World War II Tours for Students

Germany: Nuremberg & The Heart of the Axis Powers

Germany is central to understanding World War II, with Berlin offering a sobering look at the rise and fall of Nazi power. The Topography of Terror museum provides insight into the operations of the Gestapo and SS, while the Holocaust Memorial honors the victims of Nazi genocide. In Munich, you can trace the early days of the Nazi Party, with the nearby Dachau Concentration Camp offering a powerful memorial to those who suffered under the regime. Nuremberg, infamous for its Nazi rallies, also serves as a symbol of justice with the Nuremberg Trials Memorial and Documentation Center.

Poland: Ground Zero of the Holocaust & War’s Outbreak

Poland is a poignant destination for comprehending the Holocaust and Nazi occupation. Krakow is home to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious Nazi death camp, as well as Oskar Schindler’s Factory, which tells the story of efforts to save Jewish lives. Warsaw, meanwhile, represents resilience, with the Warsaw Uprising Museum and POLIN Museum detailing the city’s resistance and the tragic fate of its Jewish population during the war.

France: Paris & The Beaches of Normandy

France played a vital role in the war, particularly during the D-Day invasion in Normandy. The landing beaches, American Cemetery, and museums at Arromanches vividly recount the pivotal Allied campaign. Paris offers an urban perspective on occupation and resistance, with the French Resistance Museum and Les Invalides shedding light on the city’s wartime struggles and liberation.

The Netherlands: Resistance & Resilience under Occupation

The Netherlands highlights the human stories of the second world war, with Amsterdam’s Anne Frank House standing as a symbol of hope amidst persecution. The Dutch Resistance Museum complements this by detailing the efforts of ordinary citizens to defy Nazi occupation, painting a comprehensive picture of courage and defiance.

Belgium: The Battleground of the Bulge

Belgium’s Bastogne is integral to understanding the Western Front. The Bastogne War Museum and Mardasson Memorial commemorate the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war’s decisive battles that marked the final German offensive. This small town remains a testament to the sacrifices of Allied soldiers in securing victory in Europe.

The United Kingdom: Defiance in the Face of the Blitz

The United Kingdom, particularly London, reveals the war’s strategic dimensions. The Churchill War Rooms offer a behind-the-scenes look at British wartime leadership, while the Imperial War Museum and HMS Belfast explore the broader scope of the conflict. London also provides insight into the resilience of its citizens during the Blitz.

Italy: Axis to Ally, A Nation Divided

Italy’s role in the war is highlighted in Rome and Monte Cassino. Rome’s liberation sites and the Ardeatine Caves Memorial reflect the brutality of German occupation, while Monte Cassino stands as a symbol of Allied determination, with its abbey and cemeteries commemorating one of the Italian campaign’s most grueling battles. The Italian Campaign Tour offers students a unique opportunity to explore key WWII battle sites, such as Monte Cassino and Anzio, and learn about the Allies’ challenging push through Italy, the fall of Mussolini, and the nation’s pivotal transition from Axis power to liberated territory.

The Czech Republic: Resistance & Retaliation in Occupied Europe

The Czech Republic offers a unique perspective on resistance and occupation. In Prague, the Lidice Memorial honors a village destroyed in Nazi reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. The Czech Resistance Museum delves into the bravery and sacrifices of those who opposed Nazi rule, showcasing a lesser-known but significant chapter of the war.

Austria: The Annexation & Its Aftermath

Austria’s Vienna offers a view of the war’s impact on its citizens and Jewish community, with Mauthausen Concentration Camp memorializing the victims of Nazi oppression. The Vienna Jewish Museum provides a deeper understanding of Austria’s history before and after the Anschluss, the annexation by Nazi Germany.

Russia (USSR): Turning the Tide on the Eastern Front

Russia underscores the critical role of the Eastern Front in the Allied victory. Moscow’s Victory Park and St. Petersburg’s Siege of Leningrad sites showcase the immense sacrifices made by the Soviet Union during battles that turned the tide of the war. The harrowing stories of endurance and resistance are vital for understanding the conflict’s scale.

Norway: Sabotage and Survival in the North

Norway, with its capital Oslo, tells the story of resistance against occupation through the Norwegian Resistance Museum. This small but significant country highlights the efforts to undermine Nazi control and the broader implications of occupation in Scandinavia, rounding out a comprehensive WWII education.