From Dunkirk to Arnhem to Normandy, there are countless tales of heroism and sacrifice when we reexamine the key events of the Second World War - many of which you will hear during this exclusive tour to Northern Europe.
To make your trip even more special, you will be joined by three renowned historians in the shape of Sir Antony Beevor and The Telegraph columnist Simon Heffer. Sir Antony, author of Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944, will deliver a private talk and field your questions during an evening in the Dutch town, whose road bridge was the site of fierce fighting during the Battle of Arnhem. Simon will join you for a special dinner in Dunkirk on board the paddle steamer Princess Elizabeth, which played a crucial role in the evacuations. He will also give a private talk and Q&A. Your guide, Michael How, will be with you throughout your trip to provide insight into the places you're visiting and give two evening lectures.
In addition to visiting Arnhem, you will tour the Dunkirk beaches and the Dunkirk War Museum in France, as well as Hartenstein Airborne Museum and Ginkel Heath in the Netherlands. Other highlights include a visit to Pegasus Bridge - one of the first targets in the small hours of Operation Overlord - and trips to Sword and Omaha beaches, including a tour of the German defences. You will see the 11th-century Château de Creully that served as Field Marshal Montgomery's tactical headquarters during the summer of 1944.
On visits to the US military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bayeux and the Arnhem Oosterbeek British Cemetery, you will have the opportunity to pay your respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
"I hope you can join me in Arnhem to hear about researching this dramatic episode in Second World War history." Antony Beevor
Britain's bestselling and most widely respected military historian, Sir Antony Beevor's previous books include Stalingrad (winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for History and Hawthornden Prize for Literature), Berlin - The Downfall and D-Day - The Battle for Normandy.
In a 35-year career in Fleet Street in senior editorial positions, Simon Heffer is now a Telegraph columnist. He read English at Cambridge and took a PhD in Modern History at that university, and has written history books on a wide range of subjects, including the Victorian era and the First World War.
Travelling direct from London to Rotterdam, you will then continue on to Arnhem for a two night stay.
You start the day with a visit to Ginkel Heath, which was the site of the main landings by the British 1st Airborne Division on September 17, 1944. Then it's on to the excellent Hartenstein Airborne Museum. Situated in the building that was used as the headquarters for the British 1st Airborne Division, the museum offers a fascinating overview of Operation Market Garden. You will also focus on the evacuation of the British 1st Airborne Division across the Rhine. Of over 10,600 men in the Division, 2,071 would end up evacuated. You will also stop at the Lonsdale Church where many of those evacuated took shelter. Nearby is the famous house of Kate ter Horst. Used as a Regimental Aid Post to treat the wounded, it featured in the film A Bridge Too Far. Your VE Day tour will conclude at the Arnhem Oosterbeek British Cemetery. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening talk from acclaimed historian Sir Antony Beevor with Q&A and opportunity to get your book signed.
Morning transfer to Ypres for brief visit to see the Menin Gate and on to Dunkirk to visit the the poignant beach at Dunkirk where hundreds of civilian boats joined the 1940 evacuation of 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops. You will learn more about this incredible story of valour at the excellent Dunkirk War Museum. Evening dinner on board the paddle steamer Princess Elizabeth, which helped evacuate 1,673 Allied soldiers in Operation Dynamo. Enjoy a welcome drink, wine and a talk and Q&A with Simon Heffer.
Today, you will transfer Arromanches-les-Baines, where you will learn about the enormous Mulberry artificial harbour and pay a visit to the Musée du Débarquement, before continuing to Caen to check in to hotel for 2-night stay. Evening VE Day anniversary dinner at Le Mancel restaurant, located in the grounds of the Chateau de Caen, with talk from military historian and tour manager, Michael How.
Today you will make visits to many of the places associated with June 6, 1944, better known as D-Day. This morning, you will head to Ranville and the scene of the British airborne attacks, Pegasus Bridge, and its museum. There you will learn of the glider mission to capture the bridge intact in the early hours of June 6, 1944, commanded by Major John Howard. You will move on to the 'Hillman' German position before seeing the Sword Beach landing site. After lunch, (included) you will journey to Bayeux to pay your respects at Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest British Cemetery on French territory. The German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer is your next stop before you visit Omaha beach, where the US force was focused. You will follow that with the US military cemetary at Colleville-sur-mer before you return via General Montgomery's headquarters at Creully.
Today you will transfer to Caen station for return rail travel to London by TGV and Eurostar via Paris.
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