The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich
12 days from £1,809pp
About the tour: The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich
Tour Introduction
Join this 12-day tour as we delve into the ‘dark charisma’ of Adolf Hitler. From the rise of National Socialism in the 1920s to Hitler’s move to power in the 1930s with the Nazi party, we spend time visiting the infamous locations associated with the Third Reich. In Austria, we visit the Eagle's Nest which was built as a gift for Hitler on his 50th birthday. In Berlin, we visit the Reichstag area and look at Brandenburg Gate, and in Nuremburg – considered the ‘Capital of the Party’ – we examine the story of the post-war Nuremberg trials. We also spend time in Munich where we see where Hitler gave some of his earlier speeches.
Tour Includes
- 11 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Historical Guide
- Convenient local joining points
(Deposits from £150pp)
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.
If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.
Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.
Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2
To Bavaria for a three-night stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Munich & Dachau
We start with the rise of National Socialism in Munich in the 1920s and Hitler’s involvement in the November 1923 Putsch. We see the Ludwig’s Bridge and Isartor, then visit the Hofbrau House where Hitler gave many of his early speeches. At the Odeonsplatz we see where Hitler was when war was declared in 1914. We then move on to other Third Reich sites in Munich, including the Ehrenhalle and site of the Brown House. After lunch we travel to Dachau, to look at the ‘Final Solution’ and one of the first Concentration Camps.
Included meals: Breakfast
Odenplatz (4)
Key Visits
- Ludwig's Bridge
- Isartor
- Odenplatz
- Ehrenhalle - Site of Brown House
- Dachau Concentration Camp
Day 4 - Berchtesgaden
Today we travel through Austria to the Eagle’s Nest (weather permitting), built for Hitler’s fiftieth birthday. Maybe take time to see the visitors’ centre and tunnels in Berchtesgaden, we look at the story of Hitler’s sister, Paula, and see the stunning war memorial murals in the main square.
Included meals: Breakfast
Eagle's Nest (3)
Key Visits
- Eagle's Nest
- Berchtesgaden
Day 5 - Nuremberg
We head to Nuremberg, which Hitler considered to be the ‘Capital of the Party’. Here we look at the sites connected with the many rallies of the Third Reich. We then walk to the nearby Luitpold seeing the ground where more than 150,000 National Socialists gathered for rallies in the 1920s and 30s. Overnight in Nuremberg area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Zeppelinfeld Stadium (4)
Key Visits
- Nuremberg
- Luitpoldhahn Rally Grounds, Nuremberg
- Zeppelinfeld Stadium
Day 6 - Nuremberg Trials
We look at the story of the post-war Nuremberg Trials, visiting the court where they took place and the new exhibition. The original courtroom 600 is still in use and, subject to modern-day demands, we may also go into the courtroom itself. Continue to Berlin area for four nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
Nuremberg Courtroom & Visitors Centre (2)
Key Visits
- Nuremberg Courtroom & Visitors Centre
Day 7 - Berlin
In Berlin we look at the heart of the Third Reich regime starting at the Reichstag area, walking to the nearby Brandenburg Gate and go to the site of Hitler’s Bunker before visiting the ‘Topography of Terror’ exhibition. After lunch we travel to the 1936 Olympic Stadium where Jessie Owens destroyed the myth of Aryan invincibility. In the Grunewald area of West Berlin we see where decisions were made about the ‘Final Solution’ at Wannsee and visit ‘Gleis 17’ the memorial site to Berlin’s Jews who were deported to the death camps in the East.
Included meals: Breakfast
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (6)
Key Visits
- Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
- The Reichstag Building
- Topography of Terror
- 'Gleis 17'
- Hitler's Bunker
- Olympic Stadium, Berlin
- Wannsee
Day 8 - Sachsenhausen & Ravensbrück Camps
Today we look at the establishment of Concentration Camps in Germany with a visit to Sachsenhausen just outside Berlin. This was used to detain mainly political prisoners and was used again in the Cold War. Later we travel to Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. This was a women’s camp and a number of SOE agents were killed here, including Violette Szabo GC immortalised in the film Carve Her Name With Pride.
Included meals: Breakfast
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp (3)
Key Visits
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- Ravensbrück Concentration Camp
Day 9 - Battle of Berlin
The end of the Third Reich came in April 1945 with the Allied advance from the West and the final Soviet attack from the East on Berlin. Today, we look at the Battle for Berlin, starting on the Seelow Heights. We then look at some of the Russian memorials and burial grounds around Berlin and see the Karlshorst Museum.
Included meals: Breakfast
Seelow Soviet Memorial (4)
Key Visits
- Treptower Park Russian Memorial
- Seelow Soviet Memorial
- Karlshorst Museum
Day 10 - Munster
Leaving Berlin we travel to Munster to visit the superb German Panzer Museum with its impressive collection of German tanks and armoured fighting vehicles. We stay overnight in the Hamburg area.
Included meals: Breakfast
German Panzer Museum (2)
Key Visits
- German Panzer Museum
Day 11 - Lüneburg Heath
We travel to Lüneburg Heath where the British took the surrender of German forces in May 1945. We also visit Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau. Continue to our overnight hotel in Holland.
Included meals: Breakfast
Lüneburg Heath (3)
Key Visits
- Lüneburg Heath
- Becklingen War Cemetery
Day 12
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Pre-Tour Reading
A selection of related books for pre or post tour reading.
- Antill, P.D. Berlin 1945 (Osprey Books 2005)
- Arnold, J.R. Ardennes 1944 (Osprey Books 1990)
- Le Tissier, T. Berlin Battlefield Guide (Pen & Sword 2008)
- Le Tissier, T. The Third Reich Then & Now (After The Battle 2005)
- Overy, R. The Third Reich: A Chronicle (Quercus 2011)
- Rees, L. The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler (Ebury Press 2012)
- Shirer, W.L. The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich (Arrow 1991)
Passenger Information
The Tour
The tour covers some of the main sites connected with the Third Reich from its early days to the end of the Regime in 1945 with the fall of Berlin.
Foreign Currency
The Rise and fall of the Third Reich tour takes place in several European countries but you will only need the Euro. You are advised to get Euros – in cash – in advance of your tour, as most banks do not provided currency exchange services or will not change Travellers Cheques.
What to Bring
As we are travelling across a large country like Germany, it is advisable to bring sensible clothes and always pack a jumper and waterproofs. Good, stout shoes are essential and comfortable walking boots or trainers are ideal. In warm weather always bring a hat and sun cream, and it is advisable to have a supply of water, which is usually on sale on the coach as well.
Specialist Battlefield Guides
All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.
Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.
Hotel
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
Overnight stays in Belgium and Holland will be in city-style hotels.
Johannisbad
+ View moreAbout the hotel
The 3-star family run Johannisbad Hotel is located in the town of Bad Aibling which is between Munich and Salzburg and only 20 minutes drive away from Chiemsee and other local towns. The hotel is opposite the beautiful spa park called Aiblinger Kurpark for you to enjoy a leisurely walk in your free time.
Hotel Features
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Lift
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Room Features
- Bath and/or Shower
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- TV
Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport
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About the hotel
The 4-star Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport is located in Eindhoven, and features both a bar and a restaurant. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a hairdryer, and safe.
Hotel Features
- Bar
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Lift
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Room Features
- Bath and/or Shower
- Hairdryer
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Telephone
- TV
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.
Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.
When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.
Silver Service Coach
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Silver Service Features
- Sit back and relax in specially-designed, deluxe reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and more legroom than standard coaches.
- Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.
- Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
- Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
- Porterage* at most hotels, so you really don’t have to lift a finger.
- Time flies with our onboard entertainment system.
- With free personal headphones you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs.
- Onboard toilet
Silver Service Seating Plan
Silver Service Virtual Tour
Luxuria Coach
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Luxuria Features
- Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests with cup holders and retractable calf rests give you a more comfortable journey.
- Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch screen T.V. offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
- There’s also a selection of double and single seats, including four seats face-to-face with tables. And with a total of 7 single seats available, these are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
- Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
- Onboard toilet.
Luxuria Seating Plan
Luxuria Virtual Tour
Travel Extras
With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...
Join coach at Interchange
+ Find out moreJoin your tour coach at the interchange.
On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Door-to-Door service
+ Find out moreOn Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
