Last Days of WW2
Eighty years ago, the campaign in the North West of Europe came to an end, as units of the British and Commonwealth forces fought their final battles from the Netherlands onto German soil. In this fascinating tour, we look at some of these forgotten battlefields of 1945, visit the British war cemeteries in Western Germany, and discuss how the discovery of Nazi crimes at places like Bergen-Belsen led to our understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust.
Tour Includes
- 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
7 days from £1,049pp
Travel Options
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Inbound Travel
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Experiences
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 7 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Holland for a two-night stay.
Our tour begins in the Hertogenbosch area, looking at the battle that took place here in the autumn of 1944, following Operation Market Garden. We follow the story of the 53rd (Welsh) Division troops who captured the town.
We then discuss the static nature of warfare in the Netherlands in the winter of 1944/45, and move up to the area north of Arnhem where the Canadians fought in 1945. Here, visit Canadian memorials, the Canadian War Cemetery and its visitor centre at Holten, and look at where the Canadian fighting was at its most fierce in April 1945, which led to the liberation of the Netherlands the following month.
We also take time to visit the Memory Freedom Museum at Nijverdal, established to perpetuate the memory of the Second World War.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We depart the Netherlands and travel into Germany, following the advance of men from the 21st Army Group and the British 30 Corps as they took the war onto German soil. We see the battlefields around the Ems Canal, following the advance of British tanks in 1945 and the fighting at Lingen.
The day ends at Sage War Cemetery, where some of the earliest British casualties of WW2 lay alongside the dead from the final weeks of the war.
We then continue to our hotel in Bremen for a two-night stay.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today, we look at the end of the war in Germany in April-May 1945, visiting the Retham Battlefield and large Becklingen War Cemetery where some of the final casualties of the conflict in the West are buried; among them, Edward Charlton VC of the Irish Guards. He was the last Victoria Cross of the war in Europe.
We then visit the German Panzer Museum at Munster, a world-renowned museum with a major collection of tanks and armour from WW1 to modern times.
Later, we visit Lüneburg Heath and see where Bernard Montgomery took the surrender of German forces in May 1945, visiting the memorial.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
This morning, we visit Bergen-Belsen. A former Prisoner of War Camp, it became a Concentration Camp and work camp, and was the first one reached by British troops in 1945. For many veterans, it was a defining moment of the war where they understood what it was they had been fighting for.
We see the Visitor’s Centre, walk the site of the camp, and see the memorial to Anne Frank who is one of the most-known victims of the Holocaust, having been the voice for so many who died under Nazi tyranny.
Later, we visit Celle War Cemetery to see the graves of the men who fell in this area in 1945. Then, at Hannover, we discuss the air war over Germany in 1945, visiting the impressive Hannover War Cemetery where the men of Bomber Command are buried.
We then continue to our hotel in the Hannover area for an overnight stay.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We travel across the ground where British forces advanced in 1945 and go through the Rhineland area between Wesel and Xanten, discussing Operations Veritable and Plunder. We have our lunch period in Kleve, and then continue to the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the largest British and Commonwealth Second World War Cemetery in Europe with over 7,500 graves.
Later, we look at the Battle for Arnhem in 1945, seeing the Arnhem War Museum which tells the story of the whole war in the city.
We then continue to the Arnhem area for an overnight stay.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights at the Hotel Wander near Arnhem, two nights at the Radisson Blu Hotel Bremen, one night at the Wyndham Hannover Atrium or the Fora Hotel Hannover by Mercure, and one night at the Hotel Wander, Wageningen near Arnhem.
Fora Hotel Hannover
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- English Speaking Staff
- 4 Star
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
Room
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Wheelchair Access
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Dog Friendly (selected rooms)
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals On Request
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Wyndham Hannover Atrium
Featuring contemporary architecture and interiors, plus a dramatic, light-filled atrium, this 4-star hotel sits on the edge of the peaceful Eilenriede Forest in Hannover. Expect comfortable bedrooms and a bright and airy restaurant.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- English Speaking Staff
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Telephone
- Shower over Bath
- Free Wifi
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- Bureau de Change
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Laundry Service
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Menu
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bureau de Change
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Hotel Wander
The Hotel Wander provides you with a great base in the city and friendly service. The property is nearby to the Old Town. The terrace is open in the summer months and offers views of the city canal.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- Central Location
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Shower
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Menu
- Lactose or Dairy Free Menu
- Vegan Menu
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Gym
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Travel Options
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.
Silver Service
From the attentive service to the carefully considered features, our Silver Service coaches create an atmosphere that is both friendly and memorable, bringing people together. Experience the difference – refined travel, shared moments, and lasting comfort.
- Designed for Socialising A stylish and spacious rear lounge offers a sophisticated and private place to unwind, where conversation flows easily and friendships are made along the journey.
- Privacy Board An innovative privacy screen creates a calm retreat away from the rest of the coach, giving you the choice to enjoy quiet seclusion while you socialise with fellow passengers.
- Tables with Cup Holders Thoughtfully designed cabinets with secure cup holders mean refreshments are always within easy reach, adding both practicality and polish to your travel experience.
Silver Service Features
Deluxe design
Specially designed, luxurious seats enhanced with leather headrests deliver superior support, blending comfort with a premium finish.
Space to stretch out
Enjoy the luxury of generous legroom that goes far beyond standard coach travel, giving you the freedom to settle in with ease and stretch out fully.
Spacious rear lounge
Designed for socialising, the spacious rear lounge offers a stylish retreat with privacy screens, handy tables and cup holders – perfect for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the journey.
Thoughtful touches that make a difference
A carefully maintained interior climate and soft ambient lighting ensure the coach always feels comfortable, welcoming and perfectly suited for a relaxing journey.
Departure Dates
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
