Join the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the bloodiest battle for the American forces in World War II. On this extended exploration of the Battle of the Bulge you can see where exactly the encircled 101st Airborne Division courageously held the line in the siege of Bastogne during one of the coldest winters of all time in 1944. Visit the soldiers’ foxholes, the finest museums, General Patton’s grave, and other off the beaten track sites! Explore the stunning cities of Bastogne and Luxembourg City during Christmas season! You get to experience how Bastogne citizens commemorate their American liberators with the “throwing of the nuts” ceremony and how they remember all those brave soldiers who helped them take their country back.
Passengers are greeted at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France and transferred to their hotel in Bastogne, Belgium, followed by an orientation dinner where you get to know your fellow passengers. We start our tour by exploring the war sites in and around Bastogne. The Bastogne War Museum gives us an interactive context of the causes, events and consequences of World War II, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of the Bulge. Nearby, the impressive Mardasson Monument pays tribute to the Allied soldiers who died or got wounded during this period. We visit sites such as the Bastogne Barracks, the Patton Monument, the town of Foy, the foxholes of Bois Jacques. We spend a whole day by exploring the northern arc of the Bulge by following the advance and demise of Colonel Joachim Peiper’s battlegroup to Malmedy and La Gleize and paying witness to the atrocities committed by SS troops.
We participate in the official celebrations of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge including military parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and other celebratory events. They all have one thing in common; bringing together veterans, Belgian and American service members, students and visitors. Eventually, the “throwing of the nuts” from the balcony of the town hall brings the commemoration to a heartfelt close. On this special occasion, Bastogne is filled with reenactors, WW2 military vehicles and tanks rolling through the streets during the military vehicle parade. We cross borders to Luxembourg to pay our respect to the fallen soldiers, among them many 101st paratroopers and General S. Patton at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
On the last leg of our journey, we visit one of the world’s smallest countries, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Our visit would not be complete without a stop at the Diekirch National Military History Museum with the world’s largest collection of World War II items. On a walking tour in the center of Luxembourg City, we pass by landmarks such as the Ducal Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral or the Old Town, and we get to experience the heart of this vibrant capital. Before traveling to Paris, the festive Christmas market serves as the perfect end to a highly memorable tour. The next morning, after saying goodbye, the Passengers are brought to Charles de Gaulle Airport for their return flights.
Relax after a long flight and ease your mind knowing that your Tour Director will meet you at the airport on the first day of the tour, avoiding extra navigating and expensive taxi fares. With our all-inclusive tour package, we handle all the details of your tour, so you can focus on experiencing this trip of a lifetime. Sit back and let us wine and dine you as you explore history with our carefully planned itinerary, with all breakfasts, dinners and entrance fees included. You will sleep soundly each night at 4-star accommodations. Breakfasts are delicious and authentic, while the two-three course dinners are mix of buffet and limited menu dining options which offer a chance to taste some of the local wines or beers as well. This tour includes a 24/7 Tour Director and several local guides. Our dynamic, knowledgeable Tour Directors are with you from your arrival at the airport to departure on the final day. They proactively smooth the way for your entire tour experience. Our handpicked, trusted local guides are fluent in English and expert historians, who deliver their impressive wealth of knowledge, anecdotes, and local insights with skill that shows their years of research and experience.
Beaches of Normandy ToursBand of Brothers Tours48 Rue de Thouays, 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy, France
Phone: +1 855-473-1999Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm ETe-mail: info@beachesofnormandy.com
They always address topics onsite so that you get to experience history where it happened as they guide both popular destinations and obscure locations only the locals would know. Do not worry about availability, wait times, or ticket costs as all museum and site admissions are pre-arranged and included in the cost of our all-inclusive tours. On this tour you ride in style in our motorcoaches complete with climate control, video entertainment and extra leg room. Our skilled, professional drivers maximize your tour time by navigating the busiest highways and tightest country lanes, giving you more time at sites and less time subjected to the inflexible scheduling, delays and crowded areas that accompany public transport. For those who want to stay connected, Wi-fi is available at all our hotels and on all of our buses.