Below you will find just some of our comments given to us by those who have been advised and guided by Military History Tours:

Clarence & Charlotte - “Thank you MHT! What an experience and our guide was amazing!  We can thoroughly recommend MHT and will be returning for the Colditz/Leipzig experience in December 09!

Kevin & Adrian Spires - ”My wife secretly booked the Colditz trip for my 50th Birthday surprise and my son came along as well. This was the best present ever. Gavin whetted our appetite with some articles prior to departure and built on this throughout the visit. Both my son & I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and would recommend it to anyone. We will certainly be booking other trips with Gavin for years to come.”  

Gavin Atherton - “What can I say, well organised, informative, Gavin with his knowledge has now fulfilled one of my ambitions in life and given me a fantastic insight to life in Colditz. Well done Gavin, I would not even be bored if I joined you on another Colditz tour. Don’t miss it. Gavin Worrell has my e-mail address if you want to hear more.”

Gill Taylor & Bob Lyon - “Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the trip - special thanks to MHT for bringing the details to life and to all the others thank you for so many laughs.”

Ian & Sue Marketis - “Thanks all for making the trip so memorable. Haven’t learnt so much or laughed so much in a long time!”

Neil & Peter Fernandez -”Thank you do much for what was an unforgettable trip. Your guidance and knowledge was key to it being such a great trip.”  Neil & Peter are now regular visitors with MHT!

 

David & Ian Chanell - “For anybody with an interest in POW history, these trips are a must, our three days flew by, jam packed with interesting stories and sights to be seen. The story of WW2 Colditz is really brought to life, and I felt very lucky to have the guidance and knowledge of Gavin on the trip. This is truly THE only way to visit such a historic site, and was incredible value for money! To really appreciate the sheer ingenuity of the POW’s, and the life they experienced, you just have to go there, even the best books on the subject matter will never really open up the whole story.” Dave & Ian are regular visitors with MHT.

Shaun & Deborah Willacy - “We will be up for a trip or two next year, so we must keep in touch. Once again thanks for a fantastic trip last weekend, as I said, even though I always knew it was going to be a trip of a lifetime, it was 100 times better than I could have ever imagined AWESOME!!!” “Everyone was lovely and hope we can all go on another trip together, as it was great to see so much passion and interest in a subject that most don’t have a clue about. A big thank you to you for the effort and energy you put into organising a great trip, you went above and beyond.”

Nick Sale - “Once again thank you for making the trip so memorable.”

Jonathan Saunders - “I visited Colditz in June 08 with a group led by Gavin Worrell. Gavin knew the historically significant parts of Colditz town itself and so the tour was broadened rather than being confined to the Castle. Despite trying to catch Gavin out he also proved his knowledge of teh various escapes and history of the Castle as a POW camp - he was never short of providing commentary. There was good time management - to cover the itinerary the pace had to be constant but at all times the tour was conducted in a relaxed and friendly manner. I do intend to travel with Gavin again.”  

Wayne & Mary Rudolph - “can’t tell you how much we enjoyed the trip, mum was just “over the moon” and has been telling everyone how great everyone was and how impressed she was with your organisation and knowledge. We really had a great time.

Allen Martin - “It goes without saying that the past three days and especially the midnight walks will be treasured memories that I can recount over and over again in the coming years. The atmosphere of the exhilirating late night walks gave a taster as to maybe what went through the minds of Le Ray, Neave and Reid etc as the escaped. For me it was better than one could possibly imagine. The itinerary left no wasted time, it was non stop action and enjoyment for the whole experience. The selfless determination you show, which all the escapers needed, will I am sure prevail in opening the doors of Colditz without the need to pick locks.” Allen booked to return the following month and again later in the year.

Allen Martin - “Returning to Coldtz only one month after my first trip I was a bit unsure if it would still hold the magic of the previous trip, I was not to be disappointed. The weather was not as kind as in January but this did not stop the show from going full steam ahead. As usual the itinerary meant that it was action all the way and how so much is fitted in without the feeling of being rushed is a testament to Gavin and his careful planning. I had hoped to visit the Home Tower where the Germans had positioned a machine gun post overlooking the town at the time of liberation, to hold the advancing Americans at bay. I presumed after a busy day that I would undertake this journey alone, so I asked Gavin for the directions. I needn’t have bothered as like myself Gavin is an adventurer and likes to make the most of any opportunity presented and said better than giving directions he would come along. During the winding walk through woodland keeping the river Mulde to our right (just like Reid and Wardle) to the tower we discussed the route that the Americans had taken when they crossed the Mulde. Gavin then produced his binoculars and before long we had spotted the bridge in the far distance. Time was not really on our side with the fading light, but as any future trip goers or escapers will find Gavin’s motto is to make the most of the moment. We certainly made the most and crossed the abandoned bridge that evening and walked along the old railway line back to Colditz town. It was an eerie but exhilarating walk.

For those of you who read this and are still in two minds about coming along I can tell you this. Most trips that MHT undertakes has at least one person who has been before. I can state hand on heart that “YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED”. Personally I can’t wait for September when I am going for a third time to Colditz and on this occasion we are all off to Sagan for the Great Escape experience.”

Jim & Ron Jones - “I’m writing to say thanks for all your organizing efforts for our trip, very good indeed. Although my dad has walking difficulties, I don’t think he could have got anymore enjoyment and interest out of it.”

Philip Brough & John Sharratt - “We were more than pleased with the result. Everything went smoothly. Gavin was a fount of information - all delivered at the correct time in the trip and more than sufficient to answer any query. The effort that he put in was exemplary. The guests were exhausted by the end! (at least those of us none too young nor none too fit!) The whole trip was well worth the money and (even more) the effort. We would heartily recommend it to all except those who are unable to walk reasonably well (we two - aged 70 - with heart operation - and 66 - asthmatic - managed esily). 

Colin Turner - “amazing time, one of those ‘once in a life time trips’. WelI organised, very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend the trip to any enthusiast. I will be going again next year - if only to do better at the next pub quiz MHT organises on our final night!” N.B. Colin did return and fortunatley, his team did win the quiz!

Iain & Myles Campbell - “We have been to Colditz before but we would just like to say the trip was great and thanks a lot for making it such an enjoyable trip. The MHT guides are better than the actual guides at Colditz!.” (n.b. the CC guides are great, also). Iain has now been on 5 tours with MHT throughout 2007-2009 with Myles coming along twice! 

Wayne Francis - “would just like to say thanks for a great couple of days, it was so interesting and at the same time relaxing. Everybody on the trip was good company. Will be going again.” He did. Plus he is coming to Colditz/Sagan in September.

Anastatia Howell - “I accompanied someone as their partner and as I am not a Colditz or Military History enthusiast I did not know what to expect. Even though I did not know much about the Castle or the POWs I will definitely be going again. Very interesting and relaxing at the same time.”

Robbie & Jamie Evans - “My son booked with Gavin for the May 2008 experience and our expectations were more than exceeded. Gavin’s knowledge and experience is vast, however, his delivery is tailored just right for the practising WW2 war anorak and novice. I have recommended to all my family and friends, if they are interested in WW2 and POW escapes, this is a trip not to be missed.”

Alan Bland - “Having previously read several Colditz books the trip brought them to life. Great insight into this piece of history. Will be joining you again on another trip. Thanks.”

Roy Vollrath - “Many thanks for a well-organised trip. I hope you prosper in your attempt to bring “Historic Tourism” to East Germany. 45 years of the DDR and Russian occupation must have sapped the will of the people for entrepreneurism.”

Wing Commander Stephen Phelps & his wife Julie, a lecturer for the MoD - “Thank you for a great visit to Colditz. Steve and I really enjoyed it. We’ll be happy to recommend your trips there - you certainly know your stuff and I’m very glad we found you.”

Colonel (Ret’d) Michael Gill MBE (son of Lt. Derek Gill former Colditz POW) - “Many many thanks for all your efforts in setting up and running the visit. The whole thing went very smoothly and your commentary was pitched exactly right. I had intended to make a visit to Colditz several years ago but on reflection although the castle itself had obviously been tidied up, having the benefit of your research and enthusiasm made this timing most opportune. I achieved everything I had hoped for with the added bonus of enjoying the company of the rest of the party. A great success.”

Allan & Margaret Johnson - “Just wanted to reiterate our thanks for an excellent trip. Both Margaret and I really enjoyed it both the Colditz side and socially.”

Derek & Clive Edwards - “A really big thank you from Clive and myself re the trip. We both thoroughly enjoyed it  and I’m already counting the days till the Colditz/Sagan Trip.”

Barry Gill (on behalf of his 7 friends) - “Hi Gavin, just a little note to say thank you from all of us for a brilliant tour, the guys have not stopped talking about it and are thinking of going back to Germany in thevery near future.”

Squadron Leader (Ret’d) Malcolm Laidlay - “I thought the whole package was extremely well organised and excellent value. As far as I am concerned it was one of the most fascinating visits I have ever made. In my opinion, this can be attributed, firstly, to your encyclopedic knowledge of the subject and, secondly, to the manner in which you put it across.”

Rob Sproston - “Just want to say a big thank you for the three days, very enjoyable and with good company which helps.” Rob has since returned on another trip with MHT in Autumn 08.

If you want to come with us to Colditz and join in with a small group of other like minded enthusiasts then call us on 01932 787327 or e mail us at info@militaryhistorytours.co.uk.