WWII History: The Netherlands and France

Take interactive learning to the next level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt through Amsterdam. Solve clues and complete engaging activities that bring the city’s history and cultural heritage to life, designed to maximize on-tour experiential learning.

Take a tour of Anne Frank's house, where three Jewish families hid for more than two years during World War II and where Anne’s famous diary was written. Explore the secret annex where her family lived before being betrayed and deported to concentration camps.

Discover the rich heritage of Jewish culture as you explore a 17th-century synagogue, interactive exhibits, artifacts, art, and personal stories that illuminate the Jewish experience in the Netherlands.

Canals and crocuses. Bicycles and bluebells. With more canals than Venice and countless flower merchants, downtown Amsterdam bursts with color and light reflecting off the water. Take a canal boat ride for the best views of gabled houses and nearly 1,200 bridges. Note: Cruises may be guided by a local or pre-recorded audio.

Rijsttafel, meaning “rice table,” is an elaborate Indonesian meal of many small plates served with rice. Popularized in the Netherlands during the Dutch colonization of the East Indies, it remains a celebrated dining tradition.

The Battle of the Bulge, portrayed in "Band of Brothers," unfolded in the dense fog and harsh terrain of the Ardennes Forest. The German surprise attack began on December 16, 1944, but was eventually halted as Allied forces held strong in Bastogne. Today, the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial honor 5,328 fallen soldiers and 462 missing who fought in this pivotal World War II battle.

During the Battle of the Bulge, German forces surrounded Bastogne on December 21, 1944, demanding the town’s surrender. General Anthony McAuliffe famously replied, “Nuts,” a word now seen on signs and souvenirs throughout Bastogne. Visit the Bastogne War Museum to experience immersive exhibits, films, and artifacts, including a B-17 cockpit, weapons, and uniforms from both sides of the conflict.

Luxembourg’s National Museum of Military History offers a powerful and balanced view of World War II. Created in collaboration with veterans from both sides, its realistic displays portray the daily life and hardships of the soldiers while fostering reconciliation among survivors. The museum also explores the history of Luxembourg’s army before and after the war.

Discover Reims, the heart of the Champagne-Ardenne region, known for its art, history, and fine cuisine. Once the capital of the Celtic Remi tribe and later a key Roman city, Reims is home to the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowned from 815 to 1825. Visit the restored cathedral, explore the Palais du Tau, and stroll through the elegant Place Royale.

Ingenious engineering allowed the Allies to land at Arromanches on D-Day, when 600,000 tons of concrete were sunk to form an artificial harbor. Barges, jetties, and 10 miles of floating roadways brought troops ashore. At the Arromanches Museum, dioramas, models, and interactive displays bring this remarkable feat to life.

Visit key World War II sites along the Normandy coast, where Allied troops landed on June 6, 1944, to liberate France. Walk the D-Day beaches, still marked by German bunkers turned into memorials, and reflect at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where white crosses and stars honor the fallen. Continue to the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, the final resting place of more than 2,000 soldiers and airmen who fought to secure the beachhead.

Step into the shoes of U.S. servicemen landing in Normandy on D-Day. Learn about their lives and experiences to gain both personal and historical perspective.

Take in Paris on foot, strolling wide boulevards, manicured parks, and lively streets filled with cafés and flower stalls. Cross to the Île de la Cité to view the storied Notre-Dame Cathedral, centerpiece of French history, then wander the charming Île St. Louis and the vibrant Latin Quarter, rich with student life and culture.

Explore Paris with a licensed local guide on a sightseeing tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Admire the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, stroll the grand boulevard lined with shops and cafés, and see the ornate 19th-century Opera House. Look up at the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, and visit Les Invalides, Napoleon’s military refuge, along with other historic sites.

The ultimate palace, Versailles was begun by Louis XIII and transformed by Louis XIV into the seat of royal power until the French Revolution. Inside, admire the 250-foot Hall of Mirrors, flanked by the salons of War and Peace, and the State Apartments where lavish ceremonies unfolded. Step into the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of fountains, sculptures, and sweeping vistas. Be sure to visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic hamlet, where she escaped court life by tending sheep and playing at village life. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

See the city from the water on an hour-long cruise along the River Seine. The Seine cuts right through Paris, dividing the city in half. Spot the Eiffel tower rising up on the Left Bank, the walls of the Louvre on the Right Bank. A guide will point out other monuments and architectural marvels as you pass, many of which are illuminated by clear white light at night.