Have any of you ever traveled to Germany as part of a tour group?

[TurboDem]

I've decided to check off one more thing from my bucket list and that is to travel to Germany.

Normally I travel alone, but since I want to tour at least one concentration camp and learn some more about holocaust history I think I would feel better doing it as part of a tour group. To be honest, since I've never been there I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for tours that include holocaust history.

As a gay man I would prefer going as part of a gay tour group, but if that's not possible any tour group would do.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[DURHAM D]

1. Yes but it was 1973

so I can't help much.

[sdfernando]

2. I was born in Munich and we actually lived

in Dachau. The US Army took over the camp and my Dad said we lived here in what used to be SS housing. This was in the early 60s and before any touring through the camp. It’s only about 20 minutes from München, easy to get to….and you can take in the Bavarian capital.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Most of the tour companies I have used offer tours to

Germany and include Dachau. I would recommend EF Go Ahead, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and gAdventures (Canadian). The one company I would avoid is Gate1.. I know gAdventures are supportive of LGBT.

Just do some Google research to find one that matches your budget and time schedule.

[Nittersing]

4. How about Rick Steves?

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany

I didn't look at this very closely, but seemed like a good starting point.

[Mosby]

5. There are DUers who live there.

Like DFW for instance. Maybe PM him.

[DBoon]

6. a cruise down the Danube/Rhine via UCLA Alumni Travel

No concentration camp tours, but some interesting holocaust-related options in Budapest and at German stops (esp. Nuremberg)

Alumni Travel always has an academic specialist on the trip, and the group would be very gay-friendly

[DURHAM D]

7. Have you considered going to Poland?

Auschwitz is very very interesting. Dachau has been sterilized. It doesn't really tell the story.

The day we (myself and two friends) went to Auschwitz we got more attention than we needed. This was 1983 and most of the people there were Russian and there was a bus load of Romanians. There were a few Germans as well and like elsewhere in Poland they were ignored. Naturally the Poles hated them and they also didn't like the Russians.

Apparently the only time Americans had visited was in groups on buses. The guides told us that no Americans had ever driven in my car. One of my friends I was traveling with was fluent in Polish. He was Polish American and grew up in Buffalo NY in a Polish environment. The entire staff came around and spent time with us and did not want us to leave. We got invitations to dinner and offers of lodging. Obviously it was a memorable trip.

[msongs]

8. not sure why a gay person would want to visit poland nt

[DURHAM D]

9. How weird.

My friend from Buffalo was gay. He had several interesting encounters in Poland and Czechoslovakia. Your comment made me think about him and brings back great memories.