Europe The Western Front World War II Tour

Summer 2020

Included on Tour:

• Round trip airfare on major carriers.

• Round trip air-conditioned motor coach transportation to Dulles International Airport.

• Trip Mate, Explorica’s travel protection plan that covers:

o A traveler’s injury, sickness, or death of a family member

o Theft of passport

o Flight cancellations due to strike or bad weather

o Loss of luggage or personal effects

o Trip cancellation or trip interruption due to covered reasons such as sickness, injury or

death of family member, and terrorist acts.

• Full time multilingual tour director who is well-versed in WWII history.

• Air-conditioned motor coaches and high speed rail tickets in Europe.

• Upgraded hotels with private bathrooms that are centrally located in London and Paris.

Superior tourist class hotels with private bathrooms in Normandy and Amsterdam.

• Full European breakfasts and upgraded dinners nightly.

• One packed lunch

• Locally-led guided sightseeing tours of: Tower of London, Thames River Cruise, Emirates

Stadium, Palace of Versailles, American Cemetery at Normandy, Omaha and Utah Beaches,

Point du Hoc, Amsterdam Bike Tour, Herzogenbusch (Vught) Concentration Camp.

• Entrances to: Tower of London, Imperial War Museum, London Eye Millennium Wheel,

Thames River Cruise, Emirates Stadium, St. Paul’s Cathedral, “Premium” West End Theater

Tickets, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Palace of Versailles and Gardens, Dead Man’s

Corner Museum (D-Day Experience), Anne Frank House, Herzogenbusch (Vught)

Concentration Camp.

• All inclusive tips for local guides, bus drivers, and tour directors.

• Overnight Stays:

o London (3)

o Paris (2)

o Normandy Region (3)

o Amsterdam (3)

Not Included in Program Price: beverages (soda, etc.) and most lunches, optional free time

activities, and any applicable baggage-handling fee imposed by the airlines.

**Option to upgrade to Explorica’s travel protection plan PLUS ($6 more per day) which includes a

“cancel for any reason” waiver for reimbursement of 75% of cancellation fees up until 31 days from

departure.

“Thanks for all you did to make this trip a wonderful experience not only for the students, but also

the parents and grandparents who tagged along. I thoroughly enjoyed it!”

"We would like thank you and your WWII Travel Tour Guides for organizing a trip of a lifetime for the

middle school kids of PWCS*. Our son had a fantastic time, and fondly recalls events of the trip

everyday."

*This international student tour is not endorsed by or affiliated with the PWCS School Division/School Board.

Tour Itinerary Day 1: Start Tour

Board your overnight flight to London (~8 hours)

Day 2: Hello London!

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” - Winston Churchill

“The City,” as London is called, is the capital of the United Kingdom. London covers an area of some

620 square miles and is home to over 8 million people. Prepare to observe the stunning architecture,

vibrant street life, and royal majesty of this bustling metropolis today as you tour some of its most

treasured and famous landmarks.

Visit the Imperial War Museum

Best known for its dramatic entrance featuring two 15-inch naval guns that adorned the HMS

Ramillies, and both the HMS Resolution and HMS Roberts, the Imperial War Museum is one of the

most immersive, best reviewed, and frequently visited museums in London. Originally the Bethlem

Royal Hospital, the Imperial War Museum London is unique in its devotion to the history of warfare

during the 20th century with exhibits ranging from espionage to the Holocaust. Recently renovated to

prepare for the First World War Centenary in 2014, the Imperial War Museum will have major history

buffs and tourists alike entertained for hours with its treasure trove of artifacts, exhibitions, and

hands on learning experiences.

Fish and Chips Dinner

Tonight you will dine on one of England’s most famous meals. Originally made popular in the 19th

century by Charles Dickens’ reference to a “fried fish warehouse” in Oliver Twist, the first fish and

chips dinners were served with bread and butter and a cup of tea, all for just nine pence. What a

deal!

Day 3: London Landmarks

“By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.” - Samuel Johnson

Tower of London & Crown Jewels Beefeater Guided Tour

Why are the guards called Beefeaters? No one knows for sure, but speculation is that the term

originated from the fact that the Yeomen of the Guard (more commonly referred to as Beefeaters)

were allowed to eat as much beef as they liked from the King’s table.

On this tour you will experience the Tower of London’s long and stormy history. Built by William the

Conqueror in the 11th Century, the Tower has evolved from a stronghold to a royal palace, armory,

royal mint, prison, and gruesome execution place; none more infamous than that of Anne Boleyn, the

second wife of Henry VIII.

Perhaps more pertinent to the theme of this tour is the two high profile Nazis that returned the lively

tourist attraction back to a state prison during the Second World War. Josef Jakobs, a German spy

apprehended in rural England, became the last man put to death at the Tower of London when he

was executed by a firing squad in August 1941. Even more famous was “Deputy to the Führer”

Rudolf Hess, who served as Hitler’s second-in-command in the Nazi Party. Hess was captured

in May 1941 after he parachuted into Scotland as a part of a renegade plan to negotiate peace with

the British. Doubtful of Hess’s motives, Prime Minister Winston Churchill had him sent to the Tower,

making him the final state prisoner held at the castle. Hess would only remain for a few days, but

rumors that he was hidden away in the Tower would persist for several months. Hess was later tried

at Nuremberg and given a life sentence. He died at Spandau Prison, West Berlin, in 1987.

Despite its chilling reputation, the Tower of London has also been the cradle for the British Crown

Jewels since the 14th Century. You’ll get a up close look at the remarkable regalia, the ultimate

symbol of the British Monarchy including the 105.6 carat Koh-i-Noor diamond…Bling, Bling!

London Eye Millennium Wheel

Soar 450 feet over London in the world’s second highest Ferris wheel (Vegas’s High Roller is #1).

The London Eye, the fourth tallest structure in London, whisks visitors up, up and away above the

River Thames for spectacular views of the city and its surroundings. The unique, futuristic passenger

“capsules” allow unobstructed, 180 degree views. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as the

Queen’s residence at Windsor Castle 25 miles away.

Thames River Cruise

Hop on a riverboat to cruise the famous Thames River for a ride through London’s rich history

floating by these highlights:

• The Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of

Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Palace was built in the

11th Century and burned down in 1834. A little over a century later, the House of Commons

chamber was destroyed in the Blitz of 1941 when the Nazis bombed Great Britain.

• Think you’ve heard all there is to know about London’s Big Ben clock tower? If you thought it

was simply a clock, then think again. The real name of the tower that houses the clock is

simply “The Clock Tower.” Big Ben is just the nickname given to the largest bell in the tower,

formally known as the “Great Bell.” Big Ben chimes every 15 minutes and the sound can be

heard 5 miles away. The clock’s time is adjusted every year with an old British penny. If the

clock is fast, a penny is added to the pendulum; if the clock is slow, one is removed. So high

tech!

• Tower Bridge, located close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name, has

become an iconic symbol of London. Along with Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the Tower

Bridge tops Great Britain’s list of architectural icons that make up London’s distinctive skyline.

While not the first bridge to span the Thames, Tower Bridge is the most recognizable, and

often mistakenly referred to as “London Bridge.” Even though Tower Bridge is one of the

world’s most famous bridges, few know that it is the only bridge on the Thames that can be

raised and lowered to allow ships to pass.

• For many, the famous nursery rhyme “London Bridge is falling down” conjures up images of

the Tower Bridge. These individuals assume the rhyme refers to the raising and lowering of

the bridge, but they are mistaken. The real London Bridge was located approximately a mile

to the west of Tower Bridge. Throughout the centuries, a number of bridges have been

constructed on the site of the actual London Bridge, some of which did fall into disrepair

before being replaced. One of these bridges was sold to an American entrepreneur by the

name of Robert P. McCulloch, in 1968. McCulloch reconstructed the bridge as a tourist

attraction in the desert city of Lake Havasu, Arizona.

• Harry Potter fans will recognize the Millennium Bridge, a steel suspension bridge for

pedestrians crossing the River Thames that was featured in the film Harry Potter and the Half-

Blood Prince. Opened in June 2000, Londoners nicknamed it the “Wobbly Bridge” after

walkers experienced an alarming swaying motion.

• Why did Shakespeare write with ink? Because he couldn’t decide which pencil to use…2B or

not 2B. Hopefully, the guides jokes won’t be this bad as we take in the views of the Globe

Theatre, the place where many of Shakespeare’s most famous plays were first performed

including: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear.

Day 4: Royal London

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the

more determined to struggle for a better future.” - Queen Elizabeth II

St. Paul’s Cathedral Visit (including American Chapel)

St. Paul’s Cathedral is the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren. The church has a

storied history, along with being the final resting place of its architect. St. Paul’s has provided funeral

services for several famous people including Winston Churchill and Lord Nelson. The wedding of

Prince Charles and Princess Diana was even held here, but the most unique and charming feature of

the church is the whispering gallery. When Wren designed St. Paul’s he did not have acoustics in

mind, so if you decide to climb the 259 steps up to the dome and whisper secrets to your friends on

tour, beware, they will be clearly heard on the other side 112 feet away.

During the Second World War, several German bombs hit St. Paul’s during the Blitz. One was

removed before it exploded; had it done so, it would have totally destroyed the Cathedral. The

National Firefighters Memorial, just a stone’s throw from St. Paul’s, pays homage to those brave

men and women who fought so gallantly against fire on the streets during the Blitz, when London

was struck by bombs on 57 consecutive nights in 1941.

In recognition of the long-standing relationship with the United States, one that was strengthened

during the Second World War, St. Paul’s built an American Memorial Chapel within its walls.

Constructed in a space that was destroyed during the Blitz, the chapel is dedicated to the American

dead of World War II. At the heart of the chapel is a 500-page leather bound book which contains

the names of the 28,000 American’s stationed in the U.K. who made the ultimate sacrifice. Many of

those men lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy.

The chapel itself is truly a place for all Americans. Three stained glass windows contain the symbol

of every American state. Each November, St. Paul’s holds a U.S. Thanksgiving service as well, to

which all Americans in London are invited.

Traditional Curry Dinner

When you think of food in London, you probably think of fish and chips, bangers and mash,

shepherds pie, or the popular English breakfast. However, the most quintessential British food is

curry. From the Indian subcontinent, curry dishes are a leftover from British colonial rule.

Bangladeshi and Indian curries have made their way to London for decades and are the most popular

type of restaurant you’ll find in the city. A traditional curry dish might be spicy, but it’s the

combination of flavors and spices such as turmeric, ginger, and coriander that make it so unique.

The spice route is hotter than ever in London and you’ll get to immerse yourself in it by trying a

bunch of different dishes.

Premier League Stadium Guided Tour

(details about which stadium you will be touring will be presented closer to departure

due to variable game schedules)

Stamford Bridge, home of the Chelsea Football Club, presents an award-winning tour that will take

you behind the scenes granting you access to areas normally reserved for players and officials.

Along the way, you will visit various sections in the stadium including: the press room, home and

away dressing rooms, the tunnel, and dug-out areas. All tours include access to the museum, giving

you the chance to see how Chelsea has evolved on and off the pitch over the years. Stamford Bridge

prides itself on having guides who are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the club. New to

the tour is a multi-media device allowing fans access to information and videos that provide

experiences that simulate what it’s like on a matchday at Stamford Bridge. The handheld device also

includes a jersey-cam feature which, when held up to a specific players jersey, shows videos and

photos of the athlete in question, including some of their most memorable goals.

Journey into Emirates Stadium as you go on an all access, behind the scenes tour of the Arsenal

Football Club. Using an audio-visual guide handset, join a host of Arsenal stars and legends as they

guide you through the directors box, the players tunnel, the pitch, and the home and away changing

rooms. It is in the locker rooms that you’ll be able to use your interactive touch screen handset to

reveal player stats and highlights of their best moments when you scan their jerseys, a feature that

was just introduced. All visits include entry to the Arsenal Museum featuring two impressive video

theatres and twenty major displays based on Arsenal’s proud history, as well as branded Arsenal

headphones you get to take home with you and an official tour certificate.

West End Theater Performance

(details about the play will be presented closer to departure)

Participate in London’s vibrant drama scene as you attend an evening theater performance in the

West End, the British version of Broadway. London has over 80 mainstream theaters, the largest

array in the world, featuring everything from traditional classics to cutting edge works by new

writers. On past tours, travelers have attended: Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, War Horse, and

Thriller Live. Some tough acts to follow, but with a premium package built in, the show will go on!

Day 5: London to Paris

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” – Thomas

Jefferson

Welcome to Paris, a cosmopolitan City of Light. Did you know that Paris started as a Roman

settlement? Over the centuries, Paris has grown to become the undisputed center of France and one

of the world’s most important cities both culturally and politically. Equally famed for its high fashion,

awe-inspiring museums and elegant cuisine, Paris has also been a center of theater, literature, and

philosophy throughout the ages.

Eurostar Chunnel Crossing (~2.5 hours)

Hop on board one of the 400 Eurostar trains that travel daily underneath the English Channel.

Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, “the Chunnel” is the longest undersea

tunnel on earth and next to flying, the fastest way to get to la Ville des Lumière, or the City of Light.

Paris earned this nickname in part because it was one of the first cities to adopt street lighting.

Eiffel Tower Ascent

Built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel

Tower is an impressive, yet controversial symbol of Paris. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the man who

also designed the metal frame for the Statue of Liberty, few travelers realize that the Eiffel Tower

was almost torn down in 1909. Originally intended as a temporary exhibit, the Eiffel Tower was only

saved because of its value as a radiotelegraph station. (It is still a vital communications link today,

containing 120 antennas). If not for city officials who recognized this, the iron tower would have

been scrapped. Several years later, during World War I, the Eiffel Tower intercepted enemy radio

communications, relayed zeppelin alerts, and was used to dispatch emergency troop reinforcements.

It escaped destruction a second time during World War II. Hitler initially ordered the demolition of

the city’s most cherished symbol, but the command was never carried out. Also, during the German

occupation of Paris, French resistance fighters famously cut the Eiffel Tower’s elevator cables so that

the Nazis had to climb the stairs, all 1,700 of them!

Ile de la Cité Scavenger Hunt

Today, along with your friends, you’ll explore “The City Island” featuring Notre Dame Cathedral and

the Memorial of the Deportation as you complete a customized scavenger hunt. Inaugurated by

Charles de Gaulle in 1962, the memorial remembers the 200,000 people deported from Vichy France

to the Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. This modern looking monument

contains a dimly lit tunnel and chamber with 200,000 glass crystals, meant to symbolize each of the

deportees who died in the concentration camps. The chamber also contains urns with ashes from

those who perished in the camps. Both ends of the chamber have small rooms depicting prison cells.

Opposite the entrance is a stark iron gate overlooking the Seine.

If time permits, you might have a chance to spoil your dinner by strolling over to the Ile de la Cité’s

adorable little sister island, the quaint Ile Saint Louis, just a few steps away. Best known for its

Berthillon Ice Cream, the “best” ice cream in Paris, this delicious treat has rich colors and equally

intense flavors. There are several spots to sample Berthillon on the island. For true authenticity, try

this divine dessert at 31, rue St Louis-en-l'Ile, where it was born.

Notre Dame Cathedral Visit

Few travelers visiting Paris realize that the famous cathedral of Notre Dame is actually situated on an

island, the Ile de la Cité (The City Island). The Ile de la Cité is usually referred to as the heart of

Paris because of its location in the center of the city. The Ile de la Cité is also the place where the

medieval city of Paris was founded. Properly known as Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), the

Catholic cathedral is located on the eastern half of the island. Notre Dame is one of the best-known

churches in the world, thanks in part to Victor Hugo’s classic tale The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and

widely considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. Many statues can be seen

on the outside walls of Notre Dame including some hideous looking creatures called gargoyles, which

serve as decorative water spouts. During the Second World War, Notre Dame was damaged by

several bullets that shattered the stained glass windows on the lower tier. These masterpieces were

remade after the war.

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

One of the original college towns is located in Paris’ Latin Quarter. The famous Sorbonne is the first

and most illustrious of French universities. It was originally founded by Robert de Sorbon in the 13th

century and since then has attracted not only intellectuals, but also the cafés, bookstores, and

cinemas. Tonight, we’ll be enjoying the food renaissance that’s taken place in the Latin Quarter amid

the Roman and Medieval monuments.

Day 6: Paris Landmarks

“An artist has no home in Europe except in Paris.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Did you know that Hitler ordered Paris burned to the ground? Nazi soldiers were to defend the city

until it was reduced to a pile of rubble. Lucky for all involved, the German general in charge ignored

Hitler’s orders and surrendered to the Allies. Today you will see some of the most famous sites in the

city.

Monuments Men (Nazi Looted Art) Scavenger Hunt @ the Louvre

Once a medieval fortress and castle, the Louvre has filled many different roles throughout history.

Today it is the largest art museum in the world. To give you an idea just how grand this place is,

consider these statistics: if you spent 60 seconds looking at each of the objects in its collection for 8

hours, it would take you 75 days to see them all! Upon entering through the 71-foot glass pyramid

designed by I.M. Pei (added in 1989), you could spend weeks just admiring the carved ceilings, deep-

set windows, and many other architectural details in the museum. The Mona Lisa is here, as well as

the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory (the headless statue, circa 200 BC, discovered at Samothrace).

As you descend below the streets of Paris to enter the Louvre, you will assume the role of the

Monuments Men as you search out Nazi looted art in the museum.

The Monuments Men, approximately 350 servicemen and women who worked for the Allied

Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program during World War II, tracked down millions of great

works from Europe’s museums and private collections stolen by the Nazis. Of course, the most

famous painting in the world, Leonardo Davinci’s Mona Lisa, was at the top of Hitler’s list. It was well

known that Adolf Hitler was hoarding Europe’s plundered art for his planned Führer Museum in Linz,

Austria. In addition to stealing Europe’s paintings and sculptures, he also intended to destroy

“degenerate” works of art that he despised from both Jewish and modern artists. Find out the

fascinating story behind the masterpieces in the Louvre as you search for its treasures with your

friends on a customized scavenger hunt.

Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe (Free Time)

Paris was made for walking and this afternoon you’ll stroll down the world’s most famous boulevard,

the Champs-Élysées. Champs-Élysées means “Elysian Fields,” which indicates that someone

thought this street was heaven on earth, but you’ll get to decide for yourself. Starting in 1940 until it

was liberated by American troops in 1944, it was here that Nazi troops marched daily down the

famed avenue. It’s easy to imagine the horror Parisians must have felt as German troops goose-

stepped down the world’s most famous boulevard. Thankfully, because of our brave Allied soldiers,

the swastikas no longer fly from the rooftops along the Champs-Élysées. This means you can focus

on the finer things in life, like cookies! No trip to Paris is complete without tasting a genuine

macaroon, the quintessential French cookie. Although macaroons are sold in most bakeries

throughout Paris (and even at McDonalds), you need to dig a little deeper to find the authentic gems.

Thankfully, Laduree, the original creator of macaroons, has a shop located on the Champs-Élysées.

Their macaroons range from classic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, to salted caramel, rose,

orange blossom, and even licorice. If you’re truly looking for the royal treatment like Marie

Antoinette, you will want to show up for teatime, and even if you’re not into dessert, the

arrangement of macaroons alone is a sight to see.

What's that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? Most people know the Arc de

Triomphe stands guard over the Champs-Élysées like an eternal monolith, however, fewer know

that it’s actually France’s monument to its war history, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his

victory at Austerlitz. Still fewer know that under its massive arches burns an eternal flame near the

tomb of an unknown soldier from World War I. If you didn’t get a good enough view of the city from

the Eiffel Tower, you’ll have another chance to get a bird’s eye view of Paris this afternoon. Best of

all, it’s free to ascend the Arc for kids and teenagers who are 17 and younger. Sorry adults, you’ll

have to shell out 8€, which is not included in the program price of this tour.

If you don’t feel like waiting in line to ascend the Arc de Triomphe, a walk to the Place de la

Concorde is well worth your time. One of the largest public squares in Paris, the Place de la

Concorde is where the revolutionary government erected the guillotine and chopped off King Louis

XVI and Marie Antoinette’s heads in front of cheering crowds. However, the Place de la Concorde is

better known for its giant Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of Pharaoh

Ramesses II of Egypt. It is one of two obelisks the Egyptian government gave to the French, the

second obelisk was given back to the Egyptians in the 1990s. The remaining one once marked the

entrance to the Luxor Temple. Facing the obelisk is the Hotel de Crillon, which is not recommended

for the budget conscious family ($1500-$2000 a night!). This is considered one of the most exclusive

hotel’s in Paris and it’s adjacent to the American embassy, which is appropriate considering the hotel

was the place where Benjamin Franklin met King Louis XVI to sign the peace treaty recognizing

America’s independence.

Other options to spend some free time include a visit to the Tuileries Garden, one of the most

popular public gardens in Paris, situated in the center of the French capital between Place de la

Concorde and the Louvre. Originally, it was the garden of the Tuileries Palace, built for Catherine de

Medici in 1564, however, the Palace was burned down by some angry Parisians in 1871. The garden

features a number of pools, walkways, and is home to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (not to be

confused with the Arc de Triomphe!) commissioned by Napolean to commemorate his victories of

1805. The gardens also feature the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, a museum of

contemporary art. During World War II, the Jeu de Paume was used by the Germans as a

warehouse for art they had plundered from France. Hermann Göring, a leading member of the Nazi

Party and commander of the Luftwaffe (air force) divided the stolen art between Adolf Hitler and

himself. The liberation of Paris in 1944 saw considerable fighting in the Tuileries Garden. Monet's

paintings Water Lilies were seriously damaged during the battle.

Walking Tour of Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur

The steep hilly area of Montmartre has been associated with artists for years. However, the name

“Montmartre” is attributed to the many martyrs that were tortured and killed here. With your tour

director, gaze upon the Sacré-Coeur, a Catholic basilica built atop the Montmartre hill. From here,

enjoy some the most breathtaking views of the City of Light before heading to the cafes and shops

that line the small and quaint streets. Relax at the Place du Tertre and watch talented artists at

work, or choose to have your own portrait done. Montmartre was home to many struggling artists,

including: Picasso, Monet, and Renoir. This location is also the last place Der Führer, Adolf Hitler, a

former art student himself, visited on his one and only trip to Paris on June 23, 1940.

Dinner in Montmartre

Toast to creativity through the ages during dinner as you take in breathtaking views of the city from

the Montmartre hilltop.

Day 7: Paris to Normandy

“It is illegal because I wish it.” – King Louis XIV

Did you know that the first ever flight took place at Versailles? Long before the Wright Brothers, on a

warm September day in 1783, two Frenchmen, also brothers, succeeded in launching a hot air

balloon on the grounds of the royal residence.

Versailles Guided Excursion

It may be famous for being one of the biggest and most opulent residences ever constructed

anywhere in the world, but the Palace of Versailles has more humble origins. The palace we know

today started out as a relatively modest hunting lodge. At the end of the 16th century, King Henry IV

started visiting the small village of Versailles, 12 miles west of Paris, to hunt boar and deer. It was

his grandson, King Louis XIV, who moved the royal residence from the Louvre in Paris. Pumping up

to sixty percent of the national income into the palace, spending billions of dollars on his vanity

project while the vast majority of French men and women lived in poverty, it is easy to see how royal

priorities such as Versailles fueled resentment that would ultimately boil over into the French

Revolution.

The Palace of Versailles features hundreds of rooms, many of them ornate in their design, but none

compare to the Hall of Mirrors. Decorated with over 350 Venetian mirrors as well as flamboyant

chandeliers, it cost a fortune to produce, further proof of the decadence that gripped the royal family.

The most famous room also had huge social and political significance. It was here that France,

Spain, and England officially recognized the independence of the United States in 1783, and where

the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was signed.

As grand as the palace is itself, the elaborate gardens, designed by Andre Le Norte, the architect who

created the Champs-Élysées and Tuileries Garden, are perhaps the most spectacular sight on the

grounds. The Grand Canal, the centerpiece of the landscaped gardens, was the most ambitious

engineering project undertaken at the palace. Louis XIV didn’t just want a pond or ornate lake, he

wanted a canal to rival those in Venice. Louis was not content admiring it either, he planned to have

fun on the water. As soon as it was completed, the King started sailing boats up and down his

private canal, going as far as to order gondolas and gondoliers from Venice.

One-third of the budget for Versailles was spent on the gardens, and a big portion of this went to the

fountains and water features. Along with being designed to make the landscape grounds more

pleasing to the eye, the fountains were also meant to show the King’s power, after all, rivers and

streams only flowed downhill, so by shooting water upwards, Louis XIV could demonstrate that he

had the power to defy nature. Of the 1,400 fountains installed, only around 600 still exist. The most

famous being the Apollo Fountain. The ancient Greek deity was the French King’s icon and

inspiration. It was the fountain Louis most liked to show off to his guests, adding to the myth that

he himself might have been the reincarnation of the Sun God.

While visiting Versailles, you might notice that it is eerily familiar to our backyard, Washington D.C.

The view to D.C.’s National Mall from the west side of the Capitol presents a very similar landscape to

that of the Versailles gardens when viewed from the west side of the palace. The reason for this is

that D.C. was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a French architect and urban designer who grew

up during the reign of the French monarchy. Pierre moved to Versailles in 1758 and studied at the

Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture at the Louvre. L’Enfant joined the American Revolutionary

War as a young man, serving as a military engineer in the Continental Army, meeting General George

Washington. Ironically, this means D.C. was modeled after the type of government it was

established in protest against because Versailles was the epitome of centralized and absolute power

under King Louis XIV.

Even though Versailles has long been associated with glamour and luxuriousness, costing billions to

build, it wasn’t always so glam. Despite its resurgence in attention and being one of the most

popular tourist destinations on the planet, the palace suffered a lack of maintenance for several years

due to the crippling shortage of money to renovate it. Believe it or not, salvation came from

billionaire John D. Rockefeller, who made two enormous donations to the palace for restoration.

Recalling the involvement of France in the American Independence, the wealthy businessman

inaugurated a custom of philanthropy that became indispensable for the proper functioning of

Versailles.

Travel to Normandy via Motor Coach (~2.5 hours)

Despite its connection with major military events, Normandy is a region of scenic beauty with elegant

landscapes and patchwork fields.

Day 8: Normandy

“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the

champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.” - President

Ronald Reagan at the 40th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings at Pointe du Hoc

Visit the American Cemetery with a Licensed Local Guide

Located on a bluff with breathtaking views overlooking Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery at

Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy is the final resting place for 9,386 American military dead, most of

whom gave their lives during the landings of June 6th 1944 and ensuing operations of World War II.

See the graves of Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the oldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and Medal

of Honor recipient. As well as Quentin Roosevelt, an aviator killed in action during the First World

War and the youngest of the 26th president’s six children. Perhaps most famous of all the interned

are the two Niland brothers, Preston and Robert. The 1998 film Saving Private Ryan was inspired by

the story of the four Niland brothers, three of whom where believed dead, which led to the youngest

boy, Frederick “Fritz” (a.k.a. Private Ryan) being shipped back home so that his family wouldn’t lose

all of their sons. The oldest of the four boys, Edward, believed dead, actually escaped a Japanese

POW camp in Burma so, in the end, the Niland’s only ended up losing 2 of their 6 children in the war,

as they had two daughters as well. Saving Private Ryan’s opening scene was shot at the American

Cemetery in Normandy.

Other notable memorials at the cemetery include the names of 1,557 Americans who lost their lives

in the Normandy campaign, but could not be located or identified. With the advent of forensic and

scientific advancements, rosettes have since been placed next to the names of those identified.

These names are inscribed on the walls of the semicircular garden located directly behind the striking

22-foot bronze statue entitled, The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves. Other points of

interest regarding the cemetery include the 307 unknown soldiers, 4 women, 38 pairs of brothers

buried side by side, and one father and son.

Visit Omaha Beach with a Licensed Local Guide

The French called it Golden Beach until June 6, 1944. After this date, it was known simply as

Omaha, adopting its D-Day codename. This 5-mile stretch of sand on the Normandy coast had been

a popular tourist spot before the Second World War, dotted with weekend cottages and a few hotels.

When France fell, however, Omaha became been blanketed in barbed wire fence, minefields, and

bunkers. It was almost a perfect defensive position, surrounded by steep cliffs to the east and west,

and low hills, known as bluffs, a few hundred yards inland. There were only four openings suitable

for vehicles on Omaha and the Americans called them draws. Each draw was guarded by anti-tank

guns, machine gun nests, minefields, and connected by an intricate network of trenches. The beach

itself was strewn with obstacles, but because of the tidal erosion in the area, it couldn’t be mined.

The Germans used all their ingenuity to get around this problem, fixing their mines to tree-trunks

driven into the sand. Every inch of the beach was covered; there was simply no place to hide.

At daybreak on June 6, 1944 the assault on Omaha took place. Led by the 1st and 29th Infantry

Divisions, the Americans had been led to expect a walk across the sands encountering only a few

skirmishes from shell-shocked defenders. After all, the U.S. Air Force had dropped 1,300 tons of

explosives on Omaha. Unfortunately for the Americans storming the shores, only a handful of bombs

hit there mark causing minimal damage, and although the Naval bombardment was more effective,

there was no way to destroy all of the German bunkers. The architects of the Atlantic Wall had done

their job well, only a direct hit would have destroyed one of the 15 bunkers which overlooked the

draws on Omaha.

Of all the fighting on D-Day, Omaha turned out to be the bloodiest. Contrary to Allied intelligence

reports, the Germans on Omaha were not feeble old men and disenchanted POW’s; they were

soldiers from the 352nd infantry, made up of seasoned combat troops, the majority having

participated in Hitler’s long, tactical retreat across Russia.

When the Americans arrived on the shores of Omaha with their plywood Higgin’s boat ramps

slamming down into the knee-high water, they were initially overcome by the eerie silence. For a

moment, many thought they might take the beach unopposed, but that vision soon faded as the

Germans opened fire. With most of their tanks underwater in the channel, the 1st and 29th divisions

had no cover to open the draws and the first wave of assault troops were cut down turning the sand

of Omaha a deep red. As the day stretched on, and reinforcements began pouring in, German

soldiers started to surrender, and American columns were able to work their way into the draws. Of

the 34,000 American soldiers who landed on Omaha beach, around 2,000 of them were killed or

injured in the assault.

As you walk the same shores that saw so much brutality, reflect at the Les Braves monument located

on the center of Omaha Beach in the village of St. Laurent sur Mer. Les Braves commemorates the

fallen American soldiers of World War II who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy in three

elements: the Wings of Hope, Rise Freedom, and the Wings of Fraternity. French sculptor Anilore

Banon created the monument in 2004 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

The memorial consists of stainless steel columns/wings curving upwards towards the sky creating a

beautiful blend of art and nature.

Visit Pointe du Hoc with a Licensed Local Guide

Pointe du Hoc is a promontory overlooking the English Channel on the coast of Normandy. During

World War II, it was the highest point between Utah Beach to the west and Omaha beach to the

east. A vital position on the Atlantic Wall, Pointe du Hoc contained large guns capable of firing on

Allied soldiers attacking the beaches of Utah and Omaha. On June 6th, Colonel Rudder’s “Rangers”

scaled the 100 foot cliffs under enemy fire to reach and destroy the German gun batteries.

Considered the most dangerous mission of D-Day, the battalion's casualty rate for this perilous

mission was greater than 50 percent. Rudder himself was wounded twice during the course of the

fighting. In spite of this, they dug in and fought off German counter-attacks for two days until

relieved. He and his men helped to successfully establish a beachhead for the Allied forces. The

siege was replicated in the 1962 film, The Longest Day, starring John Wayne.

After the war, the French government dedicated Point du Hoc as a memorial site to Americans. A

white granite pylon looms over the remains of a bunker, carved into the shape of a Ranger’s dagger.

Ten years after the raid, Rudder returned to Point du Hoc and the memorial with his young son.

During the visit he stared long and hard at the towering cliffs, then turned to the reporter

accompanying him and asked, “Will someone please tell me how we did this?” Maybe you can help

answer this question as you explore the original fortifications and bomb crater scarred battlefield that

serves as a reminder to the sacrifice made by America’s youth during the Battle of Normandy.

Day 9: Normandy

“They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate.” -

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Visit Utah Beach with a Licensed Local Guide

Utah Beach is known as the gateway to the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. There were two

separate parts of the Allied assault strategy here: by air and by sea. Airborne paratroopers dropped

into the area behind Utah beach early in the hours of June 6, 1944 with tracer bullets whizzing

around them, lighting up the sky like fireworks on the fourth of July. Their goals included helping

prepare the way for the 4th Infantry forces storming the beach by sea at dawn, taking control of key

points across the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, and preparing the way by seizing control of the

existing roadways, or what passed for roads. The Germans had made creative use of existing natural

resources in the strategy to defend the Cotentin Peninsula. The terrain consisted of small patches of

meadows separated by thick hedgerows (rocks, old tree roots, and the roots of living trees and dirt

entwined into an impenetrable mass). Rather than build walls, the enemy used locks controlling the

waters of the nearby Douve and Merderet rivers to flood those meadows, effectively bogging down

any potential invaders. Utah Beach lay in the center of these man made lakes, creating only one way

that the men of the 4th Infantry Division could force their way inland.

It was said that the dead lay forever silent in dappled green parachutes that had carried them to

earth on that fateful morning. Soldiers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne who touched down safely faced

the challenge of wandering under the cover of darkness behind enemy lines in the confused

landscape of flooded fields, hedgerows, and the narrow raised tracks called causeways. Imagine

trying to tell friend from foe in the flooded landscape of Cotentin Peninsula. Thankfully, the Allies

thought of almost everything, paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne had been given a password: Flash

with the answering countersign Thunder. Paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division had been issued

a toy to use first, the idea being it might be safer than speaking English in the darkness. It was a

small clicker called a cricket. “When you put it between your thumb and forefinger and squeezed the

fingers together it clicked, and it clicked again when you released the pressure on the fingers,”

explained paratrooper Len Griffing, a nineteen-year-old from Long Island. “The idea was that if one

of us heard someone, he was to stop and go click, click. If it was one our guys, he would have a

clicker of his own and he would go click-click, click-click in reply.”

The assault on Cotentin Peninsula had begun in darkness as the paratroopers dropped from the sky,

but the invasion plan for Utah Beach also included an amphibious aspect. Compared with Omaha,

pre-invasion bombing was more effective as most of the beach obstacles on Utah were cleared in

advance. The terrain on the beach also proved more favorable to an amphibious assault, since Utah

did not have the high cliffs that made German guns on Omaha so deadly. Even so, soldiers on Utah

Beach endured heavy artillery attacks, as well as machine gun and sniper fire. “Snipers in Normandy

were awful. If there were any place in Europe suitable for sniping it was Normandy with all those

hedgerows. When the Germans retreated, they left snipers behind everywhere. They would lie in

the grass, in trees, buildings, and most of all those darned hedgerows,” said Kenneth Russel, of the

505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. “No veteran of the Utah Beach invasion

could ever declare that the Utah Beach invasion was easy,” wrote historian Joseph Balkoski.

The entire 4th Infantry Division along with many specialized units made their way through rough seas

to land on the shore of Utah Beach at 6:30 a.m. on June 6, 1944. With them came a little old man,

short and wrinkled, carrying a walking stick. He had a bum shoulder and a bad heart. His name was

Roosevelt, and he really should not have been there. His father had been the President, and now his

cousin filled the same role. Somebody like that would have been a prize if captured, so his presence

was unexpected. But then, his family had somewhat of a history of being places where you really

would not expect them to be.

In the smoke and dust kicked up by the massive pre-landing naval bombardment, the markers

leading the way towards the beach were missed by the men piloting the landing craft. They were

heading ashore, but unbeknownst to them they were heading for the wrong section of shore. The

place they were supposed to land was more than a mile to the north, but as the soldiers learned

storming the beaches of Normandy, time and tide wait for no man.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was the deputy division commander of the units that landed in the first wave

on Utah Beach. He had to pull strings to be allowed to land, but when your cousin is President of the

United States, some of your strings can be quite substantial. Eventually his boss, General Omar

Bradley caved. Roosevelt was there for the first confusing moments. Confusing, because the terrain

did not match the maps that were issued. Two American infantry units were now ashore, way off

course.

Roosevelt knew from his scouting reports that they were in the wrong place, but his gut told him that

the place where they landed worked. Realizing the error, Roosevelt gave a now famous exhortation,

“we’re going to start the war from here.” The lead infantry units pushed inland feeling none of the

horrific resistance they would have encountered if they had landed where they were supposed to be.

He knew it was up to him, the only general ashore, to make the call. His impromptu plans worked

with complete success. By modifying his division’s original plan on the beach, Roosevelt enabled his

troops to achieve their mission objectives by attacking north behind the beach. With artillery landing

close by, each of the following regiments that landed were personally welcomed by a cool, calm, and

collected Roosevelt, who inspired all with humor and confidence. Roosevelt pointed everyone to their

changed objective, sometimes working under fire as a self-appointed traffic cop. Years later, Omar

Bradley was asked to name the single most heroic action he had ever seen in combat. He replied,

“Ted Roosevelt on Utah Beach.”

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. received a Medal of Honor, the nations highest military award, for his actions

on D-Day. His Medal of Honor Citation reads in part: “His valor, courage, and presence in the very

front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to

heights of enthusiasm and self sacrifice. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering

leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum

casualties.”

Today, aside from these acts of heroism, Utah Beach is unremarkable and perhaps that is for the

best. This stretch of coast is low with only a single sand dune adjoining the beach. You can wander

the beach imagining the approach and the arrival all those years ago with not a single person in

sight. If you have a vivid imagination, and know your history, it can even border on spiritual. There

are no beach side cafes, nor bustling hotels or tourist shops selling D-Day souvenirs as at some of

the other landing sites. There is only the beach, where the first of the Allies waded ashore and

changed the world.

D-Day Experience & Dead Man’s Corner Museum Visit

Without a doubt the most dynamic museum in the Normandy region. If you are a fan of the HBO

mini-series Band of Brothers starring Damien Lewis, you’ll recognize many of the names of the men

whose possessions are displayed throughout it. The building itself was occupied by soldiers of the 6th

German parachute infantry regiment, nicknamed “the green devils,” on the day the American

paratroopers dropped from the sky in 1944. The green devils fought a fiercely contested battle with

American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division for three days until eventually retreating back to

German lines. The term “Dead Man’s Corner” derives from an event that took place on June 8 when

an American Stuart tank was knocked out on the intersection outside the building. The tank

commander, Lieutenant Walter T. Anderson, tried in vain to escape and sadly died as he was half out

of the tanks turret hatch. The body remained slumped in that position for several days and the tank

was used as a point of reference for other American soldiers, “the corner with the dead man, or dead

man’s corner.”

The main attraction of the D-Day Experience however, is the authentic Douglas C-47 that actually

flew paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division on June 6, 1944. Before boarding the most unique

flight simulator in the world, you’ll first enter a briefing room for a ten-minute review of your mission

from a hologram of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lee “Bull” Wolverton, then climb into the C-47 and

strap in. What follows is a seven minute take off and flight from an airfield in England to the flak-

filled skies above Normandy. Will you survive? This amazing simulation should be on everyone’s “to

do” list when visiting the D-Day beaches.

When visiting Normandy, you’ll get to immerse yourself in history with this amazing feat of

technology, but never forget the sacrifice of the real heroes who only wish it could have been a

simulation. This is what it was like to take “the jump” according to Dwayne T. Burns of the 508th

Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

“Now here we sat, each man alone in the dark, with his own thoughts and fears. These men around

me were the best friends I will ever know…Flak is getting heavy as we stand waiting for the green

light…The roar of the engines, the flak hitting the wings and fuselage, and everyone is yelling, ‘Let’s

go!’ but still the green light does not come on…I landed in a long narrow field with two anti-glider

poles in it, and I hit hard and rolled over on my back…Some of the troopers were not so lucky. Many

landed in flooded rivers and drowned. One went through the roof of a greenhouse, another went

down a well. Some landed in towns, with one landing on a church steeple. Others hit burning

buildings. Some landed in trees. Some died in the air…Some jumped too late and landed on the

beachhead while others landed in the English Channel.”

Upon disembarking the C-47 you can carry on with perusing the rest of the museum’s exhibits. The

shop at the Dead Man’s Corner Museum deserves special mention as there are many interesting, yet

expensive, items which don’t generally appear in other museum shops around Normandy. By the

time you arrive in 2020, the museum will have the new addition of a 4k movie theater with a brand-

new film.

Band of Brothers drop site on D-Day (Paratrooper hanging on church)

Shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944 the sky above Sainte Mere Eglise filled with hundreds of

American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division. Having been the target of an earlier aerial

attack, a stray incendiary bomb had set fire to a building near the town square and it was spreading.

Well-lit by the flames beneath them, the paratroopers who were dropped in error over the village

became easy targets for the startled German soldiers on the ground. One of those paratroopers was

Private John Steele of F Company, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Steele was

already a combat veteran, with jumps into Italy and Sicily under his belt prior to D-Day. During his

landing, Steele’s parachute became caught in the steeple of the church in the middle of town square.

Shot through the foot, Steele hung there for two hours pretending to be dead before the Germans

noticed and cut him down.

“There were some paratroopers who landed nearby, but they didn’t help him because they thought

he was dead. The Germans thought he was dead also, but they wanted whatever papers he had on

him and that is how they discovered he was alive,” said Patrick Bunel, a curator at the Airborne

Museum in Sainte Mere Eglise.

The German soldiers took Steele prisoner, but he was able to escape. Sainte Mere Eglise became the

first town in France to be liberated and Steele was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for

his actions during the invasion. Today, a uniformed mannequin hangs from a parachute and rigging

on the steeple in honor of Steele, even though he actually landed in back of the church. Sainte Mere

Eglise secured Steele a place in history that was recreated 18 years later in the 1962 movie, The

Longest Day, in which Steele was portrayed by the actor Red Buttons. Private Steele also appears as

a character in the very first Call of Duty video game.

Steele regularly visited Saint Mere Eglise before his death in 1969 from cancer. But he was not the

only American the town remembers. Their actions have also been captured in two stained glass

windows in the church that still has visible bullet holes in its stone walls. The first depicts the Virgin

Mary and a child above the burning town of Sainte Mere Eglise with paratroopers and planes around

her. A second window depicts Saint Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers.

Day 10: Normandy to Amsterdam

Did you know that 25,000 bicycles end up in Amsterdam’s canals each year? Oddly, only about 8,000

bikes are pulled out of the canals annually. It sounds like there are quite a few bicycles still lurking

under the water.

Travel to Paris via Motor Coach (~3 hours)

Rise and shine, today we head back to Paris to catch the train to Amsterdam.

Travel to Amsterdam via Thalys High Speed Train (~3.5 hours) Traveling at speeds close to 200 mph, the Thalys train is sure to be one of your favorite modes of

transportation while abroad. Play cards with your friends, visit the café, or just sit back, relax, and

enjoy some tunes while we cruise to Amsterdam.

Traditional Dutch Pannenkoeken Dinner Larger and thinner than American pancakes, but not quite as thin as a crepe, Dutch pancakes are

eaten as a main course, served warm, and offered with a wide range of toppings and ingredients.

Savory traditional toppings include: cheese, ham, salami, bacon, vegetables, and more. For dessert,

sweet Pannenkoeken options include: apple, caramel apple, chocolate banana, strawberry, and

others. Don’t forget to drizzle stroop on your cakes! Standing bottle-to-bottle with syrup for

supremacy at the pancake table, stroop is made by boiling down fruit like apples and pears. The

finished product is thick and sticky with a color and consistency similar to caramel, think heaven in a

bottle.

Day 11: Amsterdam Landmarks

“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” - Anne Frank

Anne Frank House Visit

Today, you will take an emotional tour of Anne Frank's house, passing through the moveable

bookcase that hid the entrance to the Secret Annex where three different Jewish families hid for

more than two years during World War II. Most of the furniture is gone now, but Anne’s photos of

movie stars she clipped from magazines and pasted on the wall are still there. As you walk through

the bare rooms where eight people in hiding lived, imagine the strength it took to stay positive when

the world was tearing itself apart. Anne wrote in her diary, which is on display as you exit the Annex,

“Think of all the beauty left around you and be happy.”

Anne Frank’s story began on June 12, 1929 when she was born in the German city of Frankfurt. She

lived in Frankfurt with her parents Otto and Edith, and her older sister Margot until Hitler’s anti-

Semitism put an end to their carefree life. From Germany, the Franks moved to Amsterdam where

Otto set up a new business. Just as they were settling in, the threat of war in Europe increased and

Otto tried in vain to emigrate his family to England and the United States. On September 1, 1939,

the Second World War broke out when Germany invaded Poland. By May 1940, German troops had

taken control of the Netherlands and anti-Jewish regulations followed. Otto lost his business and a

renewed attempt to emigrate to the United States failed. With no other options available, Otto, Edith

and the girls went into hiding in the rear annex of his business firm. The Van Pels family joined them

a week later, and a few months after that they were joined by an eighth person, dentist Fritz Pfeffer.

They remained in the Secret Annex for more than two years.

In hiding, the families had to keep very quiet, were often frightened, and did their best to pass time

while hoping for a quick Allied victory to the war. They were helped by the office workers including

Otto’s secretary, Miep Gies. These helpers not only arranged food, clothes, and books for those in

hiding, but they were also the group’s contact with the outside world.

Shortly before going into hiding Anne received a diary for her 13th birthday. She started writing in it

immediately. In August of 1944, Anne and her family, along with the others in hiding were found

and arrested. After the arrest Anne’s diary was rescued by Miep Gies. Despite intensive

investigations, to this day it is not clear how the hiding place was discovered. As for the eight people

in the Annex, Otto Frank was the only one to survive the war. Upon returning to the Netherlands,

Otto Frank hoped to reunite with his family. Instead, he learned that his wife and daughters were

gone. All that was left was the diary and a few photographs that Miep had saved. Otto knew that

Anne had kept a diary, but he had no idea how much she had written, or how beautiful her words

were. He discovered a completely different Anne when reading them. Anne wrote in her diary that

she wanted to become a writer or journalist in the future. Friends convinced Otto Frank that the diary

had a great expressive power and it is published in June 1947 under the title: The Secret Annex.

Later, the title was changed to, Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. Anne’s diary made a huge,

terrible event personal. She was a girl with hopes and dreams; all she wanted was to live her life. In

the years that followed, Anne’s diary became world famous. Many editions and translations followed

including a play and film.

Amsterdam Guided Bike Tour

Canals and crocuses. Bicycles and bluebells. With more canals than Venice, and more flower

merchants than perhaps any other city in the world, downtown Amsterdam is an explosion of color

and light reflecting off the water. Today, you’ll discover the city from a different angle as you hop on

a bike for a guided tour with a local expert. Pedal with your professional guide through the quaint

waterways and winding cobbled streets of Amsterdam. Receive an insightful introduction to the

Dutch capital as you visit a selection of prominent landmarks such as Museum Square, home to the

Van Gogh Museum, and the majestic Royal Palace. With over 800,000 bicycles calling the city home,

it shouldn’t be hard to find a ride!

Day 12: Amsterdam

Did you know that the people of Amsterdam had to eat tulip bulbs to survive the winter of 1944?

Faced with starvation from a brutal winter, coupled with the Germans confiscating their food, they

were left with no other choices. In case you were wondering, tulip bulbs didn’t catch on as a

delicacy. In fact, you get a rash from eating them.

Kamp Vught (Herzogenbusch Concentration Camp) Guided Visit

During World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands from 1940-1945. The Nazis

transported prisoners via transit camps Amersfoort and Westerbork, in the Netherlands, to death

camps like Aushwitz-Birkenau in the east. When Amersfoort and Westerbork became too small to

handle the large amounts of prisoners, the Schutzstaffel (SS) decided to build a concentration camp

in Vught, near the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The first prisoners arrived at Camp Vught in 1943 and

had to finish its construction. During its operation, the camp held nearly 31,000 prisoners.

Conditions within Vught were terrible, with many dying of malnutrition, polluted water, and infectious

diseases which were rife in the overcrowded camp.

One of the most infamous tragedies of the camp concerns cell 115, in what is known as the “bunker

tragedy.” The event occurred when one woman from barrack 23B was locked up in the camp prison,

or bunker, and other women protested. As a punishment, the Commandant, Adam Grünwald, had as

many women as possible incarcerated in one cell. Eventually, 74 women were pressed together in

cell 115, which was less than 100 square feet with hardly any ventilation. After 14 hours of

confinement, the inmates were released, but the damage was already done, 10 women did not

survive the night.

In total, 749 men, women, and children died at Vught and had their bodies burned to ash in the

crematorium. Of these, 329 were murdered at an execution site just outside the camp in the woods

where a monument stands today, listing their names. A children’s memorial is also on site and

includes the names and ages of the 1,269 Jewish children who were deported in 1943.

Liberated by the Canadians in 1944, Vught was used to detain Germans, Dutch SS men, alleged

collaborators, and war criminals in the first years after the war. Afterwards, the camp was partially

demolished, and the grounds now hold a museum and a Dutch military base, which still uses the old

SS Barracks.

Cooking Class with Dinner

To celebrate our last night in Europe, and to lighten the mood after an emotional day at Vught

concentration camp, tonight, under the guidance of a Dutch chef, we’ll be learning how to cook!

With your friends and tour mates, prepare for an exciting evening as you learn how to prepare a

meal in European fashion, and then reap the rewards of your efforts in the kitchen. Dinner tonight

will also include a beverage of your own choosing, so be prepared to share a toast!

Day 13: Return Home

“To travel is to live.” -Hans Christian Andersen

Transfer to the Airport for your Return Flight

Your tour director will assist you with your transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your

return flight home to D.C. (~9 hours).