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British tour company criticized for offering 'Hitler tour' around Germany
Would you spend $3100 to tour sites only associated with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler? One British tour group put together a trip that does just that, and is under fire by critics over the distasteful offering.The tour takes 30 tourists on a luxury $3100 trip through Germany to visit sites associated with Hitler, according to a report in The Australian. The articles says the eight-day trip in June - titled "Face of Evil: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" - has been sanctioned by German authorities.
The tour includes more than just visiting a few concentration camps, which is common on many other tour groups through Germany. The concentration camps, which for many are a must-see when in Germany, are a significant part of history. But can you say the same for Hitler's lakeside villa where he planned the Sachsenhausen concentration camp? That's one stop on the Hitler tour, along with the spot where Hitler committed suicide.
Tour leaders say the trip is for those with a true interest in the history of the Holocaust era and will prevent any Neo-Nazi members from taking the tour; critics say the trip is a "perverse pilgrimage" to honor Hitler.
We want to know what you think:
Would you pay $3100 to take a "Hitler tour" of Germany, or do you think this tour should be taken off the tourist itinerary offerings?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
epilonious Jan 10th 2011 2:27PM
If it were called "Good idea, bad timing", I would be more alarmed.
Since it's called "Face of Evil"... I get the feeling that the focus will be "This is why totalitarianism is bad, because it lets a complete meshugenah do stuff like this, let's go over the finer points where misanthropy won out"...
Also, almost a year ago I took a tour of Germany, and it was wonderful but I can't think of many Germany tours (other than oktoberfest and maybe some of the fancier "Drive your Beemer on the autobahn, have it delivered to your home continent!" tours) that AREN'T "Hitler tours". It's like the douche was all over Germany doing douchey things while running the place...
So what's the complaint? Truth in advertising?
Lizard Jan 11th 2011 8:10AM
Let me guess...This is probably NOT a jewish group running the tour, so the jews are getting jealous that someone else is cutting in on the holocaust business?
Matthew Jan 11th 2011 8:36AM
"...so it won't be repeated(?)...too often?...or stopped? The Eyes Of Gurnica: see Baghdad.
ken Jan 11th 2011 9:15AM
the douche mussoline was in italy the furor adolph was in germany
BTDT Jan 11th 2011 9:27AM
I wouldn't pay three grand to go on a drunken co-ed tour.
Well .... maybe I would.
Ellen Jan 11th 2011 12:04PM
Reply to Lizard: What a hateful, hate-filled comment. People with attitudes like yours created and supported the Holocaust. As for the tour, I think that it's a great idea IF the tour guides are knowledgeable and teach verifiable facts to the tourists.
Jean Jan 11th 2011 1:11PM
It should remind everyone of what happened because of a dictatorship that lured the German people into believing they were the master race and what can happen because of that type of thinking!
I say we should use ANY means to make sure NO one ever forgets the slaughter of the Jews and Christians, or anyone else, while this madman was in power!
I may forgive the sin but the sinners are now in God's hands. "Vengence is mine, saith the Lord".
Jon Jan 11th 2011 3:14PM
It is ludicrous to categorize a trip like this as a "pilgrimage" to Hitler.
Who cares if someone wants to pay $3,100.00 to see a few places Hitler visited or lived. It's a free world and it's a part of History. I guess people shouldn't visit concentration camps, the Berlin Olympic Stadium or Munich all in one trip for fear that it would be labeled a "pilgrimage" to Hitler....they were all places Hitler visited and plotted his insane scheme to take over the world...
Rebecca Chateaubriand Jan 11th 2011 3:36PM
Very well put. Thank you.
Jay Jan 10th 2011 2:30PM
I wouldn't go on a Hitler tour, but am not sure what a "Hilter" tour is LOL
Greg Gross Jan 10th 2011 2:50PM
I'm sorry, but unless the tour operators are planning to do their own version of "Springtime for Hitler," I think the criticism misses the mark. Badly.
It's one thing to read about history, but being in the places where it happened, where it began, where it evolved, casts history in a whole new light. It brings it to life. We learned that when we visited Sachsenhausen, the first purpose-built Nazi concentration camp and the prototype for all the other camps that followed.
How can you be in the country that produced the greatest evil of the last century and NOT want to see the sites associated with it?
Greg Gross, editor
"I'm Black & I Travel"
http://imblacknitravel.com
Michael Smith Jan 11th 2011 10:59AM
I think they should dig up the ground all around those Concentration camps and spray all the bodies/skeletons with sealant and show the people six million bodies - now THAT would be the right thing to do for a tour AND prove the holocaust and shut up ALL the revisionists. That's right, dig up 6 million remains, cover them with sealant and put them on display. THERE ARE SIX MILLION BODIES OF BONES ALL AROUND THOSE CAMPS, AREN'T THERE?
DJ Jan 10th 2011 4:58PM
I lived in Germany for 4 years and visited many of these sites without paying anything. I can't imagine paying that kind of money to visit sites that you can visit for free on your own! There are local tours you can take to visit sites in Munich and Dachau. I don't think it should be called a "Hitler tour". It was a very important part of German AND world history and very interesting to visit.
I feel like it was a very important part of my life to bear witness to some of these places.
canwebesure Jan 11th 2011 12:17PM
Right. Leave it to the Brits. I wonder how many have laid down a deposit for this 8 day tour?
For $400.00 U.S. a day, I could rent a big Mercedes, and buy a $50.00 history book and really see the sights.
Disappointed Jan 12th 2011 8:25AM
If you lived in Germany than you wouldn't take a tour holiday around Germany with a British company. Remember British people don't generally speak German, have their own house in Germany, or magically appear in Germany to start with.
BTW despite the title of the article the tour is not called "Hitler Tour" its called "Face of Evil: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich". I can imagine it being a whole lot more than just about Hiter. Unless, as the author of this article and the one she copied from (from the other side of the world to both Britain and Germany) must believe, anything associated with nazi Germany is about "HItler"
PS. @CANWEBESURE
Does you $400 a day get you to Germany in the first place. Also does the $400 pay for accomodation, food and petrol? Remember it's meant to be a luxuary 8 day trip and I wouldn't call sleeping in a merc luxuary.
JF Jan 10th 2011 8:35PM
I'd go. Important part of history, would like to see it from all sides. People are too sensitive and read into this stuff way too far. Get a life people.
WWII tours of all kinds are what attract me most to Europe. I can get snooty French treatment anytime, but this might be unique and interesting.
AJD Jan 11th 2011 6:15AM
If someone wants to go on a Hitler tour, Let the go!!. What business is it of yours?
Barbara Loden Jan 11th 2011 6:18AM
I would not pay for any tour but I am not rolling in dough.
However, that said, I think a 'Hitler tour' could be a learning experience.
Gerald Jan 11th 2011 6:29AM
Whether we like it or not Hitler was an historical fact. If one is a student of history and especially of the 2n World War of whom there are many, a Hitler tour is an understandable adventure. I make no comment on the quality of the tour because I have no information one way or the other in that regard, but only on the propriety of the tour which I find a perfectly acceptable subject for a tour.
Bill Scott Jan 11th 2011 6:31AM
I think it's ridiculous how people stick their noses into what is none of their business. If you disagree with this tour, don't go but shut your face, because most people don't care about what you think. No, I would not go, but only because I can't afford it.