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16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe

NORMANDY, FRANCE

The Higgins boat monument at Utah Beach

Colleville-sur-mer, france.

The American Cemetery near Omaha Beach honors over 9000 fallen soldiers

Paris, france.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue

Amsterdam, the netherlands.

Quaint row houses line the canals of this influential city

Antwerp, belgium.

The main city square is lined with 16th-century Flemish Guildhouses

Dachau, germany.

The memorial at Dachau Concentration Camp was designed by Holocaust survivor Nandor Glid

Munich, germany.

Get a taste of Oktoberfest all year round at the Hofbräuhaus beer hall

Caen, france.

The Caen Peace Memorial & Museum

Nuremberg, germany.

The colossal Congress Hall was built to seat the Nazi Party congress

Rhine river, germany.

This legendary waterway is lined with castle ruins, vineyards, and romantic villages

Pricing disclaimer.

  16-day tour featuring Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and France. Revisit the dramatic history of World War II at famous battle sites, war museums and memorials. Many scenic and cultural highlights are also included, providing an enjoyable combination of learning and leisure.

Tour Year 2024

Tour itinerary.

DAY 1 - Overnight flight to Europe.

The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in and for your arrival in Europe. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport – Bavaria.

Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . Nuremberg - Bavaria.

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center (visit the temporary exhibit during the 2023 renovations).  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Tyrolean Village.

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your tour manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your hotel. Your Alpine Village offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular mountain scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Ulm – Bad Herrenalb.

After breakfast, travel to Ulm to view the imposing Ulm Minster with the tallest church steeple in the world. This afternoon, make a stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel, the German general who was forced to commit suicide when Hitler suspected him of treason. End the day with a buffet dinner at your hotel in Bad Herrenalb, on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Trier.

Follow a scenic route through the Alsace Region and the Vosges Mountains. This area was the site of heavy fighting in the fall of 1944. You will make a stop at Lorraine’s American Cemetery in St. Avold, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The afternoon is reserved for a tour of Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line, which was constructed between the world wars as a defense against any future German invasions. Your hotel for the next two nights will be in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, located near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier.

The morning stop is at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Patton is buried. Continue into the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne to view the star-shaped Mardasson Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Battle of Ardennes. You will also see the fox holes used by Easy Company, whose stories inspired the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Your travels this afternoon take you to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Trier's famous Porta Nigra provides an intriguing backdrop for your independent dinner before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 9 - GERMANY . . Rhine River – Remagen – Rhine-Ruhr Region.

Motor to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River where you will board a river steamer for a boat ride past endearing villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards known for producing the distinctive Rhine wines. Continue through the Rhine River Valley to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last standing bridge on the Rhine, which was captured by U.S. soldiers on March 7, 1945. By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr region hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 - HOLLAND . . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your South Holland hotel for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit begins with a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 12 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & FRANCE . . Caen.

Today consists of a full day of travel from Holland to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - FRANCE . . Normandy Landing Beaches – Caen.

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Visit Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum before continuing to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - FRANCE . . Caen – Paris.

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides additional impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 - FRANCE . . Paris.

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

DAY 16 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.

Transfer to the Paris Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

Travel Time

Overnight flight from the U.S.A. to Frankfurt.

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport . Meet your tour manager, board your deluxe motor coach and travel (1¾ hrs) through the Franconian Wine Region . After a rest stop, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel located in the festive state of Bavaria for a "Welcome to Europe" dinner. ( Dinner )

During an introductory sightseeing (1 hr), experience the history of Nuremberg and view the site of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the Congress Hall, and the Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Return (½ hr) to your hotel in Bavaria  for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Alpine Village.

Depart Nuremburg (1¼ hrs) and after a morning stop travel (1¼ hrs) to Dachau Concentration Camp . In the afternoon continue (½ hr) to the elegant Bavarian capital of Munich . Depart Munich in the late afternoon and head south (2 hrs) to an Alpine Village hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Alpine Village.

Enjoy a day of leisure or join your tour manager for the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle's Nest with Dinner  excursion, including a guided visit to Hitler's mountain hide-a-way (1 hr), sightseeing in Salzburg (½ hr) and an authentic Austrian dinner (1 hr) before returning (1 hr) to your Alpine Village hotel. (Breakfast)

Return to Germany (2 hrs) and after a morning stop proceed (1½ hrs) to Ulm for an independent lunch and views of the imposing Ulm Minster. Next, travel (1 hr) to the Rommel Memorial. Continue (2¼ hrs) to Bad Herrenalb , on the northern edge of Germany's Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Igel.

Follow a scenic route (1¾ hrs) through the Alsace Region and Vosges Mountains. On to (1 hr) Lorraine's American Cemetery, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. From here continue (1 hr) to Fort Hackenberg , part of the Maginot Line. After a visit, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier – Igel.

It's a short ride (¾ hr) to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg . Drive (1½ hrs) through the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne . In the afternoon travel (¾ hr) to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch . Transfer (1 hr) to Trier , the oldest city in Germany, for an independent dinner before returning (¼ hr) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast)

In the morning, travel (2 hrs) to the legendary Rhine for a boat ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. After disembarkation, proceed to Remagen (1 hr) to view the Ludendorff Bridge. Continue (1¼ hrs) to your hotel in the Rhine-Ruhr Region . (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cross the border (2¼ hrs) on the way to Nijmegen to focus on the sites significant to WWII liberation efforts in the Netherlands. Visit (½ hr) one of the local museums before traveling (1½ hrs) through the Dutch countryside to your South Holland hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1½ hrs) to Amsterdam where a boat ride through the canals is followed by ample free time. In the evening, return (1½ hrs) to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

A full day of travel. Head south (1¾ hrs) into Belgium to visit the historic town of Antwerp . After free time in Antwerp, drive (2 hrs) to a lunch break near the French/Belgian border. Continue (2¼ hrs) to an afternoon stop in northwestern France. Just before dinner time, arrive (2 hrs) at your hotel in Caen . (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches , including a visit to Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum and stops at Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and Arromanches (travel time between stops varies from ¼ hr to ¾ hr). Short transfer (½ hr) back to Caen . (Breakfast)

Transfer (¼ hr) to the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum for a visit and then continue (½ hr) onto the Pegasus Bridge. Stop for lunch (1¾ hrs) in the French countryside on the way (1¾ hrs) to Paris . Spend the evening in the Montmartre District, an ideal place for your independent dinner (¼ hr). (Breakfast)

A full day for individual exploration (¾ hr transfer in each direction) of Paris , during which you may wish to join the optional Seine River Cruise excursion. This evening, join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” at an authentic Parisian bistro. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1 hr) to Paris Charles de Gualle Airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)

Favorite Traveler Experiences

•   View Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds with solemn contemplation
•   Examine the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Listen to the chiming of the Glockenspiel on Munich’s main square
•   Tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg
•   Explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge”
•   Glide past castles and vineyards on a scenic Rhine River boat ride
•   See first hand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris
•   Take a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery
•   Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class or First Class hotels
•   14 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners in addition to any in-flight meals
•   Tour Manager for the full European duration of the tour
•   Land Transportation in Europe by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
•   Image Tours Touroclopedia® trip preparation tips
•   Trip Documents with luggage tags, final details and travel guidance

Traveler Reviews

Kenneth & tammie j., andrew & jean b., paul & tammy k..

The Availability, Departure Dates, and Rates are for illustration and planning purposes only. Since final pricing and single availability can only be confirmed with a travel agent, steps 4 & 5 of this on-line booking module is reserved for your travel agent only. (Please Call) indicates that we still have some tour availability; however, you should have your travel agent call our office to confirm air availability.

Select Departure Month

Upcoming departures, may 08, 2024, may 23, 2024, $4,940 p.p.d.o., jun 12, 2024, jun 27, 2024, sep 04, 2024, sep 19, 2024, almost sold out, sep 11, 2024, sep 26, 2024, may 07, 2025, may 22, 2025, $4,990 p.p.d.o., jun 11, 2025, jun 26, 2025, sep 03, 2025, sep 18, 2025, oct 01, 2025, oct 16, 2025, tour hotels.

NH Collection Nürnberg City

• Air Conditioning
• Satellite TV
• In-Room-Safe

Seminaris Hotel Nuremberg

• satellite TV
• in-room safe
• fitness center

Landhotel Kirchenwirt

• wellness area

Parkhotel Luise Bad Herrenalb

• indoor swimming pool
• safety deposit box at reception

Vienna House Easy Trier

NH Hotel Capelle

• air conditioning
• in room safe

Van der Valk hotel Ridderkerk

Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre

• restaurants

Holiday Inn Express - Canal de la Villette

• internet center

Optional Excursions

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS DETAILS

Our tours are carefully planned to offer a comfortable balance of sightseeing, entertainment and leisure time. Optional Excursions provide the flexibility to choose between leisure time or additional guided sightseeing activities. Unless otherwise noted, optional excursions must be booked with and paid to your tour manager during the tour. Prices are in U.S. Dollars. MASTERCARD®, VISA®, or DISCOVER® (no other credit cards are accepted) are recommended to avoid carrying excessive cash and exchange rate fluctuations. You must be able to present the actual card to your tour manager. If you bring a DISCOVER® card, also bring a VISA® or MASTERCARD®, as DISCOVER® is not widely accepted in Europe. Cash payments during the tour must be in Euros. Personal checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted. The operation of all excursions is subject to sufficient participation, and some excursions are subject to favorable weather conditions. Your tour manager reserves the right to make changes or cancel excursions at their sole discretion.

SALZBURG & EAGLE'S NEST WITH DINNER

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, we will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. After an independent lunch, become acquainted with nearby Salzburg, famous home of the “Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant.

SEINE RIVER CRUISE

Glide along the Seine River by boat, while viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and several other impressive sights in Paris. This excursion provides for excellent photo opportunities.

Tour Extensions

Paris post-tour extension, paris and london post-tour 3-night extension, tour year 2025.

Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center.  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your Tyrolean Village hotel, which offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular alpine scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 10 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your, in the region of South Holland, for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit includes a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today consists of a full day of travel from The Netherlands to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église: the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Continue to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history, including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe Map

Get Started

  WWII Memorial Tour of Europe

  Visit the Historic Battle Sites, Enjoy beautiful Cities, Towns and Villages. Meet the People and Honor our Veterans and Fallen Heroes - at the BEST time of year to go !

May 15-30, 2024! 80th Anniversary of D-Day

* Space limited, call for details.

Y our WWII Memorial Tour Price INCLUDES:

• First Class Hotels in great locations
• Local WWII Educator in Europe with extensive knowledge of sites and history
• Fully escorted from Salt Lake City by Brian Judd Tours
• All sightseeing and admissions as outlined
• 24 total meals: 14 Full Breakfasts and 10 Dinners
• Deluxe Tour bus, restroom and DVD equipped
• Baggage handling & Top quality service throughout
• Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and Austria!
• See the impressive Memorials and famous sites
• Option to purchase discounted group airfare from Salt Lake when available

Land package only pricing

Tour Package is *$4695.00 per person double.   Single person room + $1695.00 Triple and Quad rooms limited, call for pricing. * Price reflects a pay bycheck/cash discount.  Credit cards + 3.85%

Airfare package price:

  * Airfare is not included in the price. Airfare will not be available for this tour until September 2023, however we expect the round-trip Delta airfare to be * $1795.00.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - SALT LAKE CITY . . FRANKFURT The big day has finally arrived, so take time to relax on your trans-Atlantic flight with the assurance that Brian Judd Tours has taken care of all the details.     (Meals in flight)

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . ARRIVAL AT FRANKFURT AIRPORT - NUREMBERG. Upon arrival, we clear passport control and collect our luggage. Settle back in your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. After check-in, freshen up and relax a bit before the 'Welcome to Europe/Get-acquainted' group dinner at our hotel.     (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . NUREMBERG . . BAVARIA Today is devoted to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center (visit the temporary exhibit during the 2023 renovations).  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner    (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich & AUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village. Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible, as your tour manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria.  Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The focal point of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following a leisurely visit, depart Munich and cross the border from Germany into Austria, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village.     (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - AUSTRIA . . Alpine Village. Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your hotel. Your Alpine Village offers a variety of options for leisure activities amin the spectacular mountain scenery.  Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner excursion. This excursion includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hide-away, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace and the filming site for “The Sound of Music." This evening, return to your Alpine Village hotel.   (Breakfast)

DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Ulm – Bad Herrenalb. After a leisurely breakfast, travel to Ulm for time to view the imposing Ulm Minster with the tallest church steeple in the world. This afternoon, make a photo stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel, the general who was forced to commit suicide when Hitler suspected him of treason. End the day with a buffet dinner at your hotel in Bad Herrenalb, on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest.  (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . Saverne – St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . TRIEL. Follow a scenic route through the Alsace Region and the Vosges Mountains to the town of Saverne, the site of heavy fighting in the fall of 1944. Stop at Lorraine’s American Cemetery in St. Avold, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The afternoon is reserved for a tour of Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line. This system of obstacles was constructed between the world wars as a defense against any future German invasions. Your hotel for the next two nights will be in Trier, a quiet village near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier. The morning stop is at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Patton is buried. Continue into the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne to view the star-shaped Mardasson Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Ardennes. Also see the fox holes used by Easy Company, whose stories inspired the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Your travels this afternoon take you to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Trier’s famous Porta Nigra provides an intriguing backdrop during your independent dinner, before returning to your hotel.     (Breakfast)

DAY 9 - GERMANY . . Rhine Cruise– Remagen – Rhine-Ruhr Region. Motor to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River where you will board a Rhine steamer for an upstream cruise past endearing villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards known for producing the distinctive Rhine wines.  Following the 90 minute cruise, travel to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last standing bridge on the Rhine, which was captured by U.S. soldiers on March 7, 1945.  By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr area hotel.  Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 – HOLLAND. . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland. Crossing the border into Holland (the Netherlands), focus on sights significant to the area’s WWII liberation efforts, including Operation Market Garden.  The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers.  Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne landings of all time.  The day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the WWII resistance in Holland. Continue to your South Holland hotel for check-in and an included dinner.      (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam – South Holland. Travel through the Dutch countryside, characterized by canals, bridges, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam.  Your visit begins with a cruise aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see colorful gabled houses and numerous bridges.  This afternoon, walk to the main square, an excellent starting point for your individual exploration. During an independent lunch, you may wish to try Dutch pancakes or poffertjes (mini-pancakes), or other local specialties. Return to your South Holland hotel for an included group dinner.      (Breakfast, Dinner) DAY 12 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & FRANCE . . Caen. Today is a full day of travel from Holland to Caen with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium, characterized by its convivial atmosphere.  Around the large central market square, there are cozy outdoor cafes (try an authentic Belgian waffle), fine lace stores and irresistible chocolate shops.  Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel.  Dinner will be served upon your arrival.    (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - FRANCE . . Normandy Landing Beaches – Caen.  The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches.  From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Visit Sainte-Mere-Eglise Airborne Museum before continuing to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery.  Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer.  At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, you can view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinne r. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - FRANCE . . Caen – Paris. Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum.  This beautiful place honors the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace.  As you depart Caen, paus at the Pegasus Bridge for a guided visit to understand how its capture by the British 6 th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack.  By late afternoon, arrive in Paris and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. After dinner, return to your hotel with beautiful views of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 – FRANCE . . . Paris. The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumiere (the City of Light).  On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history including those following World War II.  Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other incredible sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum. Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion.  Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape.  Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafes, perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

DAY 16 – Paris . . . Salt Lake City. Transfer to the Paris Airport for the return flight home.    (Breakfast. Meals in flight)

About this tour :   This will be an outstanding tour and a once-in-a-lifetime World War II History experience.  We are excited about this well planned, well organized itinerary taking you to all the WWII sights and special points of interest in Germany, Austria, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland.  You will appreciate the top quality service, first class hotels, 24 meals, outstanding value & extensive sightseeing.

80th Anniversary of D-Day!  

About this tour :  

We invite you to join us on this outstanding tour and once-in-a-lifetime World War II History experience. We are excited about this well planned, well organized itinerary taking you to all the WWII sights and special points of interest in Germany, Austria, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland. You will appreciate the top quality service, first class hotels, 24 meals, outstanding value & extensive sightseeing. This is an exciting and history-filled tour.  Book Today ! Don’t miss this outstanding trip!

“Our debt to the Heroic Men and Valiant Women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.  America will Never forget their sacrifices”.

    - President Harry S. Truman -   

Tour Visits:

• Marienplatz
• Bad Herrenalb
• Black Forest
• Danube River
• Waal Bridge at Nijmegen
• Maarsbergen
• Arnhem/Groesbeek
• Alpine Village
• Eagle's Nest option
• Omaha Beach
• Ste. Mere Eglise Airborne Museum

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World War II Tours for History Buffs

While the Second World War ended in 1945, its significance and over 60 million lives claimed will never fade from memory. Spanning multiple countries and impacting generations of people, WWII transpired across countless battlefields and city streets, many of which you can visit today and pay your respects.

We’ve gathered the best experiences for anyone who enjoys walking in the footsteps of the past. If you want to explore iconic landmarks and reflect on poignant memorials, then visiting these historic destinations is a perfect choice. 

The Battles and Beaches of Normandy, France

June 6, 2019, marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day. During WWII, France’s Normandy region and coastline were forever immortalized. The day the Allied Forces invaded, attacked, and gained a victory became the turning point for the war raging in Europe. A three-hour journey northwest of Paris finds you at the coast of France and on the historic D-Day landing beaches. There remain poignant war-time reminders at Utah, Juno, and Gold Beach. However, the most renowned destination to pay respects remains Omaha Beach, the location of the second Allied force landing.

Omaha Beach, Normandy

Honor the fallen with a visit to Les Braves Memorial of Omaha Beach. Commemorating the American soldiers who gave their lives that June day, the memorial piece represents hope, freedom, and fraternity. Viewing the wide stretches of once obstructed shoreline and the steep cliffs on which the enemy perched, it is easy to gauge the incredible valor of the Americans who fought that day.

At the height of the bluffs is the American Cemetery and Memorial , the site of 9,386 burials. Its rows upon rows of marble crosses and Stars of David bring into sharp perspective the terrible price paid that day in the fight for freedom. 

Visitors to Normandy can also expect to see Juno and Gold beaches, the respective objectives of Canadian and British troops that day. Today, the area is largely a beach resort, but at nearby Arromanches Bay visitors will find the D-Day Museum and the remnants of its prefabricated harbor. Ingenious engineers created the port facility that was towed into place there, and which rapidly turned into a lifeline to feed supplies for the invasion.

Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy

In nearby Sainte-Mère-Église, a different type of memorial hangs from atop a church spire in remembrance of those that liberated the town from German troops. Because of its location, Sainte-Mère-Église was likely to be used as a base for a counterattack against Allied troops landing on Utah and Omaha Beaches. Descending from the sky in the dark early-morning hours of D-Day, Allied paratroopers intended to take the town with little resistance. Despite flaming buildings, trees, and heavy gunfire, eventually, the US troops of the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment retook the village, making it one of the first towns liberated in the invasion.

Nearby, at Pointe du Hoc, stands the Rangers Memorial. It honors the 200 elite troops who scaled its 100-foot cliffs to knock out German artillery installations that had overlooked Utah and Omaha beaches. Today, visitors can still tour the bunkers that once contained long-range weapons.

Tours that go to Normandy

Visit the poignant Omaha Beach Memorial Museum, spend reflective moments at the American Military Cemetery, and pay respects in Sainte-Mère-Église

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Remembering the past in poland.

During WWII, the Nazi Germany invasion and occupation saw Polish citizens suffer massive land, material, and human losses. It’s estimated that 5.6 million Polish citizens, and 90% of Polish Jews, died as a result of the occupation and Holocaust. To counter the horrors in their homeland, the Polish resistance movement during the war was the largest in all occupied Europe. Together with the Home Army, Armia Krajowa in Polish, those forced to live in the ghettos attempted to fight against their oppressors.

Warsaw, Poland

While the invasion and consequential uprisings destroyed over 85% of the city of Warsaw, today you can visit the Historical Museum and walk through Old Town, entirely rebuilt since World War II. The Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, located in an area formerly a part of the Warsaw Ghetto, reminds visitors of those who fought the moving of its remaining inhabitants into concentration camps.

Oświęcim [Auschwitz], Poland

For a sobering look into what life was like for those in the camps, visitors can pay their respects in the city of Oświęcim, better known to the world in German as Auschwitz. Made up of over 40 camps and subcamps, Auschwitz contained Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest of these camps. 90% of those that died in the concentration camp, died in Birkenau.

Kraków, Poland

The nearby city of Kraków was the capital of the Nazi Germany General Government. What would become known as the Kraków or Podgórze Ghetto initially housed 16,000 Jews. By 1941 the Ghetto held over 24,000 people forced to give up their possessions and bring only what they could carry through the gates. The atrocities of the Jewish ghetto in Kraków and the nearby concentration camps are remembered in the film Schindler’s List and the moving monument that now stands in Podgórze, at what was the center of its ghetto.

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Visit the Historical Museum and walk through Old Town in Warsaw, pay somber respect to those interred in camps in Oświęcim, and explore the Jewish ghetto in Kraków.

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Warsaw and the Baltic States

The Bohemian

Highlights of Eastern Europe

Highlights of Bohemia

Bohemian Highlights

Honoring lives lost in germany.

Known today for its Oktoberfest, Munich was once home to the first of the Nazi concentration camps, Dachau. What began as a place of internment for those who opposed the Nazi regime, the camp’s organization and oversight became the systematic blueprint of terror for other camps to follow. A memorial now stands on the grounds of the site, its main exhibition focuses on the path the prisoners faced in their daily lives and their journey to either death or liberation.

Five hours from Munich lies Germany’s capital, Berlin where you can visit the Topography of Terror museum and the Holocaust Memorial to also honor victims of the past. While in town, stop by Reichstag, which was restored after the war to once again host the German Parliament.

Trips that go to Germany

Visit the memorial in Dachau and walk through the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin

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Castles along the Rhine

Sound of Music

Imperial Highlights

Imperial Europe

Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland and Austria

Authentic Danube

Authentic Danube & Prague

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Military History & Battlefield Tour Operators

These are UK-based specialist tour operators, travel agencies, and companies offering self or expert guided battlefield tours to military sites and battlefields worldwide, but mostly World War I & II, and Napoleonic war sites in Europe.

“ Others… ” (below) also lists specialists in battlefield experiences that don’t quite fit the parameters for this list. In particular there are a number of battlefield guides who are based on the continent near the sites they visit.

Others…

• Tucker Tours Richard Tucker operates small (typically for groups of up to 4 people) guided military history tours of especially selected Maginot Line defences in the Sedan/Ardennes region of France, and other niche topic tours such as his day tour highlighting the RAF Fairey Battle squadrons (and some Blenheim IVs) missions to destroy the German engineer bridges over the Meuse, 14 May 1940.
• In Krakow, Poland, Małopolska Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Historii, aka “Rawelin” , is a non-profit organisation that conducts historical research and works to protect architectural monuments, including fortifications and historic urban engineering. They run tours of some of these places including the underground emergency command centre at the Lenin Steelworks in Krakow , a 1950s time capsule.
• Battlefields by 4×4 is an interesting option. Small group guided battlefield tours for owners of 4×4 vehicles. You get yourself there and do the driving. They guide you to WWI & II sites in northern France (it’s mostly WWI. They are based in Arras) on and off the beaten track.
• African Battlefields specialise in battlefield tours in South Africa, especially the classical Victorian Military expeditions of the Anglo Boer and Zulu war Battlefields of 19th century British colonial Africa.
• Battlefields Experience, The (not based in the UK) operates WW1 & WW2 battlefield tours in Northern France & Belgium.
• Civil War Traveler is a useful website detailing historical self-drive tour and trail information to civil war sites in the USA.
• French-Tours offer chauffeur-guided tours of WWI & WWII battlefields sites in France.
• The Three Whales travel agency in Russia offers tours of major Russian World War 2 battlefield sites such as Kursk and Stalingrad.
• Best Russian Tour are the guys who do all the extreme and special interest tours in Russia (eg. cosmonaut training, MIG flights) they have many military options including visits to battleground/military museums such as the tank museum in Kubinka , Museum of the Great Patriotic War , Museum of the Battle of Borodino T-34 Tank museum , etc.
• Battlefield Tours is a Dutch operator focusing on WW2 sites in the Netherlands; so obviously Arnhem and the Scheldt, but also less well known battlefields such as Deventer, Zutphen, & Groningen.
• The Battlefield Explorer is Dutch accredited battlefield guide,  Joris Nieuwint, who lives in Veghel and specialises is Market Garden tours.

This is a niche blog about technically-minded travel. It reflects my own interests in the mechanical, technical, historical, engineering, transport and military world.

COPYRIGHT © MECHTRAVELLER 2016-2024, including all images unless indicated otherwise.

World War II Memorial Tour of Europe

Featuring Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland

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Region: Europe    Type: Scheduled Tours    Length: 16 Days    Tap Rating: TAP Superior

Revisit the dramatic history of World War II as you tour famous battle sites, war museums and memorials. Many scenic and cultural highlights are also included, providing an enjoyable combination of learning and leisure.

To hear a bit about this tour, please join us for a  FREE WEBINAR recording.

DAY 1 – Overnight Flight  

DAY 2 – Germany Arrive at Frankfurt Airport and transfer through the Franconian Wine Region to your hotel. Arvena Park Hotel, Nuremburg, Germany or similar (D)

DAY 3 – Germany Today is devoted to the history of Nuremberg, the site of the famous War Trials. Included is admission to the Documentation Centre and Palace of Justice. Arvena Park Hotel, Nuremburg, Germany or similar  (B,D)

DAY 4 – Germany – Austria Leave Nuremberg for a somber visit to Dachau Concentration Camp. Continue to tour Munich, the capital of Bavaria. After a leisurely visit, depart for Austria where you will spend the next two nights. Landhotel, Kirchenwirt, Austria or similar (B,D)

DAY 5 – Austria Day at leisure in your scenic Austrian village or join your tour manager for the full day optional ‘Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner’ excursion. Landhotel, Kirchenwirt, Austria or similar (B)

DAY 6 – Germany After breakfast travel to Ulm for time to view the Ulm Minster. Make a stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel on the way to your hotel, located on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest.  Parkhotel Luise, Bad Herrenalb, Germany or similar (B,D)

DAY 7 – France – Germany Visit Lorraine’s American Cemetery, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. Tour Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line. Overnight in Igel, near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. Hotel Igeler Säule, Trier-Igel, Germany or similar (B,D)

DAY 8 – Luxembourg – Belgium – Germany After a visit at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg, continue to the historical center of Bastogne, Belgium. Travel into the Ardennes region, known for the infamous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ and to Diekirch National Museum of Military History. Partake in an independent dinner in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, before returning to your hotel in Igel. Hotel Igeler Saule, Trier-Igel, Germany or similar (B)

DAY 9 – Germany Travel to Boppard and board a steamer for a Rhine Cruise on the legendary river. After disembarkation, travel to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge. By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr area hotel for an included dinner . Dorint Parkhotel Bad Neuenahr , Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany or similar (B,D)

DAY 10 – Germany – Holland                                                                                                                            Cross the border into Holland to visit sights significant to the area’s WWII liberation efforts. Cross the Waal Bridge on the way to Nijmegen, then continue to one of the local museums portraying the WWII Resistance in the Netherlands. Continue to your South Holland hotel for an included dinner. Van der Valk Hotel, Tiel or NH Hotel, Capelle, Holland  or similar (B,D)

DAY 11 – Holland Travel to Amsterdam and enjoy ample free time followed by a boat ride through the canals. In the evening, transfer to the Dutch town of Delft for independent dinner. Then return to your South Holland hotel. Van der Valk Hotel, Tiel or NH Hotel, Capelle, Holland  or similar (B)

DAY 12 – Holland – Belgium – France A day full of travel. Drive, crossing the border to Belgium, to your first stop in Antwerp. After time for sightseeing and independent lunch, proceed toward the French/Belgian border then to your hotel in Caen where dinner will be served upon arrival. Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre , Caen, France or similar (B,D)

DAY 13 – France This entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches, including a visit to Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Ste.-Mère-Église Airborne Museum and stops at Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-mer and Arromanches. In the evening, return to your hotel in Caen. Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France or similar (B)

DAY 14 – France Head to the Caen Place Memorial and museum. After the visit, continue to a leisurely lunch break at Pegasus Bridge. Proceed toward Paris , eventually arriving in Paris’ Montmartre District for exploration and independent dinner before transferring to your hotel.  Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette, Paris, France or similar  (B)

DAY 15 – France A full day for individual exploration of Paris, starting with the optional Seine River Cruise excursion. End your day at a characteristic French bistro in the heart of Paris for an included “Farewell Dinner.”  Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette, Paris, France or similar (B,D)

Day 16 – Return flight to U.S.A. (B)

Arrival Instructions

Arrive to Germany by 8:00 am via Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Departure Instructions

Depart from Paris after 12:00 pm via Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Payment Policy

Deposit: $250.00 per person due at time of booking - final payment due 90.00 days prior to departure

Cancellation Policy

Tour includes:.

14 Nights Superior Tourist Class or First Class Accommodations 23 Meals: 14 Breakfasts and 9 Dinners Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner Sightseeing and visits as outlined in the itinerary Tour Manager starting at Frankfurt Airport and ending at the Paris Airport. Touring by Deluxe Motorcoach Luggage Handling for 1 piece of luggage per person

Tour Highlights:

• Nuremberg Documentation Centre
• Lorraine American Cemetery
• Ft. Hackenburg Maginot Line
• Guided tour of Bastogne
• Diekirch National Museum of Military History
• Fort Douaumont, near Verdun
• Eisenhower's Headquarters in Reims
• Caen Peace Memorial & Museum
• Normandy Beaches
• Liberation Museum in Holland
• Rhine River Cruise

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How many wars has europe had.

Europe has been involved in hundreds of wars over the years, including more than 100 wars in the 20th and 21st centuries alone. Two of the most horrific wars include WWI in which an estimated 37 million people perished, and WWII where the number of estimated deaths ranges from 60 to 80 million people, including military and civilian casualties.

What was the last religious war in Europe?

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 until 1995 and was one of the last ethnically-rooted wars in Europe. It began when fighting broke out between the multiethnic population of the former republic of Yugoslavia. Around 100,000 soldiers and civilians died in the war, and it led to the genocide of at least 25,000 Bosnian Muslims, known as Bosniaks.

What were the major battles in Europe during WW2?

The Second World War was one of the deadliest events in human history, with hundreds of battles that claimed millions of lives. Some of the most major battles in Europe during WWII were the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, the Battle of Berlin, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia.

Which European country has had the most battles?

Known as the ‘Battlefield of Europe’, Belgium has had more battles than any other country in Europe. Almost every big power of Europe has fought on its land since the Roman Empire, with historic battles such as the Battle of Waterloo, and the battles of WWI and WWII, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battles of Ypres.

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Historic battlefield tours

On our world war history tours, you’ll step into the past and look forward into the future. Each tour is a unique chance to learn about an important part of the past.

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What our travelers say about their historic battlefield tours

Frequently asked questions about our battlefield tours.

World War II solidiers fought along countless battlefields around the globe. We visit quite a few, including:

• Operation Torch in Morocco and Algeria
• The Battle of the Atlantic on the Atlantic Ocean
• The Battle of Normandy in France
• The Battle of the Bulge in The Ardennes, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany
• The Battle of Nuremberg in Germany
• The Attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, U.S.
• The Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands
• The Battle of Okinawa in Japan

Here are the memorials you can visit on our World War II tours:

• Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation on tour in France
• The Hollandsche Schouwburg War Memorial on tour in the Netherlands
• The Vimy Ridge Memorial on tour in France
• The Kazerne Dossin on tour in Belgium
• The Canadian Hill 62 Memorial in Belgium
• The Memorial Museum Passchendaele in Belgium
• The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in Newfoundland
• Caen Memorial Museum in France

The majority of our battlefield tours visit destinations in Europe, where many world war battles took place. That includes:

• Juno Beach in France , where the invasion took place during World War II
• The town of Remagen in Germany , which played a vital role in helping Allied forces cross the Rhine River and defeat the German forces
• The Vimy battlefields in France , which was significant to Canada’s development as a country

If you’re from the United States and interested in American history, we’d recommend  American WWII History: London to Berlin .

If you're from Canada, you might enjoy any of these war history tours:

• Canadian WWII History: The Netherlands & Germany
• Canadian World War History: Vimy to Juno Beach
• Vimy Ridge 105th Anniversary: London to Brussels
• Vimy Ridge 105th Anniversary: Amsterdam to Paris

Check out this photographer’s look at Canadian military history on one of our World War II tours.

4 reasons to take a historic battlefield tour with us

1. you’re always with an expert, 2. learn about history where it happened, 3. feel closer to your ancestors, 4. see the powerful impact these battles had, more types of tours, see the latest from our travelers @goaheadtours.

• Europe Tours
• Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history Tours
• War sites Tours

Europe War Sites Tours 2024/2025

33 superb war site trips in Europe. Planning to go on a war site tour in Europe? Check out 33 great war site trips in Europe supported by 11 reviews. All war site trips are delivered by 12 tour operators in Europe. Prices range from 167 USD to 4,441 USD and our war site trips last from 1 day and to 17 days.

• Europe Travel Guide

29 War sites tours with 11 Reviews

• Starts Amsterdam, Holland
• Ends Amsterdam, Holland

Best of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites 'data-more-tripid='20927'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Coach & Bus
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,250
• Special Deal (13%): - US$ 410
• Total Price from: US$ 2,840
• May 04 Only 5 seats left
• May 11 Only 10 seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Starts Istanbul, Turkey
• Ends Istanbul, Turkey

Taste of Turkey

• Trip customizable
• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites 'data-more-tripid='17960'>+1 more
• Transport Flight
• Age Range 8-95 yrs
• May 04 10+ seats left

• Starts Dublin, Ireland
• Ends Edinburgh, Scotland

Best of Ireland and Scotland 2024

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Natural landmarks sightseeing & War sites 'data-more-tripid='22534'>+2 more
• Transport Ferry & Coach
• Age Range 5-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 5,225
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 784
• Total Price from: US$ 4,441
• May 04 Only 9 seats left
• May 11 10+ seats left

Turkey in Depth

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites , Museum and gallery visits & Natural landmarks sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='17425'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Resort
• Transport Boat, Ferry & Bus
• Age Range 16-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,200
• Special Deal (7%): - US$ 160
• Total Price from: US$ 2,040
• May 01 Only 6 seats left
• May 08 Only 8 seats left

• Starts Vienna, Austria
• Ends Vienna, Austria

Highlights of Eastern Europe

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Cultural, religious and historic sites Sightseeing Tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites 'data-more-tripid='20825'>+1 more
• Transport Coach & Boat
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,575
• Special Deal (13%): - US$ 610
• Total Price from: US$ 3,965
• May 03 10+ seats left
• May 10 10+ seats left

• Starts Paris, France
• Ends Paris, France

Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley

• Activities Food tours & Cultural, religious and historic sites Food tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Wine tasting tours , Art and architecture , War sites & Farm and plantation visits 'data-more-tripid='21122'>+4 more
• Transport Coach
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,510
• Special Deal (17%): - US$ 600
• Total Price from: US$ 2,910
• May 04 Only 6 seats left
• May 11 Only 7 seats left

Amazing Turkey by Gulet (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites & Gulet cruise 'data-more-tripid='14726'>+2 more
• Transport Bus, Coach, Boat, Yacht & Flight
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,110
• Special Deal (45%): - US$ 1,400
• Total Price from: US$ 1,710
• May 25 10+ seats left
• Jun 08 10+ seats left

Easymade Turkey Tour

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='18277'>+2 more
• Age Range 18-99 yrs

• Ends Ankara, Turkey

Turkey Classics Tour

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='18281'>+1 more
• Transport Private Vehicle
• Jan 06 Only 7 seats left
• Jan 13 Only 6 seats left

• Starts Gallipoli , Turkey

Aegean Trooper Tour

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites 'data-more-tripid='22642'>+1 more
• Jan 06 Only 5 seats left

Anatolian Adventure

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='17957'>+2 more

• Ends Athens, Greece

Istanbul to Athens - 14 days

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & War sites Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='15985'>+2 more
• Transport Flight, Ferry & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 18-80 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 5,155
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 1,031
• Total Price from: US$ 4,124

• Ends Cairo, Egypt

Turkey & Tutankhamun - 16 days

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Museum and gallery visits , War sites & Cruise 'data-more-tripid='16116'>+4 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Sleeper Train
• Transport Flight, Private Vehicle, Train, Boat & Sleeper Train
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,685
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 737
• Total Price from: US$ 2,948
• Jul 06 Only 8 seats left
• Jul 20 Only 8 seats left

• Ends Dubrovnik, Croatia

Eastern Capitals & the Dalmatian Riviera

• Activities Food tours & Cultural, religious and historic sites Food tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites , War sites & Local culture 'data-more-tripid='21204'>+2 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 5,115
• Special Deal (16%): - US$ 811
• Total Price from: US$ 4,304
• May 19 Only 9 seats left
• Jul 21 Only 10 seats left

Europe War sites Reviews

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Rated 98% based on 1029 reviews

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First World War Expert Led Battlefield Tours

Each year we run variety tours that give an overview of the Great War as well as focusing on the actions in particular locations and by particular people. As well as our classic Walking the Ypres Salient and Western Front tours, we take an in depth look at the outskirts of the war, including the Gallipoli campaign and the Russian Revolution and delve into the impact of specific people like war poets, Lawrence of Arabia and the Doughboys. All of our First World War tours are accompanied by experts who are all either authors, historians or ex-military personnel.

All of our forthcoming Scheduled First World War Tours are listed below.

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First World War Tours - Future Planning

We intend to run all of the following tours in the near future. Final dates and prices are yet to be confirmed. Register your interest and we will contact you as soon as these tours become available.

Discover the battlefields and historic sites in comfort, staying at 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, sampling the local cuisine and immersing yourself in the culture. All of our tours are accompanied by a dedicated tour manager who will handle all of the organisational stresses and worries of travel so that you are free to experience and engage with the poignant and defining stories of the Great War.

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For up to date news as well as details about all of our tours please subscribe to our fortnightly e-newsletter

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Welcome to Canadian Battlefield Tours

Canadian battlefield tours is a battlefield tour company, specializing in the canadian actions in ww1 and the canadian and british actions in ww2., our aim is to provide to you with a very unique experience while in europe. if you were in the canadian military, have friends or family that have served in the canadian military, or have an interest in military history, our tours will provide you with an unparalleled experience relative to the canadian battles in ww1 and the canadian, british and polish battles in ww2..

Our tours are private , custom tours designed to be intimate and personal. They are available on a first come, first serve basis to anyone and will especially appeal to relatives of Canadian front line soldiers who were at the “sharp edge” and saw action in these theatres. To accomplish this we have restricted the size of our groups to 1 to 3 people. A personal tour, with pick-up at your hotel, may cost more when compared with joining a fixed-itinerary ‘bus’ tour, but the value, attention to detail, and personal touch is priceless. We feel it is by far and away the best way to see the battlefield. This is especially true, when this may be your one occasion to make the visit of your lifetime, making your battlefield visit a seamless experience. A personal tour is also better suited for the quiet exploration and reflection of past events, without the possible distraction of others making up your group – and the need for the tour leader to stick to a fixed time schedule!

Conducted (usually bus) tours, whether large or small, understandably, require you to comply with a fairly strict itinerary. The reason for this, is that the larger bus tours tend to take you primarily, to the better known monuments, museums and cemeteries.

Of course, with us, you will also visit these same monuments, museums and cemeteries, but always, with us, you will see so much more. For example, by the sheer size of their buses or coaches, they are unable to navigate the narrow farm tracks/roads, etc., to where some of the most poignant events took place. We don’t have those problems and our tours by their very nature, will take you through some of the most beautiful, scenic countryside you will ever see, usually on good quality, paved “back roads. We try to avoid, where possible, the extremely busy main highways. If you travel as part of a large group you may become frustrated by not being able to explore the landscape and ‘follow your nose’ to uncover the legacy of the battlefields. It can also be frustrating to be told to get back on the bus, to be herded to the next ‘must see’.

As noted above, our tours include visits to a select number of monuments, museums and beautiful Cemeteries, maintained and operated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We also include a few select German cemeteries. Our tours are always flexible and will allow you the time you wish, to reminisce at the cemeteries. We will also make sure you have sufficient “free time” to enjoy other local tourist attractions.

Meet Your Guides

Gianni Blasi

Jim Smithson

Roberto Piccione

Jon Haslock

Peter Smith

Andrew Robertshaw

Bill McQuade

Joël Stoppels

Berry & Yvonne Swarthoff

Robert Catsburg

Jan Braakman

Jonathan Nicholls

Valerie Vaultier

Richard Porter

Guillermo Alcantara

Sonia Hidalgo

Edwin Popken

Testimonials

• As to our tour, I would start by saying that Robin’s enthusiasm and work ethic are excellent.  Although I haven’t taken a battlefield tour before and didn’t really know what to expect, it was obvious from the start that he had put a lot of work into personalizing our tour.  The specific work he did on the South Saskatchewan Regiment and their specific actions around my relative’s movements and injuries were unexpected.  I wanted to see where my uncle got hurt near Ifs in July 1944 and he did his best to take me to the exact spot.  We did see the main sights for sure in Normandy, but he did a lot of work in making the tour relevant to me and my family.  A highlight was him playing for us a CBC radio broadcast after the Dieppe raid where my uncle was interviewed!  Amazing! He also spent a lot of time trying to show us graves of some of the boys who would have known my relatives, or who they would have commanded.  The visit to Dieppe was a real highlight-we traced the SSR company that my Uncle was CSM of during the day right to the point where he was commanding a company headquarters.  Seeing Dieppe and Green Beach was something I’ve wanted to do my whole life and it didn’t disappoint.  He also ordered a couple of wreaths which were personalized for the SSR from the British Legion and we did a wreath laying at Bretteville and Dieppe which were emotional and very gratifying. One unexpected thing was once my wife indicated she had relatives flying Mustangs with the RCAF, he did some evening research and the next day showed her some flight records and a location of one of the airfields they flew out of in France.  She really appreciated that. I found the days long, but rewarding.  My wife probably would say they were a bit long for her, but she hung in there. We added on Abbey d’Ardenne at my request, and I’m glad we did.  My wife knew nothing about the SS, atrocities, or Kurt Meyer.  She was shocked when she found out it was not an uncommon occurrence and said afterwards she found that part haunting. As we travelled and stopped for lunch I generally picked up the tab, which I was happy to do. He did use his own car which was roomy and comfortable, and tried to get us off the beaten track locations for snacks and meals which we really liked. On the last day after we finished touring, he drove us back to Pourville and we spent some time on a patio discussing the tour, his plans for the remainder of the year, and life in general. Mr. & Mrs. Dan Long Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Hi Gary, We got home yesterday, exhausted but satisfied with our experience. Basically we had 4 days, on the road by 9AM touring all day and home at 7PM. Our basic tours were Vimy, Hill 70 and Cambria, Ypres & Passchendaele and The Somme  There were added side tours on each day. We were very impressed with Jon, he's a walking encyclopedia and very personable. We felt that he read our understanding of the war and our interests well and was flexible enough to accommodate our interests. For example, our grandsons were quite interested in the tanks, and Jon arranged to visit the tank Dolores? The buried tank found south of Cambrai. We enjoyed the spots he found for lunch and our visits over the meal were very pleasant. Our grandsons are typical  teenagers, but Jon got along with them well and they in turn thought he was great. The various cemeteries presented a solemn reminder of the lives lost . We were very impressed with CWGC work in maintaining them. All in all an educational and enjoyable experience Bob & Edna David Alberta, Canada
• To cut to the chase we give both tours 10/10. This is interesting in that our two tour guides Jon and Robin have different personalities and styles. The common feature is that both guides are true historians and extremely professional. More important though is that they were able to judge our level of understanding and interest and adjust their itineraries and presentations accordingly. We definitely felt that each day was “ customized” for us. They obviously had more knowledge than we did but only took it as far as  we wanted at a particular cemetery, monument or battlefield. When we wanted more in depth information they gave it to us. They let us wander through cemeteries reading headstones and we never felt there was a schedule we had to keep. We thoroughly enjoyed our three days with Jon Haslock. He was excellent in showing us how the battles were fought. We stood on the grounds at Passchendaele, Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel and he explained the movements of the trenches, the attacks and the positions so we got a real sense of what it must have been like. We also talked about the impact on the civilians-farmers, shopkeepers whose homes and lands were in the occupied zones and what it must have been like to return or not to their village. The impact on civilians is not something that gets proper appreciation. A nice touch was one day when we stopped for lunch and met Jon’s wife and mother in law. Little personal things like this make the relationship special. We would highly, highly recommend Jon as a tour guide. We would be thrilled to come back and tour with Jon. We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 days with Robin Burrows-Ellis. Robin focused on lesser known facts and the true stories such as the Maisy battery and Pointe du Hoc. Robin has done extensive research on individuals, whether a grave marker or a battle leader. By drilling down to the personal side of a conflict he created a closer connection to the individual and turned names into persons. Juno beach was very special we walked in the beach and had our picture taken where wounded Canadians huddled against the sea wall for protection. The 1944 picture of where we stood was chilling. On the last day, Robin brought his partner along and her stories of her village were an appreciated special touch. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Robin to anyone interested in WW2. We would hire Robin again in an instant. Canadian Battlefield Tours exceeded our expectations - which were high. Over our three days at WW1 and three days at WW2 battlefields we had two professional historians who were able to judge our level of interest and go as shallow or deep as we wanted at a cemetery, monument or battlefield. We were particularly impressed with their expertise on Canadian subject matter. Both tour guides were personable and passionate. The administrative side was seamless with Gary handling all the details. We have already told many of our friends about CBT and how we highly recommend them. We could tell from some friends who had taken tours with other operators that CBT clearly surpassed their experience. Thank you for creating these special days in our lives. Claudia and Randy Findlay Calgary, AB
• We were delighted with Jon. He was extremely knowledgeable and not only knowledgeable but able to share his knowledge effectively with us. His passion shows. He met us on time and gave us full days that were well organized. He had researched our ancestors and was able to show us the places where they had fought. This was everything we wanted. Overall, an excellent tour and Jon was awesome! Marilyn and John Thornton Victoria, BC
• The tour certainly met my expectations. Robin was a very knowledgeable and fantastic guide, just as he was in 2019 for the WWII portion of my Normandy tour. The most significant actions in Dieppe were covered within my one-day tour (we covered all five beaches, plus some actions around batteries further inland) and Robin's style gets you to immerse yourself in the setting and provides a good sense of what it would have been like to be there that day. I learned many more details about Canadian actions in Dieppe, but more importantly, Robin was able to cast the battle that day in a significantly different light from what I had learned in school, where it tends to be painted as a military failure/disaster. I have a much better appreciation for the sacrifices made in Dieppe and how the difficult lessons learned that day informed the planning for the D-Day invasion. Robin's tour also challenged my thinking about the raid and its place in Canadian military history. On a side note, Dieppe's natural beauty was also something I had not given much thought to beforehand. I had implicitly assumed it would have looked similar to some of the D-Day beaches, which I had seen before. That underestimation was a pleasant surprise and provided a unique tour backdrop among WWII battlefield locations. The town is certainly worth visiting even without a keen interest in Canadian battlefields. Thanks again to you and Robin for providing another memorable experience that I will cherish and recount for many years. David Catarino Oakville, ON
• Our three days with Richard was absolutely first class. Richard’s depth of knowledge was remarkable and his use of stories to highlight issues and create a more human scale than the otherwise cataclysmic events permitted really brought things to life. We also appreciated Richard’s ability to share, rather than just air, his knowledge and all this with a sense of humour coupled with insights from his own military experience. Robin & Barbara Rison Cotswolds, England
• We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and our time with Robin. Robin is very knowledgeable and we appreciate the considerable time he spent researching my Dad's war history. I can honestly say we feel we have walked in my Dad's footsteps, while thankfully not experiencing the horrors of war, we have a better appreciation of his journey and why he was not willing to share much of this part of his life. We are eternally grateful for his and his fellow comrades ultimate sacrifice. Ken Moore and Sharon Pekrul Matlock, MB
• We had a fantastic trip. It surpassed our expectations. Jon was excellent. He started us with general information using maps and CWGC (troops movements dates, etc.) information to get us on the right thoughts from start to finish. He correlated this information about my family and planned our days with details of the information, and he could pin us down to the locations of the fallen soldiers we were following. He was also able to point us in the right direction to information that is available, and we were not aware of, so we can do some more research. We learned a lot about my family's soldiers that we never knew before. Logistically everything worked out fantastic. The days were busy and full. Trip of a lifetime for us. Thanks again. Rick and Jeannette Atkinson Edmonton, AB
• Our time with Jon significantly exceeded our expectations for our tour of Canadian WW1 sites! Beginning the tour with a visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, really helped to set the scene and provide background on the approach to honouring Commonwealth soldiers. Jon had researched the war records of my great uncle and took us to the field where he was shot, and could point out the area where the German soldiers had their machine guns. He then brought us to the nearby cemetery where we could see the graves of the other 215 Canadian soldiers who fought with my great uncle and are buried with him. This brought me such a sense of comfort to know he was buried with his colleagues. From here, Jon continued to provide a complete history of the Canadian contribution, and loss of life in the area. We were blown away with his detailed knowledge of the battles and very intrigued with stops at various German bunkers and fields where artillery can still (104 years later) be found. Jon really brought the history to life for us and for this we are very appreciative. He also used our lunch visits to share insights on the rebuild of communities in northern France. I would highly recommend Jon as a guide for any other Canadians looking to understand the contribution of Canadians in WW1, and will reach out to you again Gary when we decide to visit sites of WWII. Please let me know if any questions, or if anything more would be helpful. Cindy Dunn and Mark Florence Toronto, ON
• Gary, It was an excellent day - thank you. Eric Slavens Toronto, ON
• Jim exceeded our expectations in every way.  He was the ideal guide, and presented all the information in an easy to follow, informative manner. He was exceptionally flexible with the schedule, letting us start and end our days at the times we requested, and made sure we had plenty of time to spend at the key sites we really wanted to see. He always kept an eye on the weather and shuffled the order of events around to help keep us dry and/or warm, as required. His depth of knowledge was incredible, and on the rare occasion where he didn't know the answer right away, he had it for me the next day. He always had detailed maps and timetables of every battlefield we visited so that we could effortlessly orient ourselves to the battlespace. It was really more like travelling with an old friend than a tour guide--he was the absolute perfect choice for the two of us, and we wouldn't hesitate to book again if Jim is made available for a future tour. Matthew and Vince Daluz Ottawa, ON
• Things exceeded my expectations frankly, largely in part to the personalized context Jon was able to bring based on the information I had about my Grandfather about also by his own research. He actually clarified a few minor inaccuracies of mine but also broadened my perspective on this personal journey of mine. He would take me off our route for 15 minutes just to say my grandfather likely walked a road or passed through a town between his postings. Jon was awesome, he even started looking for chalk and other mementoes from the relevant fields so that my wife could use some of it in her artist works once back in Ottawa. Happy to recommend your firm and Jon, thanks for your flexibility. Cal Kirkpatrick Ottawa, ON
• Gary, Our time with Jon significantly exceeded our expectations for our tour of Canadian WW1 sites! Beginning the tour with a visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, really helped to set the scene and provide background on the approach to honouring Commonwealth soldiers. Jon had researched the war records of my great uncle and took us to the field where he was shot, and could point out the area where the German soldiers had their machine guns. He then brought us to the nearby cemetery where we could see the graves of the other 215 Canadian soldiers who fought with my great uncle and are buried with him. This brought me such a sense of comfort to know he was buried with his colleagues. From here, Jon continued to provide a complete history of the Canadian contribution, and loss of life in the area. We were blown away with his detailed knowledge of the battles and very intrigued with stops at various German bunkers and fields where artillery can still (104 years later) be found. Jon really brought the history to life for us and for this we are very appreciative. He also used our lunch visits to share insights on the rebuild of communities in northern France. I would highly recommend Jon as a guide for any other Canadians looking to understand the contribution of Canadians in WW1, and will reach out to you again Gary when we decide to visit sites of WWII. Please let me know if any questions, or if anything more would be helpful. Cindy Dunn and Mark Florence, Toronto, ON **Cindy was following in the footsteps of her great uncle, on a WWI pilgrimage tour Gary, It was an excellent day - thank you. Eric Slavens, Toronto, ON Hi Gary, Jim exceeded our expectations in every way. He was the ideal guide, and presented all the information in an easy to follow, informative manner. He was exceptionally flexible with the schedule, letting us start and end our days at the times we requested, and made sure we had plenty of time to spend at the key sites we really wanted to see. He always kept an eye on the weather and shuffled the order of events around to help keep us dry and/or warm, as required. His depth of knowledge was incredible, and on the rare occasion where he didn't know the answer right away, he had it for me the next day. He always had detailed maps and timetables of every battlefield we visited so that we could effortlessly orient ourselves to the battlespace. It was really more like travelling with an old friend than a tour guide--he was the absolute perfect choice for the two of us, and we wouldn't hesitate to book again if Jim is made available for a future tour. Matthew DaLuz, Saint John, NB Vince Daluz, Ottawa, ON **This father/son team were kept waiting almost 3 years for their 9 day Canadians Choice tour, because of Covid 19. I am most gratified after reading their testimonial, that the tour (Sept. 19-27, 2022) was well worth the wait. As always Jim, a job well done. Hi Gary, Things exceeded my expectations frankly, largely in part to the personalized context Jon was able to bring based on the information I had about my Grandfather about also by his own research. He actually clarified a few minor inaccuracies of mine but also broadened my perspective on this personal journey of mine. He would take me off our route for 15 minutes just to say my grandfather likely walked a road or passed through a town between his postings. Jon was awesome, he even started looking for chalk and other mementoes from the relevant fields so that my wife could use some of it in her artist works once back in Ottawa. Happy to recommend your firm and Jon, thanks for your flexibility , Ottawa, ON ** Another splendid pilgrimage tour provided by Jon Haslock for an extremely satisfied customer who had waited almost 3 years for his tour Sept. 28 & 29, 2022. Cal Kirkpatrick Ottawa, ON
• This must have been the most rescheduled tour in the history of CBT! After the original booking I think we had to make 5 different changes to the schedule! Thanks for your patience. This 2-day tour of Ypres and the Vimy area exceeded expectations. The tour guide, Jon Haslock (aka Old Blighty) set a brisk pace and we covered more ground than I expected. Jon had done his homework and made sure we visited the important sites involving my ancestors: Sgt Percy Cote, PPCLI; Sgt James Faulds, 25th Bn.; Sgt James McInnes, PPCLI. I had not expected we would visit the Somme area and Beaumont Hamel was a definite highlight. Vimy was spectacular and we went there twice. Our second visit was early in the morning on day 2 and it was especially moving as there were so few people there. The other highlight was laying a wreath at the Menin Gate. A very moving experience. What was also great about the tour was gaining an understanding of the importance of the ridges. You read about this aspect of the Great War in countless books and hear about it in various lectures, but until you actually stand there you just can’t appreciate how important the high ground was – and as you know it really wasn’t that high! At every stop along the tour we would take a moment to look at the land around us and we really ‘got it’! Maps don’t give you that perspective. I think that covers it. Thanks again for your patience and providing such a great tour. And by all means pass on our thanks to Jon. Cam and Ann Gordon Kitchener, ON
• Hi Gary, I wanted to let you know, from my perspective, how great the tour was. Jon is an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable, very approachable and extremely nice! Jon went above and beyond. He took us through the footsteps of Mark's uncle, showed us approximately where he had been killed (in the middle of a farmer's field!) and took us to the cemetery where he was buried. He also took us to ALL of the places Mark had wanted to visit. It was such a fantastic, awesome yet sombre experience. He had bits of knowledge that we would never have learned anywhere else and that is priceless. We learned many new facts and Mark had so many questions, which Jon answered or he told us where we could find the answers. Jon is also well known in the area and had many tips for us. Mark and I live in Ladner, BC, which is about 15 minutes south of Vancouver. Mark is a firefighter with Vancouver Fire and he has been very vocal telling his colleagues about how wonderful his tour was! I work for London Drugs at the Head Office. It was Clint Mahlman, the CEO, who originally told me about your company and he raved about how well the tour was run and how impactful it was. I have to agree. Thank you once again. I will definitely be talking about how fantastic our tour was and recommending your company. Sincerely, Gabriela Whincup ** Gabriela and her husband Mark took a WWI Pilgrimage Tour. I’m very pleased that the tour exceeded all their expectations.   Gabriela Whincup Ladner, BC
• We were so pleased with both of our tours. We are still amazed at how knowledgeable and passionate your guides were. Each tour day was well organized and informative. They had researched my father’s regiment and knew each location where he may have encountered a battle. Although these locations looked entirely different today, seeing the landscape made it easier for us to envision what took place. It was nice to talk with the local property owners too as they also knew the history of their properties and were able to tell us even more. The guides were very helpful in translating when needed. We can assure you that you do have the very best guides. They were outstanding not only in their guiding but also their kindness. We really appreciate all the work they do to keep this bit of history from being forgotten. Thank you for making this a memorable moment for us. Scott and Rosalie Brent Toronto, Ontario
• Gary, We've just finished the WWI Tour. Jon saw to it that I visited all the important sites and battles where my Uncle's would have been involved! Very thoroughly done. We stopped at their Tearoom where I met his wife and even mother-in-law! Nice people! Thank you for setting this up. I could not have accomplished this on my own. The man knows how to drive this part of France, and how! Far from what I could have accomplished If I could help you or Jon with recommends, please don't hesitate to refer to me. Thank you! Frank Bucknum Victoria, BC
• I thought that I should also send you an email regarding the tour that I had with Jon. I didn’t know that Gabriela had kept this a secret from me for over two years. When I found out that I was going on a private tour to see the battlefield areas of WW1 I still didn’t even know that I was going to the places that my great uncle would have been back in 1917. When I found out that what we were going to do I was so excited. I listened to the stories that Jon was telling us about the different sites that we stopped at, like a kid in a candy store. It was so emotional to see where my Uncle had battled, where he probably died and where he was buried. Jon was exceptionally knowledgeable on all the areas we went to. When we arrived at Vimy Ridge and I stood on the monument I have never felt prouder to be a Canadian. Jon took us to spots that I would have never known or been able to understand what happened at these sites if it wasn’t for him. This trip was amazing and I would recommend this to anyone that wants the best experience to see the WW1 spots. I never found out how much this experience costed or don’t care to know. Seeing this was an experience of a life time and you can not put a price on that. Thank you for this experience and if there is anything else you need from me regarding Jon I’m more than happy to help out. Mark Whincup Vancouver, BC
• This was a very moving, well lead tour, with important details told in an engaging manner.  It was worth every penny, and then some. Tim and Carolyn Darling
• The day with Robin, in Normandy, was more than expected, and he was an extraordinary host. We thank you, and Robin, for a very memorable day. Christina and Wayne Bornstein Waterloo, ON
• Our tour involved two days on the WW I battlefields in France and Belgium and one day exploring WWII battlefields from Juno beach to Caen. Jim Smithson, our guide for the WWI battlefields, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We had two very full and busy days and learned a great deal about the experiences and sacrifices of the soldiers of the Canadian corps. We spent the first day touring the Somme battlefields, memorials and graveyards, including Vimy Ridge and the Newfoundland memorial at Beaumont-Hamel. The next day we went to Flanders in Belgium and explored the Passchendaele battlefields and witnessed the last post ceremony held every night at 8:00 pm in Ypres, which was a very moving experience.  Jim has a wealth of information on WWI and gave us many insights into the battles and the experiences of Canadian and Commonwealth soldiers. Robin Burrows-Ellis, our guide for the tour of the WWII battlefields, was also very knowledgeable and entertaining. My wife’s uncle Philip (who died before she was born) was killed on July 21st in battle around Mondeville, south of Caen only two weeks after landing in Normandy. He was a private with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Robin did a great job of researching and tracing Philip’s steps from Juno beach to the area where he was killed. We visited the various locations where his battalion engaged the Germans in battle, including the location where he died.  Robin was very well prepared with battle maps and was able to obtain transcripts of radio communications by Philip’s battalion on the day he was killed which gave a blow by blow account of the battle. You could close your eyes and almost imagine the terror of being in this situation. We finished our tour at the Bretteville-sur-Laize  Canadian War Cemetery near Caen where Robin located Philip’s gravestone. We placed a small Canadian flag and some flowers near his gravestone and Robin read a poem. It was a very moving experience for us, even though we had never met Philip. I have no hesitation in recommending your company and Jim and Robin as great guides for those wishing to visit WWI and WWII battlefields and memorials with a focus on the Canadian and Commonwealth wartime experience. David & Michelle Mydske West Vancouver, BC
• I thought John did a great job of taking us through the tour. He was well researched on our Uncle Jim’s service, I believe in part because we provided him with the 75 pages of service record from Ottawa. Also he did a good bit of research through the Canadian War Dairies to determine where Jim was and where he sustained his wounds. John was barraged by my brother Scott throughout our tour and I thought did a splendid job of answering all our questions. Although I think he was happy to see the last of us as we exhausted him through our many inquiries. Jamie, Scott & Fraser McTavish Vancouver, BC & Markham, Ontario
• Just a quick note to thank you for the tour. I've had time now to review the war diaries and photo's that Robin provided for us and will be sending copies to my sister and brother in law as well. Robin did some excellent and deep research into the South Alberta's and consequently was able to take us exactly to the locations of where "C" squadron and John Barnett would have been during August of 1944. The planning and level of detail made the trip more than worthwhile. Thank you again for the good work. Todd Lemieux Nanton, Alberta
• Firstly, we wanted to thank you for the tour, we were quite happy with everything.  John was very knowledgeable and provided excellent opportunities to experience the many different aspects of the conflict.  Being able to see the French memorial at Notre Dame de Lorette, or the Langemark German cemetery provided perspective that we were not likely to get with some other tours. John also was kind enough to order up some glorious weather to enjoy the tour. When we spoke to John about what we wanted to achieve during the tour, we stated that we wanted to visit some less travelled memorials and he managed to find some excellent locations. Again, thank you for everything, and please pass along our thanks to John. Dawn and Joe Barbosa London, Ontario
• The tours with Robin and Jon were excellent and met all of my expectations. Both guides were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their respective areas of expertise. I was very pleased with the requested focus on Canadian contributions to the battlefields and war efforts of WWI and WWII. Both guides were also flexible enough to incorporate visits to sites that I showed secondary interest in during the tour (e.g., Omaha beach and a WWI Portuguese war cemetery). Robin's researched storytelling approach to site visits was quite unique and provided me with some of the most poignant moments of my 5-day tour. Jon was a walking WWI encyclopedia and was able to answer all of the questions my curiosity could muster, including some I forgot to ask Robin in the first leg! Thanks again to you and your guides for accommodating me on what I now certainly appreciate was short notice for such a customized experience. The trip provided me with memories that I will recount and reflect on for a lifetime. David Catarino Oakville, Ontario, Canada
• Our experience with Jim, without a doubt, exceeded our expectations. He was personable, organized, well-prepared and knowledgeable. Each day, Jim arrived at the set time and off we’d go to battlefields, memorials and military cemeteries. The days were full, but well-paced with pleasant stops for lunch. Every excursion was augmented by maps past and present, historic photos and other materials. Jim's passion and sincerity when speaking about WWI and WWII, the experiences and sacrifices of those involved and respect for the fallen are especially noteworthy. We not only learned details, but also gained a deep appreciation for all sides of these gruesome conflicts. David and I really appreciated the added effort to provide more background concerning my grandfather’s and great-uncle’s military service. Visiting my great-uncle’s burial site and the location where he was fatally injured was especially poignant. Brenda & David Barry Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• We were very well impressed with the tour Jim gave us. We came with three different levels of knowledge and he was able to make it so we all got something from each stop. I know what a challenge that can be. Jim went above and beyond keeping up on where the crowds would be and helping us avoid them. Megan Nagtegaal Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
• Our two days with Richard were absolutely perfect, exceeded any expectations we could possibly have. What a wonderful, personable, knowledgeable, compassionate man!  It was an amazing, educational and emotional two days! Kim MacKenzie Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada
• We very much enjoyed our Normandy tour with Robin. It was a full day full of stories which made D-Day come alive. The Canadian cemetery was the most moving spot we visited.  Robin is very well informed and obviously passionate about making history come alive. We learned a great deal more than most tourists would from our day with him. Bev Noble & Brian Field, Lucan (Komoka) Ontario, Canada
• The tour went very well. Our guide, was very knowledgeable about everything involving the Canadian campaign in Italy. He was also very enthusiastic, friendly, and a gracious host. He took us to several Canadian memorials in the Cassino/Liri Valley area and explained their history. He also took great effort to put special focus on the areas and points of interest that specifically involved where my Dad would have been with his regiment. I was very impressed by that. I truly feel it gave me a closer connection to what my Dad would have experienced, and where he was. Dwaine Balak Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
• Great day with Robert. He really set it up well and gave us the tour we wanted plus. Would recommend CBT and Robert highly. Glen Wright Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Robin was outstanding. He was engaging and enthusiastic, as well as knowledgeable. Robin brought documents, maps and photos to amplify his explanations. This was really helpful. After the tour, he gave us copies of a number of his papers for us to take, and to read at our leisure after the tour. One the best aspects of Robin’s delivery is the way he was able to personalize the events, by drawing on the stories of heroic acts by Allied soldiers and members of the French resistance. It was brilliant, and he had all the time in the world to spend to help us better understand and appreciate D-day events. Robin also provided directions which were instrumental to getting us to the Dieppe battle site… I don’t think we would have found it without his help. Peter Cameron & Brenda Reid Ottawa, Ontario
• Jane and I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day world war 1 tour last week. The tour guide you arranged, Jim, was very knowledgeable on the area and the subject. He customized the trip for us to focus on the Canadian role in WW1, which is what we were interested in. Jim also did additional research for us and identified cemeteries where two of my relatives were buried. He then worked these two cemeteries into the schedule so we could visit them in the context of the battles they fought in. It was a humbling and moving tour, made personal by finding my two relatives. We enjoyed our Canadian Battlefields tour and would highly recommend Jim as a guide for anyone interested in doing a similar tour. Rob & Jane Carrs Calgary, Alberta
• Our Canadian Battlefields Tour exceeded our expectations.  Jim Smithson, our guide, was outstanding.  We would rate him as our best tour guide ever.  He is a historian with an in depth knowledge and understanding of the history of Canadian WWI battlefields. Jim took us on a personal tour of the Canadian battlefields at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele where my wife’s father participated and described the conditions, the Canadian battlefield strategy and what happened in each battle. Jim researched the battlefield actions of her father's company and showed us the military maps and documentation.  Jim also gave us a first hand look at the specific area in the Passchendaele battlefield (now a farmer’s field) where he was wounded. He showed us copies of the military reports, battle plans and casualty lists that allowed us to personally follow his footsteps in WWi.  Jim's vast knowledge of the cemeteries, and the soldiers who are buried there helped our understanding and appreciation of their sacrifice in WWI. Jim ran our tour without a hitch. He picked us up promptly each day and drove us to the Canadian battlefields and cemetery locations, some of which were small and would have been impossible for us to find on our own. While we were visiting some of the smaller Canadian WWI cemeteries we met other Canadians who were there on their own in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of a fallen relative. Jim explained the burial rites followed during and after the war and helped our fellow Canadians better understand their relatives final resting place. We were thankful and very pleased  that Jim so graciously shared his knowledge and understanding in such a kind and compassionate way. Would highly recommend CBT and your guide. Paul & Judy Sandulak Sherwood Park, Alberta
• We are flying home at the moment and are taking the opportunity to send a few words about our tour. To summarize, the tour fully met our expectations and in the case of our time with Robert Catsburg in the Scheldt area, exceeded them. Notwithstanding that we had done research on our own we could not possibly have put together the tours we had with your guides. There is no substitute for local knowledge and the on the ground research that each guide did in relation to “Major Tom” and the Royal Regiment. All three without fail did what they said they would do. They were very good at reading us and pacing the tour appropriately. All were strong at developing a good personal relationship with us and were pleasant companions. All had “done their homework”. Of particular note is the depth of Robert’s scholarship and indeed passion for his subject. We were happy we never had to drive.  It would not have been as good an experience for us had we had to drive. Mark drove our car.  Robert and Berry drove theirs. In addition your suggestions for accommodation were good. We enjoyed the Hotel Bayeux, Tulip Inn and LOVED the Villa Rozenhof. We were spoiled by Berry and Yvonne at the Mondani. Anita at the Villa packed us a breakfast for our early flight from Amsterdam to LHR which lasted for three days! We chose CBT as a result of a recommendation by our friend Bob Lucas. We would not hesitate to recommend CBT to others. Anna Whitley & Fred Blair Ottawa, Ontario
• I cannot reiterate enough how our tour exceeded all expectations. Jim was exactly the right choice for our wants and needs. At times, we almost felt we were in the battles that our fathers fought!  His skills as a guide were exemplary. It was obvious that his research regarding our individual fathers was extensive and we were pleased to receive copies of that information at the end of the tour. I will highly recommend your tour company without reservation. I might add that the personalized tour was the way to go for us. It certainly eliminated the areas that our fathers never fought in and therefore not pertinent for us. Thank you for helping to guide us through this very emotional but totally rewarding experience. Barbara Scott & Ruth Taylor Windsor, Nova Scotia
• Thanks for contacting me about the trip.  My sister and I both agreed that it far exceeded our expectations.  It was clearly  customized to our requests - all of them. There was nothing generic about it.  Jim has an inexhaustible depth of knowledge and also an ability to organize the places we visited and the information he presented, in a very coherent way. He also inquired to see what we needed to help us understand.  I particularly wanted to understand the landscape  with respect to the various battles.   At every stop he anchored our discussions with excellent maps and he also kept us updated about our position while we were traveling. It was very satisfying. He never rushed us and answered every question. Whenever he provided perspective he also provided the reasons for his comments. That was also very reassuring. He was  a very well read and informative guide. The logistics of the trip were slick and well planned. There was no fuss about anything and we were never rushed  and yet there were always timely stops for food and loos. You mentioned that, given our interests,  we probably could not do better for a guide. I agree. I will highly recommend your company and Jim Smithson. Note: Pat & her sister took our WWI Tour Patricia Hunt Winnipeg, Manitoba
• The tour with Jim (Canadian Battlefield Tours) was simply outstanding. It definitely exceeded any expectations we may have had. Jim provided an itinerary before hand detailing the tour timetable, more importantly, it was his in-depth knowledge of the historical facts and local geography which made the 3 days so memorable. He is a very likeable person, which made the travels quite enjoyable. We learned and witnessed so much. The sight of so many thousands of young people etched on graves and the walls will be us with forever. Jim personalized my Grandfather’s days around St Julian in April, 1915. Actually being in the area was moving. I really appreciated the background & the notes of those particular days. The Menin Gate ceremony stood out as one of many highlights. There was the live shell we came across next to a field or the recent burial of 4 Canadians from Hill 70. Would we recommend CBT… absolutely, no hesitation. My wife even suggested a WW2 tour in the future. Thank you again & please thank Jim. Bruce & Glenda Hayzelden Calgary, Alberta
• The trip was all I expected and more. Ken was very knowledgeable and we had four great days together. I could not recommend him higher than I do. Four days was the right time for me. I would also tell anyone that intended tp go that to do so without a guide would be folly. Finding the places, let alone describing what happened at them, would be impossible. Warren Mitchell Vancouver, BC
• Connie and I had a great time on the Canadian Battlefields tour.  Our guide was not only friendly and fun to be around, he was also an encyclopedia of knowledge. In fact, his depth of knowledge, and his ability to tell the stories in an engaging manner, made this tour extra special.  The added bonus? Sitting in the only Canadian Legion in Holland having dinner with his family.  We felt so very special. Don & Connie Campbell Vancouver, BC
• We just got home yesterday and was about to send you a short note about our experience with your company.  Our two tours were great. Our WWI guide JOHN... was exceptional!!  We enjoyed his company immensely. John was so courteous and mindful about my condition (I'm in pain waiting for a hip replacement) and drove ever so careful over speed bumps and pot holes... and took the curvy roads in a very careful way as not to add to my discomfort. He was the best guide we have ever had in all of our travels. We will recommend your company and John to our friends who plan to do the same trip we just did. Our Normandy guide ROBIN was extremely knowledgeable and did a good job informing us on everything. Valerie & Henry Strong Vancouver, BC
• The Normandy part of the tour was exceptional with Robin, he brings so much energy and pride to his tour. He gives a broad view of certain battles, but will focus on the individual stories, as he says " his-story". At the end of each 10 hour day he gives you a folder with all the information of the many topics covered that day. My dad and I were blown away.   The World War One portion with Jon was also very professional. He has very in depth knowledge of all the specific battles and weaponry. It never failed, every time we walked near a farmers field there was some form of war debris, including a couple of unexploded shells.   All in all a great memorable experience. Jeff Pentecost Burnaby & Vancouver, BC
• The tour was amazing, far beyond our expectations!!! Andrew and I so enjoyed our time with Robin touring the WW2 battlefields and memorial sites. Today, Andrew and I started our “break day” with a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry, then we went to Dieppe and visited the Canadian War Museum to honour a great uncle of one of Andrew’s close friends. His grandfather, brother of his great uncle also served in WW2 after his brother, but is still alive (late 90’s now) and lives at the Veterans Retirement Residence at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Andrew and I were so excited to be able to take this trip/journey together, and extremely grateful to you!! Thank you so very much for making this dream come true for us. A huge thanks again for all your kind attention and amazing effort!! Marianne & Andrew Guizzetti Toronto, ON
• The tour greatly exceeded our expectations. We had an absolutely fantastic tour with Richard Porter. It was a truly moving experience, especially the last day, during which he took us to the Somme area, where both my grandfathers were. Knowing their battalion number and regiment, he was able to pinpoint their exact location and movements. It was incredible. We will be talking about this vacation for a long time. Will heartily recommend your firm to anyone. Thank you so much!! Dr. Patricia Cairns Toronto, ON
• The eight-day Canadians Choice Tour tour exceeded my expectations. Your guide Jim Smithson has a passion for and an encyclopedic knowledge of both WW II Normandy and the Western Front of WW I.  I was especially interested in sites associated with Canada.  He took me to many. Special was the “personal touch.”  Jim is a “keeper.”  I’d score him 10  / 10 ++!! Gord Yakimow Abbotsford, BC
• Thank you for being our conduit to a wonderful educational experience. We met Andy at the train station in Arras and soon learned that we had the best tour guide possible. Andy is a wealth of knowledge and a great personality. After some brief planning and coffee at a local restaurant, we decided to take our journey south toward a number of Commonwealth Cemeteries, which included visits to Sere Road Cemetery No. 2, the Newfoundland Cemetery and of course the Bouchoir New British Cemetery where Gwyn’s uncle is buried. We travelled back to Arras for lunch, then during the afternoon we spent some time at Vimy Ridge Memorial and walked the grounds. We finished off with a visit to a German Cemetery nearby. I give your guide Andy Robertshaw top marks. Could not have been better. Gwyn and I are completely satisfied with this CBT experience, which we will recommend. Syd & Gwyn Perkins Tofield, Alberta
• Mike was excellent!! Our tour experience was educational and enjoyable. We couldn’t have gained so much from the experience had we attempted it on our own. Mike was very accommodating and flexible to meet our needs. Mike is an excellent story teller and brought history to life. His car was comfortable and he was prompt in his arrival each day. Thanks so much for a tremendous experience!! Deborah Viel Yarmouth Nova Scotia
• I thought I would let you know that the 3 days with Andy Robertshaw went great! He is extremely knowledgeable besides being fun to be around. The entire family enjoyed his company. He gave us new information and perspective on my Uncle Stuart Siddons’s  military service that I had not expected. I would be happy to give a recommendation to any of your, or his potential clients. Bill Boyd Marina del Rey, CA
• We both thought the experience was very worthwhile and I believe we have come away changed. I now have an exceedingly deeper appreciation of what "thank you for your service" really means. We both believe it was a fabulous and worthwhile experience, but fun and relaxing are not two words either of us would use to describe the experience. I would highly recommend your organization and team for anyone interested in such a tour (but I would do my best to prepare them for the unpreparable, being the emotional impact, which really is what these tours really need to be about). Brent & Jason Moore Toronto, Ontario
• I lost my father when I was twenty-five. He died at the age of fifty-six back in 1978. He was and continues to be a huge influence on me. He was a Lieutenant in the FSSF, 3rd Regiment. He left a leg on a path near Sospel, France. Finding the exact place where he was wounded in a quiet forest on the edge of a mountain in the Alps was profoundly moving. He had apparently crawled back to his men, ordering them to not come to his aid, thereby saving other lives as they found two more mines on the trail he had walked before stepping on the box mine. Gianni and Roland brought those years back into focus. They made history come alive. Gianni showed me a fountain where they would have stopped to drink. He showed me a path outside a headquarters building where they would undoubtedly have walked. Roland showed me the path of my dad’s last walk before being injured. I have been back in Canada about three weeks. I cannot stop thinking about our experience and the courage and sacrifice of these wonderful men. Paul Mergler Toronto, Ontario

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German far-right politician vows not to quit after aide accused of spying for China

A member of the European Parliament for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party said on Wednesday he would not resign after one of his aides was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Drones sent by Ukraine's SBU security service struck two Rosneft-owned oil depots in Russia's Smolensk region in an overnight attack on Wednesday, a Ukrainian intelligence source said.

'Not at war with Russia': European, US allies taken aback by Macron's comments on troops in Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron faced uneasy reactions from European allies and a warning from the Kremlin on Tuesday after he refused to rule out the dispatch of Western ground troops to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Issued on: 27/02/2024 - 18:53

Macron said after a conference of European leaders on Monday that "everything that is necessary" must be done to ensure the defeat of Russia , including deploying troops.

The Kremlin warned of the "inevitability" of confrontation between NATO and Russia if troops from the alliance were deployed in the conflict, which would break a major taboo the West has so far been reluctant to challenge.

Macron hosted the conference just over two years to the day after Russia invaded Ukraine – seeking to rally greater support for Kyiv, which faces increasing battlefield challenges and dwindling munition stocks.

He painted a grim picture of Russia under President Vladimir Putin , arguing there had been a "change of posture" even in recent months that had seen a hardening of its stance both domestically and in Ukraine.

While there was "no consensus" on the sending of Western ground troops to Ukraine, "nothing should be ruled out. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Russia cannot win this war," Macron added.

'Not at war with Russia' 

Macron had refused to say more about France 's position, citing the need for "strategic ambiguity" but saying the issue was mentioned "among the options".

"We are convinced that the defeat of Russia is indispensable to security and stability in Europe," Macron said.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, accused by critics of being too cosy with Moscow, said after the meeting that there was disunity on the issue among European leaders.

"There are countries that are ready to send their own soldiers to Ukraine, there are countries that say never – Slovakia is among them – and there are countries that say that this proposal should be considered," he said.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden , which is set to join NATO, poured cold water on the idea, saying "it's not on the cards at all for the moment".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a tetchy message on X: "We agreed that everyone must do more for Ukraine in Paris yesterday. Ukraine needs weapons , ammunition and air defence . We are working on it. It is clear: there will be no ground troops from European countries or NATO."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that, if NATO troops appeared in Ukraine, "we (would) need to speak not about a possibility but of the inevitability" of confrontation.

"This is absolutely not in the interests of these countries, they should be aware of this," he added.

A NATO official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasised "there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine" despite the "unprecedented military support" from the alliance.

The Italian government said support for Ukraine did not include sending troops.

"When we talk about sending troops, we must be very cautious because we must not make people think we are at war with Russia," said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

"We are not at war with Russia," he said.

But the United Kingdom issued a somewhat more circumspect reaction, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman saying there were no plans for a "large-scale" troop deployment to Ukraine.

'Belligerence threshold'

It is understood that any Western troops eventually sent to Ukraine would have no mandate to fight Russian forces but work on priorities outlined by Macron in his news conference, including de-mining, securing neighbouring countries such as Moldova and thwarting cyberattacks.

"We are not talking about soldiers on the front line, in combat, but about specific activities, far from the front," said Rym Momtaz, consultant research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

But in parliament, Macron came under fire from far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen who accused him of "taking a further step towards belligerence, posing an existential risk to 70 million French people".

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told lawmakers that while new actions to support Ukraine such as demining and arms production could require a military presence on Ukrainian territory, this would not break "any belligerence threshold".

There are growing doubts about the viability of long-term US backing for Ukraine as a new aid package struggles to find legislative approval and Donald Trump, who has indicated opposition to further support for Kyiv, eyes a return to the presidency in elections this year.

"It's our future, Europe's future that is at stake. We must have the possibility to do without (the United States), not out of defiance, pessimism or fear but because it depends on us," said Macron.

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An American came back from Europe with a $143,000 phone bill after failing to set up international roaming

• A Florida man received a $143,000 phone bill from T-Mobile after an overseas trip to Switzerland.
• The charges were due to his phone not being set for international roaming, according to ABC Action News.
• After legal intervention and media coverage, T-Mobile agreed to credit the entire amount.

A Florida man returned from a trip to Switzerland with his wife last September to discover he was facing an unexpectedly massive phone bill, Tampa's ABC Action News reported.

Rene Remund said that after returning home he received his bill from T-Mobile. He initially thought he was being charged $143 for sending photos and texts to family and friends from the Alps, according to the local news outlet.

But the actual charge was much higher — around $143,000 for 9.5 gigabytes of data used overseas.

According to Forbes, the average annual salary in Florida is $55,980, making the bill more than twice what an average worker makes each year in the state.

Remund had incurred thousands of dollars in daily roaming charges because his phone was not set up for international roaming, the report said.

Most US customers' domestic plans do not cover usage abroad, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Related stories

Remund said he contacted T-Mobile, which confirmed the bill was indeed what he owed, per ABC Action News.

Remund did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Remund enlisted an attorney, who wrote letters to T-Mobile's president hoping for a response, the local outlet reported. The attorney also contacted ABC Action News, which subsequently contacted T-Mobiles's corporate office.

In a statement provided to BI by email, a T-Mobile spokesperson confirmed that the carrier agreed to credit Remund's account for the entire month.

"This shouldn't have happened and we fully credited the customer," the spokesperson said. "We are taking steps to avoid it from happening again. "

In a statement to ABC Action News, T-Mobile advised customers who may be on older plans to check to see if international roaming and data are included.

Remund reportedly said he always notifies T-Mobile before leaving the US for vacations, and this time visited a T-Mobile store to tell them of his travels.

He also told the news outlet that it was a huge relief to no longer be on the hook for the six-figure bill.

The amount of data Remund used isn't considered excessive. According to telecommunication company Ericsson, the North American monthly average data usage per smartphone was an estimated 25.9 gigabytes in 2023.

• Main content

Watch CBS News

U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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Americans who have traveled internationally stand out in their views and knowledge of foreign affairs

Do people who travel think differently about the world? A new Pew Research Center survey suggests they do.

Americans who have traveled internationally are more interested in and knowledgeable about foreign affairs, feel closer to others around the world, and favor a more active foreign policy, according to the survey of 3,576 U.S. adults conducted in spring 2023. We also surveyed people in 23 other countries about their international travel habits.

This analysis examines international travel with a focus on Americans’ travel, including which Americans travel abroad and how their interest in the world and views of international affairs differ from others.

For this analysis, we surveyed 3,576 U.S. adults from March 20 to March 26, 2023; 3,581 U.S. adults from March 21 to March 27, 2022; and 10,606 U.S. adults from June 14 to June 27, 2021. Everyone who took part in these surveys is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

For non-U.S. data, this report draws on nationally representative surveys of 27,285 adults conducted from Feb. 20 to May 22, 2023. All surveys were conducted over the phone with adults in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Surveys were conducted face-to-face in Hungary, Poland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. In Australia, we used a mixed-mode probability-based online panel.

Here are the June 2021 survey questions and responses used in this analysis. Those for the March 2022 survey may be found here , as well as those for the March 2023 survey .

How many Americans have traveled internationally?

Roughly three-quarters of Americans (76%) have visited at least one other country, including 26% who have been to five or more. About a quarter (23%) have not traveled internationally, though most in this group say they would if they had the opportunity.

Related:  How experience with international travel varies across 24 countries

To analyze how Americans’ travel experiences relate to their attitudes on other questions, we placed people into three categories:

• Globe-trotters have traveled to at least five other countries. About a quarter of the U.S. public (26%) falls into this category.
• Casual travelers have traveled to between one and four other countries. Half of Americans fall into this category.
• Nontravelers have never left the United States. This category includes 23% of Americans.

Compared with Americans, people in many European nations are more likely to have traveled to five or more other countries. For instance, 88% of Swedes have done so.

However, international travel is much less common in many middle-income nations. It is strongly correlated with a nation’s gross domestic product per capita. (For more on international travel and views about global engagement, read “Attitudes on an Interconnected World.” )

Who travels internationally?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, older people are more likely than younger people to have traveled internationally. Americans ages 65 and older are more than twice as likely as adults under 30 to fall into our globe-trotter category (37% vs. 17%).

Income is even more strongly related to travel than age. Two-thirds of upper-income Americans have traveled to at least five countries, compared with 9% of Americans with lower incomes.

Similarly, Americans with a postgraduate degree are far more likely to be globe-trotters than those with a high school education or less (59% vs. 10%).

Residents of suburban and urban areas generally have more international travel experience than people who live in rural areas.

There are no significant partisan differences when it comes to international travel: 26% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents qualify as globe-trotters, as do 28% of Republicans and GOP leaners.

Do travelers know more about the world?

Globe-trotters are especially likely to say they are interested in foreign affairs and follow international news. Casual travelers, in turn, are more likely than nontravelers to do so.

Globe-trotters are also the most knowledgeable about international affairs. In 2022, we conducted an international affairs quiz , asking Americans 12 questions related to international news. On average, globe-trotters got 8.2 of the 12 questions correct, compared with 6.4 for casual travelers and 4.2 for nontravelers.

Is international travel related to views of global engagement?

International travel experience is also linked to Americans’ views about international affairs and their feelings of connection to other people around the world.

When asked which comes closest to their view, 57% of globe-trotters say the U.S. should be active in world affairs, while 43% say the U.S. should pay less attention to problems in other countries and concentrate on problems at home. In contrast, most casual travelers and nontravelers say the U.S. should focus on problems at home.

In all three groups, at least half of respondents say that when the U.S. is making foreign policy, it should take other countries’ interests into account – even if that means making compromises. But globe-trotters are especially likely to hold that view.

Globe-trotters are also particularly likely to say they feel close to people around the world, with 42% saying so. By comparison, 34% of casual travelers and 30% of nontravelers say this.

• International Affairs

Richard Wike is director of global attitudes research at Pew Research Center

Janell Fetterolf is a senior researcher focusing on global attitudes at Pew Research Center

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