World

War II

Tours

ROAD TO VICTORY

England, France, Luxembourg & Germany

Day 1 – Departure

Depart your home city for London.

Day 2 – London

Welcome to England! Upon arrival, your Learning Through Travel guide will greet and assist you with transfer to the hotel. Along the way enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, passing Hampton Court where General Eisenhower headed his command and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. After check in and time to freshen up, meet your guide to visit the Imperial War Museum. The museum is home to many important military weapons and vehicles. View the Blitz Experience, a carefully researched reconstruction of an air-raid shelter and a blitzed street in 1940. Appropriate sights, sounds and smells evoke a sensation of being caught in the bombing of London during the Second World War. See the Cabinet War Room, constructed to look as it did in 1940. As bombs fell on London, Winston Churchill, the Cabinet, Intelligence organization and his staff met below ground in a fortified basement in Whitehall known as The Cabinet War Room. Dinner this evening will be at a typical English pub for an orientation discussion.

Day 3 – London

Today leave London to visit Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires, famous for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars. Continue to Bletchley Park, where during World War II the German armed forces top secret codes were broken, providing the allies with vital information. The site played host to a diverse group of code breakers, including Alan Turing and Dilly Knox, among the ciphers that were broken were Enigma and Lorenz. Visit Blenheim, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and now the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. Visit the Churchill Exhibition; enjoy a stroll in the gardens and visit the Temple of Diana where Churchill proposed to Clementine Hozier. 

Day 4 – London /Portsmouth

Today visit the HMS Belfast cruiser. Launched in March 1938 it served throughout the World War II, playing a leading part in the destruction of the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst at the Battle of North Cape and in the Normandy Landings. After the war, it supported United Nations forces in Korea and remained in service with the Royal Navy until 1965. In 1971 it was saved as a unique and historic reminder of Britain’s naval heritage. Your tour on this complex warship will take you from the Quarterdeck to the top of the Bridge and down through nine decks to her massive Boiler and Engine rooms. Lunch is on the HMS Belfast. Depart for Portsmouth. Dinner will be at a restaurant along the way. 

Day 5 – Portsmouth/Southwick/Caen/Bayeaux

After breakfast visit the D- Day Museum, the Southwick House and D-Day Headquarters in the hills behind Portsmouth, where on the 5th June based on a 0400 hrs weather forecast Eisenhower made his bold decision to go ahead with the huge operation on the 6th June. Listen to a recording of Ike's historic D-Day speech and some survivors of the Women's Royal Naval Service, on duty in June 1944 re- live that momentous period. These are the famed "Ramsay Wrens", named after Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, commander of the naval operation. Before taking the ferry to Caen, visit the Naval Dockyards where Admiral Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory was docked. Today you will make the historic crossing by ferry boat, from England to France. Your dinner is served on board.

Day 6 – Bayeaux

Today see the British airborne landing grounds at Ranville and Benouville (Pegasus Bridge). Continue your exploration to Arromanches, to see the cliff top blockhouses and look out over the remains of Mulberry floating harbors, largely of Churchill's inspiration, followed by a visit to the   Landings Museum. After lunch see Omaha Beach, site of the hardest fought landing on "the longest day". Included is a visit the American Cemetery with 9,386 graves. Continue to the Ranger bunkers, the monument at Pointe du Hoc and the US National Guard monument at Vierville. See St. Mere Eglise and the US Airborne troop’s museum before you stop at Utah beach and the memorial. 

Day 7 – Bayeaux/St. Lo/Coutances/Paris

Today leave Bayeaux for Paris. Along the way, stop at St. Lo and Coutances, where Operation Cobra started, the code name was given to the attack launched as part of the Normandy Invasion, an attempt by the allies to overtake German troops in France. Stretching over the summer months (June to August) of 1944, the campaign began with the allies landing on Normandy's beaches (Omaha, Gold, Juno, Utah) and slowly working their way inland, towards Paris, hoping to encircle the Germans entirely. Arrive in Paris for your overnight.

Day 8 – Paris

The morning is at your leisure. This afternoon tour Paris including some of the important WW II places. See the Arch de Triumph at the Etoile which commands a magnificent view down the splendid avenue of Champ-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde with its granite Obelisk of Luxor (Egypt), which originally came from the porch of a Temple at Thebes. See the old market quarter, Les Halles and continue to the student's quarter, the Latin Quarter. Pass by the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the Mosque. View the Val de Grace whose plans were carefully drawn up by the renowned architect Mansart. Visit the Pantheon, the final resting place of many of France's most illustrious figures. Cardinal Richelieu is buried in the Sorbonne Church. Proceed past the Luxembourg Gardens with its great palace built for Queen Marie de Medici and the churches of St. Suplice and St. Germain-des-Pres. After lunch visit the magnificent Louvre, the world’s largest museum. It has an extensive Egyptian Section including pieces from the Pharaonic Civilizations, Egyptian Religion, Pre-history Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, Roman and Coptic Egypt. This afternoon visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, notable for its elegant proportions. It was a model for the French Gothic cathedral’s of the middle Ages. The west front is classic with three richly carved portals, or doorways. The central doorway depicts the biblical story of the Last Judgment. The north and south are decorated with two circular stained-glass windows constructed using a technique called bar tracery. Another window, at the west front of the cathedral, is considered a masterpiece of Gothic engineering for its large glass surface area, which is supported by a seemingly delicate web of carved stone. French Emperor Napoleon and the Empress Josephine were crowned at Notre Dame in 1804. Dinner this evening will be at the Eiffel Tower “Altitude Restaurant”.

Day 9 – Paris/Reims/Hamm/Luxembourg

Today leave France for Luxembourg. Along the way we make a stop to visit Reims, a quaint town with many historical sites, including the well known Notre Dame Reims Cathedral where the Kings of France were crowned. Visit the Mumm & Co. Champagne Cellars where you have an opportunity for a tasting. See the Surrender Museum, one of the places used by SHAEF Headquarters. Proceed to Hamm, where you can view General Patton’s grave and the American Cemetery. Arrive in Luxembourg for your dinner and overnight.

Day 10 – Luxembourg/Bastogne/Remagen/Heidelberg

Today visit the Bastogne Historical Centre (Battle of Bulge Museum), where you see the Mardasson Memorial, built in 1950. It stands as a token of gratitude by the Belgian people for liberating the country by the American Army and their allies. The construction of the memorial was suggested by the Belgo-American association (a panel of several eminent Belgian personalities). Make a stop at the General Patton monument, the liberator of Bastogne. Visit the Memorial to Peace at the Remagen and then continue to Heidelberg, Germany for your overnight. 

Day 11 – Heidelberg/Dachau/Munich

This morning visit the imposing Heidelberg Castle overlooking the city and valley. Afterwards drive to the Dachau Concentration Camp and Museum. SS Heinrich Himmler started the first concentration camp. Continue to Munich where you visit the site of the famous “Brown House” where Hitler once lived and see the Feldherrnhalle, site of all SS rallies.

Day 12 – Munich/Obersalzburg/Munich

Today leave Munich to Obersalzburg where you will visit Hitler’s Eagle Nest. It was a 50th birthday present from the NSDAP chief Martin Borman. Hitler was not enamored of this austere concrete and stone building named the Kehlsteinhaus, which was built on top of a mountain near Schoenau on the Koenigsee. It took 3000 workers 13 months, day and night, to build. The road up to the House is a masterpiece of road building, 4 miles long; winding through 5 tunnels and has a series of dangerous hairpin bends. Hitler rarely entertained here, and would live here in the winter. It is now a cafe/restaurant and on a clear day you can see for many miles through the thin air. Return to Munich for your overnight.

Day 13 – Munich/Nuremburg /Berlin

Today leave Munich for Nuremburg. In 2000, UNESCO designated the Documentation Center - Former Nazi Party Rally Grounds the official German contribution to the "International Year for a Culture of Peace". This afternoon, you board the ICE Train for Berlin. Dinner is served on board.

Day 14 – Berlin

Today is spent exploring Berlin with a panoramic tour of the city. See the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard, German State Opera House, Reichstag Building, Tiergarten and the shopping and entertainment district of the famous Kurfürstendamm. Tour the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Wannsee House. See the Soviet Memorial, flanked by two Russian T34 tanks. The marble used is supposed to be from the Hitler chancellery. The Red Army liberated Berlin on May 2nd, 1945. This afternoon visit Potsdam one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Here you see Sanssoucci Palace with its famous fountain, designed by King Fredrich II as his personal “Maison de plaisance”. See Charlottenhof Palace designed by K.F. Schinkel. Within the park see the Hippodrome and the Roman Baths. Return to Berlin for a farewell dinner. 

Day 15 – Departure

Farewell to Europe as you transfer to the airport for your return. Arrive home, your hearts and mind filled with many memories.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Our 2nd

World War II

Tour

• International Air USA/London-Berlin/USA
  

• 2 nights accommodation in London at a 4star hotel
  

• 1night accommodation in Portsmouth at a 4star hotel
  

• 2 nights accommodation in Bayeaux at a 4star hotel
  

• 2 nights accommodation in Paris at a 4star hotel
  

• 1 night accommodation in Luxembourg at a 4star hotel
  

• 1 night accommodation in Heidelberg at a 4star hotel
  

• 2 night accommodation in Munich at a 4star hotel
  

• 2 nights accommodation in Berlin at a 4star hotel
  

• ·All sightseeing and transfers as per program by deluxe air conditioned motor coach
  

• ·English speaking guide throughout tour
  

• ·13 breakfast, 1 lunch and 13 dinners
  

• ·Hotel tax, VAT and service charge
  

• ·Porterage of 1 piece of luggage
  

    NOT INCLUDED

• U.S. Departure Tax and Airport Security fees.
  

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, e-mail, soft drinks, coffee, tea, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, tips to drivers, guides, transfer personnel, travel insurance, etc.
  

• Please note: Itinerary sequence subject to change