Join the New England Air Museum and Stephen Ambrose Tours for the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk Tour: Their Finest Hour. The focus of this tour is on the critical months of the summer of 1940 when Britain stood alone against the might of Nazi Germany and dealt Adolf Hitler his first great defeat.

You will begin this incredible story in France, where you will study the critical early battles of 1940 that culminated in the British Expeditionary Force’s epic fighting retreat from Arras to the port of Dunkirk, and the miraculous evacuation. Then you will travel on to England, where you will visit Biggin Hill, Bentley Priory, and London. Highlights of this tour include an exclusive visit to the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, an exclusive tour of the Imperial War Museum Duxford (one of the most historic Battle of Britain airfields), and an exclusive final dinner at the Royal Air Force Club.

Participation in this trip helps support the New England Air Museum’s mission. Founded in 1960, the New England Air Museum (NEAM) is the largest aerospace museum in its region, home to over one hundred historic aircraft and thousands of aerospace objects with a special focus on New England’s aviation history. Located in Windsor Locks, CT adjacent to Bradley International Airport (once a World War II air base), NEAM preserves aerospace history through its aircraft restoration program, interprets aerospace history through innovative exhibits, and inspires the next generation of aerospace innovators through hands-on programs for visitors of all ages.

Joining Stephen Ambrose Tours Historian Hugh MacDonald-Buchanan on this trip is Dr. Amanda Goodheart Parks, Director of Education at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT.

Dr. Goodheart Parks earned her Ph.D. in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and recently appeared in the History Channel miniseries “The Titans that Built America,” providing commentary on the role of aviation in World War II.

She is thrilled to support the Stephen Ambrose Tours team in providing this once-in-a-lifetime travel experience for New England Air Museum members and guests.

Hugh MacDonald-Buchanan specializes in London-based excursions in the UK and military history tours in Europe. While his initial focus was on the French Revolution in Paris and the subsequent Napoleonic era — including the downfall of Napoleon at Waterloo — he has branched out to include the Western Front in WWI and pivotal moments of WWII. These include the Fall of France (Blitzkreig) and the evacuation of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, D-Day and the Invasion of Normandy, and the series of campaigns that followed on in 1944 – 1945, including Market Garden and the Ardennes.

Hugh’s educational journey took him from attending Harrow School in London to obtaining his degree at University College London. He spent 23 years in the financial sector of London’s Financial District, working for Enskilda Securities Ltd., N.M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd., and Taylor Young Investment Management Ltd. He also worked in venture capital in Nashville, Tennessee, during the 1980s.

During this time, he indulged his passion for organizing excursions with friends; this eventually led to his transition into full-time freelance tour guiding. In 2006, he achieved the prestigious title of Blue Badge Guide of the Year. He is excited to turn a lifelong love for culture and history into his life’s work.

Guests will fly to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) and will join the group at the designated tour hotel.

• Armistice Museum

• Aire de Wancourt

• Telegraph Hill at Tilloy Les Mofflaines

• Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

• Massacre Memorial at Paradis Farm

• Cassel Bunker

• Wormhout

• Esquelbecq

• Messines Ridge

• Hill 60

• Bergues Canal Line Perimeter of Dunkirk Fence

• Museum Dunkirk 1940

• Saint Eloi Church

• Dunkirk Commonwealth War Grave

• East Mole of Dunkirk Harbour and Beach

The ride to Dover is approximately 90 minutes

• Battle of Britain Memorial

• Kent Battle of Britain Museum

• Dover Castle

• Cambridge ABMC Cemetery & Memorial

• Duxford Flying Finale Air Show

• Imperial War Museum (IWM)

• Bury St. Edmunds Guildhall

• Battle of Britain Bunker

• Biggen Hill Heritage Hanger

• London City Tour

• Churchill War Rooms

• Bentley Priory Museum

• RAF Museum

There will be a morning transfer to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Your days will be active as we visit various sites, so pack clothes that you are most comfortable wearing for the day. You will be walking through fields and woods, and often on cobblestone streets. We suggest walking shoes, hiking boots or sneakers that provide good support and are broken in. We also recommend a waterproof windbreaker in case of rain, a hat for sun protection and a sweater in case it gets chilly. Since laundry is usually unavailable, pack enough clothes for the entire tour.

When it comes to packing for the tour, a good practice is to bring luggage you can manage yourself. You will be responsible for your luggage while on tour.

The climate table below shows you the average high and low for all locations in order to assist you in packing.

There are no luggage restrictions for the bus. Check your airline’s specific luggage policy for details.

Keep a copy of your flight itinerary inside your checked luggage in the event that your luggage is lost on your flight.

Medications: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend bringing enough medication to last your entire trip, plus extra for potential travel delays. Pack medications in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost, and keep them in their original, labeled containers.

For more tips, visit the State Department’s “Your Health Abroad” webpage: click here. 

CPAP Machines: Distilled water for your CPAP machine may be hard to find during your tour. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, while distilled water is ideal for maintaining your equipment, using tap water temporarily will not harm you or your water chamber.

Some hotels do not have handicap rooms or elevators. Transportation during the tour is by large motorcoach and you will need to walk up three steps to board. Some sites may not be accessible if you have difficulty walking on uneven terrain, covering long distances, or require a wheelchair or cane. Please make arrangements with your traveling companion for these situations.

At Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, we aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all guests. To help everyone fully participate, we have a detailed wheelchair policy. If you require a wheelchair during the tour, please contact customer service at 504.821.9283 or review our wheelchair policy on our website here.

Valid passports are required for all international tour participants. Some countries require your passport to be valid for up to 6 months beyond your departure date, so check both the expiration date and its physical condition.

Visas may also be required for certain destinations, depending on your nationality. It is your responsibility to submit completed visa applications on time. Since obtaining visas can take time, apply as early as possible.

Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. travelers must apply for entry to the UK through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

You can call 800.228.9792 or follow the link below to begin your insurance quote.

Reference number : #18-6016

You can call 800.874.2442 or follow the link below to begin your insurance quote.

Producer Code: 20241202

The majority of expenses are covered in the tour price. However, you will need to pay for:

• Meals not included in the tour.

• Beverages, except coffee, tea, and water (this includes beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, juice, and milk).

• Tips for historians, tour managers and bus drivers (at your discretion).

It is a good idea to bring some cash because there may be some restaurants and shops that only accept cash. You can get cash during the tour using your ATM card so there is no need to carry large quantities of cash. Do not bring personal checks or traveler's checks.

The foreign currency that is used on our European tours is:

> England/UK: Pounds (£)

> Most of continental Europe: Euros (€)

You can order foreign currency from your bank before the tour, or you can get it from an ATM at the arrival airport. Some English Channel crossing ferries have an exchange booth on board to convert pounds to euros. There will also be ATMs at locations you visit on the tour.

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours is not responsible for itinerary changes & delays caused by force majeure events, including but not limited to natural disasters, hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, tornados, war, protests, and road closures. If the services and accommodations described for a particular tour cannot be provided due to circumstances beyond our control, we will make every reasonable effort to supply comparable alternatives.

Most motorcoaches are equipped with a small toilet (similar in size to an airplane toilet). Many parks and museums also have restrooms available.

Free bottled water is provided on the bus.

Except for guests with mobility issues, seats are unassigned. We kindly ask that you rotate seats daily to allow everyone the chance to get to know each other.

You will receive a name tag at the Welcome Reception. Please wear it every day of the tour to ensure entry to all sites and to help us easily identify you as part of our group.

While using your American phone in Europe is easy, it’s not always cheap. Your cell phone provider should offer international plans with different levels of data, talk and text options for short-term purchase. Please contact your cell phone provider to set up a plan for your travel dates.

Please check your tours hotel list to know which hotels offer free WiFi. Most motor coaches will not have WiFi.

You do not need to tip during group meals, as gratuities are included in the price of your tour.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness in planning to tip the team members who will be assisting you during your trip.

A general guideline for tipping is as follows:

Bus Driver: $5 per person, per day
Tour Manager: Around $5 - 10 per person, per day
Historian/Guide: Around $5 - 10 per person, per day

These amounts are typical, but of course, you can adjust them based on the quality of service and your personal preference. Your generosity will certainly be appreciated by the team.

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.

• Payment Method: The ETA application has a small fee (approximately £16) payable by credit or debit card.

• Section 1: Personal Information: Provide your full name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and email address.

• Section 2: Passport Information: Enter your passport number, issue date, and expiration date. Accuracy here is crucial.

• Section 3: Travel Details: Indicate your arrival and departure dates and purpose of travel (e.g., tourism), It should not be necessary to have booked your flights before this step.

• Section 4: Background Questions: Respond to basic security questions about your travel history, health, and any criminal record. Be truthful, as incorrect information can result in denial.

• Carefully review your information before submission, then proceed to pay the application fee with a credit or debit card. Keep a record of your payment as confirmation.

• It will cost around $20.

• Most applications are processed within minutes to hours.

• You will receive an email with your ETA status once your application is approved. If denied, you will receive instructions on how to appeal or reapply.