Blog

November 11, 2024

Four lesser-known WWII stories from Gelderland

The Second World War left deep scars in Gelderland, a Dutch province that witnessed fierce battles between Allied and German forces. However, these battles were not experienced solely by soldiers; ordinary people found themselves in extraordinary and harsh circumstances. Here are four lesser-known s...

October 14, 2024

Battle of the Scheldt – A costly Allied advance on the Western Front

The Battle of the Scheldt from 2 October to 8 November 1944 was crucial in clearing the Scheldt Estuary from German forces to secure the Allies’ access to the North Sea. The rapid advance across Normandy and Belgium in the summer of 1944 presented the Western forces with the challenge that they lack...

October 4, 2024

Hiking & Cycling Routes in Zeeland

Located in the southwest of the Netherlands, Zeeland is a picturesque province made up of islands and peninsulas. Known for its beaches and dunes, Zeeland was also the site of important battles during the Second World War. We have created three special historical routes that will allow you to discov...

September 12, 2024

Operation Market Garden – an ambitious endeavour

Operation Market Garden (OMG) was an important Allied military operation during the final phase of the Second World War. The operation formed part of the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine River and took place in the Netherlands from 17 to 25 September 1944. This large-scale attempt to liberate ...

September 3, 2024

Freedom Path: When Remembrance Becomes a Collective and Active Effort

The 11-day ‘Freedom Path’ walking relay, organised in the Netherlands and Belgium, commemorates Operation Market Garden — a significant event during the final phase of the Second World War and the liberation of the Netherlands and Europe from Nazi tyranny. Participants will have the opportunity not ...

September 2, 2024

Gelderland: 80 years after Operation Market Garden and beyond

Gelderland is a province in the Eastern part of the Netherlands, known for its diverse landscape and interesting history. It is by far the largest province in the Netherlands and is an ideal hiking destination. Gelderland is a good place for World War 2 remembrance tourism, as multiple significant o...

August 30, 2024

The story behind the Battle of Normandy

On August 30, 1944, Normandy was liberated from German occupation by the Allied forces in the final phase of the Second World War. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of this important event in the history of the liberation of Europe, we are looking at the Battle of Normandy, the liberation of Franc...

August 26, 2024

Interview with Brabant Remembers Programme Director, Caroline Belt

With less than a month until the 80th anniversary commemorations of Operation Market Garden, we had the opportunity to speak with Caroline Belt, the Director of the regional programme ‘Brabant Herinnert’ (Brabant Remembers). We discussed the upcoming events in North-Brabant for the 80th anniversary ...

August 8, 2024

The Olympic Games – An opportunity to shine

All eyes are on Paris right now as the city hosts the 2024 Olympic Games, a major sports event that has accompanied human history for centuries. The Olympics not only showcase athletic abilities, but also reflect the evolution of society, culture, and politics. In this article, we’ll explore one of ...

July 29, 2024

North Brabant: Where History, Nature, and Culture meet

North Brabant is a province in the south of the Netherlands. Located in the heart of Western Europe and at the centre of the Benelux countries, it is an important Dutch tourist destination and welcomes many visitors every year. It is the ideal destination for remembrance tourism, as significant Seco...

July 8, 2024

5 stories about Normandy that you must know...

Normandy in France was one of the most important theatres of the Second World War. After landing on its beaches on D-Day, the Allies initiated the liberation of Western Europe with the Battle of Normandy. This logistical feat, fought by over a dozen nations against German forces between June and Aug...

June 24, 2024

Interview with Normandy's Tourism Board Director, Michael Dodds

"The list of hidden gems is endless," says Michael Dodds, Normandy's Tourism Board Director, during our recent interview. We discussed various topics, including the recent D-Day celebrations, lesser-known sites in Normandy, and the challenges of pursuing sustainable tourism. ...