Roger A. Freeman Heritage Tour - TARGET GERMANY: The "Mighty Eighth," POWs & the Nuremberg Trials

This remarkable tour will explore historic sites related to the rise and fall of Hitler's Third Reich. Additionally, we will visit significant locations connected to the United States Eighth Air Force during World War II.

Join us on this captivating journey as we begin our tour in Munich, Germany. We will visit key sites of the Third Reich and conclude our trip in Nuremberg, where the famous Nazi war crimes trials took place after the war.

We will also explore two notable cities that were strategic targets of the "Mighty Eighth" Air Force: Schweinfurt and Regensburg, Germany.

The tour will be led by Mark S. Copeland, the Director of Educational Travel for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. He is a leading expert on the Eighth Air Force during World War II and is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable historians in this field. Mark has a deep passion for World War II history.

Over the past four decades, Mark has traveled extensively throughout Europe and has specifically designed this tour to be the finest of its kind. You will visit unique sites that are not included in any other tour itineraries. During the journey, you will also have the opportunity to meet several local historians, museum docents, and volunteers to enhance your experience.

Day 1 - Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Arrival Day

Guests will arrive at Munich International Airport (MUC), where the Tour Leader/Manager will guide you to your private executive car for transportation to the beautiful Marriott Munich City Center.

In the evening, a welcome dinner will take place at the hotel. This will provide an opportunity to meet your fellow tour participants and learn about the itinerary and schedule for the trip.

Day 2 - Friday, May 15th, 2026 - Munich City Tour

Explore the rise of the National Socialist Party as we visit the historical sites in Munich on a comprehensive city tour.

Dinner will be served at the famous Hofbräuhaus. Prost!

Day 3 - Saturday, May 16, 2026 - Dachau Concentration Death Camp - We will explore the evil of Hitler's Third Reich as we visit the infamous Dachau Concentration Death Camp.   An English-speaking tour guide will escort our group through the camp and museum. 

A free afternoon to explore Munich on your own.  Dinner at the Ratskeller.

Day 4 - Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Tegernsee / Salzburg, Austria

Our group will depart from Munich and head towards the beautiful Bavarian countryside. We will enjoy a traditional German lunch in the stunning Tegernsee lake region, followed by a brief visit to the nearby Durnbach Commonwealth Military Cemetery.

After our visit, we will continue our journey to the enchanting city of Salzburg, Austria, where we will check into the luxurious Goldener Hirsch Hotel.

Lunch will be served at Braustuberl in Tegernsee, and dinner will be enjoyed at the Goldener Hirsch Hotel.

Day 5 - Monday, May 18, 2026 - Berchtesgaden / Hitler's Eagle's Nest

Today, we will explore the picturesque city of Berchtesgaden, including Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat known as the "Eagle's Nest," as well as the Document Center Museum. An expert guide will provide narration throughout our visit.

For dinner, we will dine at the Stiegl Keller restaurant in Salzburg.

Day 6 - Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - Free Day in Salzburg, Austria

Participants on the tour will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Salzburg, Austria, at their leisure. The Tour Leader/Manager will be available to assist anyone interested in additional tour options, such as the Sound of Music Experience or a visit to Mozart's House.**

**Please note that these extra tours are not included in the tour package price.

Day 7 - Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Stalag VIIA

Today, we will explore the Allied Prisoner of War (POW) Camp, Stalag VIIA. Our group will be accompanied by three museum curators. Notably, the original German flag that was lowered shortly after the camp’s liberation is on display at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

After our visit, we will check into the Le Grand Meridian Hotel in Nuremberg.

Lunch is scheduled at Gasthof Drei Tannen in Moosburg, followed by dinner at the Le Meridian Hotel.

Day 8 - Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Schweinfurt or Bamberg, Germany

Option 1: Travel to the town of Schweinfurt, Germany, where you will tour the city, visit the German Flak Bunker Museum, and see the SSMA Memorial. Lunch will be served in a former German flak bunker.

Option 2: Spend the day in the charming town of Bamberg, Germany. Lunch will be on your own.

Afterward, the group will return to Nuremberg, where dinner will be on your own.

Day 9 - Friday, May 22, 2026 - Nuremberg City Tour

Join us for a tour of Nuremberg's significant World War II sites, including the Rally Grounds, the Zeppelin Stadium, and the Hall of Justice, specifically Courtroom 600.

Dan Rosenthal, son of 100th Bomb Group veteran, Lt. Colonel Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, and Ron Beinstock, legal consultant for the 100th BG Foundation and historian of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trails will be our special guest at the Hall of Justice. These two gentlemen will present a special lecture in the former Judge's Chamber, where the verdicts were decided and sentences were deliberated.

Dan will reflect on his father's memories of being an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney under future U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Robert H. Jackson.

Lunch will be provided on the bus, featuring sandwiches, chips, and soda.

The afternoon and evening will be free for our tour participants to explore Nuremberg at their leisure.

Day 10 - Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Flossenbürg Concentration Camp / Free Day in Nuremberg

Option 1: Tour Flossenbürg Concentration Camp and return to the hotel.

Option 2: Enjoy a free day in Nuremberg to explore the city at your leisure.

Dinner will be at Das Steichele in Nuremberg.

Day 11 - Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Travel to Munich.

Participants will be transported to the Hilton Munich Airport for easy departures the following day. Lunch will be in Regensburg City.

Farewell dinner will be at the Hilton Munich Airport.

Day 12 - Monday, May 25, 2026 - Departure Day

Return to the USA. Tour participants will have a short walk from the Hilton Munich Airport to the Departures/Check-in area for their return flights.