Visiting the Battlefields of the First World War

In the Champagne

To serve our members, the WFA-USA will list upcoming battlefied travel opportunities as well as guides who are available for hire by groups or individuals. However, we do not recommend any of these tours or individuals nor can we accept any responsibility for such service as the traveler receives.

Upcoming Tours Announced:

2008

Tour Guides Randy Gaulke and Markus Klauer (from Germany) are offering a five-day, small-group (12 max.) Walking-Oriented Tour in August 2008. The tour will spend three days in the Meuse-Argonne sector, one day in the St. Mihiel Salient and one day touring the Verdun battlefields. The tour will look at both the American and the German sides of the conflict; and it will involve significant walks-making this format somewhat unique. For complete information, please turn to the home page of Randy's website: www.meuse-argonne.com or contact him at lavarennes@patmedia.net or 908-626-1345.

WFA and GWS Website Editor Mike Hanlon will be repeating his successful comprehensive Western Front Expedition in 2008 for Valor Tours Ltd., May 20-31, 2008. The itinerary features all the "Classic" WWI battlfields in Flanders, the Somme, Artois including Vimy Ridge, the Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne and Verdun. This years trip also incorporates the special theme of honoring the 90th Anniversary of the battles of the American Expeditionary Force. Every major American Battlefield will be visited, and Memorial Day will feature a series of commemorations including two U.S. Cemeteries, Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, the Rock of the Marne site, and the Rainbow Division's Ourcq Battlefield and the Pennsylvania Division's action at Fismes. Contact Mike for more information and a brochure at: greatwar@earthlink.net.

Battlefield Guides

Back to the Front
Operated by Christina Holstein and Tony Noyes

On-Going Guide Services to All Sectors of the Western Front. Christina and Tony are experienced guides to all sectors of the Western Front. If you are traveling to Europe, they will help you plan an optimal program for visiting the battlefields regardless of your schedule. Visit their web page at: http://www.worldwar1.com/tripwire/tn_ch_letter.htm

David Heal's Private Tours

I have lived in Luxembourg for over 30 years. None of the World War I & II tours I am offering are on standard tourist office or coach outing tours. I lead all the tours myself.

Areas of Specialization: Battle of the Bulge; Nearby concentration camps; Luxembourg; German, French, US locales in St. Mihiel Sector; and 1914 sites in Belgium.

Contact for rates:

Tel/Fax: +352 331160
Email: healdav@vol.lu

Somme Battlefields

Much of our modern world can still be traced back to the First World War and its aftermath; and now that we no longer have direct personal anecdotes and eye-witness descriptions, we need to read and to explore the landscape of war for ourselves.

Area of Specialization: Somme Battlefields of 1916 and 1918. Our role has been to promote battlefield tourism to the general public and not to provide specific tour rates. However, a number of tour operators can be found referenced on our website to help people decide how and where to go to the Somme.

Website: www.somme-battlefields.co.uk

For small groups, tailored programs or quick departures, website editor Mike Hanlon is an experienced battlefield guide. Email him at: greatwar@earthlink.net. He is based in California, however, so travel to Europe needs to be factored into his expenses.

rev. 28 May 2006