Join us for a fascinating itinerary to mark the anniversary of Allied landings on the Normandy beaches of northern France. You'll discover incredible stories of the heroism of those involved in the D-Day landings in June 1944 and come away with a fresh perspective on the most important seaborne invasion in European history.
Operation Overlord, as the landings were officially known, marked the beginning of one of the most important phases of the Second World War. As you visit the beaches and battle sites encountered by the Allied forces all those years ago, you'll hear an illuminating historical view of the manoeuvres from acclaimed historian and presenter, Dan Snow. Dan will spend one day of the trip with you, bringing the stories of the invasion to life with his expert insights.
You'll travel by ferry to France where you'll visit fascinating sites like Arromanches, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery, and Ranville Cemetery, where Dan Snow and your expert tour guide will share illuminating stories and paint a textured picture of one of the most pivotal struggles in the Second World War.
As well as giving a new perspective on the key battles and military strategies, this tour will also shine a light on the everyday people caught up in the fighting who often showed extraordinary courage during the dark days of occupation.
Throughout the trip you'll be staying at the IBIS Caen Centre, a conveniently located hotel offering comfortable rooms, a delicious buffet-style continental breakfast, and a stylish bar with views across the port.
Your trip begins with a ferry crossing from Portsmouth. Upon arriving in France, your first spot will be the Ranville War Cemetery, the site of 2,236 Commonwealth burials. Your tour guide will provide an overview and set the scene of your tour.
After visiting the cemetery you'll check in to your accommodation, the IBIS Caen Centre.
This morning you'll travel to Sainte-Mère-Église, where a visit to the Airborne Museum is included. This fascinating museum is the largest in Europe dedicated to the American paratroopers engaged in the Normandy invasion.
You'll then travel to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont where you'll have time for a packed lunch before heading to Utah Beach, the westernmost beach of the five landing areas of the D-Day landings. While here, you'll visit the Utah Beach Museum. Built on the exact spot where the Allied troops landed, the museum recounts the events of D-Day, from its preparation to its conclusion.
You'll then have time to visit Pointe du Hoc, where one of the key German defensive fortifications once stood, overlooking the beaches.
Later, you'll travel back to the hotel where a group dinner is included.
Today you'll visit Sword Beach, another of the five main landing areas along the Normandy coast, followed by the Hillman Fortress, a nearby German bunker complex and command post.
You'll then travel along the coast via Juno Beach and Gold Beach to Arromanches. This seafront town was key to Operation Overlord, and is the site where an artificial Mulberry harbour was installed to facilitate the unloading of men and material during the invasion.
You'll have some free time to explore the town or to explore the D-Day museum before heading on to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery.
Today will start with a visit to Le Grand Bunker Museum, which tells the story of the Atlantic Wall, a system of fortifications built by the Germans. The Atlantic Wall was built using approximately 13 million cubic metres of concrete and caused the deaths of around 10,000 Allied soldiers.
You'll then head to the Bayeux Cemetery, the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France, before heading into Bayeaux town where you'll have lunch.
After lunch you'll visit La Cambé German war cemetery, close to Omaha Beach before heading back to the hotel.
At the hotel this evening you'll be joined by historian Dan Snow who'll give an insightful talk before joining you for a group dinner.
Today Dan Snow will join the group as you visit some more key sites in the history of the D-Day landings, sharing his expert knowledge and insights as you travel. Your first stop will be Bénouville and Pegasus Bridge. The original bridge, built in 1934, is now a war memorial and a nearby museum tells the story of the capture of the bridge by Allied forces.
You'll then travel to Merville Battery, the site of a key battle on 6 June 1944.
Your trip will then draw to a close as you travel to Ouistreham to catch the ferry back to Portsmouth.
Located in the heart of Caen, opposite the marina, IBIS Caen Centre is the ideal starting point for visiting historic D-Day sites. This convenient hotel offers modern, comfortable rooms and a well-equipped gym. Relax with a drink in the stylish lounge bar, a soothing setting with views of the port. A buffet continental breakfast is included each day, with fresh eggs, fruit salad, yoghurts, pastries, and juices.
For general information, click here.
To view TS Tours’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.
