Description
This is no film set. Experience a taste of the history that was made on the infamous beaches of Normandy during the Second World War, where 100,000 soldiers lost their lives, but whose sacrifice led to the liberation of Europe.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast
• Included excursions to the American landing zones, American Airborne Museum & Mulberry Harbour Museum
• Included excursions to Pegasus Bridge & Bayeux
Itinerary
DAY 1 Departure: A morning departure to Dover and our ferry crossing to Calais.We then continue through France and on to Caen to our hotel.
DAYS 2-3 At leisure in Caen with two included excursions.
Museums & landing beaches: We begin today with a visit to the American landing zones, starting at Ste Mère Eglise, the first town to be liberated after troops from the 82nd Airborne were dropped behind enemy lines, and its American Airborne Museum. After this we travel to Utah Beach, the landing target for the American forces of the Allied invasion, and then on to the visually spectacular Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach American Cemetery.We then continue to Arromanches to the Mulberry Harbour Museum.
Normandy coastline, Pegasus Bridge & with optional* entry to Caen Memorial: Join us today on a trip along the scenic Normandy coastline where there’s an optional visit to the Memorial Peace Museum in Caen, regarded as one of the best World War II museums in France. Continue on to Pegasus Bridge, site of the famous glider landings on D-Day by the British 6th Airborne Division. From here, we’ll drive along the landing beaches of Sword, Juno and Gold, before travelling inland to Bayeux. Time permitting, you may wish to visit the Bayeux Tapestry (entry not included), which is over 70 metres long and tells the story of the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings. Bayeaux is also home to the largest British and Commonwealth Cemetery in Normandy.
LAST DAY Travel home: We depart for Calais and our ferry crossing to Dover, arriving home during the evening.
Venue Information
Ibis Caen Centre Hotel, Caen
The Ibis Caen Centre Hotel is in the centre of this historic city of William the Conqueror. The two abbeys and the Ducal castle are close by. Facilities here include bar, restaurant, and lift to all floors. All 100 bedrooms are en suite and have satellite TV.