Reviews

I just got back from the June 1st DDay to the Rhine tour, and I have to say it was wonderful. Our two leaders made the trip special. The first one I met was David Otteley, the tour manager, and he immediately made me feel that his mission in life was to take care of me on this trip. It took me awhile to realize he gave the same impression to each person. David mother-henned our group the whole time, making sure we were on time and where we were supposed to be. And he made everything fun!
Our group was also very lucky to have Rick Beyer as our leader. Rick was not only very knowledgeable about every aspect of our WWII journey, but he was an excellent teacher and explainer. He had the ability to paint a picture with words and to make us see and feel what had happened on a particular spot.
This trip has been on my bucket list for years and it exceeded all my expectations.

Just returned from this tour (June 2025), which included the 3 day extension. It was fantastic. Our tour guide Rick Beyer was excellent. He has very deep knowledge of the subject, a clear commitment to preserving and passing on the important legacy of those who served and sacrificed, not to mention a quick wit. David Ottley was a great tour manager, making sure we all got where we needed to be and sharing his valuable experience and good cheer every day. If you have a genuine interest in the subject area, you are bound to enjoy this tour! Be prepared to marvel at the beaches in Normandy and the beautiful American cemetery; learn about the heroics of your fellow tour member’s fathers and uncles; glimpse the foxholes used by Easy company during the Battle of the Bulge; see where English code-breakers broke Nazi codes; sit in the very room where top Nazis were tried for war crimes at Nuremberg; see the ruins of Hitler’s mountain lair in Ubersalzburg; and pay your respects and bear witness to the evils perpetrated at Dachau. Some tips: Make sure you have a good pair of shoes because you will be walking quite a bit; don’t pack heavy, you don’t need a ton of stuff; pack a small umbrella and a light rainproof jacket to have on hand during the day; and depending on when you travel bring a couple of layers just in case you have a cold or rainy day. Go for it!

We just got back from this tour, 6/1/25-6/17/25 (We also went on the 3- day excursion.) If you’re interested in learning about World War 2, I would HIGHLY recommend this tour. Our tour guide, Rick, was unbelievably good and knowledgeable. Our tour manager, David, was fantastic as well and did everything he could to make this a wonderful experience.

I went on the second tour I think in August 1999. I really enjoyed it and hope to go again only thing wrong was 2 days traveling to arnhem and back. Made no difference to me i was sightseeing and i liked most of the people Ron .Judy Craig Drez were really good to travel with. I doubt i go this year because im too busy. Anyway you wont regret going wonderful exoerience

I was on the second tour August 1999. I hope to go again. Ron and Judy Drez hosted the tour and they really made it simple and enjoyable. It’s really worth doing

Having fulfilled my #1 Bucket List item, I can truthfully say that this was the best trip I’ve ever taken, Jonathan Carroll, our historian and chief entertainer, along with David, our tour manager and Johan, our magic-man driver, made these days a memory that I will never forget. Thank you.

Having fulfilled my #1 Bucket List item, I can truthfully say that this was the best trip I’ve ever taken, Jonathan Carroll, our historian and chief entertainer, along with David, our tour manager and Johan, our magic-man driver, made these days a memory that I will never forget. Thank you.

This was a trip of a lifetime for me. Learned so much, saw so much. Stood on Utah and Omaha Beach which was important to me. I LOVED it!!

The DDay to the Rhine trip(June 2022) was our second trip with SAHT and hopefully not the last. Our historian was Chris Anderson and he is truly a walking encyclopedia! His passion for WW2 history is evident in every visit. He kindly made an unscheduled stop for me at Sugar Red sector of Utah Beach because he knew that was where my father had landed!
Looking forward to another trip with SAHT!
Cheryl and George Holt

My wife and I enjoyed every minute of every day. Our historian, Chris Anderson, provided personal anecdotes from residents and veterans that helped make each site all the more interesting and moving. We had the honor of being at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach for the 78th anniversary ceremony. It was amazing being there with some of the surviving veterans sharing the moment honoring them. Chris was masterful knowing his topic inside and out yet making it interesting for all regardless of how much knowledge one had going in. Sabine was the camp Mom, making sure everyone was happy and safe as well as keeping us all on schedule so we could see and do as much as possible. She even helped put my wife and I in contact with a friend who is a master clock builder as a side project in the midst of all her other responsibilities. Klaus, our driver, was friendly and added to the experience dining with him and learning from him as well. The lodgings and meals were very nice as well. We have already booked a follow up trip waitlist with the Pacific theater tour and are looking at several of their other offerings in the meantime. I cannot imagine a better tour experience, and we can’t wait to go again..

This is the bucket list trip that I have been waiting for and it was beyond my expectations. From walking on the Normandy beaches, and attending the D-Day ceremony and sitting in the audience was a special treat. There were so many outstanding sites that we visited. Our London tour guide Tim was great. Bletchley Park was so neat and how the code breakers overcame astronomical odds to break the German codes. Standing inside one of the bunkers overlooking the Pointe du Hoc waterfront brought home what terror the Germans there must have experienced seeing the armada of ships descending on them. Both the American and Germany cemeteries brought home the human element of the war. The Berchtesgarden extension was very worthwhile and touring Dachau brought the trip to an emotional climax. I highly recommend this trip. I will remember this trip for years to come and made many new friends along the way.

I really enjoyed it. I was on the second trip in August of 1999. I’d like to go again but this disease thing keeps me out this year. I am retired now and can see some changes that will make it better. Berchestgarden wasn’t available then. Can’t say when but I’m going again.

My son and I took this tour some yars ago and are still talking about it. The tour and it’s guide were fist class. I have been to Normandy since and it was more impressive having been with Ambrose before.

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours is by far the leaders in keeping younger generations informed with regard to historical events and history of World War II on Facebook.

Content with regard to tours, past and future are encouraging and reminding people of the importance of the outcome of the war for present and future generations is informative.

The acknowledgement they give to the men who sacrificed themselves, especially on D-Day, not forgetting but honoring those who have been blessed to live a long and fulfilled life, must be the only place where these men to whom we all owe the life we enjoy today are really honored.

Their D-Day Tours are well known and if one ever decide to attend a D-Day tour Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours is the place to do it, first on Facebook and then joining the actual tour.

Thank you for keeping us informed and all the best I hope you will be with us for a long time. Your valuable input in the most important time in world history is to be commended.

This D-Day tour is a dream trip for any WWII history buff who wants to stand on the beaches at Normandy, experience the powerful emotions brought forth by the military cemeteries in France and Luxembourg, stand in a foxhole in the Ardennes, and tour General McAuliffe’s office in Bastogne.

We saw so much – places I’ve read about but never thought I’d see.

I am a history and WWII buff and I felt this was an outstanding trip. My wife, who does not have a great interest in military matters, also feels this was one of her best trips.

Excellent tour. I would highly recommend it to anyone with WWII interest. Best company and historians.