London/Berlin Itinerary Summer 2008
How Wars End Tentative Program Itinerary
May 22, 2008
Departure from Washington, D.C. on a regularly scheduled flight to the United Kingdom.
May 23, 2008
Arrival in London where the group is met by a local CSA representative. Transfer to your hotel. After checking in enjoy free time to begin exploring this magnificent city. The group has a one-week travelcard on the London transport system active as of today. Tonight celebrate the beginning of your program with a special Welcome Dinner.
Hotel: Ibis Earl’s Court (formerly the Paragon) or similar.
May 24, 2008
Via public transportation visit the National Portrait Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, and the Cabinet War Rooms.
May 25, 2008
Free day in London.
May 26, 2008
Private coach transfer to St Pancras Station where you board a Eurostar to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris be met by your CSA on-site coordinator who will remain with the group for the duration of the program. Private coach transfer to Caen in the historic province of Normandy.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Caen or similar
May 27, 2008
Today’s visits are focused on the D-Day invasion of Normandy. See the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, and the Musée du Débarquement at Arromanches.
May 28, 2008
Discover the medieval heritage of Normandy during today’s excursion. First stop is Bayeux, where you see the famous tapestry depicting William the Conqueror’s invasion of Britain in 1066. Later continue on to one of the wonders of the medieval world, Mont-Saint-Michel, for a guided tour of the celebrated Abbey/Island. Return to Caen.
May 29, 2008
Journey to Paris this morning, the City of Light! This afternoon a local guide conducts a city tour which will highlight the city’s most important monuments including the Arch de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées (through which Charles DeGaulle triumphantly entered Paris following the liberation of Paris) and Notre Dame Cathedral. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Clichy or similar.
May 30, 2008
Continue exploring Paris today during a half day guided tour including the Shoah Memorial Museum and the Army Museum at the Invalides, also the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.
May 31, 2008
Louis XIV’s amazing palace at Versailles is the focus of today’s excursion. A local guide will conduct a tour of the palace, including the famed gardens. Versailles was the site where several international treaties were signed, most famously the one ending WWI. Return to Paris.
June 1, 2008
Free day in Paris.
June 2, 2008
Leave Paris today for Ypres, the site of three important battles during WWI. With a local guide, visit the ancient town and the former battlefields including the British and German cemeteries. Also included today is Flanders Field Museum and Sanctuary Wood Museum. Continue to the Belgian capital of Brussels.
Hotel: Husa President Park or similar.
June 3, 2008
Belgium is world famous for the quality and diversity of the beers brewed here. This morning visit the Beer Museum which will introduce you to the history and techniques of Belgian beer making. Free afternoon.
June 4, 2008
Today’s excursion focuses on Belgium’s role in World Wars I and II. Visit the Bastogne Historical Center and the Ardennes American Cemetery. Continue to Reims.
Hotel: Mercure Reims Cathedral or similar.
June 5, 2008
This morning visit the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Reims, in which French Kings were coronated. Later discuss Reims’ role in WWII at the World War II surrender site.
This afternoon visit Verdun, site of one of the costliest battles of World War I. Return to Reims.
June 6, 2008
Journey today into Germany, across the Rhine River, to the great Cathedral city of Cologne. Afternoon visit to the Cathedral.
Hotel: Radisson SAS or similar
June 7, 2008
Today journey to Remagen. Remagen’s celebrated bridge was built in WWI and famously captured by the Americans in WWII. Later enjoy a Rhine River cruise. Later continue to the beautiful Alsatian city of Strasbourg. Your OSC conducts an orientation tour of this international city.
Hotel: Le Grand Strasbourg or similar.
June 8, 2008
A half-day guided tour introduces the heritage of this beautiful city. Included is a visit to the Cathedral, and an excursion to see the Maginot Line. Free afternoon.
June 9, 2008
This morning cross back into Germany. After a pleasant drive through the countryside of southern Germany arrive at the Bavarian capital of Munich. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Flemings City Munich or similar.
June 10, 2008
The former Concentration Camp at Dachau is the destination of today’s excursion. Return to Munich.
June 11, 2008
Today drive to the city of Nuremberg, site of the celebrated War Crimes trials following the defeat of Nazi Germany. Continue to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic.
Hotel: Park Prague or similar.
June 12, 2008
This morning discover the heart of ancient Prague today during a visit to Prague Castle. Your guided tour includes the Old Royal Palace, Daliborka Tower, the Golden Lane, and St. Georg Basilica.
June 13, 2008
Today you learn about Prague’s Jewish heritage with guided visits to the Jewish Museum, Cemetery, and Ghetto.
June 14, 2008
Today journey into the former Kingdom of Saxony and the city of Dresden. Once one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Dresden was almost completely destroyed by one of the most controversial allied actions during WWII. Since reunification, Dresden has once again become an important cultural center. Continue to the capital of Germany- Berlin. One of Europe’s most exciting cities, Berlin has an intoxicating energy. Dinner is included at a local restaurant tonight.
Hotel: Hotel Quality East Berlin or similar
June 15, 2008
A full day’s guided tour exposes this city’s rich history, focusing on the amazing transformation from Nazi capital, to divided city, to the contemporary capital of a reunited Germany. Included are visits to the Brandenberg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, the Soviet War Memorial, and Museum Island.
June 16, 2008
Continue exploring Berlin with a full day’s guided tour including the Reichstag, the Karlshorts Museum, the Wannsee Conference House, Charlottenburg Palace, and Charlottenburg War Cemetery.
June 17, 2008
This morning an excursion brings you to the Ploztensee Prison and Memorial to the Nazi Resistance. Free afternoon in Berlin.
June 18, 2008
Potsdam was the second capital of the German empire until the end of the First World War. Today visit the city and the splendid Rococo Palace built by Frederick the Great, Sanssouci, as well as Cecilenhof Palace which hosted the Potsdam conference at which the allied powers decided the fate of post-war Germany.
June 19, 2008
Free day in Berlin. This evening you have a special Farewell Dinner.
June 20, 2008
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
Program includes:
· Round trip transatlantic airfare on regularly scheduled flights D.C. – London/Berlin – D.C.
· All programming as listed above
· Services of a full-time CSA on-site coordinator upon arrival in France
· Accommodation in superior tourist class hotels: students in twins, faculty in singles
· Breakfast daily, dinners as listed above
· All transportation (coach, train), as listed above
· Accident and sickness insurance
· Liability insurance
Program does not include:
· Passport and visa fees when applicable
· Airline fuel surcharges if applicable
· Drinks with dinners
· Additional meals
· Personal expenses including laundry, mini-bar charges, and telephone calls
· Any other item not listed above
Please note that visits are subject to availability and the order may be changed.
