End the War in '44 Tour August 31 - September 10, 2009

Atlantic Wall and Hitler's Secret Weapons.
The Allies breached Hitler's "Atlantic Wall" on the beaches of France on June 6, 1944. After the Battle for Normandy, American and British tanks pushed German troops back across France with great momentum; by September, they stood at the door to the West Wall. As Allied Leaders planned exactly how and when to cross the Rhine, American G.I.s comforted each other with the words: "End the War in '44."

Market Garden, Hürtgenwald and Battle of the Bulge.
After the Allies' failure to capture the bridge at Arnhem in Operation Market Garden, American forces pinned their hopes on winning the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest near Aachen. The Hürtgen Forest became an American bloodbath. By December 1944, G.I.'s settled into their foxholes in the Ardennes and hoped to recuperate as Christmas approached. On December 16th, three German Armies unleashed a storm of artillery on the American "Ghost Front". The Battle of the Bulge had begun: "Stay alive in '45!" This Tour focuses on the Airborne Memorials, drop zones and museums in Holland and the Hürtgen Forest Battlefield in Germany. Includes a full-day excursion in the Ardennes to visit Battle of the Bulge sites and the ruins of the Bridge at Remagen. The Tour starts at Paris CDG Airport and continues to Calais, France, Belgium, Holland and Rhine River, Germany. The Tour concludes at Frankfurt Airport.




Day-by-Day Tour Itinerary

August 31: IN FLIGHT to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport

Group Meeting Point: Paris CDG Airport, Terminal 1, Departures Level, Gate 20

September 1: The Atlantic Wall
Arrival this morning at Paris CDG Airport, France. We start with a detailed explanation of the D-Day landings in Normandy on the bus ride from the airport to the Second World War Museum in Calais. The impressive museum is located in the enormous German communications bunker for the Pas-de-Calais, in the middle of the city. Late afternoon transfer to our hotel, the 18th Century Chateau de Cocove. Welcome Dinner tonight at our hotel. Overnight Chateau de Cocove.

September 2: Hitler's Secret Weapons
Breakfast. Short transfer from Chateau de Cocove to Eperleques. Morning Tour of the first German V2 Rocket Base and Liqiud Oxygen Facility in France. The Blockhouse in Eperleques was the Third Reich's response to the Allied bombing destruction of Peenemunde. Guided Tour through the Blockhouse bunker and grounds. Transfer with lunch en route to Lommel, Belgium. Overnight Lommel.

September 3: Market Garden - The Plan
Breakfast. Today we visit the Lommel German War Cemetery. The Lommel Cemetery is the largest outside Germany. Next we head to Holland and see Joe’s Bridge at the Dutch border, the first bridge captured for Market Garden on September 10, 1944 and launch pad for all ground forces in the Operation. Continue to Eindhoven town center for town orientation and lunch. Afternoon transfer to Best and visit the Wings of Liberation Museum Park. Dinner and Overnight in Best.

September 4: Market Garden - Airborne Operations
Breakfast. This morning we tour the area of the 101st Airborne Division paratroopers. We will see drop zones of the 101st at Son before continuing north along "Hell's Highway" to Henkenshage Castle (General Maxwell Taylor’s Headquarters) in St. Oedenrode. Lunch. Afternoon transfer via Veghel / Grave to Groesbeek Heights. In this area we focus on 82nd Airborne Division drop zones and operations in and around Nijmegen. A highlight is a visit to the National Liberation Museum this afternoon and finishing at Nijmegen Bridge near the town center. Overnight Nijmegen.

September 5: Market Garden - Arnhem Bridge
Breakfast. This morning after breakfast we continue up to Oosterbeek to visit the Airborne Museum at Hartenstein Castle. Transfer to Arnhem for lunch. Afternoon walk via John Frost's command post to the Arnhem Bridge. Afternoon transfer back to Nijmegen for free time. Overnight Nijmegen.

September 6: Southern Holland - Kasteel Geulzicht
Breakfast. Check out and transfer south into the Limburg Region of Holland. Lunch en route. Late afternoon transfer to Kasteel Geulzicht. Dinner at our hotel. Overnight at Kasteel Geulzicht.

September 7: Battle of the Ardennes
Breakfast. Today we have a full day excursion into the northern Ardennes. We will visit Battle of the Bulge sites, including the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, and the infamous "Malmedy Crossroads" at Baugnez, Belgium. This afternoon we have lunch and on the Battlefield in Poteau and visit the Ardennes '44 Museum. Here (weather permitting), we have a Battlefield Tour in a preserved World War II Halftrack. Transfer back to Kasteel Geulzicht. Dinner. Overnight at Kasteel Geulzicht.

September 8: Battle of the Hürtgen Forest
Breakfast. Hotel check out. Transfer over the border into Germany to the town of Schmidt in the Hürtgen Forest. Full day Tour of the Hürtgen Forest, including American Memorials, Battlefields (foxholes, bunkers) and cemeteries. Sites will include the areas of Vossenack and Schmidt / Dueren. Late afternoon transfer to Vossenack / Hürtgenwald for Hotel check in and dinner. Overnight Vossenack / Hürtgenwald.

September 9: The Bridge at Remagen
Breakfast and hotel check out. Morning conclusion of Hürtgen Forest sites. Transfer east to the Rhine River with lunch en route. Visit the Remagen Bridge Museum and see the ruins of the bridge as we discuss the history of the battle. Late afternoon transfer to St. Goar on the Rhine River. Hotel check in at Rhinefels Castle. Farewell Dinner and overnight at Rhinefels Castle.

September 10: IN FLIGHT from Frankfurt Airport




End the War in '44 Tour Features
  • 9 Nights lodging in 3 & 4 star Hotels, 6 Dinners & Breakfasts daily
  • All sightseeing, museums, historical sites, entrances, service fees & local taxes
  • All transfers by deluxe Motor Coach
  • All sightseeing excursions, entrance fees and transfers by deluxe Motor Coach
  • Welcome Evening at 18th Century Chateau de Cocove
  • V2 Blockhaus at Eperleques and Second World War Museum in Calais
  • Lommel German War Cemetery and Joe’s Bridge
  • Market Garden sites around Eindhoven with Wings of Liberation Museum Park
  • St. Oedenrode / Henkenshage Castle (General Maxwell Taylor’s HQ)
  • Nijmegen, Groesbeek Heights and Grave with National Liberation Museum
  • Hartenstein Castle / Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, Holland
  • 2 nights in historic Geulzicht Castle near Maastricht, Holland
  • ‘Battle of the Bulge’ Battlefield Tour through the Ardennes
  • Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium
  • Visit the Ardennes ’44 Poteau Museum
  • World War II Halftrack ride (weather permitting)
  • Battlefield Tour of the Hürtgen Forest with West Wall Sites
  • Remagen / Battle for Remagen Museum / Bridge Remains
  • Farewell Evening and overnight in medieval Rhine River Castle
  • Alpventures® free Web Photos for family and friends!
  • Alpventures® Travel Packets with lots of helpful pre-trip info & materials
  • Great Service & much More!


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