I'd like to follow my grandfather's footsteps during WWII. He was a member of Easy Company. I potentially have a budget of $15,000. (I'm a finalist for an award) It's been recommended that I use private guides rather than a bigger tour company. This would enable a more personalized experience. Does anybody have experience with this sort of travel? Is renting a car a must? (I'd prefer not to do this). I'm also in need of a rough estimate of how much this would cost. Guides, transportation, tickets, etc. Lodging and flights are the easy parts. Thank you!
Posted by
Oregon, United States
10 posts
Check with Overlord Tours for a private tour.
Posted by
DTW
343 posts
We did a similar tour a few years ago on our own. It is quite the distance from Normandy to Bastogne. We used Diane for Normandy but did Bastogne on our own. Check with her about Bastogne also.
We had a rental car and went up the coast from the Normandy area. We stopped in Bruges before we went to Bastogne. The 101st Airborne museum and the Bastogne War Museum are right in town. Most other sites are outside of town. We spent a night or 2 in Bastogne. We did not go on to Holland so I am sorry I can not help you there.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1327 posts
srs6277,
If you do rent a car, do not drop it in another country. It could cost you about $1000.00 extra.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8047 posts
Well, you can't do the whole thing by public transport in any efficient fashion, so renting a car or having a driver for some is a must.
You could opt for public transport for the big hops (Normandy to the Netherlands, Netherlands to Bastogne, and wherever else, then rent a car locally or use a tour/guide custom to your interest.
You do need some guidance. On the surface, for someone that is not deep into the history, some of the sites are...well, underwhelming after 80 years or so. Life goes on, things change, weather, deteriorate; trees, new buildings all grow up, changing the landscape. Having someone that can "set the scene" and provide the details helps a lot.
As for costs, can't really help you, but a small group tour can run 100-200 euro a day, just for the tour guide/company. A private guide, with just your party and customized, a bit more. But someplace like Normandy, for example, you could fit the guided part in one or two days, then spend a few days on your own, hitting museums or other activities.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you! I think I have the itinerary narrowed down to Normandy, Bastogne, and Eindhoven. I'll be using guides for each of those locations. My biggest challenge is now trying to figure out the transportation logistics. Paris to Bayeux to Normandy is easy. It's getting to Eindhoven and Bastogne that I'm at a loss.
Posted by
912 posts
I know you said you don’t want to rent a car but driving throughout Normandy is so easy. We left Paris via train. We went to Rennes to pick up our car but you could pick one up in Caen. We drove throughout Brittany and Normandy then dropped our rental car off at the train station in Lille, France. Then took the train from Lille to our destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
PS. We were also in Normandy to follow in my husband’s grandfather’s footsteps.
Posted by
Ohio
1601 posts
If you are hiring private guides, which I highly recommend, you can make it with public transportation.
Train from Paris to Bayeaux and private guide picks you up and drives you around Normandy. Train back to Paris then to Belgium. Guide picks you up and drives you to Bastogne and to the norhern Arch. (We stayed in Liege).
I would suggest 2 days in Belgium and 2 days in Normandy. Then add some non-war related days in Paris, Rouen, etc, so it isn't too overwhelming.
Have a great trip!