10/15/2019 Atlantikwall to Damme to Flanders

10/15/2019 Tues. Bruges, Belgium • Grand Circle Day 17, Total Travel Day 50.  Ave. Temp - 59 high,  50 low.  Ave. weather - 45% mostly cloudy  32% rain.  According to my phone I walked 8.6 miles and took 20,136 steps today.

Half-day tour of Scenic Belgium, featuring an excursion to the Flanders countryside. First, you’ll take an included tour (with audio guide) of the Atlantikwall—unfinished steel and concrete wall constructed by Germans during World War II to block England from invading German-occupied territory and to protect some of Hitler’s weapons.

My info Atlantikwall is an open-air military museum that includes over sixty bunkers, gun emplacements and two miles of trenches, it dates back to WWI and WWII.   There are uniforms and equipment displayed, also.  

Optional Scenic Belgium tour

• Included Meals: Breakfast

• Accommodations: Grand Hotel Casselbergh

TOUR INFO "Enjoy the day at leisure in Bruges. Or, join an OPTIONAL $85.  half-day tour of Scenic Belgium, featuring an excursion to the Flanders countryside. First, you’ll take an included tour (with audio guide) of the Atlantikwall—unfinished steel and concrete wall constructed by Germans during World War II to block England from invading German-occupied territory and to protect some of Hitler’s weapons. From this landmark, you’ll venture to Damme, a former fishing village on the Zwin River, where you’ll embark on the ship that will transport you back to Bruges. As you cruise, you’ll sample some of the quality beers for which Belgium is known.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Drink at your hotel, followed by dinner on your own.

Please note: The visit to Damme and boat ride are not available on trips departing 10/26 and 11/06 due to the closure of Atlantikwall. Instead, travelers will sample artisanal beers during a visit to a local craft brewery, Bryggja Brewery."  We did not go to a brewery. :(

My info Atlantikwall is an open-air military museum that includes over sixty bunkers, gun emplacements and two miles of trenches, it dates back to WWI and WWII.   There are uniforms and equipment displayed, also.  

This picture was on an introductory information board as we entered the site.

Guns on the beach which rotated.

Other guns were in nests constructed in the dunes.

The network of tunnels were often connected, this was a "Y" in the tunnel.  


Barracks, officers’ quarters, communication rooms, meeting rooms, ammunitions storage, food supplies, etc.were all underground.

This was a gunner's hole.  There were steps to climb up from a tunnel to enter the gunner's hole.  The building supplies came from the surrounding area.  They used what they could find and all the tunnels, rooms, etc appeared to be well constructed.  I was amazed at the network of tunnels and bunkers and war memorabilia that has been preserved at this site. 

Damme's history begins in the 12th century and was often the site of military battles due to her strategic location.  Some of Damme's defensive walls are still visible.  (We did not see anythng but a restaurant.)

 I did not have a boat ride or beer tasting.  We had a crepe and tea at a restaurant.  Not an equal exchange in my opinion.

This woman made our crepes in the middle of the restaurant.

My mint crepe was good and I could easily have eaten another.

Walked more streets in Bruges in the afternoon.  Great town.

Good bye, Bruge.  Heading home tomorrow.  I need a haircut and a color and some rest.  Note my shoes.  They were the best walking shoes for cobblestone streets.   

Michelangelo’s Mother and Child, his only work that was displayed outside of Italy during his life.  The person that commissioned the statue did not want it as it was too small, so two brothers purchased it.  In 1515, it was donated to The. Church of  Our Lady in Bruge .  


Entrance to Begijnhof, a walled community for lay women (beguines) of the Catholic Church.  Silence was required and you were not allowed to walk on the grass.  It was incredibly peaceful.  More pictures below.