Tour Code: 27WWII
Tour Manager: John A. Borkowski
Tour Leader: John A. Borkowski
Group Size: 7
Activity level: Moderate

This will be our 3rd tour of World War II and we will retrace the footsteps of the Band of Brothers as well as visiting historical locations of the Normandy Invasion and the eventual march into Germany. Also, we will mix in cultural sightseeing in 4 different countries- France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. 

Tuesday, July 13
Arrive in Paris and transfer to hotel. Afternoon walkabout in the heart of Paris where Notre Dame Cathedral is located.  Have a welcome dinner near the Arc de Triomphe where soldiers paraded through for their battle victories.  Stay in Paris for 3 nights.

Wednesday, July 14
All day, we enjoy the Bastille Day (France's Independence Day) and watch the military parade on the famed Champs Elysees Avenue.  

Thursday, July 15
Start your day at Trocadero where Hitler once stood and posed for a photo with the view of Eiffel Tower in the background. Afterwards, good walk to visit the excellent military museum at Les Invalides, with a peek of outrageous Napoleon’s Tomb. After dinner, we head up to the top of Eiffel Tower during sundown.

Friday, July 16
Hop in a private van toward Caen region and stop by at the Pegasus Bridge where we will have lunch.  Head to the profound WWII Museum in Caen all afternoon. Stay in Arromanches for 3 nights.

Saturday, July 17
For a good walk/exercise before breakfast, you can walk over, on your own, to visit the British Cemetery nearby! Hop in van and head to Pointe du Hoc, Normandy-American Cemetery, German War Cemetery, Omaha and Utah beaches. Time permitting, we check out the cool Utah Beach Museum. 

Sunday, July 18
Go to Longues-sur-Mer where we see a surviving gun battery, and continue on to visit the artificial Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches on Gold Beach. In the afternoon, visit a couple of mind-blowing military museums (Airborne, tanks, etc.), Dead Man's Corner, Juno and Sword beaches.

Monday, July 19
Head to Amiens where Operation Jericho occurred.  Check out the fascinating Musee Somme 1916 (not related to WWII but worthwhile).  Overnight in Amiens.

Tuesday, July 20
Head out to Bastogne in Belgium with brief stops at key battlefield sites, including the foxholes at Jack Forest. Visit the famous Mardasson Monument and Bastogne’s War Museum, including Battle of the Bulge.  Time permitting, stop by Bastogne Barracks, the Headquarter for General McAuliffe.  Overnight in Bastogne.

Wednesday, July 21
Check out Luxembourg City and the American Cemetery where General Patton is buried.  Continue to Heidelberg.  Overnight in Heidelberg.

Thursday, July 22
Depart for Nuremberg to see the enormous Documentation Center and the Nazi Party Rally Grounds before checking in hotel. Overnight in Nuremberg.

Friday, July 23
Visit the Dachau concentration camp.  Arrive in Munich and check in hotel.  In the afternoon, we explore the city as the birthplace of the Nazi Party, with visits to the official Nazi Headquarters and the location of the Beer Hall Putsch street battle. Stay in Munich for 3 nights.

Saturday, July 24
Take a day trip to Berchtesgaden, site of Hitler’s Eagle Nest, and the excellent Dokumentation Obersalzberg museum. On return, stop by Chiemsee am Prien for a good pilsner and hearty dish to fill you up!

Sunday, July 25
With a local Deaf German guide, we explore the city cultural sights: Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel Carrillon, Rathaus, etc.  There's excellent shopping in the central.  Have a beer at the Augustinerkeller with local Deaf Germans.  Enjoy a farewell dinner.

Monday, July 26
Transfer to the Munich airport (MUC) for your departure to your next destination.

Updated as of 02/24/2026

John is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and teaches ASL and Deaf Studies at Purdue University. He comes from a Navy family, which sparked an early interest in military history. His passion for history was also influenced by his mother, who holds a master’s degree in history.

John spent 25 years teaching history in K–12 schools, covering U.S., world, and European history, as well as government and economics. During that time, he led educational trips to historical locations including France, England, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Washington, DC.

John enjoys visiting historical sites because they bring the past to life. He looks forward to exploring war history and sharing those experiences with travelers.

• 13 nights in 2/3-star accommodations.

• 15 meals: Breakfast (13), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Paris, France and ends in Munich, Germany.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants.

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits/payments may be required.

• Significant walking expected during the tour.  Moderate physical fitness is required. All participants will be expected to be able to carry their own luggage.

• Hands on Travel recommends that you purchase a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: johnb@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.