The Christmas Truce & Belgian Markets - JG Explorer

We catch the ferry to Calais and journey onwards to our hotel in De Panne.

Discover De Panne this morning, before heading to Ghent this afternoon for a magical experience at the city’s Christmas Market. Held in the historic city centre, the market features over 150 wooden chalets offering a variety of goods, from handmade crafts and unique gifts to delicious local food and drinks. Enjoy traditional Belgian treats such as waffles, chocolates and mulled wine while exploring the beautifully decorated stalls.

We travel to the Frelinghien site with our Battlefield Guide. Located near the border between France and Belgium, this site marks one of the areas where British and German soldiers famously laid down their arms and celebrated Christmas together during World War I.

At Frelinghien, soldiers from both sides emerged from their trenches, exchanged gifts, sang carols and played football in no man's land. This spontaneous and unofficial truce is remembered as a poignant moment of humanity amidst the horrors of war. This brief moment of peace and humanity amidst the brutal conflict highlighted the shared values and common humanity of the soldiers, despite the ongoing war. The truce was not universal, and fighting did continue in some areas, but where it did occur, it provided a poignant reminder of the possibility of peace, even in the darkest of times.

Today, Frelinghien stands as a symbol of hope and humanity amidst the horrors of war, attracting historians, tourists and peace advocates worldwide.

This morning we enjoy time at leisure in De Panne. Places to visit include the De Panne Belgian Military Cemetery and Adinkerke Military Cemetery. Or why not spend some time visiting the shops, boutiques and local bakeries where you can sample local delicacies? There is also a coastal tram nearby that offers a scenic ride along the beautiful coastline, connecting De Panne with other charming coastal towns.

In the afternoon we travel to Ypres, the scene of one the biggest battles in the First World War. Having been completely rebuilt after the war, it serves as a place of pilgrimage and memorial; there are plenty of museums and monuments to pay your respects and find out more about the town’s historic role. We show our respects at the moving ceremony held at the Menin.

During our visit we witness the city’s daily act of remembrance, The Last Post, played in honour of those who fell in the Ypres Salient from 1914-1918. At exactly 8pm every evening, the police stop traffic around the Menin Gate Memorial to let the buglers complete the world-famous fanfare; an incredibly moving experience that should be observed first-hand.

We enjoy time at leisure to explore or relax at our hotel. Then, in the afternoon we head to the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, famous for its picturesque canals. Held in the city’s main market square, the Christmas Market is full of stalls selling a tempting array of decorations, gifts and tasty local produce such as indulgent Belgian waffles and warming mulled wine.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and travel back to Calais. We stop en-route in Dunkirk for free time and lunch (not included) before boarding the ferry and heading home.