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Using Overlord Tours in Normandy?

Anyone have an opinion on this company for a private, guided, one-day tour of key D-Day/Normandy sights? We tried to book Dale Booth, but he's fully booked :(

Posted by
1540 posts

We used them (booked through - consolidator) 1 full day D-Day and Normandy sites. It was great. We had a young guide who know so much about the history of the area/ beaches/ significant events. It was perfect.
We also had a 1 day trip with him to Mont St. Michel the next day and it was perfect also. We booked through Viator, but our guide actually worked for Dale Booth Co. Viator is a consolidator (as mentioned above)..
Make sure you are at the American Cemetery at 4:00PM when they lower the flag and play taps. A very moving experience.
PS - I have talked to several folks who have used Dale Booth or other tour companies and no complaints from anyone. All reported "very professional - knowledgeable - friendly guides.

Posted by
216 posts

I heartily recommend Overlord.
I was on a tour in 2016. I was a solo participant, along with three couples in the van.
First thing the guide asks is if anybody has early dinner plans. No? Great, we can stay out as long as we need to if nobody objects. Nobody did.
I think the tour was supposed to be over by 6pm and we got back to hotel around 8pm. We were able to linger at the sites as we needed to and the guide -- I think it was Phillip -- had many artifacts and photos to share, along with his deep knowledge.
This was the full day Band of Brothers tour. It was exceptional.

I say book it and look forward to the tour without any second thoughts.

Posted by
80 posts

Toured with them in 2013 in a small group, full day, American beaches and other sites. Extremely knowledgeable guide. Would highly recommend.

Posted by
27962 posts

I was also very happy with my one-day Overlord Tour. I took the regular tour focused on American sites. I have one tip if you take that tour. Our lunch break was at St.-Mere-Eglise, which is also the location of the Airborne Museum. If you take something for lunch with you and eat it quickly while sitting on a bench, you'll have about enough time to see the entire museum. If you have to buy a sandwich in the town and then eat it, you'll have to really rush through the museum. If you decide to have a sit-down lunch, you'll need to watch the time and will probably have to skip the museum completely.

Note that you may not eat inside the van.

Posted by
768 posts

I've heard only good things about Overlord Tours. However, if they are booked on the days you want, I highly recommend Alan Bryson of http://firstnormandybattlefieldtours.com/
He was outstanding, and I see that he is also recommended in Rick Steves' current France book.

Posted by
30 posts

Thanks, @Shoe. I also had sent an email to Alan because I saw him mentioned on a different thread about D-Day/Normandy tours. Waiting to learn if he is available.

Posted by
80 posts

I’ve taken three tours with Overlord and was very pleased with each of them. However they are not private but a small group in a minivan. If you specifically want a private tour google Destination-Normandy. Dominique used to be a guide with Overlord and does a good job.

Posted by
30 posts

You can book a private tour through Overlord if you’re willing to pay for it. Their rates for private seem to be on par with private tours from other guides I have seen recommended. Unfortunately many of those other guides are already booked.

Lesson for anyone - if you want to book a private guide in Normandy and want the pick of the litter, you need to do it more than two months out.

Posted by
32349 posts

susan,

If you want to look at a few other guides, have a look at.....

  • https://www.ddayhistorian.com/ (Paul is an exceptional guide, and often used by the History Channel and other shows - his tours are pricey but you'd be touring with one of the best).
  • http://www.visitdday.com/ (Chris is ex-British military and extremely knowledgeable - however I don't think he provides transport so you may have to rent a car or small van - contact him for details).

I've never toured with Overlord but have heard good things about them.

Posted by
10157 posts

if you do a search in the Forum, you'll find numerous postings praising Overlord. They're a great outfit.

Posted by
25 posts

We overwhelmingly recommend Overlord Tours! We used Overlord Tours for the on-day D-Day/Normandie tour on 4 July this year with Alain as our guide. The whole experience was outstanding!

Posted by
782 posts

We used Overlord and stayed at the Hotel Churchill which is a block from the Overlord pickup point,boh are hard to Beat.
Mike

Posted by
30 posts

Thanks, TravelBug79. We had already looked into booking Sylvain but he was already engaged for the days of our trip

Posted by
4035 posts

Another vote for Paul Woodadge. I did a 2-day private tour with him, and it was excellent. I suspect he will be booked like the others, though. I booked him around 4 months in advance for the slower period of October after checking with Dale Booth and being told that he was fully booked. Paul made me have zero regret about missing Mr. Booth. Paul has his availability up on his website -- looks like nothing available until November.

Posted by
302 posts

Another recommendation for Overlord from me--we did the full day Band of Brothers tour last summer and it was excellent.