Battle Bus Tours

I agree, Tony. I can be a little tight with my money, but I thought I got good value from my MANY Euros. We took the two day American Experience. My family and I are kinda into this subject, and while I knew pretty much all of what was presented, our guide had all of the first hand color commentary and could flesh out the experience. Plus, he was VERY efficient with our time. He was aware of how much money these tours cost. We had the opportunity to go, or not go, to certain places, depending on our interests, so that was nice. And to stand in those fields, on those beaches, amongst those ruins...in the stillness of the surroundings I felt the souls that had passed through those places. Rather than a story from a book or a documentary on television, it is an experience I will carry with me always. And concerning BOB, I think viewing the series eight times is just getting your feet wet...

Geez, I had seen Band of Brothers four times before I took the tour last September and watched it again when I got home. I feel like a slacker!

I took the American Highlights and the British Highlights tours last year. (I stayed an extra day because I couldn't decide between the two.) They were both amazing, moving experiences. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and care passionately about history. I can't wait to go back.

Tony, I also had two incredible tours with BattleBus. I took the American and Canadian Highlights tours over two days, and both were INCREDIBLE. There didn't seem to be any question the Guides couldn't answer. It was interesting to see the history by looking at actual photos taken during the battles while looking at the way the same locations look today. It was interesting to see some of the sites featured in movies like "The Longest Day", but I also gained a tremendous appreciation for what our Canadian troops endured. Standing in the garden at the Abbaye d'Ardenne was a very somber and moving experience! I'm definitely planning to take more BattleBus tours on future visits. Cheers!

Tony I am now so glad to know that I am not nuts. I have watched the mini series around 10 times (each time my daughters laugh at me and then eventually watch alot of it with me but they wont admit they are hooked too) and even though I owned it on DVD I went out and bought it on Blue-ray when it came out. My wifes uncle was in the 101st and jumped into Normandy Holland and was at Bastogne. I have been to Europe twice without going to Normandy but it is on the schedule for next years trip and in my readings on these posts for the last 2 years it seems to be about 90 percent of posters really like the Battle Bus tours so I am going to plan on taking at least one and probably both of the ones you took. Thanks for your input.

I watched the series, Band of Brothers, a couple of times. Then, recently, I read the book. The book adds a lot of detail and makes the movie more coherent. For one thing, the "Band" was not the same group of men throughout. There were many casualties and replacements, so that the majority of the original men were replaced by the end of the war. What I found interesting were the details of the training that the original group underwent before deployment.

I'll probably getted ripped for this but here goes! Took a private BattleBus tour 2 weeks ago today. That allowed us to mix Band of Brothers and American Highlights tours together in one day. The day was good but not great. You kind of have to be a BoB junkie to get into looking at pictures from the mini-series and then staring into fields in Normandy where the action took place. I couldn't name the first leader of 506 E company, much to the chagrin of our guide. Our guide was really into the airborne side of things and I felt a little like we had to drag him to Utah and Omaha beach. Anyway, I do take pity on anyone that would have to lead our family around for 8 hours. Again, good, not great.

Aw, c'mon, Carroll - slacker is right ;-) Five times just means you're finally getting the guys' names straight! And Swan, the fact that there were (unfortunately) so many replacements is why I have to watch it over and over LOL. THEN, when everyone has dirt smeared on their face and they dress in the same clothes...not helpful. Nametags would be helpful. (yes, we have the DVDs, too) Same thing happened to me, too, Terry - my husband was watching the series and I unintentionally got sucked in...

I will be in Normandy this fall with my husband for our 10 year anniversary. He has booked the American Highlights and the Canadian Highlight tour with BB when we are there. (2 full days) I am concerned that since I am not a WWII history buff and not particularly interested that everything will be over my head since I don't have the background knowledge (except for some highschool history) like my husband does. Any other women out there who have gone? What was your experience like? My intention is more to go to pay respects to those who fought.

I fuly agree that the BB tour(s) are great. One drawback was the lack of time at the American Cemetery behind Omaha, only about 20 minutes. Fortunately we had our rental car, returned the following day and spent nearly 5 hours there watching the videos in the main cemetery building and looking up the Saving Private "Ryan" brothers, men from our home state, and General Roosevelt. Very moving. We located an oddly named soldier there and upon our return home, my wife mentioned that to a coworker and it turns out it was her uncle! The family had little knowledge of what had happened to him since he was lost on that pre-invasion LST that was sunk by German torpedo boats with 800 drowned. We spend the remainder of the day meandering along the beaches, collecting a bit of Omaha sand for a D Day vet at home, and enjoying a picnic lunch. Save a day for a return trip if you can.

We did the 2 day American Experience tour, and we had a whole lot more time at the American Cemetery. I think we were there about an hour and half at least. For those who are not up on their WW2 history, these tours will fill in the blanks and I truly do not think you will be bored. The stories told by the guides are fascinating and one does move from place to place, so it isn't just standing in a field and imagining battle manuevers. The BOB tours are a different story I think, more for fans, than for the regular person who wants to know the story of this invasion and all it entailed. The losses, the triumphs, the small stories that changed lives forever and if not told, are destined to be forgotten. You will come away from this tour in awe. If you do want to read a little something, try "The Greatest Generation". One of my all time favorite books.

Quinne, I am a 69 year old lady and loved the BB all day American tour. I am one of those people that belong to the over 8 watching the Band of Brothers DVD's. I have no idea why I have been so interested in WW2. I do remember when we were at war. Several uncles including my father served in WW2. My father and his brothers were interrupeters in France during the war. Watch the BOB DVD's and Saving Private Ryan before taking the tour and trip.

Quinne, We took the American Highlights tour with three other couples. They had varying levels of knowledge, but most knew a fair amount about WWII. However, there was one woman whose knowledge didn't seem to go beyond the fact that the Germans were the bad guys. She loved the tour and found everything very interesting. The guides will tell you stories about what happened at different places, so you really don't need to know anything to get something out of it. I think the more you know, the more you get out of it, but it really isn't necessary to be an expert to enjoy the tour.

Hey Mary, Do you want to give me a quiz on the guys' names? I think I'd do all right! I'm going to Bastogne next month, so I'll be watching the DVDs for the sixth time soon. Maybe I'd rather take the quiz then. :) Do I get extra credit for reading the books written by the guys in Easy Company? If I haven't read every one, I've come pretty close. I'm actually happy to hear I am not the only person who is so into their story.

Sure, Carroll, actually I'll just name them all - OK, there's Guarnere, Nixon, uh-oh...phone's ringing; gotta go...;-) Seriously, I am impressed with your devotion and scholarly pursuit of the subject!.........Quinne, nothing will go over your head. It's not 2 days of extremely dry, detailed discussions of battle strategy, etc. (thank goodness!) My tour guide presented the battles (and yes, the battle strategies) as stories about flesh-and-blood humans. He picked a few people to talk about, and we got their story from beginning to end. (If any of you have read "The Longest Day", the device is very similar) If you like stories, you'll love the tour. And the scenery is gorgeous ; just like I expected it to be. And you'll have plenty of opportunities to pay your respects. Too many opportunities.

Quinne, I thought the American Highlights tour was one of the best things we have ever done. My dad was in WW2 although not at Normandy. He was in Anzio. My husband and I loved the tour! The American cemetery took my breath away. Do it for sure, you won't regret it! As an aside, we went to Anzio last year and regretfully, the experience is night and day different. The Normandy experience should not be missed!