DESCRIPTION:

The D-Day landings in Normandy changed the world forever. This historic journey into the past will give all those who participate a deeper appreciation for all those who sacrificed to preserve liberty and freedom in the summer of 1944.  

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ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Departure:  Today we will depart from the US for an overnight flight to London.  Be sure book a flight that will allow you to arrive into Paris before 12 noon, London time

 

Day 2 – Arrival:  This morning will arrive into Heathrow International Airport.  After gathering up our luggage from baggage claim we will meet our full-time tour manager outside of the customs area.  Not to worry – our staff will be wearing Historic Journeys attire, and will be holding Historic Journeys signs.  We will then board our private motor coach and begin the an orientation tour of London.  We will get checked into our 4-star, central London hotel, and take some time to freshen up.  We will then have a welcome dinner to get acquainted. We will round out the evening with the visit to the London Eye.

 

Day 3 – London: After a breakfast at your hotel, we will depart on a city tour of London. We will see such iconic sites as Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London.  We will then get some lunch at Covent Garden.  From there, it's on to the Churchill Museum and War Rooms.  Here we will gain important insight to the strategies and struggles of WWII in Great Britain. After our time with Churchill, we will make a stop at the Imperial War Museum. This will not only expand our knowledge to WWII, but we will also see and learn much about WWI - "The Great War" - as well.  From here, we will return to the hotel, where we can freshen up for the evening.  Our bus will drop us off in Piccadilly Circus for the evening where we will have time to explore and enjoy dinner and the evening on our own. Perhaps take in Broadway Show. Overnight in London.

 

Day 4 – London: After breakfast, we will head out for a morning tour of the Tower of London.  The rest of the day will be on our own as we can explore London at our leisure.  Dinner will be on our own this evening, and we will spend one final night in London - get to bed early, as we begin our day early the next day.

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Day 5 – Portsmouth, Cherbourg, Sainte Mere Eglise: We will awake early and head to the port town of Portsmouth. This is the location where many of the troops embarked the night of June 5, 1944. We will cross the same channel as we make out way to Normandy aboard a scheduled ferry.  We will arrive around lunch-time into Cherbourg.  This town was a crucial port, retaken by the Allies during the Normandy campaign.  We will grab a bite to eat, then head to the quaint village of Sainte Mere Eglise, the first village liberated by American paratrooper forces on D-Day.  You’ll see the iconic church in the town square, where a replica of Private John Steele still hangs from the steeple – just as the real soldier did nearly 75 years ago. We will also take the time to explore the airborne museum.  Following our visit, we will head to check into our 4-star hotel in the beautiful village of Bayeaux - a town almost undamaged during the liberation of France.  We will have dinner together at the hotel and overnight in Bayeux.

 

Day 6 – Brittany, Mont St. Michel: After a breakfast at your hotel, we will depart for a 1.5 hour drive down to the American Cemetery in Brittany.  Here you will visit the beautiful and somber resting place for over 4400 American Soldiers.  Following our visit to the cemetery, we will head to the iconic fortress abbey of Mont St. Michel.  This visit is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Normandy.  We will take the time to tour the abbey at the top of the mountain.  After our memorable trip to the “le Mont,” we will head back to Bayeux, where will see the historic Bayeux Tapestry and museum. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

 

Day 7 – Normandy Cemetery/Paris: After breakfast, we will check out, load the bus and will first make our way to Point du Hoc, where the Army Rangers made the near-impossible assault up these seaside cliffs on D-Day.  Then it’s on to the American Cemetery in Normandy. We will have the opportunity to walk among the graves of the nearly 9400 American soldiers buried on this hallowed ground. We will also look out over the now-calm shores of Omaha Beach, where thousands of our young men made the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the people of France.  From there we will say goodbye to Normandy, but not before stopping for lunch in Arromanches. Here we will enjoy the 360 Museum, where we will get a unique, panoramic education on the battle for Normandy in June 1944.  Then it’s off to Paris.  Upon arrival, we will get checked into our 4-star hotel in central Paris, followed by some time to explore and get dinner on your own in the Latin Quarter.  Overnight in Paris.

 

Day 8 - Paris: After a breakfast at our hotel, we will head out for a full day of touring Paris.  We will take a half-day city tour on our motor coach seeing such sites as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral,  the Opera House,  Place de la Concord, and Arc de Triomphe.  We will finish our tour at the Champs Elysees where we can get some lunch and enjoy this word-class shopping district.  The afternoon is yours to explore Paris on your own.  This might be the perfect opportunity to visit the Eiffel Tower, and take a ride to the top! We will meet back at the hotel in the early evening before heading to our farewell dinner in Montmartre.  Final overnight in Paris.

 

Day 9 – Return home: This morning we will return to the airport in Paris and prepare for the trip hope.  We will reflect on our wonderful experience on our Historic Journey to Paris and Normandy!

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PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights, 4-Star accommodations in London (based on double occupancy

• 2 nights, 4-Star accommodations in Bayeux (based on double occupancy

• 2 nights, 4-Star accommodations in Paris (based on double occupancy

• 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners 

• Full time Historic Journey's tour director

• Professional Guides for scheduled guided tours

• Entrances as noted on the tour schedule 

• Deluxe motor coach for scheduled transfers

• Taxes and gratuities*

• Professional liability insurance

 

*Taxes and gratuities are included for hotels and meals.  However gratuities for your bus drivers, tour managers and local guides are not included.  It is customary to tip $1-2 per person, per day for your tour managers, and the same for your bus driver.

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Important Note:

For this tour, you will need to plan on arriving into London before 11:00 am on Day 2 (Day 1 is typically a travel day/overnight flight to Paris), however you will be able to depart any time on Day 9.

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