BATTLEFIELDS OF WWI & WWII
Are you a history buff? Do you enjoy traveling to iconic sites of the past? If so, you’re going to love our new trip that takes you on a tour of World War I and World War II battlefields across Europe. You’ll discover the places that commemorate these world-changing events and honor fallen soldiers. This tour includes a journey through London to visit the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms. You’ll also visit Normandy Beach, Somme & Ypres Battlefields, Dunkirk, Battle of the Bulge and the Maginot Lines.
5% off for active military and veterans!* Additional details at the bottom of this page.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 2 nights in London
- 2 nights in Caen
- 3 nights in Paris
- 2 nights in Ypres
- 1 night in Luxembourg
- 1 night in Frankfurt
- Optional 3-night extension to Berlin
Tour
Highlights
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip international airfare from New York area (EWR)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation in air-conditioned motor coach
- Accommodations at first-class hotels
- 16 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours
- Professional, English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Your Extension Includes:
- Transportation by train to Berlin
- Accommodations at a first-class hotel
- 4 meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to London, England
Arrive in beautiful London, the capital of England and one of the most spectacular cities in the world. You’ll be greeted at the airport by your Tour Director and begin a panoramic bus tour where you will see famous sites such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Trafalgar Square. After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll be escorted to the British Museum where you’ll meet a local guide for a tour through the exhibitions. You’ll see the Rosetta Stone, which played an important role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, the gigantic Parthenon Frieze…
London
This morning, enjoy an English breakfast at the hotel and then depart for a tour of the city. You’ll begin the day with a guided tour of the Tower of London where you will hear tales of intrigue, imprisonment, execution, and torture. You’ll also visit the Royal Crown Jewels, the awe-inspiring symbols of the monarchy that are still in use today. After your visit, you will drive across the Tower Bridge to Borough Market, London’s most renowned food and drink market where you can enjoy some free time for lunch. Next, you’ll visit the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of…
London/Caen
Today you will start your day with a visit to the Churchill War Rooms and see Churchill’s Bunker, the Churchill Museum, and the Cabinet War Rooms. You’ll experience the shelter from the Blitz, the secret history that lives underground, and the life and legacy of Winston Churchill. After your visit, journey south to Portsmouth and take the ferry across the English Channel to Caen, France. Dinner will be available for purchase on the ferry. Once you arrive in Caen, you’ll be escorted to your hotel where you can retire for the night.
Hotel |…
Normandy Beaches
Today you will spend a remarkable day experiencing and learning about one of the most famous days in history: D-Day. You’ll visit the Normandy Beaches, including Omaha Beach near the coastal village of Colleville-sur-Mer. Omaha was one of the principal beachheads where the U.S. Army stormed ashore on D-Day, June 6th, 1944. You’ll also explore Pointe du Hoc, located between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, where a group of American Army Rangers defied all odds by scaling a massive cliff at a critical moment during the invasion. Next, continue to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a…
Normandy/Paris
After breakfast, enjoy the journey to Paris and relax in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. En route, your first stop will be the Caen Memorial Museum, a museum and war memorial commemorating World War II and the Battle of Normandy. Next, you will travel to Chateau de la Roche Guyon, a frightful castle dominating the bank of the River Seine controlling the route to Normandy. During WWII the castle was German Field Marshall Rommel’s headquarters. After visiting the castle, you’ll arrive at your hotel in Paris to enjoy free time and dinner at your leisure.
Hotel | Novotel…
Paris
Today you’ll meet with a local guide for a sightseeing tour of the city focusing on World War II and the liberation of Paris. For more than four years, most of France—including Paris—existed under the horrifying and unrelenting rule of Nazi Germany. This tour explores life in the occupied French capital along the city’s Left and Right banks and you’ll learn about various individuals key to the Occupation and the complex narrative of the German and French Gestapo. You’ll hear the harrowing accounts of various inhabitants of the city—from Jewish families to members of the WWII…
Paris
Today you’ll enjoy a free day exploring the city on your own. You might choose to visit the Louvre Museum, explore the Latin Quarter, or climb the famed Eiffel Tower. Or, perhaps you want to stroll down the Champs Elysee or visit the Arc de Triomphe. Your options are limitless with history and culture around every corner. In the evening, you’ll reconnect with the group and venture to Montmartre, a famous section of the Right Bank (“Rive Droite”) in Paris, for a walking tour followed by dinner at an authentic Parisian restaurant. After dinner, you’ll return to your…
Paris/Somme Region/Ypres
Today you will travel from Paris into the heart of the Somme Region to the village of La Boisselle. Here you will visit the Lochnager Crater, tunnels and trenches that are remnants of the strategic planning of the French and British military to halt the German advances in World War I. A local guide will help recreate the battles as you learn the history of this important part of the war. Next, you’ll visit the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, a preserved battlefield park, which marks a tragic part of WWI, where many armies fought and died from 1914 to 1918. The Caribou…
Ypres Battlefield & Dunkirk
You’ll explore some of the biggest battles of World War I & II today. At your first stop, you’ll see a replica trench from World War I at the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. Then you’ll visit Essex Farm Cemetery where over 1,200 brave servicemen from World World I are buried and where Lt. Col. John McCrea wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to nearby Dunkirk for a walking tour along the shores where Operation Dynamo miraculously saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain during World World II. Next, you’ll return to Ypres for some…
Ypres/Battle of the Bulge/Luxembourg
After breakfast, you’ll journey to Bastogne where the Americans rallied and stopped the German attack in World World II. Here you will view the route of the initial American retreat and the place where the 101st Airborne, and elements of the 10th Armored Division, held off fifteen German divisions for six days. You will visit key sites in and around this historic crossroads town. After this visit, you’ll continue to nearby Luxembourg with free time in the evening to explore this charming old-world city.
Hotel | Alvisse Parc Hotel, or similar
Luxembourg/Maginot Line Sites/Frankfurt
After breakfast, you’ll drive to nearby Hamm for a brief visit to the American Cemetery and the site of World War II General George S. Patton’s grave. Afterwards, explore sites along the Maginot Line — a system of defensive fortifications built by France in the 1930s that stretched for nearly 200 miles to protect its eastern border. Your first stop will be Ouvrage Hackenberg. Set on high ground, this is the largest fortification on the whole Maginot Line and was one part of the line held by British troops in 1939-40. You’ll explore the underground and see the remarkably preserved…
Guided Tour Pricing
| Depart | Return | Depart - Return | Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Dec 31, 2019 | Reserve after Dec 31, 2019 | Select Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2020 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| April 3 | April 15 | Apr 3 - Apr 15 | $3,999 | $4,099 | $4,499 | Book Now: |
| May 15 | May 27 | May 15 - May 27 | $4,199 | $4,299 | $4,699 | Book Now: |
| June 5 | June 17 | Jun 5 - Jun 17 | $4,199 | $4,299 | $4,699 | Book Now: |
| September 4 | September 16 | Sep 4 - Sep 16 | $3,999 | $4,099 | $4,499 | Book Now: |
| October 16 | October 28 | Oct 16 - Oct 28 | $3,999 | $4,099 | $4,499 | Book Now: |
Rates are based on double occupancy.
Single room supplement is $949.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00-9:00 EST and Sat-Sun, 10:00-6:30 EST) at 800-337-7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations for this tour can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of $300 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit which must be received within 48 hours of reservation. Full payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. For complete booking information and terms & conditions click here.
Extended Tours
Frankfurt/Berlin
For you, the journey continues! Today, you’ll head to the Frankfurt train station to board the train to Berlin. Upon arrival in Berlin, you will embark on a spectacular walking tour of the city. You’ll start by walking down the Unter den Linden, a boulevard found in the heart of Berlin that starts from Schlossbrucke and ends at the Brandenburg Gate at Pariser Platz. As you walk along, your expert local guide will point out famous monuments and buildings that paint the history of this famous street and the involvement in both wars.
Hotel |…
Potsdam Excursion
In the morning, you’ll journey to nearby Potsdam, the site of the historic Postdam Conference held at Cecilienhof Palace. The Potsdam Conference of the Big 3 (Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Harry Truman and Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin) in the summer of 1945 had a huge impact on the post-war world. You’ll visit the site of the conference held between these world leaders which ended WWII, but started the Cold War. You’ll then return to Berlin where you will enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore on your own. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at…
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Optional tours are subject to change, and the prices are approximate. They are payable by cash (euros). Note that optional tours are non-refundable.
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flights from the New York area (Newark) to Europe and back are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least 3 ½ hours before the scheduled departure.
| Date | Airline | Newark (EWR) | ||
| Depart | Return (Main Tour) | Return (Berlin Extension) | ||
| 2020: Apr. 3, May 15, Jun. 5, Sep. 4 | United Airlines | 7:00PM | 2:00PM | 12:30PM |
| 2020: Oct. 16 | United Airlines | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting flight. We recommend at least 3 ½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
The above airlines do not assign seats in advance. Please note that smarTours is not involved with your seat assignment. It is between you and the airline! Seat assignments can only be arranged upon check-in at the airport.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at London hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-Only services end after breakfast at Frankfurt hotel on Day 13 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-only travelers forfeit the London sightseeing and lunch on Day 2 as it is en route from the airport to the hotel and will meet the rest of the group during check-in at 4 PM at the hotel.
Main Tour + Extension: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at London hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-Only services end after breakfast at Berlin hotel on Day 16 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-only travelers forfeit the London sightseeing and lunch on Day 2 as it is en route from the airport to the hotel and will meet the rest of the group during check-in at 4 PM at the hotel.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Visa not required for American passport holders. Non U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets, final instructions, and additional travel tips will be emailed to you 7-10 days prior to the scheduled departure of your tour.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are NOT currently required; however, you may wish to visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/ travel for current recommendations. As always, we recommend you consult your personal physician or local public health authorities for medical recommendations based on your personal medical history.
CLIMATE
May through October enjoy daytime temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s with the evenings typically cooling off to lows in the 40’s and 50’s. You can expect cooler temperatures November through April with daytime highs in the 40’s and 50’s with evening lows in the 30’s and 40’s. Please keep in mind that there is no distinct wet or dry season. We recommend bringing a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer (jacket, etc).
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
The currency in Great Britain is the pound sterling (£) while the currency in the other visited destinations is the Euro. The best exchange rates can typically be found at the ATM. Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Due to the limitations of both the airlines and the tour buses, each passenger may bring one piece of checked luggage (no more than 50 pounds), and one carry-on piece small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you plan to layer your clothing with climate and comfort in mind.
5% off for Active Military & Veterans*
Veterans and active military enjoy 5% off the cost of this tour!
*5% off is valid for all veterans and active military. In order to verify your service, please have your applicable ID card available.