The 50th anniversary last month of the end of World War II in Europe has come and gone, and with it the numerous tours and packages to critical sites of the war: Normandy, the Ardennes and the like. Lost in the hoopla, however, is the other world war that was fought on some of the same ground, and historian David Homsher is fighting to keep those memories alive.
From Sept. 20 to 28, Homsher will lead one of the first tours in years of the 1918 battlefields where the doughboys of the American Expeditionary Force with their French and British comrades wore out the Germans in the battles of the Marne, at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood. More than a quarter-million Americans saw combat in that crucial region to the north and northeast of Paris and were instrumental in halting the German advance on the French capital in the last year of the war.
The tour starts off in Paris before heading to Chateau Thierry, the base of operations for four days and nights. There Homsher will lead walking tours of Thierry Castle, the bridges over the Marne River famously defended by the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, and the monument to that group of Americans. A short drive away are some of the sites that saw fierce fighting that turned the tide of the war: Belleau Wood, the Jaulgonne Bend of the Marne where the German Army attempted one of the largest assault river crossings in military history, the village of Mezy, Fismette and many more.
There will be stops at the Aisne-Marne Military Cemetery, final resting place of many U.S. soldiers, and the American cemetery at Fere-en-Tardenois, where Joyce Kilmer is buried; the American poet was killed fighting with the 42nd (Rainbow) Division.
On the way back to Paris the tour stops at Reims, whose cathedral still bears scars of German shelling; nearby is the War Room where the Germans surrendered in World War II to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. And in Compiegne there’s a stop at the railroad car that saw the German surrender in World War I.
Three nights and 2 1/2 days will be spent in Paris, with plenty of free time to explore.
The cost of $2,349 (double occupancy) includes round-trip air fare from New York to Paris, lodging in 3- and 4-star hotels, buffet breakfast daily and most dinners, battlefield tours, Paris evening tour and guided day tour, ground transport, porterage and all tips and gratuities for the above. Call Tripmasters Inc., 800-878-7800.
Road nomads
More than half of RV owners are college-educated, according to a recent study, and their average net worth is about $225,000. The study was conducted by the RV association known as the Good Sam Club, and was based on responses from 2,500 RV owners. It also found that white-collar workers predominated, with professionals and technical workers making up 22 percent of owners; another 23 percent were management executives and 12 percent were in sales.
The Good Sam Club is the world’s largest RV owners’ organization and supports charitable and civic projects. It also offers RV emergency road service, reduced rates at campsites, discounts on camping and RV-related equipment. For information, call 800-234-3450.
The latest issue of Motorhome magazine offers stories on Boston, Virginia and the Mall of America, and a profile of Larry Shinoda, the designer of the Corvette Stingray who also happens to design RVs as well. Plus, there are reviews of two new RVs from manufacturers Barth and HRC, regular monthly features on service and repair. It’s available on newsstands or by calling 805-389-0300.
Salome in Santa Fe
Oakton Community College of Des Plaines sponsors numerous educational tours in North America and abroad. This year it has added a weeklong trip to Santa Fe and its acclaimed summer opera festival. In addition to sightseeing in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and the nearby Sandia and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the tour takes in three performances: Emmerich Kalman’s “Countess Maritza,” Strauss’ “Salome” and Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West.” Humanities professor Patrick V. Casali will give lectures and discussions on each opera.
The cost of $1,575 includes round-trip air fare from Chicago to Albuquerque, lodging at the Hilton of Santa Fe, ground transport between airport and hotel, two lunches, opera admissions, a tram ride to Sandia Peak, admission to the Santa Clara Pueblo and its cliff dwellings, and lectures. The trip is from July 31 to Aug. 6. Call Bea Cornelissen at 708-635-1812.
Iron Expo
The first Ageless Iron Expo takes place over the Fourth of July weekend just north of Des Moines, Iowa, showcasing more than a thousand antique and classic tractors and farm machinery. Designed to attract families from around the Midwest, the fair is hosted by Successful Farming magazine and features a craft fair, trade show and farm toy show, children’s railroad and pedal-pull contest in addition to an antique tractor pull, tractor auction and many other exhibits and events. It runs July 1-4 on a 200-acre site near Ankeny, 2 miles north of the interchange of I-80 and I-35. Admission is $5 each; kids 8 and under are free. Call 515-284-2678 for details.
