Battlefield Tours Reviews
Some of my guests have a personal reason to visit the battlefields, a granddad or uncle who was involved one way or another. Others have seen all the movies and series and want to see with their own eyes. Only to want to watch it again when they are back home. Nothing beats being at the actual places.
Sometimes people just want me to show them around and learn new things. Every tour is different and interesting, for me as well.
Band of Brothers
Martin provided an excellent full day custom tour of key historical points for the Band of Brothers and of Operation Market Garden in WWII. We covered the entire line of battle from south to north. Many of the locations we visited were a bit off the beaten path! In every location, Martin provided very interesting historical anecdotes that helped bring history to life.
Martin is very well versed in the history of all the locations visited. His passion for the events clearly showed during each stop we made. I was particularly glad to see the "Crossroads" Easy Company battlefield and exploring the neighborhood in Arnhem where General Urquhart was trapped while trying to get to his division.
We enjoyed the conversation with Martin throughout the day as well. It was also very helpful to have Martin pick us up and deliver us back to our hotel in Amsterdam.
I am happy to recommend Martin for anyone who wants a full day tour with feet on the ground exploring Band of Brothers actions in Holland as well as Operation Market Garden. And based on this trip, I would enjoy hiring Martin on his tours to other WWII locations such as Bastogne.
This was an excellent experience. Martin was very informative and took us to spots I never would have found on my own. His knowledge of Market Garden was amazing!! A warm and kind person too I might add.
Thomas - United States
Market Garden day trip
Martin was a pleasant, knowledgeable, and easygoing companion and guide. He tailored his approach to my preference, bringing out points of interest but not cluttering up the experience by insisting on including more than I wished to.
His through familiarity with the entire Market Garden campaign insured that the sites we visited were explained in context, and he was always willing to engage in additional discussion and to bring up salient points for consideration, but without needless overnarration.
Nathan - United States
Emotional history lesson
A full day of history, facts and insights. It was personalised to follow a family member who
had fought in the operation.
Katie - United States
Market Garden
We really enjoyed the Market Garden tour last week. It was great to have an insite into where my grandad was during the war and to learn more about operation Market Garden.
Brian - United Kingdom
Market Garden Tour
This was an excellent experience. Martin was very informative and took us to spots I never would have found on my own. His knowledge of Market Garden was amazing!! A warm and kind person too I might add.
Jane- Australia
A Bridge Too Far
Our guide Martin was excellent with extensive knowledge of the battle called “a bridge too far”. Highly recommended that you watch the film or read the book by Ryan before attending. We went places that a normal large tour would be unable to go.
It was a great day to see the locations of where the brave men and women fought for the liberation of the Dutch people—sadly unsuccessfully—in 1944. Highly recommend.
Janet - Canada
Excellent battlefield tour with Martin
Excellent battlefield tour. Really enjoyed the day. Martin is very knowledgeable and provides the details and stories you won’t find in a history book. Martin is very flexible and fits the tour to what you are most interested.
He also took us to sites off the beaten path that were significant to understanding the battle. If one has seen the movie “A Bridge Too Far”, Martin takes you to the actual sites depicted in the movie and can tell you what is accurate and what is not. Would recommend this tour for the World War II history buff.
Martin can probably answer any question you might have. Thank You Martin!!!
Karen - United States
Comprehensive tour of Operation Market Garden.
We had originally planned to do this tour without a guide and are so glad we booked this tour. Martin took us to lots of sites that we would have missed and explained the role of each site in the overall operation.
His knowledge was extensive. We came away with a much clearer understanding of the overall plan, the choices that were made and the problems encountered. All boxes ticked.
Chris - United States
The Only Way to Understand Market Garden
Excellent experience to understand and feel Operation Market Garden.
Tailored to my interests. Delivered in an easy to follow way.
Henry - United States
Great Experience
Very knowledgeable and friendly have such a better understanding of how events unfolded during the operation
Glenn- United States
Band of Brothers
Would highly recommend Martin. Martin was fantastic and so knowledgeable about all
things WW11 . The museum was probably the best we’ve ever been to and the barge trip back was great.
Pauline - Australia
An emotional day at Arnhem
A superb and emotional day of tribute to a very brave few. Our excellent guide, historian Martin Van Elmpt, went far beyond the call to learn all he could about my godfather David Dobie who was one of the three battalion commanders in that fateful operation.
Thus we were able to stand at the very places where he landed, fought, was wounded, his hospital, escape, and hiding places from the Nazis as the few British Paras struggled at The Bridge too Far against overwhelming odds.
Never forgetting the hardship endured by the Dutch civilian townsfolk, a private guide is definitely the way to go…
Thank you Martin
Tim LaPage - Kenia
Great day
Great day spent with Martin exploring the Arnhem battlefield. Martin was very friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable about the Market Garden Operation and surrounding area.
Spent a second day with Martin on a drive up from Amsterdam to the Westerbork transit camp and a tour of that historic site. Very informative and moving experience.
Highly recommend Martin for any of his tours.
Christopher - United States
Great tour!!! Brings the battle to life !
Martin is an exceptional guide and a nice, friendly person who is flexible to your schedule and sheds light on all aspects of Market Garden. The bike tour allows you to experience the battle in true Dutch style. With Martin as a guide, I learned a lot about a battle that I didn’t know about before. 100% would recommend!
Francisco - United States
