D Day beaches starting at Utah Beach?

We have done it both ways and I don't think there is much difference. Our first trip we visited Utah Beach first because we were coming up from Mont St Michel and it we were close to Utah beach. There is an excellent museum there and visiting it made the rest of our touring more meaningful. (There are many good museums in this area, we picked Utah beach because it was where we were going first.) I honestly did not realize RS recommends going the opposite way. Both trips, we visited Arromanches last. Someone else may have more insight into why he recommends this direction, but I certainly don't think it is absolutely necessary and you should do what works best for you.

Just a guess, but the high point of the visit to the beaches is ending with the daily flag ceremony at the American cemetery, so perhaps he plans it that way to end up closer to there for that.

Many travelers don't have time for two beaches, so my guess is that Rick has you starting near Omaha in case you need to skip Utah. There's no reason not to do it in reverse, but frankly it's a very full day. You should consider Utah and Ste. Mere Eglise for one day and then Pointe du Hoc, Omaha, and Arromanches for a second day.

Since you're driving, I will just caution you about parking at some of the beaches. There are parking lots for buses and others for cars only. The latter are recognizable by the fairly low bar that would block a bus or other tall vehicle from entering. Use them.

If you park a car in a bus lot, bus drivers may block you in and refuse to let you out until they're good and ready to leave, no matter how nicely you ask them. This happened to us and we had a near-Tiananmen Square situation with my husband trying to stand firm and prevent an incoming bus from bearing down on our car as I hurried to pull out of our parking space and squeeze out of the lot.

I have visited and stayed in Normandy a half-dozen times, and on all but one, I stayed in Sainte-Mère-Église, not far from Utah Beach (where I'll stay again this June). I don't know your nationality or particular interest, but in my opinion, there are more activities centered around the American operation nearer to Utah Beach. And as mentioned, the museum there is excellent (the best IMHO, and it does give you a great overview of the whole battle). However, there are many more dining options in Bayeaux, and it is a wonderful city for non D-day stuff. If you're going to visit the whole area (it is very large), I see no reason not to start near Utah Beach.

Thanks for all the replies and the tip about parking.

Many travelers don't have time for two beaches, so my guess is that Rick has you starting near Omaha in case you need to skip Utah. There's no reason not to do it in reverse, but frankly it's a very full day. You should consider Utah and Ste. Mere Eglise for one day and then Pointe du Hoc, Omaha, and Arromanches for a second day.

This is an excellent observation. If you spend any time at all visiting just the major points (museums, cemeteries, etc) near Utah, Omaha and Gold (Arromanches) Beaches you are going to need two days. Poor Juno and Sword - no love for them at all :-)

-bruce

Another tip: eating is not allowed in the American cemetery parking lot. If you want to picnic you have to schlep your stuff out of sight toward the water. They will really come and tell you no.

In my opinion Utah Beach is the best one since it is still in a wild, undeveloped state.