TOUR TESTIMONIALS ARE TAKEN FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT TOUR OFFERINGS THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THE PAST . THEY ARE POSTED HERE TO SHOW THAT WE COMPETENTLY OPERATE TOURS AND ALWAYS STRIVE TO GIVE OUR CUSTOMERS THE BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE ANYWHERE!
"I did enjoy the last trip we took together and of the many trips I have taken I believe this was the best. We all got along together as family, saw sights that I never saw before (the German trenches overlooking the end of Omaha Beach etc.) Good trip, good times and good people.
The trip was well planned, organized and held to an easy non-pushy schedule in which we saw and partook in events, the Flag raising in the Omaha Cemetery, etc. Very few have had the honor of raising the American Flag over the Omaha Cemetery. A chilling experience I will never forget. Thanks to you."
- Donald R. Burgett- A/506 101st ABN DIV. WWII (Howell, MI)
"I just wanted to drop you a note to say “thank you” to Chad and Jake for making the tour an experience I will never forget. The amount of in-depth knowledge and detail about the battles, locales, men, materiel and personal stories was incredible. And not only in the large, big-picture sense, but also down to a single individual or skirmish. You can’t get that from a book or from any other tour. I am definitely planning to go on another tour with you guys, hopefully this year. I have told my friends and colleagues at work about the tour and my experience with you guys and am urging any of them who have a deep interest or just want to learn more about the Airborne in WWII, that they must take the tour with you and Jake. Take care and hope to see you later on this year."
Regards,
Joe Amico
Keely McFarland
"If you want to learn about the American airborne divisions’ role in the D-Day invasion, then this is the tour you need to take. It is indeed a phenomenal learning experience with expert, highly knowledgeable guides. We visited sites near Point du Hoc, Brecourt Manor, Marmion Farm, La Fiere Manoir, etc. that few tour groups get to see, much less walk the ground and look at the WWII relics collections of the property owners. And we were invited inside by the owners of these and other historic homes. That just does not happen often!
The ceremonies at the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer above Omaha Beach, Brecourt Manor, and the Angoville au Plain mayor’s office and church are other examples of the unique relationship that has been cultivated with the local communities. These events add depth to the tour and you begin to understand the special bond of friendship between your guides and Normandy residents.
Two notable items: the tour group size was just right, so everyone felt included in activities and our lodging was an added bonus. We stayed at historic La Haute Addeville (Les Droueries) attacked by paratroopers on D-Day. There is a monument dedicated to Lt. George Schmidt who was killed in this attack described in Night Drop and Rendezvous with Destiny. And you can easily walk to DZ D, Gillis’ corner, and sites described in Don Burgett’s Currahee.
A tour highlight was meeting and spending time with WWII veteran Dick Ladd of the 502nd PIR. He shared his experiences with the group and this added a special dimension to the tour. This company has built a tour that is unparalleled. Considering the sites visited, the stories related, and the special events attended, the price of the tour is very reasonable – in fact, it is a value not usually available in today’s tour market. We highly recommend it!"
Brian and Kathie Avery
2009 Tour
"As you may recall, my wife Gayle and I were part of your tour in May of 2009. In this regard we wanted to say just how much we BOTH enjoyed the trip. This was a special trip for me because not only has it been a lifelong dream to travel to Normandy but it was a birthday gift as well. While Gayle is by NO MEANS a history buff, she certainly enjoyed the people, places and things that we experienced. I was a little apprehensive when she told me that part of the "gift" was that I could take anyone I wanted, along with me. Knowing that she has eschewed everything history related, I was concerned that she might be bored to tears or worse outright ornery! To say that she had a wonderful time would be an understatement!
I think what I loved most about the trip was to be able to pick up and go from place to place with relative ease and timeliness and and be with the tour guide for a presentation on the very spot that we were standing.
I was so very excited to realize that while many things have undergone change in the battle area, so much has really stayed the same. I think that the only way this trip may have possibly been any better would have been to have arranged to drive a "Sherman" tank through the bocage and down the very roads that we had traveled!! Finally, one of the most wonderful things about the trip was to have 101 Abn veteran Dick Ladd along with us the whole time. I can't commend you enough on your relationship with Dick and others in and around the Normandy area. The personal touch that was so prevalent and evident with both Dick and many of the "locals" was something that was so very unique to this tour, it was great. I could go on and on about the many wonderful things that I enjoyed, but most of all this was a birthday gift that will NEVER be outdone!
There are, however, two glaring issues that I have.....! First, is that the trip that I had so looked forward to is now over. Second, is that I can't possibly afford to accompany you and Don Burgett to Holland and Bastogne. I have read and re-read all of Don's books and I am truly sadden by not being able to attend your trip in Sept."
- John Friscia and Gayle Friscia (New York)
"I have struggled with what to say about the trip to Normandy this past May. I guess I can just say it was the trip of a lifetime. Being with you and the whole crew was simply a lot of fun and uplifting. Seeing the place my father died, raising the flag at the Cemetery, and the visit to my father's grave with my new friends were overwhelming and have given me beautiful memories the I will cherish forever. It seems now almost like it was a dream; that I could have made that trip. Both our "tour guides" were great in different ways. My hopes for the trip were exceeded beyond anything I could have imagined. I don't know how these guides remember everything they remember. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. You are doing a wonderful thing with these trips."
- Ed Peters
(Son of Capt. Ed Peters 506th, KIA in Normandy)
"All I can say is WOW! This tour with its knowledgeable guides and the participation of a WW2 veteran who was there put a face and a real-life perspective to the books, movies and battlefield studies. I will be repeating the tour - definitely!"
- Lane Spano (Shreveport, LA)
"Exactly what I was looking for in a trip/tour of Normandy. I wanted to see so much more of Normandy than the monuments, and they know the way and the people who can take you there. The group as a whole, including the Normandy Veteran who accompanied us made it so much more than just a history lesson. Even when the airlines foul up the itinerary, they find a way to get it done. I will go again with these guys, it was the trip of a lifetime."
- Joel Babcock (NY)
"I can honestly say, without reservation (and, I believe any fear of contradiction), that this was the very best battlefield tour I have ever taken.
I have a perspective on battlefield tours, only because I have taken over twenty guided Civil War battlefield tours, along with a number of one day tours in France and Britain. Whatever second thoughts I had about your tour were obliterated the first day at JFK when I met my traveling companions. A finer group of folks I have never met. The fact that we have remained close and correspond at least weekly bears witness to the friendship that was forged during our trip.
Your leadership of the tour was first class all the way. I will never forget as long as I live sharing moments with Don Burgett in Normandy. His stories brought to vivid life the battlefield and the great Americans who served there. Our host, Spencer Henry was great. My only complaint - wink, wink - is that, you gave us too much of a good thing - a true information overload. Now, when I hear a talk, or read a book on Normandy, it means so much more to me than before. Now, I can visualize exactly the location, and appreciate even more what happened there. For example, and this is only two of many examples, we visited the location where the Pointe-du-Hoc guns were found and destroyed. I will never forget trudging through the weather to reach the site, and being able to appreciate their field of fire, and the great hazard they posed even in their withdrawn position. Another great memory was our re-tracing of Turnbull's escape route back to Ste.-Mere-Eglise. I suspect that we might have been the first tour group to have ever found the track and followed it back to town.
How about another? Who will ever forget Don Burgett's wonderful retelling of his landing and time in Normandy, especially his recounting of the Battle at Bloody Gulch. How many groups get to visit Bloody Gully, or, even know what it is? We did and now do. What I'm saying is, this is a trip that no student of Normandy or of World War II should miss!"
- Judge Steven H. Ward (Dayton, OH)
"If you want to live and breath Airborne during a tour then this is a must. They have put together a package that you will never forget for as long as you live. On the first night everyone had the opportunity to give a personal, informal bio to their fellow travelers which further cemented relationships for the remainder of the trip. Of course this took place in the bar of the excellent residence that has been chosen as his base of operations. You will not be disappointed living in a magnificent Chateau in the middle of what was a battle zone during the early hours of D-Day. Having the opportunity to spend time in the company of a veteran who was there is an experience I will always treasure. The storytelling is breathtakingly thorough and covers the battle from the tactical perspective to how the objectives were achieved by the individuals who fought in the Cotentin Peninsula. With this tour you get the big picture and the detail. Never a dull moment!"
- Norman Sibbald (United Kingdom)
"Alivia and I just had a great time! It was my first time back since the end of WWII and I got to see some of the places where me and buddies fought. Company was good, food was good, hotels were good. Great care was taken in seeing that everything went smoothly!
A fun trip, great company and great people all the way around."
- Dan and Alivia McBride, 502 PIR 101st ABD, WWII (New Mexico)
"What can I say about this tour? In one word, AMAZING!!! This is a one of a kind tour. We went to a hedgerow where our guest veteran had his machine gun set up 65 years earlier where we found some empty shell casings and live rounds in his old foxhole.
Without the expert guides and veterans on the tour, regular visitors would just drive past this location. So, for anyone interested in the battles of WWII and in particular the 101st Airborne Division, there simply is no better place to encounter the experiences of those legendary men than on this tour."
- Matthew Pellet (United Kingdom)
"I've tried to come up with a downside on this trip but there wasn't any. I am tired but EXTREMELY satisfied! We departed early every day and I never felt rushed. Our Guides did everything to make this a great trip. I never had to pay for anything and just enjoyed the trip. With everything being covered I didn't have to worry about what I was spending on food, gas, car rental and so on. That's very comforting.
To go on a tour with these guys is as good as it gets. There is no searching for locations, you just drive right to them. Without that Holland would be very tough to find the locations as so much has changed. To be the veterans right at the places they fought at was incredible. There is an added bonus in that everyone bonded real well and are now great friends.
I can't imagine how anyone could do it any better! Being able to take my son along to share in this is something I can't put into words. I was glad to be able to let him experience it and share it with me."
- Dudley Cone (Iowa)
"Had a very good trip! VERY informative and enjoyable. I loved that we went to all the little battle sites that no one else knows about. It was my first trip to Europe and I enjoyed the trip immensely.
- Ross Cone (Iowa)
"This tour stands out from the norm!
We were fortunate to be joined by two veterans, Don Burgett and Dan McBride. This, combined with the expertise of our guides is the reason why.
The hotels were excellent, the food fantastic and the pace leisurely. We toured the famous and the not so famous places, met many interesting people and made some new friends along the way. Bando has a wealth of knowledge and the 101st and will not fill in the gaps with tour rep B.S.
It was a pleasure to be on this tour and I can't wait for the next one!"
- Rory O'Donoghue (Ireland)