Band of Brothers in Holland Private Tour from Amsterdam
Description
Follow in the footsteps of Dick Winters and his Band of Brothers during operation Market-Garden and on the Island. You will visit all the places related to the Band of Brothers saga in Holland. It is a busy tour so "Hang Tough". And we have a lunch break at an interesting museum. 10-11 hours tour duration is travel time included. The battlefield tour character of this trip means a lot of shorter and longer drives to and between locations.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After a 1,5 hours drive from Amsterdam we arrive at Dropzone C. This was the landing area of Easy Company. They liked the soft landing in the fields and we can see why. The Paulushoef farm was used as a rallying point and the local people were busy with helping injured and thirsty airbornes. The farm is not open for visitors.
From the dropzone we follow the advance of Easy company to the bridge at Son. It was blown up by the Germans. A footbridge was improvised and the advance to Eindhoven continued. Later the German's tried to recapture the bridge with a Panzer attack that was defeated after a hard fight.
In Eindhoven we see the street in which the people were celebrating while Easy company went forward to capture the Dommel bridge and waited for the tanks of the Guards Armored Division. Later the town was bombed by the Germans.
We drive to Nuenen. Here Easy Company had a hard fight with 107 Panzer Brigade attacking from the East. Nuenen is also famous as Vincent Van Gogh Village.
We stop for lunch and a visit to the Wings of Liberation museum. The museum is dedicated to the Market-Garden operation. You can see explanatory maps and uniforms, equipment and vehicles used in atmospheric displays. It is located in a forested area on a Cold War storage site. The museum is closed on Monday's.
The Germans made desperate attempts to cut "Hells Highway" the advance and supply route of XXX-corps. The Mill at Eerde and the road at Koevering were highly contested places.
At this farm on The Island the famous Dick Winters picture was made at the front gate. We make a stop here so you can do the same. At the road there is a monument for Easy Company covering the Island deployment. The farm is not open for visitors.
Our final stop is at the Crossroads where a detachment from Easy Company ran into 2 German SS-companies and routed them. You will see how open the terrain is with the only cover coming from dykes and drainage ditches. A small monument commemorates the action. From here it is about 1,5 hour back to Amsterdam.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from all hotels, ports and airports in the Amsterdam Area. The tour starts at pick up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(6)
This experience meant far more to us than we expected. Standing in the very places where the soldiers of Operation Market Garden fought and fell gave us a sense of connection that was deeply personal for my family of 4. This experience wasn’t just about learning history—it was experiencing the places of history that books and movies cannot express. Hearing the stories while walking the same ground made the war feel closer, more human, and profoundly real. We found ourselves imagining their decisions, their sacrifices, and the impossible moments they faced. It gave us a new level of respect for the men who fought though out the Netherlands and left a lasting impression that we will take with us for the rest of our lives. Jip did an outstanding job of bringing all of these stories to life. He presented pictures, accounts, and his own unique blend of experience that accentuated this trip. This is by far one of the best experiences myself and my family have had in our travels, and we are greatly appreciative of Jip for helping us create family memories that will last a lifetime. We all 50, 40ish, 20 and 12 year olds, recommend this adventure. (5 stars is not enough)
Wow Kevin, I am humbled by your great review. Thank you very much, it was a pleasure to have you all on tour.
I had a great day with Jip on the tour. He is a great guy and excellent historian. I would recommend this tour to military enthusiast and the history challenged as well. Thanks for my Day of Days.
Thank you Kevin, I really enjoyed your company and your stories about meeting members of the Band of Brothers.
Jip was outstanding in his knowledge of Easy Co 506th, Band of Brothers and Operation Market Garden. He took us to all the key sites, from the Easy Co. drop zone through The Crossroads, which included a visit to a very cool museum. Was a bucket list tour for me and it exceeded my expectations! Had a running conversation with Jip all day about Easy Co and Operation Market Garden, regarding tactics, personnel, and US Army/British Senior Leaders. Would highly recommend this tour if you are a Band of Brothers or Operation Market Garden Fan!
Thanks John, I enjoyed the tour with you and your son. Always fun to share the interest in Band of Brothers.
The tour was fantastic! The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the movie, history, and all the places. Must do tour for those die-hard fans of the movie!
Thank you for the review. My pleasure to share my interest in the Band of Brothers history and where it all happened.
Jip took us on an incredible day trip from Amsterdam to Bastogne and Foy! My husband is a passionate about World War II, particularly the journey Easy Company had through Europe. When he saw that we could do this tour, it was a must! Jip was incredibly knowledgeable, helping me learn along the way as I’m not as well-versed in WWII tanks and weapons as my husband. 😉 We both appreciated the depth of Jip’s knowledge, his thoroughly planned itinerary, and his generosity with his time. We were able to visit the Bastogne War Museum, several monuments around Bastogne, the Bois Jacques to see the foxholes and memorial, Foy, and more! It was so powerful to visit these places knowing (and learning more!) about what Easy Company faced right there. If you are interested in the rich history of the region and want to experience it with an incredible guide, look no further! Jip will take you on an amazing ride through history.
Thank you Kathleen, nice to hear that you enjoyed the tour
For anyone interested in WWII history, especially the operations of Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne, Jip Meijer hosts a tour that will expand your knowledge and appreciation for what these soldiers endured and achieved in their Holland deployment. Through his deep knowledge of the events and places, Jip explains their operations in precise detail using historical photos and battle maps that take you back to September and October of 1944.
