Berlin, Colditz and the Dam Busters tour with TV’s James Holland
Join the acclaimed historian on an exclusive Second World War tour of Germany
LAST month’s moving ceremonies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings reminded us of the seismic impact of the Second World War and the dark shadows it cast over Europe for decades to come. There is no better way to understand the real history and true heroism of the Allies’ epic struggle against Nazi Germany than in the destinations where they took place – and on this exclusive nine-day escorted tour for Mail on Sunday readers, you will discover them with the acclaimed historian and broadcaster James Holland.
Your trips starts in Belgium before moving on to Germany with enthralling visits to Berlin, Dresden, the infamous prisoner-of-war camp at Colditz Castle, and the Möhne Dam, one of the dams targeted using Barnes Wallis’s ingenious ‘bouncing bombs’ in the raid immortalised in the classic 1955 film The Dam Busters.
Mr Holland, who will give an exclusive talk and Q&A to readers in Berlin and also accompany you on a guided tour of the infamous Colditz Castle, says: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining this trip. It will be fascinating to venture into the heart of what was the Third Reich and to see not only Berlin and famous landmarks from the Nazi era. I will also tell you about the dams raid, one of the most remarkable air operations of the war. To see the dams for real is to marvel at how those men of 617 Squadron ever managed to pull it off – at night, over unfamiliar terrain and with mists in the valleys below. It’s astonishing.’
REASONS TO BOOK Exclusive talk and Q&A with James Holland
James will give a talk in Berlin, where he will draw on his encyclopaedic knowledge of the Second World War. The author of a dozen acclaimed history books and presenter of major BBC documentary series, James will give his personal insights and share revealing stories about the experiences of the men and women who fought and died during the conflict. You will also have the opportunity to ask James your own historical questions in a private Q&A following his talk.
Tour Colditz Castle with our special guest
Overlooking a tributary of the River Elbe, forbidding Colditz is synonymous with wartime heroism and great escapes. On a gripping guided tour, you will see escape tunnels, a home-made radio, false uniforms and ingeniously crafted equipment – all in the company of special guest James Holland.
Explore Berlin
Berlin is one of Europe’s great capitals and you will see its historic highlights, including Checkpoint Charlie, the East-West border crossing that became a poignant symbol of the Cold War, the Reichstag parliament, the iconic Brandenburg Gate and what remains of the Berlin Wall.
Discover Dresden, Erfurt and Leipzig
This exclusive tour also takes in the 12th Century city of Dresden, famous for its art, music and culture. The city was all but destroyed during the war but it has been restored to its former glory. You will also visit historic Erfurt, with its well-preserved medieval old town, impressive cathedral and quaint winding streets, and Leipzig, birthplace of composer Richard Wagner, before an overnight stay in the Kassel area.
See the site of the real Dam Busters raid
You will travel to the dramatic Möhne Dam in the North RhineWestphalia region. This dam was one of the targets of the famous bouncing bombs and was breached during the audacious raid by RAF Lancaster heavy bombers.