WW2 Band of Brothers Tour from Ireland

Your Day-by-Day Battlefield Tour Itinerary

Our itinerary is carefully structured to provide a comprehensive and deeply moving experience, covering the key sites of both Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.

Day 1: Operation Market Garden – The Landings

Your journey into history begins as you fly from Dublin to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, you will meet your tour manager and transfer by executive coach to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, the former Allied headquarters during Operation Market Garden. Afterwards, we pay our respects at the Oosterbeek War Cemetery, the final resting place for most of those killed during the landings. We continue to explore the area’s history with visits to the ‘Lonsdale’ Church, site of a famous speech by Major Lonsdale, before seeing Grave Bridge and the Waal River. Finally, we transfer to Nijmegen for your overnight accommodation.

Day 2: Arnhem Bridge & The Road to Bastogne

After breakfast at your hotel, our day begins at the Groesbeek National Liberation Museum before we head to Ginkel Heath, the historic site where the first days of Operation Market Garden unfolded. From there, we follow John Frost’s ‘Lion Route’ to the iconic Arnhem Bridge. After a stop at Wolfheze, we begin our journey south towards Bastogne, the heart of the Battle of the Bulge. En route, we will visit the impressive American Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, St Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Lonsdale Bridge before checking into your hotel in Bastogne for a two-night stay.

Day 3: Easy Company & The Siege of Bastogne

Today is dedicated to the heroic defence of Bastogne. We start at the Easy Company Memorial, a tribute to the 101st Airborne Division near the village of Foy. Just a short walk away, you can stand in the actual defensive foxholes used by the soldiers in the Bois Jacques Woods—a truly evocative experience. For a different perspective, we visit the German Cemetery at Recogne. The day continues with solemn visits to the Malmedy Massacre Memorial and the acclaimed December 44 Museum, which houses one of Europe’s most important WW2 collections, before returning to your hotel.

Day 4: Monuments and Memorials

After breakfast and check-out, we visit two of Bastogne’s most significant sites. First, the fascinating Bastogne Historical Centre, whose star-shaped building contains vivid reconstruction scenes of the battle. Our tour concludes at the magnificent Mardasson Monument, built to honour the 76,890 American soldiers wounded or killed during the Battle of the Bulge. Following this poignant final stop, you will transfer to Brussels airport for your flight back to Dublin.

Please note that while this is our planned itinerary, we may have to make slight changes due to unforeseen circumstances. Regardless, we’ll pack in as much adventure as possible on this holiday of a lifetime!

Why Tour the Battlefields with Travel Escapes? Choosing the right tour for a journey of this significance is paramount.

• Expert-Led Historical Insight: Our guides are not just tour managers; they are passionate historians who bring the events of the past to life with compelling detail and personal stories.
• Seamless Travel from Ireland: With flights, transfers, and accommodation all organised for you, your journey from Ireland is completely hassle-free.
• A Focus on a Complete Narrative: We believe in showing the full picture. By visiting both Allied and German cemeteries and exploring both successes and failures, we provide a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the conflict.
• Designed for Enthusiasts: This tour is crafted for those with a genuine interest in history. We don’t just see the sites; we spend quality time at each one, allowing for proper exploration and quiet reflection.

To be part of this great tour or for more information, call us on (01) 294 1000

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