I really want to take my kids to Normandy to round out our home school unit on WWII. I am thinking I should splurge on the tour, and cut costs on the transportation and lodging. The least expensive way I can find seems to be the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, but I am concerned about seasickness on the ferry. Should I take the overnight ferry and try to sleep through it or take the day ferry so we can hang out on deck if one of us is queasy? Or should I take the Dover-Calais route, even though less convenient, and drive to Bayeux? My tentative itinerary is Bath-Portsmouth by train. Portsmouth - Caen by ferry. Train to Bayeux. First day - Bayeux Museum and Tapestry Second day - Tour of DDay sights with guide
Third day - Mont St. Michel, then ferry back to Portsmouth from Caen. Long day, I know. My kids are 8, 12 and 14. Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
First of all, this is the 'Italy' section of the Helpline; I scanned for, but didn't see, this post in the 'Transportation', 'To The North', nor the 'To The West' sections...so you might want to delete this post and repost under ONE of those other categories for help from people who check those sections of the Helpline. Your best advice might have come from someone who could care less about reading the 'To The Boot' section 8-( Secondly, have you already checked into advance purchase (discounted) tickets for Eurostar? That, plus a highly discounted ticket b/n Paris and Bayeux might be as inexpensive as the ferry, and no seasickness! Faster, too - I'd guess. Certainly faster than overnight...You have to purchase months in advance for the best prices, though...and that might be a problem...or not. You'll have to check. Still might be a better option all around than the ferry. You can pick up a car in Bayeux, but there are several rental car offices directly across the street from the Caen train station; you might prefer that convenience. Or, after a couple of days in Bayeux (since it looks like you won't be needing a car for the first two days), you could just rent a car for the day in Bayeux. (DO see the fantastic 'Battle of Normandy' museum in Bayeux, then walk across the street to the British War Cemetery)
Posted by
OP
San Jose, CA, USA (Bath, UK for 2010)
79 posts
Thanks, Eileen!
I started a new topic from a search and didn't pay attention to where it originated! No wonder I wasn't getting any answers :) I can't get discounted tickets, since I am talking next week, but thanks for the advice anyway. I will try and repost in the correct place this time. Heidi
Posted by
OP
San Jose, CA, USA (Bath, UK for 2010)
79 posts
Thanks, Eileen!
I started a new topic from a search and didn't pay attention to where it originated! No wonder I wasn't getting any answers :) I can't get discounted tickets, since I am talking next week, but thanks for the advice anyway. I will try and repost in the correct place this time. Heidi
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Heidi, Normandy is really neat and there is so much history there. I spent 5 nights in Bayeux and I still could of used more time. I took two Battlebus tours which were great and I would recommend. I am not sure if the 8 years old would like it because of all the detail the guide gets into. I would for sure spend the night in Mont St. Michele and see the castle in the morning. It gets VERY crowded and is better when all the tourist are gone. We arrived around 4:00 and it was hard to walk the streets. At around 6:30 or so most of the day trippers were gone and we were able to walk and shop with ease. Have a fun trip.