Enjoy a continental breakfast before saying Auf Wiedersehen to friends made on the 75th D-Day Anniversary Tour. Our private airport shuttle will depart punctually at 0600 for the Munich International Airport.
Take a tour down the picturesque Ludwigstrasse, part of the historic Via Claudia Augusta trading route, while admiring the beautiful merchant homes and their vibrant frescoes. Learn about Partenkirchen's merchant past while hearing lively tales of the townspeople and the many famous travelers to pass through. A visit to the Olympic Ski Stadium, site of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games, will give guests insight into this alpine town’s WWII past. Spend an afternoon exploring the many boutiques and cafés of Garmisch with the seasonal Fall colors in full swing. Cap this relaxing day off with a wonderful Farewell Dinner with all the new friends you have met on the tour!
Our day begins with a scenic drive past Alpine lakes and breathtaking mountains as we make our way into the beautiful Bavarian Alps. The first stop of this day’s tour will be the historic Eagles Nest. Once the site of Adolf Hitler’s alpine retreat, today the mountain retreat offers stunning views of the Watzmann mountains and Koenigssee region; one of Germany's most beloved National Parks. History buffs will enjoy a detailed tour of the building's past or may opt to visit the WWII bunkers as an alternative to the summit house itself. From the Eagle's Nest we will travel down the mountain to the quaint town of Berchtesgaden for an authentic Bavarian lunch.
Highlights: Eagles Nest - Berchtesgaden - Bavarian Alps - WWII Bunkers - Obersalzburg
Learn about the darkside of Munich’s past during the Third Reich Munich and Dachau Tour. Guests will learn about the grim history behind the city Hitler named “Die Hauptstadt der Bewegung” or “Capital of The Movement”. Over the course of this day's tour we will cover Munich's role in the rise and fall of National Socialism, along with the transformation which the city underwent in the post-war years. During the tour we will also visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
Highlights: Birth City of the Nazi Party - Site of Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch - Koenigsplatz Parade Grounds - Führerbau - Haus der Kunst - Dachau Concentration Camp - White Rose Resistance - Site of Hitler’s Kristall Nacht Speech
As our time in Bastogne concludes, our tour continues on to Luxembourg and the American Memorial Cemetery - site of General Patton’s final resting spot where he lies with over 5,000 of his fellow soldiers.
After a powerful visit to the memorial cemetery, our day continues as we cross over the Rhein and enter the beautiful city of Heidelberg. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the city's Old Town before we wrap up the day with an overnight stay in Ulm, Germany.
Highlights: Luxembourg American War Cemetery - General Patton’s Grave - Heidelberg Old Town -
Wake up in the third country of our tour; Belgium. Here our day begins with a visit to the Bastogne War Museum located where the decisive Battle of the Bulge was fought and won by the Allied Forces. The modern museum tells the tales of the sacrifices and hardships endured by soldiers and civilians alike during the harsh winter battle.
Afterwards, guests wishing for more history may choose to visit the 101st Airborne Museum just around the corner from our accommodations in Bastogne.
Highlights: Bastogne War Museum - Mémorial du Mardasson - 101st Airborne Museum
After a relaxing morning and tasty French breakfast we head for Bastogne. Along the way we will make a stop in Reims. Here we will visit the Museum of Surrender and Signing Room where, on one momentous day, May 7th 1945, history was made when General Eisenhower accepted the Third Reich's unconditional surrender.
Following free time to explore the awe-inspiring cathedral and city center of Reims, we will visit one of the regions famous champagne houses in the quaint countryside surrounding the city. Wrap up the day with a celebratory champagne toast to the end of World War II.
Highlights: Signing Room of unconditional surrender - Reims Cathedral - Visit to French Champagne Region and Champagne House
Enjoy Paris at your own pace. Spend the day exploring the Louvre, marvel at the opulence of the Palace of Versailles, take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower or just enjoy the Parisian café culture. In the evening the group will reconvene for a cruise down the Seine River through the most romantic city in the world.
Highlights: Evening Seine River Cruise - Opportunity to visit Palace of Versailles, Louvre Museum, and other famous attractions in Paris
Explore the marvelous beauty of one of the worlds most romantic cities; Paris! Have your cameras ready as our day of sightseeing leads us by the many world-renowned monuments and museums throughout the city.
Highlights: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and much more!
Spend your morning visiting the Battle of Normandy Museum. Learn how the Allies pushed forward from the beachheads and fought their way through countryside of Normandy. In the afternoon we will say “Au revoir” to the French coast and make our way to Paris.
Highlights: Battle of Normandy Museum - Original Vehicles, Planes and Landing Craft used on D-Day -
Wake up and embark on a day filled with visits to some of the most moving sights in American military history. The tour begins with a private guided tour of Omaha and Utah Beach. Following a break for lunch we will visit the American and German memorial cemeteries, Pointe du Hoc, and St. Mere Eglise. An expert D-Day guide will accompany the group, bringing alive the stories of sacrifice which unfolded along the coast of Normandy 75 years ago.
Highlights: Guided tour of Utah and Omaha Beach - Visits to American and German memorial cemeteries - Pointe du Hoc - St. Mere Eglise
Our day begins as we pull into the port of Oistreham next to Sword Beach where our coach bus awaits. From the harbor we make our way to a local hotel for an exceptional breakfast overlooking the channel. Following a hearty meal, we will make our way to Pegasus Bridge and a museum in it’s honor nearby.
A relaxing drive through the Normandy countryside brings us to the coastal town of Arromanches. Here we will have a look at the site where the Mulberry Harbor’s once stood providing the logistical support needed for Allied troops as they moved inland. Along with a stop at the scenic look out above town, guests will enjoy time in the village itself for lunch and free time before heading to our accommodations at the Hotel Mecure Omaha Beach in the early afternoon.
Highlights: Sunrise Arrival at Sword Beach - English Channel Crossing Cruise - Modern Cruise Ship with Entertainment and Extensive Amenities - Follow the same route as the D-Day Armada.
Our day begins with a visit to London’s exceptional Imperial War Museum. Here guests will find an in-depth history of modern warfare from World War I through the present day. Numerous multimedia exhibits span over the museum's five floors focusing on the human side of modern warfare.
In the renowned WWI galleries guests are surrounded by artifacts while walking through a recreated WWI trench. The “A Family in Warfare” exhibit depicts the challenges everyday Londoners faced during WWII and includes a recreated air raid bunker. The museum is also home to one of Europe’s most moving holocaust exhibits.
Following our visit to the Imperial War Museum, we’ll make a stop for lunch at a traditional English pub for an optional fish and chips lunch. From there, we’ll make our way to the historic port town of Portsmouth where guests can explore town before we embark on our overnight cruise crossing the English Channel.
Discover the sights of London as we spend our day touring the royal city in comfort via a private double-decker bus. Learn the stories behind world-renowned destinations and local secrets alike as we are accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
Highlights: Big Ben - Buckingham Palace - London Bridge - Westminster Abbey - Bus Tour with Local Guide - Classic Double Decker Bus -
Welcome to London! Upon arriving at Heathrow International Airport you will be greeted by Jake and Pete; your Bavaria and Beyond guides. Enjoy a drink and mingle with fellow travelers as the group assembles at the designated meeting point.
A direct transfer in our private coach bus will bring the group to our centrally located 4-star hotel on the banks of the River Thames. Following check-in guests will have time to settle-in to their fine London accommodations before a Welcome Dinner Reception is hosted.
Highlights: Complimentary Drinks Upon Arrival - Welcome Dinner Reception - Hotel Directly on the River Thames - Welcome Gifts
