wwii european battlefield tours

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Second World War Expert Led Battlefield Tours

Each of our expert led Second World War tours are distinctive and will resonate at different levels as we explore the locations, stories and significance of a war that defined a generation. We combine the battlefields with important cultural sites and monuments, offering a comprehensive tour led by our expert guides , all of whom are either authors, historians or ex-military personnel.

Many of those participating will have relatives who fought or died in the locations we visit – which makes these battlefield tours all the more realistic and poignant. We encourage those with family connections to bring the stories with them and share them with other participants – thus ensuring a ‘living history’ experience.

All of our forthcoming Scheduled Second World War Tours are listed below.

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Second World War Tours - Future Planning

We intend to run all of the following tours in the near future. Final dates and prices are yet to be confirmed. Register your interest and we will contact you as soon as these tours become available.

We will stay at 3, 4 and 5 star accommodation, allowing you to relax in comfort after a day of discovery and learning. Alongside our expert guide there will be a dedicated tour manager who will take care of all of the headaches of travel, freeing you to fully enjoy your holiday.

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16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe

NORMANDY, FRANCE

The Higgins boat monument at Utah Beach

Colleville-sur-mer, france.

The American Cemetery near Omaha Beach honors over 9000 fallen soldiers

Paris, france.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue

Amsterdam, the netherlands.

Quaint row houses line the canals of this influential city

Antwerp, belgium.

The main city square is lined with 16th-century Flemish Guildhouses

Dachau, germany.

The memorial at Dachau Concentration Camp was designed by Holocaust survivor Nandor Glid

Munich, germany.

Get a taste of Oktoberfest all year round at the Hofbräuhaus beer hall

Caen, france.

The Caen Peace Memorial & Museum

Nuremberg, germany.

The colossal Congress Hall was built to seat the Nazi Party congress

Rhine river, germany.

This legendary waterway is lined with castle ruins, vineyards, and romantic villages

Pricing disclaimer.

16-day tour through Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and France, revisiting the dramatic history of World War II at famous battle sites, war museums, and memorials. This journey offers scenic and cultural highlights. Contemplate the past at Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds and the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp. Listen to the Glockenspiel chime in Munich’s main square, tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg, and explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge.” Enjoy a scenic Rhine River boat ride past castles and vineyards, and see firsthand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Experience a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam and tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery. Join us for an unforgettable journey through history and culture! Highest Elevation : 2,500 feet in the Apline Village of Austria. Walking Expectations : “Active” - An average of 3 1/2 miles per day often encountering uneven surfaces, steps and inclines.

Tour Year 2024

Tour itinerary.

DAY 1 - Overnight flight to Europe.

The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in and for your arrival in Europe. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport – Bavaria.

Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . Nuremberg - Bavaria.

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center (visit the temporary exhibit during the 2023 renovations).  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Tyrolean Village.

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your tour manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your hotel. Your Alpine Village offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular mountain scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Ulm – Bad Herrenalb.

After breakfast, travel to Ulm to view the imposing Ulm Minster with the tallest church steeple in the world. This afternoon, make a stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel, the German general who was forced to commit suicide when Hitler suspected him of treason. End the day with a buffet dinner at your hotel in Bad Herrenalb, on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Trier.

Follow a scenic route through the Alsace Region and the Vosges Mountains. This area was the site of heavy fighting in the fall of 1944. You will make a stop at Lorraine’s American Cemetery in St. Avold, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The afternoon is reserved for a tour of Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line, which was constructed between the world wars as a defense against any future German invasions. Your hotel for the next two nights will be in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, located near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier.

The morning stop is at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Patton is buried. Continue into the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne to view the star-shaped Mardasson Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Battle of Ardennes. You will also see the fox holes used by Easy Company, whose stories inspired the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Your travels this afternoon take you to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Trier's famous Porta Nigra provides an intriguing backdrop for your independent dinner before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 9 - GERMANY . . Rhine River – Remagen – Rhine-Ruhr Region.

Motor to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River where you will board a river steamer for a boat ride past endearing villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards known for producing the distinctive Rhine wines. Continue through the Rhine River Valley to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last standing bridge on the Rhine, which was captured by U.S. soldiers on March 7, 1945. By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr region hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 - HOLLAND . . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your South Holland hotel for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit begins with a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 12 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & FRANCE . . Caen.

Today consists of a full day of travel from Holland to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - FRANCE . . Normandy Landing Beaches – Caen.

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Visit Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum before continuing to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - FRANCE . . Caen – Paris.

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides additional impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 - FRANCE . . Paris.

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

DAY 16 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.

Transfer to the Paris Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

Travel Time

Overnight flight from the U.S.A. to Frankfurt.

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport . Meet your tour manager, board your deluxe motor coach and travel (1¾ hrs) through the Franconian Wine Region . After a rest stop, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel located in the festive state of Bavaria for a "Welcome to Europe" dinner. ( Dinner )

During an introductory sightseeing (1 hr), experience the history of Nuremberg and view the site of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the Congress Hall, and the Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Return (½ hr) to your hotel in Bavaria  for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Alpine Village.

Depart Nuremburg (1¼ hrs) and after a morning stop travel (1¼ hrs) to Dachau Concentration Camp . In the afternoon continue (½ hr) to the elegant Bavarian capital of Munich . Depart Munich in the late afternoon and head south (2 hrs) to an Alpine Village hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Alpine Village.

Enjoy a day of leisure or join your tour manager for the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle's Nest with Dinner  excursion, including a guided visit to Hitler's mountain hide-a-way (1 hr), sightseeing in Salzburg (½ hr) and an authentic Austrian dinner (1 hr) before returning (1 hr) to your Alpine Village hotel. (Breakfast)

Return to Germany (2 hrs) and after a morning stop proceed (1½ hrs) to Ulm for an independent lunch and views of the imposing Ulm Minster. Next, travel (1 hr) to the Rommel Memorial. Continue (2¼ hrs) to Bad Herrenalb , on the northern edge of Germany's Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Igel.

Follow a scenic route (1¾ hrs) through the Alsace Region and Vosges Mountains. On to (1 hr) Lorraine's American Cemetery, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. From here continue (1 hr) to Fort Hackenberg , part of the Maginot Line. After a visit, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier – Igel.

It's a short ride (¾ hr) to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg . Drive (1½ hrs) through the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne . In the afternoon travel (¾ hr) to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch . Transfer (1 hr) to Trier , the oldest city in Germany, for an independent dinner before returning (¼ hr) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast)

In the morning, travel (2 hrs) to the legendary Rhine for a boat ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. After disembarkation, proceed to Remagen (1 hr) to view the Ludendorff Bridge. Continue (1¼ hrs) to your hotel in the Rhine-Ruhr Region . (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cross the border (2¼ hrs) on the way to Nijmegen to focus on the sites significant to WWII liberation efforts in the Netherlands. Visit (½ hr) one of the local museums before traveling (1½ hrs) through the Dutch countryside to your South Holland hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1½ hrs) to Amsterdam where a boat ride through the canals is followed by ample free time. In the evening, return (1½ hrs) to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

A full day of travel. Head south (1¾ hrs) into Belgium to visit the historic town of Antwerp . After free time in Antwerp, drive (2 hrs) to a lunch break near the French/Belgian border. Continue (2¼ hrs) to an afternoon stop in northwestern France. Just before dinner time, arrive (2 hrs) at your hotel in Caen . (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches , including a visit to Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum and stops at Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and Arromanches (travel time between stops varies from ¼ hr to ¾ hr). Short transfer (½ hr) back to Caen . (Breakfast)

Transfer (¼ hr) to the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum for a visit and then continue (½ hr) onto the Pegasus Bridge. Stop for lunch (1¾ hrs) in the French countryside on the way (1¾ hrs) to Paris . Spend the evening in the Montmartre District, an ideal place for your independent dinner (¼ hr). (Breakfast)

A full day for individual exploration (¾ hr transfer in each direction) of Paris , during which you may wish to join the optional Seine River Cruise excursion. This evening, join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” at an authentic Parisian bistro. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1 hr) to Paris Charles de Gualle Airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)

Favorite Traveler Experiences

•   View Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds with solemn contemplation
•   Examine the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Listen to the chiming of the Glockenspiel on Munich’s main square
•   Tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg
•   Explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge”
•   Glide past castles and vineyards on a scenic Rhine River boat ride
•   See first hand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris
•   Take a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery
•   Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class or First Class hotels
•   14 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners in addition to any in-flight meals
•   Tour Manager for the full European duration of the tour
•   Land Transportation in Europe by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
•   Image Tours Touroclopedia® trip preparation tips
•   Trip Documents with luggage tags, final details and travel guidance

Traveler Reviews

Kenneth & tammie j., andrew & jean b., paul & tammy k..

The Availability, Departure Dates, and Rates are for illustration and planning purposes only. Since final pricing and single availability can only be confirmed with a travel agent, steps 4 & 5 of this on-line booking module is reserved for your travel agent only. (Please Call) indicates that we still have some tour availability; however, you should have your travel agent call our office to confirm air availability.

Select Departure Month

Upcoming departures, sep 04, 2024, sep 19, 2024, $4,940 p.p.d.o., sep 11, 2024, sep 26, 2024, may 07, 2025, may 22, 2025, $4,990 p.p.d.o., jun 11, 2025, jun 26, 2025, sep 03, 2025, sep 18, 2025, oct 01, 2025, oct 16, 2025, tour hotels.

NH Collection Nürnberg City

• Air Conditioning
• Satellite TV
• In-Room-Safe

Seminaris Hotel Nuremberg

• satellite TV
• in-room safe
• fitness center

Landhotel Kirchenwirt

• wellness area

Parkhotel Luise Bad Herrenalb

• indoor swimming pool
• safety deposit box at reception

Vienna House Easy Trier

NH Hotel Capelle

• air conditioning
• in room safe

Van der Valk hotel Ridderkerk

Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre

• restaurants

Holiday Inn Express - Canal de la Villette

• internet center

Optional Excursions

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS DETAILS

Our tours are carefully planned to offer a comfortable balance of sightseeing, entertainment and leisure time. Optional Excursions provide the flexibility to choose between leisure time or additional guided sightseeing activities. Unless otherwise noted, optional excursions must be booked with and paid to your tour manager during the tour. Prices are in U.S. Dollars. MASTERCARD®, VISA®, or DISCOVER® (no other credit cards are accepted) are recommended to avoid carrying excessive cash and exchange rate fluctuations. You must be able to present the actual card to your tour manager. If you bring a DISCOVER® card, also bring a VISA® or MASTERCARD®, as DISCOVER® is not widely accepted in Europe. Cash payments during the tour must be in Euros. Personal checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted. The operation of all excursions is subject to sufficient participation, and some excursions are subject to favorable weather conditions. Your tour manager reserves the right to make changes or cancel excursions at their sole discretion.

SALZBURG & EAGLE'S NEST WITH DINNER

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, we will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. After an independent lunch, become acquainted with nearby Salzburg, famous home of the “Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant.

SEINE RIVER CRUISE

Glide along the Seine River by boat, while viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and several other impressive sights in Paris. This excursion provides for excellent photo opportunities.

Tour Extensions

Paris post-tour extension, paris and london post-tour 3-night extension, tour year 2025.

Today begins your World War II Memorial Tour of Europe adventure. The Image Tours "Departure Instructions" will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center. Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your Tour Manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your Tyrolean Village hotel, which offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular alpine scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 10 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, see sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your hotel, in the region of Holland, for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit includes a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today consists of a full day of travel from The Netherlands to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église: the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Continue to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history, including those following World War II. Your Tour Manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

•   Examine the sobering exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Take a boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour Manager for the full duration of the tour within Europe
•   Trip Documents with final details and travel guidance

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, joined by a local guide, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, your Tour Manager will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. Return to Austria to become acquainted with Salzburg, famous home of “The Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant before returning to your hotel.

16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe Map

1. Choose your dates

With Pegasus Battlefield Tours you are not tied to specific tour dates. You are in complete control so you can arrange your personalised battlefield tour at your own convenience.

2. Choose your tour

Once you have your dates in mind choose from our wide selection of subjects and we will tailor the tour to suit your interests. Multi-day tours are established by assembling a string of tours and applying a discount. Or maybe you want to follow a particular unit or relative? We can discuss all your requirements.

3. Meet your battlefield guide

My name is Gary Weight and I will be your personal battlefield guide. I will lead you on a historical journey, bringing to life the battles of World War I and World War II. Stand on the very battlefields the action took place. Read more about Gary here .

4. Follow in the Footsteps

With pin-point accuracy you will follow in the footsteps of the brave men and women of World War I and World War II. As a result of our extensive resources, your educational journey will be charged with pride, respect and emotion.

You can manufacture weapons and you can purchase ammunition, but you can't buy valor and you can't pull heroes off an assembly line - Sgt John B. Ellery US 1st Infantry Division

Award Winning Tours

Ready to discuss your battlefield tour?

“Dear Gary A brief email to thank you for such an excellent and well structured tour of the Normandy landings and penetration from the beachhead. The depth and detail of the information you gave us was exceptional and all the action was vividly brought to mind. Have already recommended you to friends! Regards John Roberts”

Adam Roberts Group - UK

“Dear Gary, Thanks ever so much for the wonderful tour. I will fondly remember following my father’s footsteps for the rest of my life.  Your special preparations were above and beyond what I had expected. I will be sending you some additional things when we return home. Best regards, Bruce.”

Father landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day with the US 29th Infantry Division

Bruce Beyer Family - USA

“Thank you Gary, you were incredibly knowledgeable and patient with my family. You provided an incredible background and understanding to our experience. Thank You again – The Shackelford Family.”

John Shackleford Family Group - USA

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Battlefields of WWI & WWII

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See Where WWI and WWII Battles Were Waged During a 11-Day Guided Tour

Your Europe battlefield tour is the ultimate in-depth journey into the history of World Wars I and II. Journey to the Ypres Salient battlefields and see the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. Visit the Australian Fromelles Military Cemetery, where 250 British and Australian soldiers were buried and learn insights from a Local Expert for a tour of the key battlefields of the Somme. In Normandy, stand on the 100-foot-tall Pointe du Hoc overlooking the D-Day Landing Beaches and be guided through the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Indulge in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experience at Les Confisseurs confectionary. End the trip exploring Paris' celebrated squares and avenues, from Place de la Concorde to the Champs-Élysées.

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MAP & ITINERARY

Start London, England. End Paris, France.

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Included in your 'Business Class' tour

Handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels in great locations

Superior dining in top rated restaurants

Daily breakfasts & many relaxed morning starts after 9am

24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert Driver

‘Business Class’ style coaches with extended legroom*

Insider Access, Insightful Encounters and Insight Choice experiences

Local discovery led by Local Experts

All porterage, gratuities and tips

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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How can I book flights for my tour?

When booking online, you'll be offered the option to add flights once you've selected your travel dates and room type. You can add your cabin preferences when searching for your flight. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our team. Our Travel Experts or your local Travel Advisor will be able to assist with your requirements.  

Can I add additional hotel nights before or after my tour?

Many guests choose to add extra hotel nights to spend a little more time in their chosen destination. You can reserve additional hotel nights before or after your tour once you've selected your preferred departure. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our team. Our Travel Experts or your local Travel Advisor will be able to assist with your requirements.  

Where can I find room options?

Select your departure date, then review the available room options under the ‘Trip Overview’ section and choose the one that best suits your group. We have options for solo, twin and triple room configurations. If you a traveling in a party of three adult guests, please note triple rooms may have a fold out bed, or limited space for three beds. If you prefer more individual space, you may prefer to book a single room and twin room for your group of three.  

How much is the solo supplement?

Insight Vacations tours are the perfect option if you're traveling solo, combining the camaraderie of a smaller group with the independence of a solo trip. Many tours offer solo room share options, or a competitive solo supplement. Select your departure date and review your solo travel options in the ‘Trip Overview’ section.

What is a definite departure?

A departure is shown as 'Definite Departure' once it has reached a minimum number of guests. That particular departure will definitely run, barring any extraordinary circumstances. It is highly unlikely a departure won't meet the minimum number of guests. But if this is the case, you will be offered the best alternative dates or a full refund of any payment made. If there are ever any changes to your departure, one of our Travel Experts will contact you.  

How many guests will be on this tour?

A personal experience is at the heart of what you can expect. Choose from 2 group sizes, where you’ll always enjoy dedicated attention and access to unique experiences thanks to all groups being smaller than the mainstream tour companies. With both group sizes you’ll travel on custom ‘Business Class’ style coaches that offer more leg room and larger window spans. Choose an average group size of just 33 travelers , capped at a maximum of 40 guests. These groups offer an enhanced experience versus larger mainstream tours of 50 or more. Or, choose an average of just 20 guests , capped at a maximum of just 24 guests, this choice is perfect if you prefer an even more individualized experience. Choose your preference at the top of the tour page or speak to one of our Travel Experts or your local Travel Advisor.  

How much walking is involved on this tour?

With your comfort in mind, Insight Vacations assigns every tour an activity level. The activity level for your chosen tour is displayed in the tour introduction. Leisurely: Tours with typically 1-2 miles of walking per day on primarily flat surfaces and with some stairs.   Balanced: Tours with up to 1-3 miles of walking per day, which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs.   Dynamic: These journeys can feature 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve some steep hills.  

How can I apply my past guest discount?

As a valued past guest, you're eligible for a discount on your next booking through our loyalty program, Global Tour Rewards. You will be asked to enter the details of your previous tour with Insight Vacations, or any of our Travel Corporation sister tour brands, during the booking process. Your past guest discount will then be applied automatically. You do not need to enter a code.  

What if I'm traveling in a group of 10+?

We have many options available for larger groups. You can select to reserve space for your entire group on one of our existing departures, book an entire departure out for your group, or our Groups Specialists can design a bespoke itinerary for you tailored to your group’s interests, and your budget.  Find out more.

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Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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WWII Battlefields: Montecassino and Rapido River From Rome

The WWII Battlefields tour from Rome takes visitors on a profound exploration of the pivotal sites in Italy’s storied history. From the iconic Montecassino Abbey to the fierce battlegrounds along the Rapido River, this guided experience immerses participants in the sacrifices made by Allied forces during the Italian Campaign . Traversing the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage, the tour emphasizes the immense significance of these hallowed grounds while ensuring a comfortable and accessible journey for all. With visits to historic cemeteries and the abbey itself, this tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past and uncover the resilience that defined this chapter of World War II.

• Guided 8-hour WWII Battlefields tour from Rome, with visits to Montecassino Abbey, Polish War Cemetery, Commonwealth War Cemetery, and the Rapido River battlefield.
• Comprehensive overview of the Italian Campaign during WWII, focusing on the strategic importance and sacrifices made in the region.
• Customizable private tour format allows for flexibility and personalization, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
• Montecassino Abbey tour showcases the historic Benedictine monastery and its role in the WWII battles, including its subsequent rebuilding.
• Visits to the war cemeteries and Rapido River battlefield serve as poignant reminders of the international efforts to liberate Italy during the conflict.

More tours and experiences nearby.

• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
• Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters Basilica
• Pompeii Day Trip From Rome With Mount Vesuvius or Positano Option

Tour Overview and Pricing

This guided WWII Battlefields tour from Rome typically lasts 8 hours and costs $640.76 per person.

Guests can conveniently cancel their reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund , and they don’t need to make any upfront payment to reserve their spot.

The tour includes pickup from the customer’s accommodation in Rome, a 1.5-hour drive to the historic Montecassino Abbey, and a visit to the Polish War Cemetery and Commonwealth War Cemetery.

Participants will also explore the battlefield of the Rapido River, the destroyed village of San Pietro Infine, and the Parco Della Memoria Storica.

While the tour guide’s services and transportation are included , entrance fees and lunch aren’t covered in the tour price.

Itinerary and Highlights

Starting with a guided tour of the historic Montecassino Abbey , the WWII Battlefields excursion from Rome takes visitors on a journey through the region’s storied past.

After the 1.5-hour drive from the capital, guests will explore the grounds of the iconic monastery, which served as a strategic point during the brutal battles that unfolded in the area.

From there, the tour moves on to the solemn Polish War Cemetery , where fallen soldiers from the Polish II Corps are laid to rest.

The itinerary also includes visits to the Commonwealth War Cemetery , the battlefield of the Rapido River, the destroyed village of San Pietro Infine, and the Parco Della Memoria Storica , providing a comprehensive look at the area’s WWII history.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private guided experience, and all taxes and fees, while admission tickets to the Abbey Museum, entrance fees, lunch, and gratuities are excluded from the price.

Some key inclusions and exclusions are:

Includes: Private tour, professional English-speaking driver, 3 hours with a local licensed expert tour guide

Museum of the Abbey tickets (5 EUR/person)

Entrance fees

Lunch (own expense)

Food and drinks

This allows for a personalized experience while giving customers the flexibility to customize their spending as desired.

Transportation and Accessibility

Travelers are transported in an air-conditioned, fully insured vehicle driven by a licensed professional, allowing for access to areas inaccessible to larger buses.

The private format of the tour provides reduced walking distances for participants, making it more accessible for those with mobility challenges.

The vehicle’s ability to navigate the tour sites ensures a personalized experience, as it can be customized based on the group’s needs.

With this flexibility, the tour can be tailored to suit individual preferences, ensuring an enriching and comfortable journey through the historic WWII battlefields of Montecassino and the Rapido River.

Important Information

Meeting point for the tour is the participants’ accommodations in Rome, where an English-speaking live guide is provided to lead the experience. Flexibility in travel plans allows for modifications to the tour as needed, ensuring an enriching and personalized journey through the historic WWII battlefields.

Key points to note about the important information:

The tour is conducted in English by a knowledgeable local expert guide.

Travelers can adjust the itinerary based on their preferences and needs.

The private tour format enables a more customized experience compared to larger group tours.

This attention to detail and personalization helps create a memorable and insightful exploration of the Montecassino Abbey, Rapido River, and other pivotal WWII sites.

Exploring Montecassino Abbey

At the heart of the Montecassino tour lies the iconic Montecassino Abbey , a Benedictine monastery that has weathered the storms of history and stands as a testament to resilience and faith.

The tour guide takes visitors through the abbey’s magnificent architecture , including its ornate façade, towering bell tower, and intricately decorated interiors.

Guests explore the abbey’s chapels, courtyards, and cloisters, learning about its storied past.

They’ll discover the abbey’s role in the fierce World War II battles that ravaged the region and how it was painstakingly rebuilt after being reduced to rubble.

The tour provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to connect with the abbey’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage .

Visiting the War Cemeteries

After exploring the iconic Montecassino Abbey , the tour moves on to the somber yet powerful war cemeteries that dot the landscape, honoring the fallen soldiers of various nationalities who sacrificed their lives during the fierce battles.

Visitors will first stop at the Polish War Cemetery , established between 1944-1946 and consecrated in 1945, which serves as a poignant reminder of the international effort to liberate Italy.

Next, they’ll explore the Commonwealth War Cemetery , a solemn resting place for those from diverse backgrounds who perished fighting for the Allied cause.

Battlefield of the Rapido River

The tour then explores the battlefield of the Rapido River , a site of fierce fighting during the Italian Campaign of World War II.

Visitors can walk the grounds and learn about the strategic importance of this location, where Allied forces launched a series of unsuccessful attempts to cross the river and break through German defenses.

The Freedom Bell , erected on the banks of the Rapido, serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought here.

Guests can also visit the nearby destroyed village of San Pietro Infine and the Parco Della Memoria Storica, which provide further insight into the human cost of the battle for control of this crucial riverine crossing.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

• Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel With St. Peters Basilica Access
• The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour With Transfers
• Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum
• Tuscany Region Day Trip From Rome With Lunch & Wine Tasting
• Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group – 6 People Max
• Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters | Small Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Available on All Days of the Week?

The tour is available on all days of the week. The operator provides flexibility in scheduling, allowing customers to select the most convenient day for their tour of the WWII battlefields of Montecassino and the Rapido River.

Can I Request a Different Pickup Location in Rome?

Yes, you can request a different pickup location in Rome for this private tour. The tour provider offers flexible arrangements and is willing to accommodate special requests, such as a pickup location other than your accommodation.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Senior Citizens or Students?

The tour operator doesn’t offer any discounts for senior citizens or students on this tour. However, they may consider special requests on a case-by-case basis, so it’s best to inquire directly about any potential discounts.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Yes, participants can bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour itinerary doesn’t include any meals, allowing travelers to enjoy their own packed lunches or snacks during the excursion.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible Throughout the Entire Itinerary?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, though there may be some areas with reduced walking distance. The private tour format allows for customization to accommodate participants’ needs. Visitors should inquire about specific accessibility details when booking.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• Palazzo Barberini Private Tour
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• Hike Lake Castle and Good Food!
• VIP Golf Cart Tour of Rome (3hrs) With Driver and Tour Guide
• Rome: Off the Beaten Path Private Tour
• Pompeii Private Full-Day Tour From Rome
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• Vatican City Walking Tour With Sistine Chapel
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• Day Trip From Rome to Orvieto & Civita Di Bagnoregio
• From Hanoi: Sapa – Cat Cat – Fanxipan Peak– Moana 3D2N
• From Civitavecchia: Private Day Trip to Rome
• Private Transfer From/To Roma – Amalfi Coast
• Rome in 1 Day: Private Sightseeing From the Cruise Port
• Rome: Vatican, & Colosseum Tours W/Lunch Tkts and Transfers

The WWII Battlefields tour from Rome provides an immersive and poignant exploration of the pivotal Montecassino Abbey and Rapido River battlegrounds.

Participants gain a profound connection to the region’s history, honoring the sacrifices of Allied forces while enjoying a comfortable and accessible journey.

This comprehensive tour offers a deeply meaningful experience , connecting visitors to the spiritual and cultural heritage of this historic Italian campaign.

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Battlefield tour inspiration

World war battlefields, historical monuments & moving memorials

It is said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. We preserve the memory of some of the world’s most well-known historic events on our battlefields tours, from the American Civil War to the battles of the World Wars.

See the battlefields of WWI and WWII

Our World War I and World War II battlefields tours take you to the most horrific frontlines. We’ll gain a deep insight as we journey to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, Vimy Ridge, Dunkirk, Fromelles, Gallipoli, the Somme and the Ypres battlefields. Your Local Specialist Guides and Travel Directors will share incredible stories as we pay tribute to the millions of brave souls who lost their lives in the World Wars.

Discover the battlefields of Europe

We’ll take you on a moving journey around Europe’s most historic battlefields, where the terrors of war are immortalised in the memorials, museums and cemeteries dotting the European countrysides. Walk the infamous Red Square of Moscow, see the tragic battlefield of Culloden in Scotland, or visit Anzac Cove and take a war grave tour of Lone Pine Cemetery to commemorate the lives lost.

Explore the battlefields of the United States

Our historical travel tours take you to the battlefields of the United States, where you’ll discover the dark history of the American Civil War. Explore the museums and memorials of Washington, D.C, then experience the real thing with the “Siege of Yorktown” and the bloody battlefields of Gettysburg. Discover the devastation of the civil war and see where Abraham Lincoln called for "a new birth of freedom".

All you need to know about Battlefield Tours

How many wars has europe had.

Europe has been involved in hundreds of wars over the years, including more than 100 wars in the 20th and 21st centuries alone. Two of the most horrific wars include WWI in which an estimated 37 million people perished, and WWII where the number of estimated deaths ranges from 60 to 80 million people, including military and civilian casualties.

What was the last religious war in Europe?

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 until 1995 and was one of the last ethnically-rooted wars in Europe. It began when fighting broke out between the multiethnic population of the former republic of Yugoslavia. Around 100,000 soldiers and civilians died in the war, and it led to the genocide of at least 25,000 Bosnian Muslims, known as Bosniaks.

What were the major battles in Europe during WW2?

The Second World War was one of the deadliest events in human history, with hundreds of battles that claimed millions of lives. Some of the most major battles in Europe during WWII were the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, the Battle of Berlin, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia.

Which European country has had the most battles?

Known as the ‘Battlefield of Europe’, Belgium has had more battles than any other country in Europe. Almost every big power of Europe has fought on its land since the Roman Empire, with historic battles such as the Battle of Waterloo, and the battles of WWI and WWII, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battles of Ypres.

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Visit Alpventures websites for the best Tours and Travel to Europe and beyond! We are best known for our popular World War II Tours to the historic battlefields of Europe and Russia. Browse our pages for more information and details about our leading military history tours and our exciting Sightseeing Tours to fascinating destinations all over the globe. Get inspired by exploring our original videos and view thousands of photos from our past tours. See More. Get More. Alpventures!

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Alpventures World War II History Tours to Europe

Travel to the most fascinating WWII Battlefields in Europe with America's most knowledgeable Tour Guides! Discover the history, visit the locations, and hear the stories of epic battles and the men who fought them.

Alpventures World War II Tours to Europe - From the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy, France, to the Eagle's Nest and beyond; our top priorities are always your safety, comfort, and enjoyment on tour. Our WWII Tours are the result of nearly 30 years of historical research and first-hand, local guiding experience, making them especially unique and unlike anything else available. Our Tours cover Holocaust sites in Poland, battlefield sites across France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Italy; and so much more...  Read More

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We offer so much more than Sightseeing - our Tours will feed your senses! Choose Alpventures, and know that you are choosing the very best trip because of our unique professional experience .

Whether on or off the battlefields, or inside the impressive museums, you won't miss a thing as we give exciting, detailed accounts and informative historical presentations throughout each tour. Every Alpventures Tour is a unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Join our small groups on an incredible journey and be pampered at our select superior hotels; extraordinary 3- to 5-star hotels; some of which are Castles, Chateaux, listed historical monuments, and Romantik Hotels Group properties...   Read More

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Sakhalin: Your Essential Guide to Russia’s Enigmatic Eastern Island

• January 14, 2024

A Journey Through Giant Burdocks, Wild Bears, and the Echoes of Ancient Japanese Temples

From the most dreaded place of exile in the Russian Empire to a Japanese industrial base and one of the most attractive and inaccessible places for domestic tourism in Russia.

Table of Contents

An island that was Russian, then Japanese, and then Russian again

From the 17th to the mid-19th century, it was believed that Sakhalin was a peninsula. This misconception firmly established itself on the maps of the time, as navigators failed to circumnavigate the island. The proximity of Sakhalin’s southern tip to the mainland created a false impression of being impassable for ships. An additional complexity arose from the fact that the route taken by ships from the Russian Empire involved passing through a narrow strait, which Nevelskoy managed to navigate only in 1849.

For a long time, people did not believe Nevelskoy, but he insisted that he had discovered a route through the strait, for which he became something of a hero in Primorye. Monuments and plaques dedicated to him can be found in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk. The H4H creative association created a graphic novel based on this story, which won a cultural initiatives contest and became part of the interior of the Khabarovsk Airport. By the way, the Sakhalin region is the only Russian entity entirely located on islands.

The remote and isolated location of the island during the Russian Empire was used as a natural barrier, and it became the site of penal colonies for hard labor prisoners. Its geographical position led to Sakhalin’s hard labor being regarded as particularly cruel.

During the period of the island’s development, Russian ships followed the Amur River and reached the island from the north, where the oldest port, Alexandrovsk, was founded. The Japanese attempted to develop the island from the south, entering through the Kuril Islands (part of the Sakhalin region) and Aniva Bay. For a long time, the Kurils were inhabited by the Ainu, representatives of a small indigenous people. The very word “Kurils” comes from the Ainu: “kuru” means “man.”

In the 17th century, Japan conducted its first expeditions towards the islands and began their development. Russia reached them later. The first mentions of the islands in Russian language date back to the late 17th century. For a long time, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, and Anglo-French navigators studied the islands, landed on them, and disputed their territorial ownership. However, only Russia and Japan managed to establish a foothold. To end the territorial disputes, the governments of the two countries signed an agreement under which the Kuril Islands went to Japan, and Sakhalin to Russia, which continued to develop the island mainly from the north. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, which ended in Russia’s defeat, the southern part of Sakhalin became part of Japan as the Karafuto Prefecture.

Until the second half of the 20th century, the island was owned by Japan and was quite successful in developing its resources. A huge number of mines were opened, several cities and lighthouses were built. In particular, the current regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, was the former Japanese city of Toyohara. The famous Aniva lighthouse, now considered a symbol of Sakhalin, was built by Japanese engineers. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the island passed to the Soviet Union. Contrary to history, the main life of the island moved from the north to the south. Alexandrovsk, which was convenient to reach by water, lost to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with its infrastructure built by the Japanese, connections to neighboring cities, and airport. Interestingly, before leaving, the Japanese buried and hid the mining sites, and locals say that not all the old mines have been found yet, and they are sometimes stumbled upon during walks.

Because the island belonged to three different countries in just over a hundred years, it did not have time to develop any significant urban infrastructure. The cities lack outstanding architectural monuments and unique museums. However, some unusual Japanese architecture has remained. Meanwhile, Sakhalin compactly houses incredible natural attractions. Here, one can climb through forests and bamboo thickets to breathtakingly beautiful mountains as if outlined in graphite, and through a mountain pass reach the sea, into which clear mountain rivers flow with fish splashing in them.

The Ainu and Nivkh: Inhabitants of Sakhalin

For a long time, the island was mainly inhabited by the Ainu and Nivkh peoples. These ethnic groups are very different, making their coexistence as unusual as the neighboring of birch and bamboo on the slopes of Sakhalin’s mountains. Both are isolate peoples . However, the Ainu belong to the Australoid race, while the Nivkh are Mongoloids (the main population of Asian territories). It’s fascinating how representatives of different races have coexisted for ages on a small piece of land at the edge of the world.

There is no single version regarding the origin of the Ainu, leading to a multitude of theories — both scientific and conspiratorial. One theory suggests that the Ainu are the ancestors of the indigenous population of Australia, remaining in the north after continental migration. Some researchers write that the Ainu are the forebears of the Japanese. This theory is supported by the fact that before Japanese expansion, the Ainu mainly inhabited the Japanese island of Hokkaido. However, the Ainu suffered greatly from Japanese imperialism, and their culture and language were almost completely destroyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, there are just over two thousand Ainu living on Sakhalin.

The Nivkh are among the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north. They suffered less from Japanese rule. However, during the Soviet era, they experienced a difficult phase of literacy development, destruction of tribal communities, and relocation to cities. About 2,200 Nivkh live in the Sakhalin region and another approximately two thousand in Khabarovsk.

During the Karafuto period, Japan brought captured Koreans to Sakhalin for hard labor. By the mid-20th century, the Korean population of the island was about 45,000 people. For comparison, the current population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is 180,000. This large number of people, deprived of their homeland, was forced to adapt to life first under Japanese and then Soviet rule. In the USSR, Koreans were issued passports, and there were national kindergartens and schools. However, Sakhalin Koreans did not feel part of the larger community of Soviet Koreans (Koryo-saram) and struggled to integrate. Moreover, they were considered members of an ‘unreliable nation’ because they had lived in the Japanese Empire.

In the late 1990s, three countries – Russia, South Korea, and Japan – began a repatriation campaign for the first generation of Sakhalin Koreans (born before August 15, 1945) to their historical homeland. Now, about 3,500 repatriates from Russia live in South Korea. Under the program, the Korean government provides medical insurance and a monthly allowance to the repatriates. The Japanese government, in turn, buys housing (apartments up to 40 m²) and covers transportation costs. Additionally, every two years, Sakhalin Koreans who have moved to their homeland have the right to visit Sakhalin for free, funded by the Japanese government. Most Sakhalin Koreans settled in the city of Ansan , where 500 apartments were specially built for them.

Korean influence is weakly traced on Sakhalin: many Sakhalin Koreans no longer know the language and do not associate themselves with Korea. However, there are several authentic restaurants (for example, “Koba” ) on the island where you can try traditional dishes.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the capital and base for exploring the island

The city is predominantly characterized by typical Soviet architecture, with almost no remaining Japanese buildings. This is because during the Soviet period, the city was radically rebuilt after being liberated from ‘imperialist Japanese rule.’ Many buildings were demolished, and from the few that remained, some were turned into museums. Perhaps the main thing that has been preserved from the Japanese period is the layout. The city was founded from scratch near the Russian village of Vladimirovka, and Chicago was chosen as the model for its layout. Toyohara was divided into four parts by two main streets, O-dori (now Lenin) and Maoka-dori (Sakhalinskaya).

Japan established itself thoroughly on the island. In Toyohara, trade routes converged, new bays were developed, and roads were built. The city’s population grew steadily. Initially due to the military garrison, and later due to a paper mill, a sugar and distillery plant. Now, the buildings of the former Japanese factories are abandoned. Many of them can only be accessed with rare tours, while others are completely closed. However, their presence is still recalled by street names, such as Paper Street.

Another building in the Neo-Japanese style is the Karafuto Governorate Museum built in the 1930s (29 Communist Avenue). It now houses the Sakhalin Regional Museum . And in the former bank of colonial development, there is the Art Museum (137 Lenin Street).

Several other iconic buildings constructed by the Japanese have been preserved: the central hospital of Toyohara (41 Chekhov Street), the conference hall of the Karafuto Governorate (30 Dzerzhinsky Street), and the Toyohara City Hall (41 Communist Avenue). The Sakhalin Railway Museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is distinct from many similar museums in Russia due to its exhibits. This is because the island long maintained the Japanese standard of railway gauge, which differs from the Russian standard. Accordingly, the rolling stock was entirely different.

If in Vladivostok everything is named after the Far Eastern explorer and writer Vladimir Arsenyev, then in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, mentions of Chekhov are everywhere. At the end of the 19th century, Sakhalin was both the most dreaded place for exile to hard labor and one of the most tempting corners of Russia, which was not so easy to access. Chekhov received an editorial assignment and embarked on a ship along with prisoners, military personnel, and sailors to the most remote point of the empire. In his notes, which Chekhov compiled under the title ‘The Island of Sakhalin,’ the writer talked about many things: the geography and climate of the island, the life of the convicts, and ordinary residents. This book caused a great resonance at the time, and even now it was very interesting to read it while traveling to Sakhalin: some things have changed drastically, while others have remained the same. Now in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is even a museum dedicated to this one book, which turned out to be so significant for the island.

GoSakhalin is the website of the Sakhalin Tourist and Information Center. And in their official Telegram channel , you can find announcements of affordable excursions shortly before they start.

In any case, for travelers, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk remains primarily a hub and a place of rest. Here they return for the night and dinner, and it seems that real adventures begin outside the doorstep.

Surrounding Area

10–20 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main reason people visit Sakhalin is for its unique nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and the sea, all on a small piece of land. In one day, you can travel from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan, cross several climate zones, see bamboo groves, birches, and spruces in one place, spot a running fox and a swimming orca. The island’s landscapes can boldly compete in Instagram appeal with Iceland or Norway.

Within Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk alone, there are about 30 kilometers of marked ecotrails, with brief descriptions and routes available on the official tourism portal. I also found an ecotrail in Nevelsk, which is not mentioned on the official website.

The ecotrails in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk start from the ‘Mountain Air’ ski center on the sopka (a term for mountains in the Far East) Bolshevik. There are five in total: ‘Children’s’ (2.7 kilometers), ‘Eight’ (8 kilometers), ‘Northern Ring’ (9 kilometers), ‘Russian’ (3.2 kilometers), and ‘Yelanka’ (5 kilometers). You can take a cable car to the start of the trails and then slowly descend through the forest and park to the city. However, the lift does not operate in rainy and windy weather.

Hiking the ‘Eight’ trail took me no more than three hours, including stops to catch my breath and take photos. Every kilometer and a half along the route, there are benches. From the top of the mountain, there is a view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and it seems you can see a piece of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Chekhov Peak

The route to Chekhov Peak is a high-mountain trekking path that requires a certain level of physical fitness. Chekhov Peak has an elevation of 1045 meters, with an absolute altitude gain of 752 meters. The trail is narrow and slippery in places, hardly suitable for children or people with limited mobility.

Chekhov Peak is part of the Susunai Range, which supports Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from the southeast. You can exit from Gagarin city park to the foothills in about half an hour. The ascent to the peak itself cannot be missed: a marked trail and informational signs lead to it. On particularly steep ascents, ropes are hung for safety, but it is possible to walk up the slope without them.

In late spring, the forest trail has many streams, as well as May primroses and butterflies. The foothills are scattered with rare, incredibly large, and wonderfully fragrant marsh callas. Halfway to the peak, bamboo thickets are encountered, through which birches break through. This is also a kind of magic because, as a biologist friend explained to me, birch and bamboo are not supposed to coexist in the natural environment, but somehow they manage to do so. Occasionally, spruces are encountered — not tall, but very fluffy. Closer to the top, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the impressive views of the sea, mountains, and lakes open up from the height.

• The entire hike takes five to six hours.
• Even in summer, there is snow on the summit. In the afternoon, it starts to melt, making it more difficult to walk.
• Don’t forget to bring food and water.
• Wear boots with covered ankles, a jacket, and a head covering.
• Inform your family and friends, and someone living in Sakhalin, before setting out on the route. If you’re traveling alone, you could notify, for example, the hotel receptionist or roommates in a hostel.
• Snakes and bears are found around the trail. Watch your feet and try to make as much noise as possible. For example, play music on your phone and sing along occasionally.
• The ascent to Chekhov Peak can be the start of a journey to the village of Lesnoye on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. The distance to the village is 27 kilometers. With good preparation and an early start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this distance can be covered in one day.

Mud Volcano in Klyuchi

A mud volcano is an eruption on the earth’s surface of clay masses, mineralized waters, and gases. The mechanism of formation of these volcanoes is not fully understood. According to the existing theory, such volcanoes are formed near oil fields.

The mud volcano in Klyuchi consists of a mud field about 200 meters in diameter. There, you can see about 20 points of activity, resembling miniature volcano craters. This mud volcano became active in 1959, 1979, 2001, and 2011 (the last time due to a strong earthquake in Japan). During these eruptions, mud columns reached several tens of meters in height. Bus 189 goes to Klyuchi from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The distance from the village to the top of the volcano is nine kilometers and takes about two and a half hours to walk.

Ecopark in the Vestochka area: Frog Rock, Aikhor Waterfall, ‘Sunny Glade’ Recreation Park

Not far from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is a fairly large ecopark, known primarily for the Frog Rock outcrop. An outcrop is a remnant of harder rock around which softer rock has eroded over time. Outcrops are often known for their unusual shapes and are natural monuments. Frog Rock is part of a series of rocks standing one behind the other. This was once the seabed of an ancient sea, and fossilized shells can be found in its vicinity. From the top of the rock, amazing views of the Aniva Bay, Tunaycha and Changeable Lakes open up. This place was sacred to the Ainu, the indigenous inhabitants of the island.

The trail to the ‘Sunny Glade’ ecopark begins behind the ‘Electron’ culture house. Despite its name, it is not a city park, but a full-fledged forest with laid-out paths. There are houses, glades with tables for rest where you can cook barbecues, and wooden walkways leading to various attractions. These are all paid services.

The path to Frog Rock outcrop goes along the Komissarovka River. In areas of spring flooding, callas bloom and bamboo grows. The outcrop is located on a hill, with a total elevation gain of about 300 meters. The road is quite challenging, usually taking from an hour to an hour and a half. The higher you climb, the more you can see: the sea, the mountain gorge, the road to Vestochka. In the same park is the Aikhor Waterfall, which is also a short climb away, but along a less well-maintained trail. You can plan a whole day to visit Vestochka and even spend the night, without returning to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Vestochka is three high-rise buildings on one side of the road and a cottage settlement on the other. It is part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, though located 15 kilometers from the main part of the city. A taxi there costs about 1000 rubles and takes 40 minutes. About a kilometer after turning off the main road, the asphalt ends and a terribly dusty dirt road begins. If you’re lucky, you can catch a bus that runs three times a day.

What else to see on the island

40 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The oldest city in the south of Sakhalin, founded by Nevelskoy’s expedition. Here you can find a huge number of monuments dedicated to sailors, naval battles, and ships. The most significant monument in the city in recent decades has become the stele dedicated to ‘Koreans interned by the Japanese in Sakhalin, who never returned to their homeland,’ located on Mount Sorrow, created through the efforts of three countries’ governments (Russia, Japan, and Korea).

In Korsakov, some Japanese heritage has been preserved: the former building of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, a colonial development bank (Sovetskaya Street, 3), trade warehouses in the port, a document storage facility ‘Bunsyoko’ (Krasnoflotskaya Street, 1), a couple of rusty fire hydrants, and remnants of Shinto temples in the form of pillars with hieroglyphs. One of the local nighttime entertainments is watching the lights of the gas processing plant.

How to get there. Three electric trains a day, the journey takes just over an hour, and the ticket costs 75 rubles (0.75 euros).

Bird and Giant Capes

90 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Two capes, recognized as natural monuments in 1990, along whose coasts are many wind and wave-carved grottoes, caves, arches, and columns of various sizes and whimsical shapes, among which colonies of sea birds reside.

The place is not very close, but it’s very picturesque at any time of the year. In the area of one of the rocks, there is a pool where, during the salmon spawning period, you can observe a fascinating spectacle — a huge gathering of pink salmon.

Many tourists stay on the coast overnight to witness the sunset and sunrise. Near Cape Giant, there is a toilet, parking, and a rest area with benches.

How to get there. The journey from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk goes through the village of Okhotskoe, where you can buy fresh crabs, and takes about three hours one way. The road is fully passable only by high vehicles like Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Jimny, as the last ten kilometers of the route have deep puddles, potholes, small cliffs, and rivers.

Nevelsk and Steller Sea Lions

Nevelsk is nestled between mountains and sea. The rocky mountains and the coast, which consists of small stone needles and shells, in every way explain why Chekhov so often mentioned in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’ how harsh the land of Sakhalin is.

Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared seals. One of their habitats is the breakwater in Nevelsk. As soon as you arrive in the town, the smell from the Steller sea lions’ haul-out site hits you. ‘They eat there, live, give birth to their young – that’s why it smells,’ the locals explain. Another feature is the noise. Steller sea lions are very loud!

You can view the sea lions from the central square, where binoculars are installed. However, tourists usually hire a boat and approach the haul-out site to get a closer look at the seals. You can see how the Steller sea lions bark, lie in the sun, jump into the sea and, most interestingly, try to jump back. The views from the square through binoculars are not as detailed and impressive. A place on the boat will cost 1000–1500 rubles (10.05 – (15.07 euros). You can also buy a tour from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 3500 rubles (35.16 euros). The most animals are present in spring and early summer. In autumn, there may be a couple of dozen individuals left.

From the embankment, you can observe the huge kelp laminaria floating in the sea. Some travelers catch them themselves and eat them. Although dishes made from seaweed are found in cafes and also sold in stores. Signs are installed on the shore indicating where to run in case of a tsunami. The last major earthquake with waves was recorded in 2007. Many houses were destroyed and two people died. The most famous Sakhalin tsunami was the 1952 tragedy , when the aftermath of the earthquake almost completely destroyed Severo-Kurilsk.

How to get there. From the bus station (Karl Marx Street, 51b) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, buses go to Nevelsk, the ticket costs 300 rubles (3.01 euros), and the journey takes about an hour. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or from the driver (cash or transfer). It’s not possible to board the bus somewhere in the city, as the bus does not make stops. It’s better to buy a return ticket immediately upon arrival in Nevelsk at the Nevelsk bus station ticket office (Lenina Street, 1). The bus is popular with locals, and there may simply be no seats left.

Remnants of structures from the Karafuto period include the Maoka-Jinja temple with a Japanese-style garden and an abandoned railway built by the Japanese. It used to connect Kholmsk with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Tourists usually come to see two photogenic bridges – Devil’s and Witch’s – and a tunnel in the mountain that makes a full circle inside it. The trail passes along the old rails, and there are many vipers, so one needs to watch their step.

How to get there. The bus to Kholmsk takes two hours, the ticket costs 450 rubles (4.52 euros), with 14 trips a day.

Slepikovsky Cape and Lighthouse

120 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

At Slepikovsky Cape, there is the only relic grove of Korean cedar on Sakhalin. Also located here is the functioning Slepikovsky Lighthouse, which is a 27-meter tall round tower, connected by corridors to utility and residential buildings.

The cape and lighthouse are named after the commander of the Russian partisan detachment Bronislav Grotto-Slepikovsky, who operated in Southern Sakhalin during the 1904–1905 war. The route to the lighthouse goes through the villages of Yablochnoe and Sadovniki, where some of the best beaches on Sakhalin are located — with the cleanest water and white sand.

How to get there. The cape is located 29 kilometers north of Kholmsk. From Kholmsk to the turn towards the lighthouse, there is asphalt with dirt sections. From the turn to the lighthouse, there is first a dirt road, then beach sand, which is recommended to be driven on with deflated tires. Visiting time is from spring to autumn, as the road to the cape is not cleared in winter.

110 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

In 1891, when the island had a penal colony, this was the Russian village of Siraroko, named after a nearby Ainu settlement. In 1905, the south of Sakhalin was given to the Japanese, and the village was renamed Higashi Shiraura. Here there were a railway station, a brick factory, and a coal mine. 40 years later, the settlement was renamed Vzmorye.

During the Japanese times, there was the Shinto shrine Higashi Shiraura Inari-Jinja. Only the torii gates remain — P-shaped gates without doors that are placed on the path to a Shinto shrine. These are the only torii on Sakhalin. On the torii, there is an inscription ‘In honor of the 2600th anniversary of the foundation of Great Japan’ — this mythological date was widely celebrated in 1940.

On the way to the torii, you can see the famous giant burdocks and bear’s garlic. Vzmorye is also known as a place where poached crabs are sold along the highway.

How to get there. Two electric trains and one train that start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk stop in Vzmorye. Unfortunately, all three are in the evening. You can also get there on passing buses that go to the north of the island.

Tikhaya Bay

140 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

On one side, the bay is framed by Mount Smely, and on the other side, the majestic Zhdanko Ridge begins. To the left in the bay itself is an island-kekur, which can be reached during low tide, as well as the epic cliffs of Tikhaya Cape. By the way, behind this cape, there are waterfalls that become icefalls in winter. At the base of the bay is the mouth of the Tikhaya River, where during the season you can see the spawning of pink salmon and chum salmon. Bears are aware of this, so they are often encountered here.

How to get there. Buses going to Poronaysk stop in the village of Tikhoye, near which the bay is located. There are four trips a day.

Aniva Lighthouse

The lighthouse has a complex history: there were attempts to maintain it under Soviet rule, but Aniva was so remote from inhabited areas that it was not profitable. Eventually, the lighthouse was switched to autonomous mode, bringing in a radioactive isotope to sustain its operation, and then it was completely closed. To this day, you can find signs on the walls reading ‘Caution, radioactive’. But now this warning is outdated, as the radioactive isotope was removed when the lighthouse was decommissioned. The lighthouse is very beautiful, offering views of the island and sea, and inside you can explore the remnants of rooms and working areas.

On the return trip, tourists are also taken to Mramornaya Bay, where you can also climb a mountain and view the jagged coast of Sakhalin from above. Orcas and whales are often encountered in these areas, most frequently in summer. I would also recommend taking a combined tour in summer to Aniva Lighthouse, the Blue Lakes, and Busse Lagoon, where you can see the amazingly blue waters and try sea urchins.

A kilometer from Novikov is Cape Tri Kamnya (46.320342 143.373006), which can even be reached by car. Four kilometers from the cape is the small Strelka waterfall , which requires a walk. If you stay in the village overnight, you can take a hike to the Blue (turquoise) Lakes (46.359603, 143.471909). On the way, there’s an abandoned Japanese power station. You can extend your route by another 15 kilometers and reach the opposite shore of the peninsula – to Cape Evstafiya. The road from Novikov to Cape Evstafyeva through the Blue Lakes can be driven in a jeep, if there hasn’t been prolonged rain before. But it’s better to ask in advance those who have recently been there, and get the phone number of a local tractor driver in Novikov, so that if something happens, he can pull you out.

How to get there. Getting there independently is almost impossible. The lighthouse is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, and the nearest land is a high cliff. However, some people do reach Novikovo (the nearest village) by bus or car, and then walk 44 kilometers on foot to Aniva (the name of both the lighthouse and the bay). It takes about one and a half hours to drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Novikovo. And then another two hours of rough dirt road to the boat dock. A tour from the company ‘Friends-Hikers’ costs 6000 rubles (60.28 euros) in May (in summer – 7000 rubles (70.33 euros)).

Klokovsky Waterfall

190 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Klokovsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin Island. Its height is variously reported to be 48–49 meters, with a width of up to nine meters. The waterfall is accessible year-round, but is most full in late spring and early summer.

Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky

The ‘Tri Brata’ (Three Brothers) rocks are definitely a symbol of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and perhaps of the entire island. They are located in the Alexandrovsk Gulf almost opposite Cape Zhonkiyor. From the cape, there is a stunning view of the vast Tatar Strait and the Three Brothers. At low tide, it’s possible to calmly explore all the attractions of the gulf, collect seaweed and shells, see hermit crabs scuttling along the seabed with their shells on their backs, or watch the leaves of laminaria sway. At the strongest low tide, you can even walk to the Three Brothers through the water.

In the 19th century, convicts carved a 90-meter tunnel through Cape Zhonkiyor to service the lighthouse. To reach the tunnel by land, you need to come at low tide. Otherwise, you’ll have to climb the rocks. The tunnel is lined with logs, but there is almost always water at the bottom and a strong wind howls through it. If you pass through the tunnel, you will see the ‘Tri Sestry’ (Three Sisters) rocks and an old lighthouse from the end of the 19th century. All these places are described by Chekhov in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’: ‘Most often we went to the lighthouse, which stands high above the valley, on Cape Zhonkiyor. During the day, the lighthouse, if looked at from below, is a modest white house with a mast and lantern, but at night it shines brightly in the darkness, and then it seems that the penal colony looks at the world with its red eye. The road to the house climbs steeply, winding around the mountain, past old larches and firs. The higher you climb, the freer you breathe; the sea spreads before your eyes, thoughts gradually come, having nothing to do with the prison, the penal colony, or the exile settlement, and only then do you realize how dull and difficult life is down below.’

How to get there. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is one bus trip per day – at 12:10. The ticket costs 2200 rubles (22.10 euros), and the journey takes nine hours.

600 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main transit point on the way to the oil refineries. The village might be of interest to those curious to see a harsh northern town living off production: low-rise buildings made of siding and unexpectedly bright murals on the walls of five-story buildings. There is a local history museum in the village (Sovetskaya Street, 3) – it is praised for its excellent exhibition of the Nivkh culture and a monument to Nevelskoy. Also, one of the longest rivers of Sakhalin, the Tym (which translates from Nivkh as ‘spawning river’), flows through the town.

How to get there. A night train goes to Nogliki every day, taking almost 12 hours. The cheapest ticket in a seated carriage costs 1100 rubles (11.05 euros), a compartment – 4100 (41.19 euros). There is even a luxury (SV) carriage for 12600 rubles (126.59 euros).

Where to Stay

Hostels in the Far East are divided into work and tourist types. The former will also accommodate tourists, but the atmosphere there is like a dormitory where their own rules are already established, and you may feel like an uninvited guest. To avoid such a hostel, it’s important to carefully read the reviews, not book the cheapest hostels, not stay on the outskirts or near airports and train stations.

In the Islander hostel , mainly travelers stay, it’s very cozy, with convenient kitchen and showers with toilets. A double room costs 3000 rubles per day, and dorms – from 900 rubles (9.04 euros) per night. If you book directly through the website and for a long term, you can get a good discount.

The ‘Moneron’ hotel is located near the railway and bus stations. It’s a classic budget hotel with small clean rooms. The ‘comfort’ class rooms have a bath, and the hotel provides a complete set with slippers, towels, and a hairdryer. Prices start from 2800 rubles (28.13 euros) per night for a single economy room, while ‘comfort’ costs 4900 rubles (49.23 euros). Breakfast is included in the price.

The ‘Belka’ hotel building is made using Finnish technology in a wooden style from milled timber. The cost of large rooms with wooden walls and huge beds starts from 5800 rubles (58.27 euros). Breakfast is also included in the price. The hotel complex includes a sauna, spa, tavern, and gym.

Near Bussé Bay is the island’s only dome-shaped glamping site. A night for two costs 8000-10,000 rubles (80.37 – 100.47 euros). An extra bed is 2000 (20.09 euros). Each dome has a shower, toilet, and electricity. On cooler days, you can light the stove and sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

In other towns, apart from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the choice of hotels is quite modest and usually limited to one or two hotels, which cannot always be booked online. They have to be found on the map and booked by phone.

Transport on the Island

Car. If you’re only traveling between cities, there won’t be any problems – the roads between them are mostly paved, and the dirt roads are of more or less good quality. It gets more complicated with natural attractions. Almost all of them are accessed by dirt roads, which not every car can navigate.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ‘Yandex.Taxi’ and ‘Maxim’ operate (also in Korsakov and Kholmsk). A trip within the city limits will cost a maximum of 300 rubles (3.01 euros).

Railway. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, about 30 electric trains depart daily. Most of them go to nearby areas like Dalnyaya, Khristoforovka, and Novoaleksandrovka stations – 8–23 minutes travel time.

To other cities, there’s only one electric train per day. It takes an hour to Korsakov and the ticket costs 80 rubles (0.80 euro). To Tomari, it’s four hours and 300 rubles (3.01 euros). To Poronaysk, it’s five hours of travel and 500 rubles (5.02 euros) for a ticket. Long-distance electric trains depart in the evening, as these routes are used by residents of the province who return from work in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to their homes.

There is also one train on the island – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Nogliki, 12 hours of travel and 1100 rubles (11.05 euros) for a ticket in a sitting carriage.

Buses. It seems you can reach even the most remote settlements by bus. Often there’s only one trip per day, but at least it exists. To Kholmsk, Nevelsk, and Korsakov, the journey takes about an hour and a half, with tickets costing around 300 rubles (3.01 euros); to Poronaysk and Uglegorsk, it’s four to five hours and 1200 rubles (12.06 euros) for a ticket. You can check the current schedule on avtovokzaly.ru . But it’s always better to double-check by phone: +7 (4242) 72-25-53. The address of the bus station is Karl Marx Street, 51b.

Airplane. Sakhalin has a quite extensive network of airports, and you can fly from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Okha, Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, Poronaysk, Smirnykh, Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and Iturup. Flights are operated by the Far Eastern airlines ‘Aurora’ and ‘Taiga’ . These routes are served by small propeller planes Bombardier and Mi-8 helicopters. Such a flight is an interesting experience in itself. Moreover, some flights are quite inexpensive. For example, to Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, and Poronaysk, tickets cost 2000–3000 rubles (20.09 – 30.14 euros) one way. To Okha and the Kurils – from 6000 rubles (60.28 euros).

Ferry. From Korsakov, ferries run to different settlements in the Kurils every three to four days. The ferry to Kurilsk takes about 22 hours, to Yuzhno-Kurilsk – 22–30 hours, and to Malokurilskoye – about 40 hours. Interestingly, a ticket to any of these settlements costs from 2800 rubles (28.13 euros), available on the website of the ferry company.

How to get there

By plain. To travel to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from Europe, passengers typically fly through major transit hubs. Common routes involve flying from a European city to one of the major Russian airports offering direct flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, such as Moscow’s Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airports. In 2023 it is only possible to fly to Moscow from major transit hubs such as Istanbul or Erevan. From there, travelers can catch one of the direct flights to the island. Some routes might also include stops or transfers in other large cities in Russia or Asia, depending on the airline and the flight itinerary, for instance, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sovetskaya Gavan, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is even one international flight from Harbin, China.

In good weather, on approach to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, you can see the Tatar Strait, the Western Ridge, and the city itself. The airport is located within the city limits, and from there, you can easily reach any point by public transport (buses 63 and 3) or taxi.

Ferry. Vanino (Khabarovsk Krai) to Kholmsk (Sakhalin) . Passenger tickets for the ferry are sold at the Vanino railway station or at the ticket office in Kholmsk (Lenin Square, 5). They can also be reserved by phone: +7 (42137) 74088 (Vanino), +7 (42433) 50880 (Kholmsk). The ferries run daily, with a journey time of 18–20 hours. A seat costs 650 rubles (6.53 euros), while the cheapest cabin spot is 1400 rubles (14.07 euros). There is a dining room on board.

I was on the island in early May, and this has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s already not very cold in Sakhalin at this time, and you can walk around in a light jacket or sweatshirt, and sometimes even just in a T-shirt. At the end of spring, you can catch the largest number of Steller sea lions in Nevelsk (closer to summer they migrate towards Avacha Bay). Also at this time, you can see the forest awakening: streams penetrate it from all sides, in their floodplains swamp callas bloom, meadows fill with primroses, and the hills are covered with bright green bamboo shoots. On the other hand, there is still snow in the mountains, in which you can get stuck while climbing, and the sea, which is not very warm in these areas, is completely unsuitable for swimming.

In summer, Sakhalin is not very hot, the coast blooms with wild roses, the sea warms up a bit, and there is less chance of bad weather when visiting remote attractions. Also, it’s precisely at this time you can see orcas (June – July) and whales (July – August), as well as the salmon spawning.

In winter, snowboarders and skiers come to Sakhalin. The mountains on the island are not high, so they are suitable even for beginners.

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WWI Tour: Western Front

Home > All Tours > WWI Tour: Western Front

Our World War I: Western Front Tour will explore the most significant sites along the old Western Front, seeing where history was made and discussing the Great War’s terrible consequences. From 1914-1918 millions of men fought each other across a brutal 475-mile long “No Man’s Land,” that stretched from the North Sea to the Swiss border. When the guns finally fell silent, 10 million soldiers were dead, century’s old monarchies were overthrown, the map of the Middle-East was redrawn, the United States had become a world power, and an angry and embittered Corporal Adolf Hitler returned to Bavaria determined to avenge the humiliation of defeat and return Germany to greatness.

Visit the site of the Battle of Waterloo, which redrew the map of Europe

Ypres/Salient Battlefields

Explore the battlefields in Belgium where some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces occurred

Arras Battlefields

Learn about one of the bloodiest encounters of the war

Visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, and Trescault, one of the Western Front’s most incredible archaeological discoveries

Battle of the Somme

Learn about the Battle of Somme in France, one of the darkest day in the history of the British Army

Explore this fortress city and the surrounding battlefields in France

The Meuse-Argonne

Visit the site of the largest land battle in American history, where the WWI was finally won

Montfaucon American Monument

Explore the remains of the village destroyed in the fighting and ascend to the top of the memorial

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes

Pay your respects at the largest American cemetery in Europe

Day 1 • Overnight flight to Brussels, Belgium

Guests fly independently to Brussels, Belgium, arriving on Day 2.

Day 2 • Brussels

Guests arrive at Brussels Airport (BRU) and travel independently to the tour hotel. The group will gather for an evening Welcome Reception and dinner at the hotel. Your historian will provide an overview of the tour and there will be introductions all around.

Day 3 • Battle of Waterloo and Ypres (Belgium)

A defining moment in European History, the June 18, 1815, Battle of Waterloo, redrew the map of Europe and altered the balance of power on the Continent. In the Allied victory over the French, however, lay the seeds of a conflict far more terrible than anything Napoleon or Wellington could have imagined.

After meeting in Brussels, you will travel to the Wellington Museum, located in the “Iron Duke’s” former headquarters, to see its amazing collection of artifacts related to the battle and the commander of the Allied army. Your first stop on the battlefield will be the recently renovated museum and visitor’s center, the famous cyclorama painting of the battle and Lion’s Mound, then a tour of the battlefield itself. You will then travel on to Ypres in the heart of the British sector.

Day 4 • Ypres/Salient Battlefields (Belgium)

In 1914 some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces occurred around the town, which would remain a battlefield for the rest of the war. You will begin with the Ypres Salient at Essex Farm Cemetery, where Canadian writer John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” Then it’s on to Hooge to visit remains of trenches and sites associated with the very first battles fought around Ypres. Nearby Langemark was the site of the first use of gas on the Western Front as well as the German military cemetery.

You will then tour sites around the Salient, including the battlefields of Passchendaele and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 and its unsurpassed collection of uniforms, weapons and other artifacts. You will also explore the huge British underground bunker complexes used by the British as well as preserved German and British trenches. You will finish the day with the incredibly moving Last Post Ceremony, which honors the 250,000 soldiers of the British Empire who died in and around Ypres and have no known grave.

Day 5 • Arras Battlefields (France)

Begun by the British in April 1917, the Battle of Arras was intended to be a diversionary assault on a larger French offensive launched along the Chemin des Dames further south. Events, however, meant that the battle grew in size and scope into one of the bloodiest encounters of the war.

You will view the remains of a German bunker used by Corporal Adolf Hitler while a runner in the Bavarian List Regiment. You will then continue on to Ploegsteert (Plugstreet to the British), where a young Winston S. Churchill commanded a battalion in 1915 and experienced horrors that would remain with him until he became prime minister at the start of World War II. From Ploegsteert you will stop outside the village of St. Yvon to see the spot where German and English soldiers ceased fighting to celebrate Christmas 1914 together. The Island of Ireland Peace Park and New Zealand Memorial, with its preserved German bunkers, will be your next stop. Your first day in Arras will be at the Wellington Quarry Museum where the group will travel 70 feet underground to see the 12 miles of tunnels that 20,000 men called home.

Day 6 • Cambrai (France)

As you leave Arras by the old Roman road at the heart of the battlefield, you will make stops at each of the three defensive lines that the Germans held in such strength in June 1917. Next you will see the Canadian National Vimy Memorial to visit the preserved battlefield before taking a private tour of the trenches that Canadian engineers dug under the German lines prior to the battle. The next stop is Trescault where on November 20, 1917 nearly 400 British tanks crashed through the German front line and drove toward Cambrai.

Day 7 • Battle of the Somme (France)

The Battle of the Somme began July 1, 1916, and was the darkest day in the history of the British Army. Nearly 60,000 men would become casualties by sunset. For the next 141 days the soldiers of the British Empire hurled themselves against German positions along the Somme River. Your study of this five-month battle will begin at the Hawthorn Ridge Crater. You will then explore the preserved trenches at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial before traveling on to the Ulster Memorial Tower and Schwaben Redoubt. After seeing the spot of the furthest British advance on July 1st, you will go to the Thiepval Memorial, which lists the names of 72,104 men killed on the Somme who have no known grave. The group finishes at the Butte de Warlencourt where the terrible fighting along the Somme finally came to an end.

Day 8 • Somme (France)

Leaving the British sector of the front, you will visit the site of the airfield at Cappy where Manfred von Richthofen took off on his final flight. Moving on, you will enter the region of the Somme fought over by two untried American infantry divisions in 1918. You will follow the attack made by Doughboys from the 107th Infantry Regiment on September 29, 1918, as they broke through the “impenetrable” Hindenburg Line and suffered the highest casualties of any American Regiment on a single day of the war.

Your day will conclude along the Chemin des Dames, the 25-mile long road where General Robert Nivelle launched the disastrous offensive that cost France 188,000 casualties and precipitated the mutinies of 1917. You will tour the underground Caverne du Dragon where French and German soldiers fought a bitter underground war as well as the Point California where vestiges of some of the bitterest fighting along the Chemin des Dames remain.

Day 9 • Fère-en-Tardenois and Oise-Aisne American Cemetery (France)

With Russia’s exit from the war, the Germans were able to move some 50 fresh divisions to the Western Front to make one last great effort to win the war before millions of American soldiers could enter the fray. Launched in the spring of 1918, “Operation Michael,” crashed through Allied positions all along the Western Front and soon the Kaisers soldiers were within 50 miles of Paris. Desperate, Ferdinand Foch pleaded with American Expeditionary Force commander John Pershing to release untried American troops to plug holes in the line. Pershing agreed and in a series of engagements at Château-Thierry in May and Belleau Wood in June 1918 stopped the Germans once and for all.

You will begin your study of this history at the early American battlefields at Fère-en-Tardenois and AEF commander Pershing’s headquarters. Here, he and future Army chief of staff George C. Marshall planned the great American offensives at Sainte-Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne. Your next stop is Pershing’s headquarters, where according to Douglas MacArthur, Doughboys, “stormed and captured the Croix Rouge Farm in a manner which for its gallantry I do not believe has been surpassed in military history.”

You will then travel on to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery to pay your respects to the 6,012 men buried there and the grave of poet Joyce Kilmer, the author of the famous poems “Trees” and “Rouge Bouquet.” Your visit will take you to the bridges held by elements of the 3rd Infantry Division against incredible odds in May, the impressive American memorial that sits on the heights overlooking Chateau Thierry, and then to Belleau Wood where, over the course of 25 immortal days, U.S. Marines fought a battle that is rightly remembered as one of the Corps finest hours.

Day 10 • Chamery and Reims (France)

Throughout the summer of 1918 American forces were part of the Allied effort to retake ground lost during Operation Michael. The Doughboys demonstrated that they were a competent and professional army ready to take on the best the Germans had. You will visit the tiny village of Chamery where, on July 14, 1918, President Theodore Roosevelt’s son Quentin had his last dog fight. You will finish the day in the ancient city of Reims, where you will have an opportunity to sample Champagne from celebrated local wineries.

Day 11 • Verdun (France)

No visit to the Western Front would be complete without a visit to the fortress city of Verdun and the surrounding battlefields. During this nearly year-long battle, France would endure greater losses than America has in all of its wars since the American Revolution until Desert Storm. Your first stop is the recently refurbished Memorial de Verdun. You will then travel on to the ghost village of Fleury where you will visit the Douaumont Ossuary, which contains the remains of 130,000 unknown soldiers, as well as the famous Trench of the Bayonets, where a protruding line of bayonets reminds us of the French soldiers still on duty. Lastly at Verdun is Fort Douaumont, the most important of the 19 forts and the site of some of the heaviest fighting in the 10-month long battle.

Day 12 • Meuse Argonne, Massiges, Valley of Moreau (France)

Involving more than 1.2 million men, the Meuse Argonne offensive is the largest land battle in American history and where the war was finally won. German warlord Paul von Hindenburg remarked after the war, “that the British food blockade and the American blow in the Argonne Forrest decided the war for the Allies.” Despite this, most Americans know very little about this climactic 47-day battle.

Your day begins at one of the largest sections of preserved trenches along the whole of the Western Front, the archaeological site at Massiges. Next you will go to the Valley of Moreau, where a dedicated team of volunteers has preserved one of the large German rest areas used by the Germans in the Argonne. We will discuss the battles fought near here by a young Erwin Rommel in 1918. At day’s end you will stop at Essay to see where George S. Patton led American tanks into combat for the first time.

Day 13 • Apremont, Chatel-Chéhéry, Musée de Romagne (France)

Revisiting the American offensive of autumn 1918, you will go to the steeply wooded valley outside of Apremont where the “Lost Battalion,” gained immortality for its epic six-day defense. You will then travel on to Chatel-Chéhéry where you will walk in the very footsteps of Sergeant Alvin C. York, a former conscientious objector, who single handedly killed 20 Germans and captured 132 others. Your time in the Argonne concludes at the Musée de Romagne 14-18, a collection of artifacts discovered on the battlefields. Following lunch at the museum, there will be a short driving tour that visits the sites associated with future president Harry S. Truman and George S. Patton.

Day 14 • Montfaucon, Meuse Argonne American Cemetery (France)

You will begin today at the Montfaucon American Monument, exploring the remains of the village destroyed in the fighting, and ascending to the top of the memorial. You will see the ground fought over during the largest battle in American history. From the memorial you will then go to the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes. The largest American cemetery in Europe, you will pay your respects to the 14,246 Americans buried there before heading to Paris. On the way there will be a stop in the Forest of Compiegne, where you will visit the clearing where, on November 11, 1918, the armistice that brought an end to the fighting was signed.

Day 15 • Flight Home

There will be one morning transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to catch your flight home.

Historians on this tour

Dates & Prices

• 2024 Dates & Prices
• 2025 Dates & Prices

Tour Includes

• Professional historian with you throughout the tour lecturing and answering questions
• Tour manager to handle guest needs and on-the-ground logistics
• Educational road book of maps and historical information
• 3- or 4-star accommodations
• Rooms with private bath or shower
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach
• Breakfast daily, some dinners and a Welcome Reception
• All entrance fees to museums and attractions

Flights are not included in the cost of the tour.

Activity Level

As with all of our tours, we prefer to spend our time on the battlefields. There is a fair amount of walking.

If you use a wheelchair, please read our Wheelchair Policy .

Recommended Reading

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Customize this Tour

If you would like to customize this itinerary for your alumni travel association, educational organization, high school, family or other private group, please see our custom tour page .

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Guest Reviews

3 reviews for ' WWI Tour: Western Front '

Wow! This had to have been one of the best history tours I’ve taken with SAHT (sorry, Rick.) Chris Anderson and the SAHT gang made this a lesson in how and why wars are fought, and who was involved from many points of view. Absolutely amazing and emotionally charged since I got to see where my grandfather fought in France. Excellent crew from Chris A (with Hugh Buchanan) as historians, to Chris T. as manager, to our lovely bus driver. Highly recommended!

I have enjoyed many tours and this may be my favorite. Absolutely amazing and emotional. Too many highlights to mention. Tour historian Chris Anderson, and the entire team, was beyond excellent.

Highly recommended!

I enjoyed a terrific tour of the WWI battlefields in Belgium & France last fall with historian Chris Anderson! It was the 100th anniversary of the US entering the war and it was an amazing 2-wk trip that began in Brussels then on to the Battle of Waterloo that re-drew the map of Europe in the early 19th century and set the stage for events leading up to WWI. My good friend and travel companion, Jim Hutson convinced me to go and I’m so glad that I did. Highly recommended!

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Hugh MacDonald Buchanan

Specializing in London-based excursions in the UK and military history tours in Europe, Hugh focused his military tours initially on the French Revolution in Paris and the subsequent Napoleonic era, including the downfall of Napoleon at Waterloo. Hugh’s tours have now branched out to include the Western Front in WWI and pivotal moments in WWII. These include the Fall of France (Blitzkreig) and evacuation of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, D-Day and the Invasion of Normandy, and the series of campaigns that followed on in 1944 – 1945, including Market Garden and the Ardennes.

Hugh’s educational journey took him from attending Harrow School in London to obtaining his degree at University College London. He spent 23 years in the financial sector of London’s financial district, working for Enskilda Securities Ltd., N.M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd., and Taylor Young Investment Management Ltd. He spent time working in venture capital in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1980s.

During this time, he indulged his passion for organizing excursions with friends, which eventually led to his transition into full-time freelance tour guiding. In 2006, he achieved the prestigious title of Blue Badge Guide of the Year. Now, he’s excited to turn a lifelong love for culture and history into his life’s work. Born in London in 1961, Hugh spent over four decades in the city before relocating to the picturesque countryside with his young family.

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson is a historian who is well versed in many aspects of American history with special expertise in the Normandy Invasion, Band of Brothers, 101st Airborne and the American Revolution. Anderson is one of the original creators of the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours Band of Brothers® Tour and was a personal confidant of Major Dick Winters, Commander of Easy Company, as well as many other veterans of WWII.

As the former editor of WWII Magazine , Anderson edited and wrote about all areas of the U.S. involvement in that war. He is the co-host of History Happy Hour , a weekly livestream that features fascinating, knowledgeable guests such as Andrew Roberts, Joe Balkoski, Lynne Olson, and Hampton Sides for entertaining history discussions. He lives in London, where he chronicles his visits to the places where history happened and the fascinating people he meets along the way in his blog, History Hikes .

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