Our Europe Battlefields Tour
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
We are planning another exciting tour in 2022. Similar to our two D Day Tours of 2014 and 2019 in concept, we are going to visit key places in France, Luxembourg and Belgium that shaped the history of Europe from the 1800s to 1945.
By understanding these conflicts, we hope to help our guests learn about how present day Europe has developed into its modern nation states.
It won’t all be just military conflicts and warfare—we also will drink some champagne in Reims and visit 3 great capitals—Paris, Luxembourg and Brussels. Our plans are to lead this tour in the fall of 2022.
While still in the draft stage, we are going to Europe in August to make a recon trip and begin finalizing our plans for the tour. There is also a possibility that we start in Brussels and finish in Paris. Either direction, it should be a great trip—first class all the way!
We are sharing this information now, so that if you have any interest, you can get your name on the interest list. We will probably have room for only 30-34 folks and we anticipate this will sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate if you are interested.
We have not been able to figure out the pricing yet and with the fluid travel situation in Europe at present, may have to modify some plans based on hotel availability.
So, let’s explore together and learn more about our tour plans.
Trip Overview—Start in Paris
We are planning a special 2022 trip with a visits to 3 countries.
In France, we will start in Paris, then visit Reims to learn about military history and taste great champagne. We will also visit the WW I battlefield of Verdun.
In Luxembourg, we will visit this great capital city and learn about the Battle of the Bulge, with an emphasis on the American role in the battle with visits to 2 small town museums in this tiny country.
In Belgium, we will continue to learn more about the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne.
We will finish up with a visit to the battlefield of Waterloo and then on to Brussels.
An additional AmaWaterways 7 day on the Rhone cruise as either a pre or post option.
Why Should You Take this Trip?
Here are 7 reasons you should take this trip:
• Learn about French Army Military History in Paris
• Learn about & taste Champagne in the Reims Area
• Learn about the 300 day WW I Battle of Verdun
• Visit Luxembourg City and 2 small towns in this tiny country
• Learn about the Battle of Bulge with visits to the American Cemetery, Patton Museum, 101st Airborne Museum and the Bastogne War Museum.
• Visit Brussels and the Waterloo Battlefield
• Have fun with Anne and Hank
Day by Day Draft Plan (Direction Paris to Brussels—might be in reverse order)
Day 1 Pre tour Paris Welcome Cocktail hour
Day 2 Paris Visit Army Museum and Napoleon’s Tomb Afternoon free Overnight Paris
Hotel de Invalides in Paris
Today we will visit the Hotel de Invalides which covers many of the conflicts fought by France. Some highlights include medieval armor and arms, Napoleon’s battles, WW I trench warfare and battles, WW II battles starting from the Blitzkrieg, occupation, the D Day campaign, liberation, the end of the war and the atomic bomb resulting in an allied victory. It also is the tomb of Napoleon, who rests under a gold dome.
The afternoon is free
Day 3 Reims Transfer to Reims (TGV/coach? 3 hours) Champagne Tasting & Tour (3-4 hours) (Overnight 2-3 days might be reduced to 2 days)
Day 4 Reims Epernay & Route de Champagne visit cathedral on your own
Day 5 Reims Verdun Battlefield Tour (1 hour, 15 minute drive to Verdun from Reims)
Today’s Tour will help us understand more about the 300 day battle of Verdun. We will visit the 2 floor Verdun Memorial Museum, L’Ossuaire Cemetery and two forts—Fort Douaumont (with the nearby Trenches of Bayonets) and Fort Vaux.
Day 6 Luxembourg Transfer to Luxembourg (visit on way in American Cemetery about 3 hours 30 minutes—2 hours, 15 drive directly to Luxembourg City) City Walking Tour Overnight Luxembourg
Today our first stop is at the American Cemetery, where LTG Patton is buried along with over 5,000 American soldiers, most who lost their lives in the drive to the Rhine and the Battle of the Bulge. This is a tranquil resting place for these heroes but a somber reminder of the cost of war.
The American Cemetery in Luxembourg
Our next stop is to Luxembourg City. After checking in to our hotel, we will have a guided walking tour of the most important sights in Old Town Luxembourg, to include walking the Promenade of the Corniche with its great views, the historic square and the Grand Duke’s Palace.
Luxembourg City Walls
Promenade of the Corniche
Day 7 Luxembourg Patton Museum (Ettelbruck 25 min coach ride) National Museum of Military History (Diekirch 30 minute coach ride) Overnight Vianden
Our first stop is the Patton Museum. You will learn about Patton’s life, and see displays of military equipment. The spotlight of this museum is on the Battle of the Bulge.
Our next stop is the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History. Using large scale dioramas, is a fascinating look at the fighting that took place around Diekirch. Also on display are weapons, military vehicles and other items used during WW II. There are also sections about the Resistance and WW I.
As an added bonus, we are planning to stay in the Victor Hugo Hotel near the town of Vianden. We will visit the Vianden Castle, one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine. We will stay overnight in this great Victor Hugo Hotel.
Day 8 Vianden to Bastogne (44 min coach ride) 101st Airborne Museum Bastogne War Museum Overnight Bastogne
We will begin today after arriving in Bastogne, with a visit to the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne. This cross roads village became famous for the defensive resistance put up by the 101st after it was encircled during the Battle of the Bulge in late December 1944.
Housed in a former military officer’s mess, this museum is dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge/Ardennes and the amazing defensive stand made by the soldiers of the 101st Airborne.
In the 4 floors of the museum, the focus is on the units, their weapons and uniforms, and realistic war scenes using mannequins. There is also an immersive experience of a cellar basement shelter that recreates the terror of bombardments during this battle.
Our next stop is the Bastogne War Museum. This museum covers WW II, with key events but the main emphasis is the Battle of the Bulge.
Using multisensory 3D technology, you will explore the past by first being placed in the Allied General Headquarters in southern England, then you will be placed in the Ardennes forest during the Battle of the Bulge ,and finally a visit to a local café with shelling exploding around you during the battle.
We also will have time to visit the Mardasson Memorial, erected in gratitude of the Belgium people for the soldiers who risked their lives to help free them. We will overnight in Bastogne.
Day 9 Waterloo and Brussels (about 1 hour 30 minutes coach ride)
Today we visit the Waterloo Battlefield, just outside Brussels, before continuing on to Brussels.
We plan to visit the Wellington Museum, see the Lion’s Mound (120 foot high memorial) and visit the Visitors Center and the panorama painting of the battlefield.
We will overnight in Brussels.
Brussels Square in the Old Town
My Final Thoughts
What a great adventure—another chance to visit Europe with a special tour we are leading. This will be a once in a lifetime experience and we hope you can join us!
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
