If you book a tour via my Battlefox website, you will at all times be my private guests during one or more days of unique battlefield exploration.
That means also that I will personally take care of all communication regarding your choice of tour, number of visitors, dates, prices, and payment.
Simply set in motion your unique experience on Europe’s biggest battlefields via this website by clicking ‘contact me’ or sending a message to the email address that is mentioned on each webpage.
Please note, however, that I am a tour guide and not a travel agent. In other words, I do not in any way take care of hotel or other travel arrangements.
To facilitate matters for you before you send your first email, please have a glance at some of the most frequently asked questions below.
What languages do you offer tours in?
Do I need to be a World War II buff to enjoy your tours?
Where will we meet to start the tour?
Details regarding the exact meeting place will be discussed in our email communications. But, generally speaking, for Those Who Hold Bastogne tours, I can meet guests who have accommodation in Bastogne at their hotel in town or at the Bastogne visitor’s center on McAuliffe Square. Those driving in from further away in the morning should head for the Bastogne War Museum, conveniently located just northeast of the town. I will be meeting you at the museum’s spacious parking lot.
The meeting place for all of the Silent Heroes tours is the parking lot at the entrance of the specified American World War II cemetery and memorial.
How long does a tour take?
What is the composition and size of the tour group I am in?
In other words, my private tours will never mix you and your fellow travellers with other kinds of company. I find that this concept ensures a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, regardless of the size of the group.
What kind of transportation will be used to explore the battlefield?
However, for those traveling in larger groups who are looking for a private battlefield guide, I can switch to a hop-on format whereby I join my guests in their own vehicle (van, minibus, tour bus, a combination of cars). The guests then take care of the driving themselves while I focus on the guiding.
Are your private battlefield tours suited for children?
I do not take children under the age of twelve on tours. Tour days are long and intense and the subject matter is tailored for more adult audiences.
Do you take pets along?
What should I wear?
Even when we are not exploring the battlefields in the dead of winter, the weather in the Ardennes can be very changeable with gusts of wind, crisp temperatures, and regular downpours of rain and sleet, especially in (late) autumn and (early) spring. So be prepared for all of these circumstances with layered clothing and a waterproof jacket with a hood.
Also, we will, of course, be getting out of the vehicle at regular intervals and be heading off to the occasional meadow or forest that can be soggy and muddy. In other words, do select sturdy footwear for our day or days of battlefield exploration.
What are the things I should carry?
The simple answer is: not too much. Do note, however, that we have many things to see during what for many is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That is why we take only limited breaks for a light lunch and a few bathroom stops. In such circumstances it is good to carry some nut bars or bananas or any other snacks that can give you an energy boost fast. Above all, make sure to carry plenty of water. Please note that the cost of meals is not included in the price of my private tours and that food cannot be consumed inside my vehicle.
How much does a private tour cost?
Prices differ for the various kinds of tours on offer. And they vary also according to the number of guests in your group. So the best way to find out the cost of a tour is to contact me via email and to let me know what your specific interest is and how many people will be taking part in the tour.
How do you take payment?
Guests who have a bank account within the EU can transfer money from their EU account into my Battlefox account. As soon as a booking date has been decided on, I will via email provide you with the account details, including BIC and IBAN codes.
American guests, and those from elsewhere outside the EU, can transfer money via Paypal.
Do I need to make advance payments?
Once we have discussed your tour requirements and you have decided to book, I will generate an online invoice for a 15% deposit. The balance has to be paid 2 months before the tour. If you prefer, I can take full payment at the time of booking. For bookings within 2 months of the tour date, I take full payment in advance straightaway.
When can I be certain that a booking is confirmed?
Upon receipt of the advance payment (of 15% or in full), I will send you an email confirming that you are definitely booked for the day agreed upon. Upon receiving the balance of the payment, I will reconfirm the booking one last time. After that, I will see you at the place and time of appointment agreed upon.
What is your cancellation policy?
I think it is important to make clear arrangements here. I run private tours only. This means that whenever guests book a tour with me in advance (often quite some time in advance), I will not accept any other guests for that same day. But this also means, of course, that if guests cancel a booking, more often than not I can no longer make up for lost customers for that same day.
That is why, if you cancel more than 30 days before the booked tour, I will refund only 85% of the total tour payment.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the booked tour, I will refund only 50% of the total tour payment.
If you do not cancel but fail to show up at the agreed upon place within half an hour of the agreed upon time, I will head back home and there will be no refund.
It is, of course, always a good idea to take out travel cancellation insurance for exactly such occurrences.
Can it happen that Battlefox cancels a booking?
It might – on a rare occasion. For the simple reason that I run this business on my own and that we are all human, so I too might fall ill unexpectedly. However, should that happen at all, I will make sure that this is being communicated as soon as possible, that you receive a full and quick refund, and that hopefully we can set up a new meeting for a future date.