Eric VonFuhrmann, associate professor of English, along with Mike Whicker, executive director of the USS LST Ship Memorial and author of Invitation to Valhalla, will lead a private tour of famous World War II sites in Europe July 17-30, 2008.

VonFuhrmann expects many World War II veterans to sign up for the tour, which also is open to USI faculty, staff, alumni, and anyone interested in World War II. The tour will include famous sites in England, France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria.

Sites include but are not limited to the House of Parliament, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; the Champs-Elysees, Eiffel Tower, and Opera House in Paris; Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial; the site of the Battle of the Bulge; the Berlin Wall, Third Reich sites, Nuremberg and Dauchau, Germany; and Hitler’s hideout, as well as settings from “The Sound of Music,” in Austria.

“This is a first-class, customized private tour,” VonFuhrmann said. “Portage is completely taken care of. That allows older people to go and not worry about carrying things.”

All travel and half of meals are covered by the cost of the trip, about $3,500 per person.

Reservations and deposits must be made by January 30, 2008. The balance will be due in April 2008. For more information, call 812/464-1747 or email VonFuhrmann.