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 Paris.  Be sure book a flight that will allow you to arrive into Paris before 11 AM, Paris time

 

Day 2 – Arrival:  This morning we will arrive into Paris, Charles de Gaulle 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 4-hour journey to Normandy.  Along the way, we will make a stop for lunch.  Upon arrival into Normandy, we will get checked into our 4-star hotel in Bayeux – a perfect location for traveling to our Normandy locations.  We will have a welcome dinner together, and get some rest from a long day of traveling.

 

Day 3 – Brittany and 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.  We will have the opportunity to participate in a ceremony to honor the Brittany and Normandy campaign veterans. 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 4 – WWII Historic Sites: After breakfast, we will head out for a full day of touring the World War II historic sites.  We will first make our way to Pointe du Hoc, where the Army Rangers made the near-impossible assault up these seaside cliffs on D-Day.  Then it’s on to Utah beach, another landing beach taken by the United States.  From there, we will 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.  We will also have an opportunity to enjoy the annual D-Day Memorial Parade.  Following our visit, we will head back to Bayeux to visit the WWII Museum, and then spend one final evening in this beautiful Normandy village.

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Day 5 – Normandy Cemetery/Paris: After breakfast, we will load the bus and head to the American Cemetery in Normandy. We will have the opportunity to participate in a ceremony to honor the D-Day and Normandy campaign veterans, after which we will the 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 6 – 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! Overnight in Paris

 

Day 7 – Paris: After breakfast, we will begin our last day in Paris with a visit to the Louvre Museum.  Here we will see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and many other treasured works of art.  We will have a little time this afternoon to explore the area on our own before heading to our farewell dinner in Montmartre.  Final overnight in Paris.

 

Day 8 – 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:

• Round Trip Airfare from Phoenix to Paris

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

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

• 6 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

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*Water is provided for dinner meals.  Soft drinks and other beverages are at your expense.

**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 Paris 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 8.

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