in the woods around the town, watching for the approaching enemy. The Battle waged from 16 December 1944 through 25 January 1945. This battle was the last big push of the Germans in the war. The successful protection from the Americans helped to bring about the start of the end of the war. We are always struck by the gratefulness of the locals, of all ages. Everyone was so welcoming, and curious to talk to us.
Ultimately, they wanted to know where we were from, and how we happened to be there. When the weekend was over, we headed back to Germany with full hearts. From here to there, we all felt like one big community. Indeed, it is a nice reminder to all of us that the kindness of strangers goes a long way.
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