Your tour
will take in a combination of battlefields, memorials and
war cemetaries. You'll learn why battles were fought at particular
locations, your guide will help you to interpret the landscape
and look for signs of the battle evident today. You'll hear
the countless stories of personal bravery and sacrifice, not
just on the battlefield but also the acts of ordinary people
in extraorinary times.
Specialist Battlefield Guides: Consistently highly rated by
Leger's guests for their knowledge, personal perspective and
going the extra mile; your guide on tour will be one of Leger's
hand picked specialists. The team of over 20 guides is headed
by Paul Reed, Tony Lea and Bill McQuade, who between the three
of them have a combined total of over 50 years' guiding experience!
Colditz, Dambusters
and the Great Escape Coach Holidays 9 Days -
10% Discount
Honouring
the commitment and spirit of the RAF during WWII.
Colditz,
Dambusters and the Great Escape Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: To Holland
for an overnight stay.
DAY 2: Ruhr Valley and
Rheinberg (included) The Möhne
Dam, in the Ruhr Valley, was heroically breached by the
Lancasters of 617 Squadron in 1943. During this fascinating
day, walk on top of the dam and see where the breach was
made. Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
at Rheinberg, to pay respects to those who did not return.
We travel on to Jena for an overnight stay. B
DAY 3: Colditz (included) We visit the castle and museum (entrance
and guided tour extra) at Colditz, the infamous ‘bad boys
camp’ and scene of many ingenious escape bids. Perched above
a sleepy town of the same name, Colditz has a varied history,
although we will focus on its use as an internment camp
for Allied prisoners during World War II. We’ll hear the
story of the ‘Red Fox’, Mike Sinclair, killed on an escape
attempt, and also the story of Douglas Bader, plus many
more. Then on to Dresden for some free time and a 2-night
stay. B
DAY 4:
The Dresden Raids (included) and Swiss Saxony (optional) Uncover
the tumultuous history of the great city of Dresden. As
the seat of Saxon royalty, Dresden became arguably Germany’s
most beautiful city. During the war it suffered almost complete
destruction. However, it has since been painstakingly restored
to its former glory. On our optional excursion to the Swiss
Saxony area you will come across the Bastai, rising to 1000ft
above the Elbe valley and offering spectacular views across
the Regional Park area. Sandstone cliffs that have been
weathered into amazing shapes by the elements provide natural
walkways and viewpoints. B
DAY 5:
To Zagan for 'The Great Escape' (included) We cross the border to visit Zagan, the
Polish camp from where ‘The Great Escape’ was planned. (Entrance
to Stalag Luft III museum approx. 2 Euros per person). We
will uncover the story of the escape and the reprisals ordered
by Hitler against the recaptured men, before we visit the
memorial. We then travel on to Berlin for a 2-night stay.
B
DAY 6:
Battle for Berlin (included) and Berlin by Night (optional)
At the Berlin War Cemetery, we pause for reflection at the
graves of many RAF crews shot down over the city. We also
see the remains of the Anhalter Bahnhof. Once Berlin’s rail
gateway to Europe and the point from which many fled the
Third Reich, it is now poignantly preserved as a ruin. An
equally poignant reminder of the war is the Kaiser Wilhelm
Gedächtniskirche (memorial church), a ruin amongst the wealth
of the Ku-Damm shopping area. Join us on our optional Berlin
by Night tour and view this vibrant capital city at its
best! During the tour you will see the Brandenburg Gate,
the Unter Den Linden areas, Babelplatz, the Royal Palace,
the Humbold University, the Berliner Dom, Alexanderplatz
and T.V. Tower, and the Kurfürstendamm and Zoo area. Plus
we visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and view the Reichstag
Building! B
DAY 7:
To Arnhem-Velp
for an overnight stay. B
DAY 8:
Arnhem (included) and Dambusters (included) Our day
begins in the historical Dutch town of Arnhem on the Rhine,
which was the site of the famous ‘Operation Market
Garden’. We then visit the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission Cemetery at Reichswald. Later, we visit Bergen-op-Zoom
Cemetery to see the graves of Pilot Officer Burpee and his
crew. Afterwards, we travel to Steenburgen to see the famous
Dambuster Memorial and the graves of Wing Commander Guy
Gibson VC and Jim Warwick, his navigator. Then travel to
our hotel in Belgium for an overnight stay. B
DAY 9:
To Calais
then return home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast
Your Hotels
You’ll stay overnight in
Holland at the NH Koningshof near Eindhoven, or similar and
the 4-star Best Western in Jena, then two nights at the 3-star
Ramada Resident Hotel in Dresden or similar, two nights at
the 3-star Ramada Globus in Berlin or similar, overnight at
the 4-star Golden Tulip in Arnhem-Velp, Holland and finally
overnight at a city-style hotel in Belgium.
Evening meal package
Available for 5 evening meals in Dresden, Berlin and Arnhem
– £65 per person when pre-booked
Silver
Service Departure Dates & Prices 2008 Tour ref 9GCZV
8 nights’
accommodation with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefields Guide
Battlefield visits and excursions: Ruhr Valley and Rheinberg;
Colditz; The Dresden Raids; The Great Escape; Battle for Berlin;
Arnhem and Dambusters
Travel by Silver Service luxury coach
Porterage at your hotel
Smaller, more personal group
Note: Entrance fees to museums & places of interest are
at extra cost.
Leger
Brochure Price in Black Travel 55 Discount Price
in Red Quote Travel 55 Ref: T5501 + Tour Code
Tel Leger Reservations
on 0845 458 5604
March
20
£603 £543
July 5
£653 £588
April
26
£623 £561
August
2
£663 £597
May
17
£633 £570
September 13
£653 £588
June
14
£653 £588
October
4
£623 £561
Prices
are per person, based on two sharing.
Extras
• Optional excursions • Single room supplement
£139 • Travel insurance: Standard £36.50
Gold upgrade £5.
Travel
by executive coach
8 nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefields Guide
Battlefield visits and excursions: Ruhr Valley and Rheinberg;
Colditz; The Dresden Raids; The Great Escape; Battle for Berlin;
Arnhem and Dambusters
Note: Entrance fees to museums & places of interest are
at extra cost.
Leger
Brochure Price in Black Travel 55 Discount Price
in Red Quote Travel 55 Ref: T5501 + Tour Code
Tel Leger Reservations
on 0845 458 5604
May
24
£513 £462
September
6
£553 £498
Prices
are per person, based on two sharing.
Extras
• Optional
excursions • Single room supplement £139 •
Travel insurance: Standard £36.50, Gold upgrade £5.
To
book or to check availability Contact Leger Holidays
0845 458 5604 Quote Travel 55 Ref T5501
plus Leger's Holiday Code
Please note - prices may change & will
be confirmed when you call to make a booking.
The discount will be applied accordingly to reflect the
price