Whether you are a military unit planning a staff ride, a tour operator looking for an experienced guide in the Netherlands, or a group of friends and family who want a private battlefield experience, I can put together a tour that fits your group, your interests, and your schedule.
I have been guiding groups since 2012. Over the years I have worked with groups ranging from 5 to over 40 people, from single-day tours to week-long itineraries across multiple countries. My groups have included serving soldiers from the Dutch, British, and American armies, veterans’ associations, tour operators running coach tours, and families tracing the footsteps of a relative who fought in the war.
Every group tour is bespoke. I will work with you to build an itinerary around your interests, your timeframe, and your group’s level of knowledge. If you already know exactly what you want to see, I will make it happen. If you are not sure where to start, I will help you plan.
Accreditation: International Guild of Battlefield Guides, Badge #112, David Chandler Award
Experience: Guiding since 2012. Hundreds of tours for individuals, groups, and military units
Languages: English and Dutch
Operating area: The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Austria
Group size: 1 to 40+ persons
Military groups and staff rides
I have worked with multiple groups of serving soldiers from the Dutch, British, and American armies. These tours focus on the strategic and tactical dimensions of the operations: what decisions were made, why they were made, and what happened as a result. We go beyond the narrative and into the analysis.
A staff ride with me typically includes standing at the actual decision points, working through the options that commanders faced, and examining why things unfolded the way they did. I bring maps, aerial reconnaissance photos, and primary source material to each location. If your group has a specific tactical focus (airborne operations, river crossings, defence of a corridor, armoured breakout), I will build the itinerary around it.
Every tour can be preceded by a lecture on the planning and strategic context of the operation. This works well as an evening session before the tour day, or as a briefing at your accommodation on the morning of the tour.
What military groups have said:
“His ability to cater for and mould his delivery to his audience was over and above any previous Battlefield Study’s I have attended. Being an Artillery unit, the nuances and focus he brought to that area of the battle was fantastic and very much appreciated. I would jump at the chance to attend another Battlefield Explorer Tour in the future. Further, I would recommend any group leader or organizing manager to book in with Joris when looking for this kind of activity!”
— British Artillery unit, via TripAdvisor
Private groups: families, friends, and associations
Many of my group bookings come from families, groups of friends, or associations with a shared interest. Some are tracing a relative’s wartime service. Others are history enthusiasts who want to go deeper than a standard tour allows. Some are mixed groups where one or two people are passionate and the rest came along for the experience.
I adjust the level of detail and the pace to my audience. I have guided groups where grandchildren stood on the field where their grandfather jumped, and groups where nobody knew much about the war but left understanding why it still matters. Both work.
Transport for private groups
For groups of up to 4 people, I use my own four-seater vehicle. For groups of 5 to 8 people, I rent a larger minivan. The rental cost is included in the booking price through my booking system, G-3, so you will see the adjusted price when you select your group size. For groups of more than 8 people, a bus with a driver is required. I can help arrange this in the Netherlands, or you can bring your own transport.
“Thoroughly recommend Joris’ guiding services. He tailored a fantastic trip for my family to visit sites connected with the actions of our grandfather’s regiment during Operation Market Garden. He was friendly, knowledgable, and extremely well-prepared for our time together. The tour was perfectly paced, following a full itinerary that never felt rushed.”
— Family group, via TripAdvisor
Bus tours and tour operators
If you are a tour operator running a coach tour and need an experienced guide for the battlefield sections, I can step on your bus and deliver a full day (or multiple days) of guided touring. You handle the logistics; I handle the history.
I have extensive experience with large bus groups of 20 to 40+ people in the Operation Market Garden area and beyond. I also have a lot of experience guiding Easy Company themed tours for organisations from the United States such as the National WWII Museum from New Orleans. These multi-day itineraries typically start in the Market Garden area and continue to Bastogne, Luxembourg, Haguenau, Dachau, Berchtesgaden, and Zell am See in Austria, following the route of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
If your group has its own bus and driver, I will join you on board. If you need transport arranged in the Netherlands, I can help with that too.
Multi-day and multi-country tours
I offer multi-day tours that go well beyond the Netherlands. A popular option for American groups is the full Easy Company route: from the drop zones at Son through Bastogne, the Hürtgen Forest, and into Austria. These tours typically run 5 to 7 days. I handle the guiding and can coordinate lunch stops, coffee breaks, and local logistics. Contact me to discuss your itinerary.
What is included
Every group tour includes:
Bespoke itinerary. Built around your group’s interests, knowledge level, and available time. No two group tours are the same.
Source material on location. I bring maps, aerial reconnaissance photos, period photographs, video, audio, and first-hand accounts to every stop. This is not a talk from memory. It is a fully prepared, documented experience.
Pre-tour lecture (optional). A presentation on the planning and strategic context of the operation. Works well as a briefing before the tour day or as an evening session.
Lunch and coffee coordination. On request, I can make reservations at locations I know and trust along the route. This way I can deliver a complete package so you can focus on the experience.
Transport coordination. For tours in the Netherlands, I can help arrange bus transport if your group does not have its own vehicle.
Areas and tours available for groups
Group tours can cover any of the areas in my standard tour programme, or a combination tailored to your interests. The most popular options for groups:
Americans at Market Garden — Both the 101st and 82nd Airborne sectors in a single day, from Eindhoven to Nijmegen.
Hell’s Highway — A full day focused on the 101st Airborne sector from Son to Veghel.
Nijmegen, 82nd Airborne — The 82nd Airborne sector around Nijmegen, Groesbeek, and the Waal crossing.
Arnhem, A Bridge Too Far — The 1st Airborne Division and the battle for the bridge.
Easy Company tour — Following the Band of Brothers story through Market Garden and onto The Island.
Market Garden Highlights — The entire operation from Eindhoven to Arnhem in one day.
Multi-day tours — Market Garden combined with Bastogne, the Hürtgen Forest, or the full Easy Company route through to Austria. Contact me to discuss.
Not sure which option suits your group? Contact me and I will help you plan.
Pricing
Group tours are charged as a flat daily guide fee. The fee is the same regardless of group size. For groups of 5 to 8 people using my minivan, a vehicle rental surcharge applies and is added automatically when you book through my system. For groups larger than 8 people, bus transport is arranged separately.
Multi-day tours and tours outside the Netherlands are quoted individually. Contact me with your group size, dates, and interests and I will send you a detailed quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can you accommodate?
There is no upper limit on group size. For groups of up to 4 people, I drive my own vehicle. For 5 to 8 people, I rent a minivan. For groups larger than 8, a bus with a driver is required. I can help arrange bus transport in the Netherlands, or you can bring your own.
Can you join our existing bus tour as a guide?
Yes. If you already have a bus and a driver, I will step on board and guide from there. This is how most tour operator partnerships work.
Do you offer multi-day tours?
Yes. I regularly guide multi-day tours ranging from 2 days to a full week. Popular options include Market Garden combined with Bastogne, or the full Easy Company route from the Netherlands through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria. Multi-day tours are always quoted individually.
Can the tour include a lecture or briefing?
Yes. I offer a pre-tour lecture covering the planning and strategic context of the operation. This works as an evening session before the tour or as a morning briefing at your accommodation. The lecture is available for any group, not just military units.
What about lunch and logistics?
On request, I can arrange lunch stops and coffee breaks at locations along the route that I know and trust. Meals are not included in the guide fee but I handle the reservations so you do not have to.
How far in advance should we book?
As early as possible, especially for tours during peak season (April to September) and around the September commemoration dates. Multi-day tours and tours during busy periods often need to be arranged months in advance. Contact me to check availability.
Do you operate outside the Netherlands?
Yes. I guide tours in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and Austria. The most common multi-country request is the Easy Company route from Market Garden through Bastogne and on to Berchtesgaden and Zell am See. I also guide Battle of the Bulge tours in the Ardennes. Contact me to discuss your itinerary.
Get in touch
Tell me about your group, your dates, and what you are interested in. I will come back to you with a tailored proposal and a quote.
Prefer to call? Reach me at +31 6 20393713. Please note that my timezone is CET (6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time).