Memorial Day makes a fitting time to visit the French beaches in Normandy that served as D-Day landing areas in World War II. Several recreation offices offer upcoming tours of these sites. (iStock)
Base tours offer an easy way to see Europe with other members of the military community. Here is a sampling of trips scheduled as of May 8, 2026. Please update this information and add tours by sending an email to Marcus Klöckner at kloeckner.marcus@stripes.com.
Belgium
SHAPE TRIPS AND TOURS: May 13-23, London, Inverness, Edinburgh, 2,650 euros; May 23, Duesseldorf, Japan Day, 55 euros adult, 40 euros children ages 3-12; May 30, Cochem, 70-100 euros adults, 60-80 euros children ages 4-18; June 13, Zaanse Schans and Vollendam (The Netherlands), 65 euros adults, 55 euros children ages 4-13; June 18-21, Normandy, 360-415 euros adults, 245 euro children ages 3-16. Call 06544-3884. Email shapetripsandtours1@gmail.com or visit www.shape2day.com.
Germany
ANSBACH OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 21-25, $689 adults, $629 children ages 3-11, $149 children ages 2 and under; May 30, Neuschwanstein castle, $89 adults, $49 children ages 3-11, $19 children ages 2 and under; June 13, whitewater rafting, $139; June 18-22, $649 adults, $599 children ages 3-11, $179 children ages 2 and under; June 27, paddling Main river, $69 adults, $39 children ages 3-11. DSN 467-3225/CIV 09802-83-3225 or MWR Central DSN 467-1780 or CIV 09802-83-1780.
BAUMHOLDER OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 8-10, Garmisch Spring Weekend at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, $449-$629 adults, $249-$349 children; May 22-25, Normandy and Omaha Beach, $899-$1,099; May 21-26, Costa Maresme (Spain), $679-$829 adults, $349-$499 children. DSN 485-7182 or CIV 06783-67182.
GRAFENWOEHR OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 9, Mother’s Day fishing, $25; May 16, Austrian ice cave, $159 adults, $120 children ages 12-18, $109 children ages 11 and under; May 19, climbing, $25. DSN 314 475-8529 or CIV 09641-83-8529.
KAISERSLAUTERN OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 22, Normandy and Omaha Beach, $899-$1,099 adults. DSN 493-4117 or CIV 0631-34064117.
RTT TRAVEL RAMSTEIN: May 23, Amsterdam, 149 euros; May 23, Dachau and Munich, 149 euros adults, 129 euros children ages 3-11; May 31, Bad Duerkheim, wine and sip, 119 euros; June 6, 27, July 18, Interlaken, 149 euros adults, 129 euros ages 3-11, 99 euros children ages 2 and under; June 7, Black Forest, 119 euros adult, 99 euros children ages 3-11, 69 euros children ages 2 and under; May 8-10, June 12-14, July 17-19, Aug. 21-23, Sept. 25-27, Oct. 23-25, Dec. 11-13, Paris premium, 519-669 euros adults, 439 euros children ages 11 and under; July 4, Rhine in Flames, 219 euros; Call 06371-463650 or see www.RTTtravel.com.
SPANGDAHLEM INFORMATION, TICKETS AND TRAVEL: DSN: 452-6567 or CIV 06565-61-6567.
STUTTGART OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 16, ODR, flea market; May 22-24, camp, fish, climb, $516-$606; June 12, Feldberg trail hike, $75-$175; June 13, climbing and zipline adventure, $75 adults, $55 children ages 8-15; July 1, basic wilderness survival, $80; July 3, suspension bridge and Ehrenberg castle ruins, $60 adults, $30 children; July 10, paragliding, $150; July 19, Pfaffensee, wildlife walk, $25.
WIESBADEN OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 14-17 and Aug. 6-9, fishing course, $75 adults, $25 children ages 15 and under. DSN 337-5760 or CIV 06117-055760; email usarmy.wiesbaden.imcom-europe.list.mwr-outdoor-recreation@mail.mil.
Netherlands
SCHINNEN: (+31) (0) 46-443-7561 or DSN 360-7561 or email usarmy.schinnen.imcom-europe.list.schinnen-fc@mail.mil.
Spain
ROTA OUTDOOR RECREATION: May 9, Los Torunos natural park, mountain bike ride, $25; May 23, Grazalema park, Via Ferrata, $85; May 30, canyon descending, $85; June 6, Grazalema natural park, hiking, $45; June 13, Pinar de la Algaida-Salinas de Bonanza, mountain bike ride, $25; June 27, Tarifa, quads tour, $140 DSN 727-3101 or CIV 095682-3101/3208.
ROTA ITT: May 9, Cordoba, Los Patios, self guided, $60; May 16, Los Patios in Cordoba, $60; May 23, Granada, self-guided, $70; June 6, Ronda, historical tour, $90 adults, $55 children ages 2-14; June 13, Sanlucar de Barrameda, historical tour, $60 adults, $45 children ages 2-14; June 20, Albufeira, Portugal self-guided, $90; July 4, Torremolinos (Malaga) self-guided, $60. DSN 727-3101/3208 or CIV 095682-3101/3208.
