D-Day Normandy

Day 1 - Travel to Normandy

Begin today with an early start as you make your way to Folkstone or Dover for the crossing into Calais. Depending on your location you may also want to consider crossing with Brittany Ferries directly into Normandy.

Time dependent on this day you may be able to stop for an en-route visit to explore the Pegasus Memorial Museum. The airborne troops landed behind enemy lines, visit the site where the gliders landed with extreme accuracy before visiting the museum which focuses on their contribution.

From here we head to your accommodation to check in and dinner.

Day 2 - The British Sector

Today you will continue to follow in the steps of the British Troops, visiting some of the many sites, cemeteries and memorials. The first stop is at Ranville CWGC Cemetery, where the first Allied soldier to be killed as a result of enemy fire on D-Day is buried, together with Private R J Jones, who, aged just 16, was the youngest paratrooper to die in the Second World War.

Just a short drive takes you to Merville Battery which was a gun battery, and it was believed that the guns could threaten the landings at Sword Beach. The British 9th Parachute Battalion was tasked with destroying it and you will learn the story of how they captured the battery at great loss. The battery is still preserved and home to a fascinating museum, complete with a restored Douglas C-47 and sound and light show.

Departing Merville, continue to the Caen Memorial Museum, where you will immerse yourselves in the heart of the history of the 20th Century. As well as displays on World War II and the D-Day Landings the museum tells the story through to the Cold War.

Learning about the preparations for D-Day and the crossing experience, you will then visit the first of our landing sites, Sword Beach, located nine miles to the North East of one of the main objectives of D-Day – the city of Caen, by the end of the day over 29,000 men had landed here.

Arromanches is a pretty French Town and was the site chosen for one of the two artificial harbours which were constructed following D-Day. A magnificent engineering achievement, the remains can still be seen lying on the beach and out to sea. Whilst here you will visit the Arromanches 360 Cinema.

Then it’s back to your accommodation for dinner.

Day 3 - The American Sector

Another packed day as you leave for the American sector and your first stop is the D-Day Experience Museum, which follows the story of the 101st American Airborne Division and the paratroopers’ preparations for the jump. Take your seat aboard a real C-47 dynamic flight simulator, where you will relive the Channel crossing on the night of D-Day.

Visit Pointe du Hoc, the German cliff top battery attacked by the US Rangers from the sea, parts of which remain untouched. See the Memorial standing on top of one of the bunkers - only a visit to this site can give you a true feel for the bravery and achievement of these men.

Next, make your way to La Cambe German Cemetery, the style of which is in stark contrast to the other cemeteries you will visit. Whilst here, look at some of the key graves, including Michael Wittman the tank ace.

Omaha Beach was the code name for one of the two American landing sectors, the location was used in the opening scenes of the film Saving Private Ryan. Stand here and try to imagine the heavy losses suffered by the American troops on D-Day which earned the beach, the name of 'Bloody Omaha'. The German defences were formidable, and the landings resulted in around 4,000 casualties.

Your final stop today is at the American Cemetery, located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, giving a panoramic view of the beach and the English Channel. Covering an area of over 172 acres, the remains of 9,387 Americans have been laid to rest here and inscribed on the walls in the Garden of the Missing, are the names of a further 1,557 Americans who lost their lives.

Following our visit to Omaha Beach, return to your hotel for dinner.

Day 4 - Journey home

Time permitting before beginning your return journey, visit Bayeux CWGC Cemetery, which is the largest Commonwealth Cemetery of the Second World War in France and it seems a fitting point to end your tour. Visit some of the graves of the soldiers that you have heard about during the tour and take time to reflect, before paying your final respects and starting your journey home.