Monuments Men and Women Tour

9 – 16 September 2027 (8 days / 7 nights)

 

 

Get knee deep into history following the multifaceted story of the Monuments Men and Women of WW2. Beginning in Paris, we will learn about the art collection efforts and looting of the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) in France and Rose Valland’s efforts to track the works. The interplay between Rose Valland (curator at the Jeu de Paume Museum), her supervisor Jacques Jaujard (director at the Musèes Nationaux), and James Rorimer enabled the monuments men to locate key ERR storage facilities throughout Germany and Austria. The tour will visit a Parisian museum’s permanent exhibition of unreturned works of art.

After Paris, we move northeast to Belgium, visiting Michealangelo’s Madonna and Child sculpture in Bruges and the Van Eyck masterpiece known as the Ghent Altarpiece. These two works were featured in the 2014 film, The Monuments Men. We’ll honor the two monuments men who were killed in action, Maj. Ronald Edmond Balfour (British) and Capt. Walter J. Huchthausen (American), stopping at their graves in Kleve, Germany and Margraten, Netherlands, respectively.

The tour then follows the Allies’ advance through Germany and Austria in early 1945 and exploring key ERR safekeeping sites and explain their significance; this includes visits to the mines at Siegen and Heilbronn, Germany as well as Altaussee, Austria. (Note, we will not be stopping at the Merkers mine, as that is covered in our Third Reich Underground Tour.) We’ll visit famous castles such as Neuschwanstein, and churches and monasteries that likewise served as art repositories. Finally, we’ll cover a few of the collecting points established by the Americans to facilitate the return of art and artifacts to their rightful owners. This small-group tour will be as unique as the real story of the Monuments Men and Women!

 

The Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris, center of Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg activities

 

Itinerary: (Subject to Modification)

Participants need to note that the tour beings at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, France and ends at Munich International Airport (MUN) in Munich, Germany. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the starting point (CDG) and from the endpoint (MUN.)

Two other notes: 1) We will NOT be visiting the Louvre or the Jeu de Paume (interior). If you wish to visit these museums in Paris, arrive early and do so on your own. 2) The famous Munich Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, 18 Sept. Again, participants can remain in Germany after the tour to participate in it.

 

Day 1, Thursday, 9 Sept. The Parisian art scene. Meet at CDG at 11:00am. Explore the work of ERR at the Jeu de Paume Museum (exterior) as well as the story of Rose Valland and others who worked to document Nazi activities. Explore the Tuileries Garden in Paris, where the Nazis burned artwork. Visit the exhibit on orphaned art at the Musée d’Orsay and explore the story of the last ERR art train trying to leave Paris. Welcome dinner at a Parisian restaurant before heading back to the airport hotel. Hotel at Paris Airport TBD.

Day 2, Friday, 10 Sept. Belgian masterpieces. Depart Paris and drive to Belgium. Visit Michelangelo’s Madonna & Child statue in Bruges and van Eyck’s Altarpiece in Ghent. Both pieces of art played a key role in the 2014 movie. Drive to Aachen, Germany and stay overnight in Aachen at the Hotel zur Heide.

Day 3, Saturday, 11 Sept. Graves of the Fallen. Visit the grave of Major Ronald Edmond Balfour (killed 10 March 1945) at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery (CWGC) in Kleve, Germany and the grave of Capt. Walter A. Huchthausen (killed 2 April 1945) at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherland. Stay overnight in Aachen at the Hotel zur Heide.

Day 4, Sunday, 12 Sept. Entering Germany. Visit the Siegen mine (above ground only). Visit Schloß Braunfels. Visit the site of the Offenbach Archival Depot and describe the post-war role it played. Stay overnight at the Leonardo Hotel Offenbach.

Day 5, Monday, 13 Sept. Drive to Heilbronn and tour the underground mine. Drive to Füssen, Germany and stay overnight at the Hideauts Hotels der Rosengarten in Füssen.

Day 6, Tuesday, 14 Sept. Guided tour of Neuschwanstein castle. Drive to Buxheim, Germany and visit Kartause (Chart House) Buxheim. Drive to Munich and visit the Führerbau an NS Dokuzentrum. The Führerbau was used by the U.S. Army as a collection point for art. The Dokuzentrum is a modern museum highlighting National Socialist activities in Munich. Stay overnight at the Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels.

Day 7, Wednesday, 15 Sept. Berchtesgaden / Obersalzberg and Austria. Drive to Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg. Walking tour of famous Nazi leaders’ houses and their efforts to hide / accumulate art. (Given the October 2026 fire, it is not possible to visit the Kehlsteinhaus, aka Eagle’s Nest.) Drive to Altaussee, Austria. Farewell dinner this evening. Stay overnight at the JUFA Hotel Altaussee.

 Day 8, Thursday, 16 Sept. Visit the Altaussee Salt Mine Experience. Drive back to Munich, Germany. We anticipate arriving at MUN by 4:00pm. If needed, we can drop clients off at the Munich Train Station.

 

 

Tour Overview:

Tour Price (based on double occupancy)                    $4,520

Single Room Supplement                                           $645

 

Tour Price Includes*

• TWO military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
  • Local guides at specific sites as needed
• 3-Star accommodations, typically in European family-owned hotel / restaurants
• Transportation typically in comfortable 9-person people movers with A/C or in cars
• Almost all meals, except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
• Water, soda and snacks available in the van
• Cultural outings (calvados tasting, church tour, etc.) and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
• Admission fees to all sites

 

Tour Price Excludes*

• Transportation to and from the starting point and lodging and transportation before or after the tour’s start and end times; for example, the cost of a hotel night for participants who choose to arrive early.
• Dinner drinks
• Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
• Souvenirs and gifts

 

*See KDIH’s 2027 Terms and Conditions for full details.

Questions or concerns? Contact Randy Gaulke at kneedeepintohistory@gmail.com or 908.451.0252.

 

 

Download our Brochure and Terms and Conditions

Monuments Men and Women Tour Brochure 2027 TNR12 FINAL

2027 Terms and Conditions FINAL

 

Need More Information?

Search our Q&A.

Read our Tesimonials.

Email your questions to Randy Gaulke.

Return to the 2027 Battlefield Tour Schedule – Knee Deep Into History.

 

Join the tour by filling out this Registration Form.

 

Still undecided? Please watch this testimonial.