Itinerary for: Colditz, Dambusters and the Great Escape (9GCZV/1)

9-Day Break

• Day 1 – To Holland for an overnight stay 52.395715477302076, 4.7406005859375


• Day 2 – Ruhr Valley and Rheinberg (included).
  En route to our overnight stay in Jena we visit the Möhne Dam, in the
  Ruhr Valley, which was heroically breached by the Lancasters of 617
  Squadron in 1943. We also visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  Cemetery at Rheinberg. B 51.54718906424883, 6.639862060546875


• 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 51.13024583390035,
  12.80181884765625


• Day 4 – The Dresden Raids (included) and Swiss
  Saxony (optional). Uncover the tumultuous history of the great city of
  Dresden. 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. B 51.05175436468443,
  13.86474609375


• 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 approximately 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
  two-night stay. B 51.61545844207285, 15.325927734375


• 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. 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, where we visit the Checkpoint
  Charlie Museum. B 52.506191342034576, 13.33740234375


• Day 7 – We cross Germany into Holland for an
  overnight stay in Arnhem-Velp. B 51.99333702056398, 5.975189208984375


• 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 50.92727577667011, 1.8182373046875


• Day 9 – To Calais and return home. B

Included Meals:
B=Breakfast

Notes

Prices are per
person, based on two sharing

Extras:

• Optional excursions


• Single room supplement £169


• Travel insurance from £43.95

Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at
extra cost.

EarlyBooking Discount Special Offer!

Colditz, Dambusters & The Great Escape (9 Days) - Silver Service
Tour Ref: 9GCZV/1

21 April 2011 - £699.00

14 May 2011 - £749.00

18 June 2011 - £749.00

09 July 2011 - £749.00

20 August 2011 - £739.00

03 September 2011 - £739.00

01 October 2011 - £719.00

22 October 2011 - £699.00

Colditz, Dambusters & The Great Escape (9 Days)
Tour Ref: 9GCZ/1

04 June 2011 - £599.00

06 August 2011 - £599.00