France, southern Belgium and central Luxembourg. During our five days in Normandy (other Tours try to see everything in two), we take in the 65th Anniversary Celebration of the D-Day Landings. We will visit various sites at UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO and SWORD Beaches. Three nights are spent in other areas; one near Calais, France and two in an 800-year-old Castle on the Rhine River in Germany. Additional sites in France include the seventh largest Nazi war bunker in the world; the TODT Battery Museum near Calais. We will also make great use of our two and a half days in the Ardennes; visiting Battle of the Bulge sites such as Malmédy and Poteau-St. Vith, Belgium in the north; Bastogne in the center and Diekirch and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg in the south. A highlight of the trip is our original Battlefield Tour to the site of a German ambush of an American convoy during the opening days of the Bulge. We do the Tour in a preserved World War II Halftrack. Our last two nights of the tour is spent enjoying the scenic view over the Rhine River from our hotel, the medieval Rheinfels Castle.
Day-by-Day Tour Itinerary
June 2: IN FLIGHT to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
Group Meeting Point: Paris CDG Airport, Terminal (Aerogare) 1, Departures Level, Gate 20
June 3: NORMANDY - Operation Overlord and Tour Welcome
Join us today arriving at Charles De Gaulle Paris Airport as we make our way to the Normandy Coast in northern France. We will have a short stop en route for lunch and to visit Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's former headquarters at La Roche Guyon Castle. We then continue to Normandy for hotel check-in at Bayeux. Leisure time either in town or at the hotel before dinner. Special welcome dinner and orientation tonight. (D)
June 4: SWORD / JUNO / GOLD BEACHES - The Other Sectors
This morning our first stop will be Benouville, on the eastern flank of the Allied invasion beaches. Here we will learn how the British 6th Airborne spearheaded the landings at Pegasus Bridge (SWORD Beach). We will also visit the famous Gondreé Café. We continue west via JUNO Beach to Arromanches (GOLD Beach), for a special film presentation of "The Price of Freedom". Lunch in town including a visit to the D-Day Museum and to see the remains of the greatest engineering feat of the invasion: Project Mulberry, the artificial harbor. Transfer back to Bayeux for free time (Optional: visit the Bayeux Tapestry). Dinner. (B, D)
June 5: UTAH BEACH - The US Airborne Landings
Today begins with the story of the first American Airborne landings in and around the towns of St. Mere Eglise and St. Marie-du-Mont during the night of June 5-6, 1944. We will trace the path of the American paratroopers at the Airborne Museum. Then its off to UTAH Beach for a visit to La Fiere to see 82nd Airborne Division drop zones. Transfer to La Madeline, also known as "Roosevelt Beach" for lunch and visit the landings museum. Late afternoon visit to the new museum at Dead Man's Corner. Return to Bayeux. Dinner. (B, D)
June 6: OMAHA BEACH - The US Sea Landings
The most American casualties suffered during "The Longest Day" were on the sandy beaches of bloody OMAHA, the left flank of the American landing sector. This morning we will start at Pointe du Hoc; where the rocky cliffs bear witness to the courage of Colonel Rudder's 2nd Ranger Battalion. They faced impossible odds in attacking the heavily defended German battery there. Transfer to Vierville beach and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer, seen in the epic movie Saving Private Ryan. We continue to the quaint town of Port-en-Bessin for lunch. This afternoon we will tour the only German Coastal Battery in the Atlantic Wall which still has its original guns in place: Longues sur Mer. Return to Bayeux. Dinner. (B, D)
June 7: NORMANDY - Free Day
Today the entire day is yours for optional excursions, shopping or just relaxing in town or at our hotel. Optional excursion to the enchanting Mont St. Michel. Dinner on your own. (B)
June 8: CALAIS - The Todt Battery
After breakfast and check-out, we leave Normandy for our journey across France. We will make our way north of Paris, having lunch en route. This afternoon we arrive near Calais, and visit the Todt Battery Museum, which includes the only German rail cannon in Europe. Hotel check-in and dinner. (B, D)
June 9: BASTOGNE - The Besieged City
The result of Hitler's surprise attack in the Ardennes Forest became the largest battle on the Western Front, The Battle of the Bulge. American soldiers in the defense of Bastogne met the ultimate test of courage during the Nazis bloody, mid-winter siege of the city. Today we cross over into Belgium to visit the Bastogne Historical Center and the Mardasson American Memorial. Check-in at our hotel this afternoon with leisure time in Bastogne. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
June 10: THE ARDENNES - The Battle of the Bulge
This morning our first stop is the quiet crossroads of Baugnez, near Malmédy, to visit the site of the infamous ambush and massacre of American soldiers there. We continue south for a special Battlefield Tour (weather permitting) near the village of Poteau-St.Vith in an authentic preserved WWII Halftrack vehicle. Free time at the newly renovated Poteau '44 Collection Museum and Shop. Transfer back to Bastogne for free time. Dinner on your own tonight in Bastogne. (B)
June 11: LUXEMBOURG - GERMANY - American War Cemetery
Our last stop in the Ardennes will be the small Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, first to Diekirch for a morning visit to the largest military museum in the world: The National Museum of Military History. Lunch in Diekirch. Afternoon transfer to American Cemetery in Luxembourg City / Hamm to see the final resting place of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. We'll continue into Germany for late afternoon check-in at our 800-year-old castle hotel on the Rhine River. Overnight tonight at Rheinfels Castle. (B)
June 12: RHINE RIVER - Tour Conclusion
Free time this morning to relax. Transfer to Koblenz for a Rhine River Cruise with lunch at your leisure on board. Afternoon free time at the castle or in town. A special Farewell Dinner will be held tonight at the castle. (D)
June 13: IN FLIGHT from Frankfurt Airport
D-Day & Battle of the Bulge Tour Features
- 10 Nights lodging in 3 & 4 star Hotels
- 6 Dinners & Breakfasts daily
- All museum entrance fees & taxes
- All transfers by deluxe Motor Coach
- Pass to D-Day Anniversary Ceremonies
- See UTAH Beach & St. Mere Eglise
- Visit Pegasus Bridge and Gondreé Café
- See Longues sur Mer Gun Battery
- Tour of OMAHA Beach & Pointe du Hoc
- Visit the Normandy American Cemetery
- See GOLD Beach with Mulberry Harbor
- TODT Battery Atlantic Wall Museum
- See the American Mardasson Memorial
- Visit the Bastogne Historical Center
- See the Malmédy Massacre Memorial
- Ardennes '44 Poteau Museum and Shop
- Half-track Ride (weather permitting)
- Military Museum in Diekirch, Luxembourg
- Visit Luxembourg American Cemetery
- Rhine River Cruise to St. Goar
- 2 Nights on the Rhine River in Germany
- Farewell Evening at a medieval Castle
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