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. 

Monday, July 12
Arrive in Paris and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk through the historic heart of Paris, including the area around the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. This evening, gather for our Welcome Dinner near the Arc de Triomphe, where victorious Allied troops marched following the liberation of Paris in 1944. Stay 3 nights in Paris.

Tuesday, July 13
Begin the day at the Trocadéro Gardens, where Adolf Hitler famously posed for photographs with the Eiffel Tower in the background following the fall of Paris in June 1940. Continue to the outstanding Army Museum at Les Invalides, home to one of the world's finest collections of military artifacts, along with Napoleon Bonaparte's magnificent tomb. This evening, ascend the Eiffel Tower at sunset for spectacular views over the City of Light.

Wednesday, July 14
Celebrate France's national holiday by watching the world-famous Bastille Day Military Parade along the Champs-Élysées. Experience impressive displays by the French Armed Forces, including military vehicles, aircraft flyovers, and ceremonial units.  View the fireworks in city of Paris in the night. 

Thursday, July 15
Depart Paris by private van and journey toward Normandy. Stop at the historic Pegasus Bridge, captured in the opening minutes of D-Day by British airborne forces, where we enjoy lunch overlooking the famous crossing. Continue to the outstanding Mémorial de Caen for an in-depth introduction to World War II before arriving in the seaside town of Arromanches. Sleep 3 nights in Arromanches.

Friday, July 16
Early risers may enjoy a morning walk to the nearby British Military Cemetery before breakfast. Afterwards, explore some of the most iconic D-Day sites, including Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery, the German War Cemetery at La Cambe, Omaha Beach, and Utah Beach. Time permitting, visit the excellent Utah Beach Museum.

Saturday, July 17
Visit the remarkably preserved German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer before continuing to Arromanches to see the remains of the incredible Mulberry Artificial Harbor. Throughout the afternoon, explore several outstanding military museums, including the Airborne Museum and other battlefield exhibits, along with Dead Man's Corner, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach.

Sunday, July 18
Depart Arromanches and travel along the Normandy coast to Dieppe, site of the ill-fated Allied raid of Operation Jubilee in August 1942. Continue to the restored V-1 flying bomb launch site at Val Ygot (time permitting) before visiting the massive V-2 bunker at Blockhaus d'Éperlecques. Sleep 2 nights in the Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Monday, July 19
Spend the day exploring Germany's secret weapons program and the Atlantic Wall defenses. Highlights include: La Coupole – Hitler's enormous underground V-2 launch complex, Fortress of Mimoyecques – the unfinished V-3 supergun site, Batterie Todt – one of the best-preserved German coastal artillery batteries, Cap Gris-Nez – commanding views across the English Channel, and Atlantic Wall Museum – an authentic German coastal defense bunker

Tuesday, July 20
Travel into Belgium with optional stops at several significant battlefield sites, including Fort d'Ében-Émael—captured during Germany's daring airborne assault in May 1940—and the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Arrive in Bastogne to explore the foxholes at Bois Jacques, where the 101st Airborne Division famously held the line during the Battle of the Bulge. Visit the impressive Mardasson Memorial and the outstanding Bastogne War Museum. Time permitting, stop at the Bastogne Barracks, once General Anthony McAuliffe's headquarters. Overnight in Houlaiffle. 

Wednesday, July 21
Visit the 101st Airborne Museum before departing for Luxembourg City. Pay respects at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where General George S. Patton is buried. Continue into Germany and arrive in Heidelberg. Overnight in Heidelberg.

Thursday, July 22
Travel to Nuremberg to explore the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds and the Documentation Center, where you'll gain insight into the rise and propaganda of the Third Reich. Afterward, check into your hotel. Overnight in Nuremberg.

Friday, July 23
Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, the first permanent concentration camp established by the Nazi regime. Continue to Munich and check into your hotel. This afternoon, explore the birthplace of the Nazi Party, including the former Brown House headquarters and the locations associated with the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. Sleep 3 nights in Munich.

Saturday, July 24
Take a scenic day trip into the Bavarian Alps to visit Hitler's Eagle's Nest and the outstanding Dokumentation Obersalzberg Museum, which tells the story of the Nazi leadership's mountain retreat. On the return journey, stop at beautiful Chiemsee for a traditional Bavarian meal and a refreshing local pilsner.

Sunday, July 25
Accompanied by a local Deaf German guide, discover Munich's historic city center, including Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel, the New Town Hall, and other cultural landmarks. Enjoy free time for shopping before gathering with local Deaf residents at the historic Augustiner-Keller beer garden. This evening, celebrate the conclusion of our journey with a Farewell Dinner.

Monday, July 26
Transfer to Munich Airport (MUC) for your onward flight home or to your next destination.

Updated as of 12 August 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.