"Churchill's London"

August 30 - September 2, 2024

We’re pleased to offer "Churchill’s London” prior to the commencement of the main tour. Pre-tour guests will enjoy three nights in London at the luxurious Rubens at the Palace Hotel, a historic 5-star property that dates back to the 1700s and has served royalty throughout the centuries. Two full days exploring the wartime life of Sir Winston Churchill will provide context of what the UK was like when Easy Company arrived there to train in 1944. Touring includes Chartwell, Sir Winston’s countryside manor; the storied Churchill War Rooms, hidden beneath the streets of Westminster; and the Imperial War Museum, home of artifacts of British conflicts from the World War I to the present. Breakfast at the hotel is included each morning, and lunches during the full days of touring are included. Evenings are free to enjoy London on your own.

Accommodations: Rubens at the Palace Hotel

Download the Pamphlet

London Arrivals / Aldbourne, England

After individual arrivals into London-Heathrow (LHR), proceed west of London to the training areas of Easy Company. After lunch in Aldbourne, enjoy a walking tour with local villagers and members of the Aldbourne Historical Society, who recount what it was like to welcome Easy Company and other American troops more than 80 years ago. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers at a Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel.

The Vineyard Hotel (D)

Portsmouth / Cross the English Channel

Enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel, then head south to Portsmouth, the town that served as the launching point for Operation Overlord. Lunch today is classic English pub fare at the Golden Lion, in the picturesque village of Southwick, renowned for the planning of the D-Day landings and the historic location where Eisenhower and Montgomery met. This afternoon, cross the English Channel by ferry with a dinner onboard, and land in Normandy late in the
evening.

Ferme de la Rançonnière (B, L, D)

Utah Beach / US Airborne

After breakfast, depart for the Utah Beach area to tour the landing beach and visit the Utah Beach Landing Museum. View an original B-26 bomber in the museum’s hangar and listen to the oral history of Dick Winters on the second floor of this magnificent museum. Next, take an exclusive tour of Brécourt Manor, made famous by Easy Company’s action here on June 6, 1944. In the small town of Sainte-Mère-Église, enjoy lunch independently before visiting the Airborne Museum and the church made famous by the film The Longest Day. En route to the hotel, the coach makes a photo stop at the church in Saint- Marie-du-Mont, a town liberated by the 101st. Enjoy
dinner with the group this evening.

Ferme de la Rançonnière (B, D)

La Fiere / Easy Company in Normandy

Today, travel along rural lanes, past hedgerows, and over causeways to La Fière bridge, where elements of the 82nd Airborne fought off four days of attacks from German troops trying to retake this strategic bridge. Next, travel to Beuzeville-au-Plain to view the monument to Lt. Thomas Meehan’s downed C-47 and hear his story. After an included lunch, learn the story of Easy Company at the important town of Carentan, which linked the Utah and Omaha Beach forces. End the day’s touring at the Dead Man’s Corner Museum and with a visit to the church at Angoville-au-Plain. This evening, enjoy free time to visit one of Bayeux’s many quaint cafés.

Ferme de la Rançonnière (B, L)

Pointe du Hoc / Omaha Beach / Normandy American Cemetery

On the final day in Normandy, touring is devoted to the ground troops who came ashore in the Omaha Beach area. First, visit Pointe du Hoc, where Army Rangers faced tough odds coming ashore and scaling the imposing 100-foot cliff. Next, visit Dog Green Sector of Omaha Beach where A Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry of the 29th “Blue and Gray” Division, landed at “H-Hour” on D-Day.
A 250-meter stretch of beach untouched by preliminary bombardments lay in front of them, and they could clearly see German bunkers in the distance. Within 15 minutes, A Company was reduced from an assault company to a small rescue party. These events inspired the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan. After an included lunch overlooking Omaha Beach, spend the afternoon at the Normandy American Cemetery, where more than 9,000 Americans are laid to rest in the ground they helped liberate. Guests will be given time to walk the grounds, visit the small museum, and remember the sacrifices made here. Reflect on the day’s touring during dinner with the group this evening.

Ferme de la Rançonnière (B, L, D)

Normandy to the Netherlands

Bid farewell to Normandy and head to the Netherlands. Along the way, view episodes from the Band of Brothers miniseries. Stop in
picturesque Amiens, France, a city along the Somme River. Enjoy lunch and independent exploration, with time to visit the Amiens
Cathedral, the tallest complete cathedral in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relax on the coach this afternoon. An included
dinner at the hotel greets you upon arrival in Eindhoven.

Pullman Eindhoven Cocagne (B, L, D)

Eindhoven / Arnhem /  Nijmegen

In September 1944, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden, a daring airborne operation meant to secure crucial Rhine River
crossings and advance into northern Germany. Although it ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, the determination and courage
shown by the airborne troops and the units that assisted them made Market Garden one of World War II’s most famous battles. During today’s tour, visit the actual battle sites where Easy Company fought and learn how the 101st Airborne fit into Operation Market Garden at Nuenen, Zon Bridge, and Logtenburg. After lunch, visit Schoonderlogt Farm to see where Dick Winters led the attack at “The Crossroads,” the subject of Episode 5 of Band of Brothers. Near Arnhem, members of the company helped rescue more than 100 British airborne troops who were stuck behind enemy lines across the Rhine during Operation Pegasus in October 1944. The touring
day ends in Nijmegen and “A Bridge Too Far” before returning to Eindhoven where guests enjoy an evening at leisure.

Pullman Eindhoven Cocagne (B, L)

Netherlands American Cemetery / Journey to the Ardennes

This morning, guests may choose to take a guided walking tour of Eindhoven, explore the area independently, or relax at the hotel. The optional morning tour includes details on the actions that occurred around Eindhoven, with visits to the Joe Mann Memorial and the Robert Cole Memorial. After lunch at leisure, visit the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten—the only American military cemetery in The Netherlands. A unique aspect of this cemetery is its connection with the Dutch people. Since 1945 members of the local community have adopted the grave sites of the American fallen. They bring flowers to the cemetery and research the life of the service member they adopt as a way to honor their sacrifice. After paying respects to members of Easy Company who are buried there, continue to the medieval market town of Clervaux, Luxembourg, in the heart of the Ardennes. Along the way, the tour guide presents an overview of the Battle of the Bulge -- Hitler’s last-ditch effort to defeat the Allies in the west, and the largest land battle fought by the US Army in World War II.

Chateau d'Urspelt—Clervaux (B, D)

Battle of the Bulge / Bastogne / Bois Jacques

This day is dedicated to the heroic defense of the besieged crossroads town of Bastogne as depicted in Band of Brothers Episode 6: “Bastogne.” Today’s visits also include The Battle of the Bulge Monument (formerly the Mardasson Memorial), a monument honoring the memory of the American soldiers wounded or killed during the Battle of the Bulge. Next, a visit to the Bastogne War Museum provides
insight into the experiences of the troops during the harsh, cold winter of 1944-45. In the Bois Jacques forest, guests may choose to climb in the foxholes that provided some shelter to Easy Company. Visit the 101st Airborne Museum prior to free time in Bastogne for
lunch and perhaps shopping for Belgian chocolates.The evening is at leisure.

Chateau d'Urspelt—Clervaux (B)

Luxembourg American Cemetery / Haguenau

Before departing the Ardennes, the final stop is at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, where guests visit the graves of Easy Company members and of Gen. George S. Patton. Continue to Haguenau for lunch and make a stop the “Last Patrol” of Easy Company, where they held fast against Operation Nordwind, the last major German offensive of the war in the west, for more than a
month. Arrive in Stuttgart this evening and enjoy dinner and exploration on your own.

Maritim Stuttgart (B, L)

Dachau / Zell Am See

Located 10 miles northwest of Munich, the Dachau Concentration Camp was established in 1933 to hold political prisoners. Throughout the rest of the 1930s, the camp grew to hold Jews, Roma, Slavs, and more groups deemed unworthy by the Nazis. In 1943, as total war was waged across the continent, the Nazis constructed more than 150 subsidiary camps near Dachau where prisoners were often worked to death. The terrible conditions in Dachau and throughout the subsidiary camps led to a widespread typhus epidemic by the end of 1944 as the Allied armies were preparing to enter Germany . When the first American troops approached the camp in April, 1945 the sight of the prisoners and the living conditions tested even the most battle-hardened soldiers. After reflecting on why World War II was fought, the group will head to the Bavarian Alps for the final chapter of the journey.

Grand Hotel Zell am See (B, L, D)

Berchtesgarden / Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg

Gain a full view of the Berchtesgaden and Obersalzburg area. Your guide will discuss the lives of the Nazi officials who frequented the area and stayed in their picturesque retreats while simultaneously plotting the destruction and oppression of Europe. Visit the former site of the Berghof, Hitler’s home that he frequented—unlike the Eagle’s Nest. Go underground and view the bunker system that was designed for the protection of the staff but never used. Return to Zell am See for a reception and dinner this evening..

Grand Hotel Zell am See (B, L, R, D)

On the final day of touring, guests take in the spectacular views from Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, captured by Allied forces in May 1945. A gift to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday in 1939, Eagle’s Nest was funded by Hitler’s inner circle. Legend says that Mussolini gifted the fireplace to the project. Although a fortune was spent to build the perch, Hitler only made 14 official visits. Return to Zell Am See and reflect on the journey while overlooking the lake featured in the final scenes of Band of Brothers.

Zell Am See / Munich

Early this morning the entire group transfers together to the Munich Airport (MUC) for individual flights home.* (B)

*Please note that flights should be scheduled to depart no earlier than 12:00 noon. Weather and/or local government and venue conditions may change the final schedule. Each evening you will receive a detailed schedule for the following day, including the timing of meals and tours. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Travel Team.

(B)