Your 12-day custom-tailored European tour of the battlefields of England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands takes you to poignant memorials and powerful museums, each offering a unique telling of the conflicts that changed the world. With time, the picturesque cities and perfect landscapes of Western Europe have returned after the culturally impactful and unforgettable battles of World War I and World War II.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
London - Present-Day London
London is a fast-paced city encircling the banks of the River Thames. Elegant cobblestone streets lead the way to sophisticated supper clubs at the top of skyscrapers overlooking the vast cityscape. Historic pubs have roaring fires near booths that once held the likes of Charles Dickens. Wide avenues turn into narrow lanes lined by shops selling rare British books and chic clothing stores showcasing hand-sewn slacks and suspenders. An air of aristocracy continues do drift across the nearly mythological manicured walkways of Hyde Park. Your private transfer meets you at Heathrow International Airport, and escorts you to your luxurious hotel situated near the heart of London. Riverboats cruise down the Thames. Laughter spills out of comfortable pubs when locals clock out for the day. The aroma of fresh Yorkshire pudding blends in with stone-fire pizza and celebrated curries. The cosmopolitan ambiance blends with the history of the city with ease and excitement.
What's Included:
Day 2
London - Different Vision of the Past
Day 3
Portsmouth - Juxtaposition of the Shores
Day 4
Caen - Opposite the Channel
Day 5
Amiens - Going Medieval
Day 6
Amiens - Searching the Somme
Day 7
Paris - Inside Paris
Day 8
Paris - The Edge of Lille
Day 9
Lille - French Poppies
Day 10
Groesbeek - Far Reaches of the Netherlands
Day 11
Amsterdam - Opening Amsterdam
Day 12
Amsterdam - Exiting Amsterdam
Trip Highlights
- Visit the impactful memorials of World War II Allied soldiers along the Beaches of Normandy
- See the powerful images of World War II commemorated in marvelous tapestries at the D-Day and Overlord Embroidery Museum
- Witness the exceptional poppy fields of Flanders Field, as mentioned by Lt. Col. John McCrea in his poem “In Flanders Fields”
- Discover preserved and refurbished medieval architecture affected by both World War I and World War II
- Tour the powerful secret rooms of the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam
- Explore Paris’s oldest neighborhood with an insider’s perspective of the treasured city and its history
Detailed Description
You have watched film clips and reenactments of the Allies landing at Normandy. The images of trench warfare pass through movie screens and countless books. You have seen the battlefields of World War I and World War II throughout your life, but never as vivid or as empowering as on your 12-day battlefields tour of England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, letting you experience Europe of the past and present. Your journey begins in London where your private transfer awaits your arrival at Heathrow International Airport.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the heart of England and its long, vibrant history. The following day, your guide takes you through the highlights of London and into the Imperial War Museum, where the stories of international conflict, from World War I to the present, are shared. You venture southbound to the coastal city of Portsmouth to visit the D-Day and Overlord Embroidery Museum, filled with unique depictions and incredible artifacts from the Second World War.
Travel by luxurious overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, France, crossing the English Channel and experience the D-Day Normandy landing along the famous and infamous beaches. Following your visit to the beaches, you venture to Bayeux to tour the Bayeux Cemetery and see the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Explore the Memorial de Caen before touring the captivating medieval town of Amiens. En route to Paris you travel along the Somme Battlefields and Delville Woods to explore the tumultuous history of World War I.
Your guide leads you around the highlights of Paris, including a local-style exploration of Le Marais, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Consider reading more about your luxury Europe travel agent that strives to create the ultimate luxury tour experience for you. On your way to Lille you will visit Vimy Ridge and discover the intimidating La Coupole World War II Museum, where Nazi Germany constructed a missile silo. Travel around Lille with your guide to collect the memories of World War I France, visiting the Ypres Salient and Memorial Museum Passchendaele, along with the tranquil grounds of the Essex Farm Cemetery.
You leave behind Lille and journey to Groesbeek Memorial and the National Liberation Museum 1944-1945. Arrive in Amsterdam and enjoy a guided excursion through the city. Follow your guide through Dam Square and Museum Square, visit the Anne Frank Museum, and explore the nearby town of Volendam for insight into Dutch culture. The following day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where you board your flight home.
Starting Price
$6,100 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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