Landmark Battles of Western Civilization
Valley of the Somme, Waterloo, Verdun, Battle of the Bulge & Normandy

Thursday, May 22 -

Depart the U.S. on individual flights for Luxembourg.

 

Friday, May 23 -

Arrive at Luxembourg International Airport and transfer to our luxury hotel. Meet your traveling companions and hosts at the welcoming reception and dinner.

 

Saturday, May 24 -

Depart for a full-day excursion to WWI Verdun. The region of Meuse-Argonne, previously fought over by the French and British Empires, were soon to become synonymous with American sacrifice, honor and bravery, as the German Armies were turned back. And, in the same region resides the ultimate war zone in this war to end wars, Verdun. We spend time at Verdun visiting the great sights such as Douaumont and the Ossuary. The scars of war, even 90 years past are remarkable. Lunch included.

 

Sunday, May 25 -

Visit to Hamm Cemetery, General Patton’s grave, The little village of Hamm, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, lying between Germany, France and Belgium, took its hallowed place in American history on December 29, 1944, as the forces of the enemy made their last major bid for victory on the Western front and were met and defeated and thrown back by the Armies of the Allies. General George S. Patton, Commanding General of the famed Third Army during its memorable drive across Europe in World War II, lies among the men whom he led to victory. General Patton was laid to rest in Hamm Cemetery on December 24, 1945. Visit to Bastogne, which was a critical town in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Seven roads met at this town making it crucial for control of the roadways. If the Germans could seize Bastogne they had a clear route to the River Meuse. A total of 250.000 soldiers, accompanied by a 1.000 tanks tried to drive through the Ardennes. Their goal: first take Bastogne, head for the Meuse river and then push to the north of Belgium to take Antwerp and its strategic harbor. Bastogne was defended by the 101st Airborn Division under the command of General A.C. McAuliffe. During a total of six days, Bastogne underwent a terrible siege. At 11.30 am on December the 22nd, the Germans ask Bastogne to surrender. The answer of General McAuliffe is short: NUTS. Lunch and dinner included.

 

Monday, May 26 -

Lecture and morning special visit to NATO Headquarters. Afternoon excursion to Waterloo. The Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. His defeat put a final end to his rule as Emperor of the French. The principal armies of Napoleon's opponents were commanded by the United Kingdom's Duke of Wellington, and Prussia's Gebhard von Blücher. The campaign consisted of 4 major battles of which the decisive battle was the Battle of Waterloo.

 
“The nearest run thing you ever saw in your life” - Duke of Wellington

Tuesday, May 27 -

Morning Lecture and visit to the EU Executive Commission. In the afternoon we have time to enjoy Brussels Grand Place and taste some of Belgium’s famous culinary delicacies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 28 -

Transfer to Normandy via the Somme Valley. The first day of the Battle of the Somme saw the British Army sustain the heaviest losses it had ever suffered in a single day. By the battle's end in November, 1916, over 400,000 British and Commonwealth troops had become casualties. French and German casualties amounted to another 600,000 men. Lunch and dinner included.

 

Thursday, May 29 -

Lecture and visit Le Memorial Museum in Caen and Pegasus Bridge. The first soldiers to touch down and engage in combat during D-Day were the members of the 6th Airborne Division of the United Kingdom led by Major John Howard. Their objective was to seize the Benouville Bridge (Codenamed Pegasus) and hold it against any German counter attacks until relieved.
 

Friday, May 30 -

Pointe du Hoc, Bayeux, Omaha Beach and the American WWII Cemetery. June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied Troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler. Dinner included.

 

Saturday, May 31 –

Transfer to Versailles and visit to Versailles Palace. Our tour will lead you behind the scenes and give you unique insight into the royal life of Marie Antoinette and the Kings that ruled from Versailles. Let our guide show you the Hall of Mirrors where on June 28, 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of World War I by the Allied and Associated Powers and by Germany. Lunch and dinner included.

 

Sunday, June 1 –

Paris city tour and Seine river cruise. On 7 August 1944 General von Choltitz became the military governor of Paris. He arrived at Paris on 9 August. In the following 16 days, he disobeyed several direct orders from Adolf Hitler to destroy the city. Hitler's order from 23 August said: "The city must not fall into the enemy's hand except lying in complete debris." Hitler phoned Choltitz in a rage, screaming, "Brennt Paris?" ("Is Paris burning?") Dinner included at the Trianon Palace Hotel.

Monday, June 2 -

Paris to USA. Transfer to the airport for individual flights back to the U.S.