WW2 Airborne & The Bulge Tour from Ireland
This four-day escorted tour from Dublin offers a deeply moving exploration of the defining moments of the Second World War. Focusing on the heroism and military strategies of Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, this WW2 Airborne Bulge tour takes you from the landing zones of the Netherlands to the rugged forests of the Belgian Ardennes. For Irish travellers with a keen interest in history, this itinerary provides a structured and insightful look at the landscapes where the 101st Airborne and Easy Company made their courageous stand.
Your journey is led by professional historian guides who move beyond standard tourist scripts to provide rich context and personal stories of the men who fought for the liberation of Europe. The tour is meticulously organised, ensuring that every significant site—from the iconic Arnhem Bridge to the haunting foxholes in the Bois Jacques Woods—is given the time and reflection it deserves. You will stay in high-quality 4-star accommodation, including the Hotel Melba in Bastogne, where superior rooms are provided as standard for our group.
The itinerary balances major monuments with smaller, evocative sites. You will stand on Ginkel Heath, visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, and pay your respects at the American Cemetery of Henri-Chapelle and the Oosterbeek War Cemetery. By visiting both Allied and German memorials, the tour provides a comprehensive and fair-minded understanding of the conflict. The final day includes a visit to the Mardasson Monument, a striking tribute to the American lives lost in the Ardennes, before your return flight from Brussels. This is a factual, respectful, and well-paced pilgrimage designed for those who value authentic historical insight and a hassle-free travel experience. With all flights, executive coach transfers, and historian-led excursions included, this journey offers excellent value for a profoundly significant commemorative experience.
Are flights from Dublin included in the price?
Who leads the battlefield visits?
Is this tour suitable for those with limited mobility?
What's Included+
- Booking advice from your Travel Escapes travel advisor
- Flights from Dublin to Amsterdam and Brussels to Dublin including airport taxes and charges
- Professional historian guides and executive coach transfers
- 1-night accommodation at 4* Mercure Hotel Nijmegen Centre in Nijmegen, including breakfast
- 2 nights accommodation at 4* Hotel Melba in Bastogne, including breakfast (superior rooms)
- Visit Grave Bridge, WAAL River & Groesbeek National Liberation Centre at Nijmegen
- Visits to the battlefield sites in Arnhem including Ginkel Heath, Wolfheze, Lonsdale Church, St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Arnhem Bridge, the Malmedy Massacre Memorial at Baugez & the American Cemetery of Henri-Chapelle
- Visit the 101st Airborne Memorial, the foxholes in the adjacent woods, the Bastogne & Madasson Memorials and the Bastogne Historical Centre
Itinerary
1Operation Market Garden Landings+
Depart Dublin for Amsterdam and begin your journey at the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, which served as the Allied headquarters. Pay your respects at the Oosterbeek War Cemetery before visiting the 'Lonsdale' Church, Grave Bridge, and the Waal River. Later, transfer to your hotel in Nijmegen for an overnight stay.
2Arnhem Bridge and the Journey South+
After breakfast, explore the Groesbeek National Liberation Museum and visit Ginkel Heath, where the first paratroopers landed. Trace John Frost’s ‘Lion Route’ to the iconic Arnhem Bridge and visit the American Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle. Travel onwards to Bastogne to check into your superior room at the Hotel Melba for two nights.
3The WW2 Airborne Bulge tour of Bastogne+
Spend a full day exploring the sites of the 101st Airborne’s heroic defence. Visit the memorial at Foy and walk through the Bois Jacques Woods to see the original defensive foxholes. The afternoon includes visits to the German Cemetery at Recogne, the Malmedy Massacre Memorial, and the extensive collection at the December 44 Museum.
4Bastogne Historical Centre and Return+
Before heading home, visit the star-shaped Bastogne Historical Centre to view realistic battle reconstructions. Conclude the tour at the Mardasson Monument, dedicated to the tens of thousands of American soldiers who fell during the Battle of the Bulge, before transferring to Brussels for your flight back to Dublin.
| Date | Acc. | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Oct 2026Twin Share | 08 Oct 2026 | Twin Share | €829 | Enquire Now |
- Booking deposit: enquire at time of booking
- Prices are per person based on two sharing.
- Single Supplement applies.
- A non-refundable / non-transferable deposit is required at the time of booking.
- Balance due 16 weeks before departure.
- Optional insurance available (terms & conditions apply).
- Taxes, prices & itinerary subject to change.
- Booking terms & conditions apply.
- Travel Insurance is not included.
Ref: GT
