A Journey Through World Wars: Omaha Beach, Verdun and Bastogne

Starting at your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks, this Veterans Day Weekend trip takes you first to Caen, France. In addition to visiting an interactive museum which is home to multiple authentic vehicles, you will enjoy a guided tour of Omaha Beach with a professional historian. In Caen, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Caen Memorial, which is only 800 meters from your hotel. Although the Second World War is fresher in many people’s minds, Americans also fought in the First World War, and a visit to the battlefield of Verdun, the site of the First World War’s longest and most destructive battle, will familiarize you with the conditions they experienced and the unprecedented destruction caused by the Great War. Two nights in Reims will offer you time to explore the city, rebuilt after the intense destruction which occurred in 1916. Before returning home, you will also visit the Bastogne War Museum and Mardasson Memorial, near the site of the Battle of the Ardennes Forest, also known as The Battle of the Bulge. This modern and interactive museum brings this pivotal conflict to life in a unique and respectful way.

Spaces on this trip are limited, with an early hotel deadline, and this once-a-year trip is expected to sell out early. Regardless of whether you board the bus in Pulaski or Smith Barracks, you will have a moving Veterans Day Weekend when you travel with Army Outdoor Recreation!

Price, on or prior to Friday, August 8:

• Adults: $999 per person
• Single Occupancy: $1299

Price, on or after Saturday, August 9:

• Adults: $1099 per person
• Single Occupancy: $1399
   
• Hotel rebooking fees may apply to any registrations made on or after Monday, September 8.
   
• Up to 2 children aged 3-11 in triple or quad room with 2 paid adults: $849 per child 
• Infants under 3 on existing bedding: $329

Trip Includes:

• Round trip tour bus transportation from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks
• Free on-post parking
• 2 overnights at Brit Hotel Caen Nord Memorial*** or equivalent
• 2 overnights at Hotel Porte Mars Reims*** or equivalent
• Daily breakfast
• D-Day Academy experience and half-day Omaha Beach tour, including lunch
• Admission to Verdun Memorial
• Admission to Bastogne War Museum

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/Debit Card or Euro
• Military ID and Passport

Mobility:

• Various locations on WWI and WWII battlefields may not be suitable for individuals with reduced mobility.
• Hotel Porte Mars website contains a disclaimer which states: "Our hotel and our rooms are not accessible to people with reduced mobility."

Departure:

• 3 a.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks
• 4 a.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, Bldg. 2905

Return: Tuesday Evening

Estimated Itinerary

Friday: Departure to Caen

Army Outdoor Recreation makes it easy for you to visit the battlefields of both World Wars. Our private charter bus will pick you up at your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks, where both locations have plenty of free, on-post parking, allowing you to simply lean back and relax while your comfortable coach whisks you away to Caen. Don’t forget the essentials; blankets, pillows, headphones, power banks, and drinks will all help make your journey to Caen more comfortable. For a preview of your visit to Omaha Beach, you can visit the Caen Memorial Museum, which is only 800 meters away from your hotel. Tonight, you will want to venture into Caen’s city center for delicious French cuisine. The stunning symbols of the city, Château de Caen and Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, were both built almost 1000 years ago by William the Conqueror and continue to impress.

Saturday: Free Day or Omaha Beach

Saturday is dedicated to the amphibious invasion which took place at Omaha Beach. This morning you will visit a unique, interactive museum where you can put hands on authentic equipment and return in your mind to 1944. After lunch, you will board the bus to visit Omaha Beach. Escorted by a professional historian, Operation Overlord will be described in detail while you ride in the comfort of a heated bus, minimizing your exposure to the elements. This morning’s session at the museum will certainly be fresh in your mind, allowing you to fully appreciate the events of June 6, 1944.

Sunday: Pegasus Bridge and Transfer to Reims

Your journey through history continues with a photo-stop at Pegasus Bridge, one of the first sites liberated on D-Day. The daring airborne assault that secured this vital bridge paved the way for further Allied advance. After this short stop, you'll continue to Reims, a city steeped in French history and renowned for its cathedral and Champagne houses. Your city center hotel makes it easy to explore the city, soaking in the atmosphere and anticipating the days to come. Be sure to admire Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. This Gothic masterpiece suffered extensive damage during World War I when it was repeatedly shelled by German forces, causing significant fires, melting its lead roof and shattering many of its priceless stained-glass windows. Painstakingly restored over many decades, you can still observe subtle reminders of the wartime destruction. The magnificent cathedral is an impressive testament to the determined dedication of the survivors to rebuild.

Monday: Free Day or Verdun Memorial

Today offers you a choice between personal exploration or a profound historical experience. You might choose to enjoy a free day in Reims, roaming its charming streets, visiting the stunning Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, or indulging in a Champagne tasting. For those seeking a deeper dive into World War I history, a somber yet essential excursion to the Verdun Memorial awaits. This powerful site commemorates the Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating engagements in human history. Here, you can explore the underground tunnels and trenches, witness the stark landscapes scarred by artillery, and visit the Douaumont Ossuary, which contains the remains of countless unidentified soldiers. The memorial museum houses an extensive collection of authentic equipment, from trench artillery and field kitchens to uniforms and everyday objects, providing a comprehensive and moving account of the battle. Visiting Verdun will provide you a chance to reflect on the immense human cost of the First World War and the unwavering resilience of those who fought on the brutal battlefield.

Tuesday: Bastogne Memorial and Return to Germany

Your historical journey concludes with a visit to the Bastogne War Museum, an immersive and modern facility that brings the harrowing Battle of the Bulge to life. Through interactive exhibits, personal testimonies, and a powerful 4D experience, you'll gain a deep understanding of the strategies, challenges, and immense sacrifices made by both Allied and Axis forces during this pivotal winter offensive. Following your time at the museum, you can visit the impressive Mardasson Memorial, a star-shaped monument paying tribute to the American soldiers who fought so bravely in the defense of Bastogne. After these impactful visits, you'll begin your return journey to Germany, carrying with you the vivid memories and profound lessons learned from the hallowed grounds you've explored over the past few days. As you consider the history you’ve witnessed, relax while the bus returns you to Germany. You will arrive back at your chosen starting point on Tuesday evening.