Just want to share our experiences with Battlebus--our family (including 2 teen-aged boys) had an incredible tour with them! The 9 passenger vans offer the opportunity for a more intimate experience than a large tour bus. Our guide, Dale, was so well-informed, sensitive, passionate about history, and had interviewed some of the soldiers who returned to Normandy years later which lent such personal and emotional detail to our tour. There is no way we could ever have duplicated the quality of the experience by visiting the area on our own, which had been our original plan. Thanks to all on this site who recommended Battlebus.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
I totally agree. We had a wonderful experience with Battle Bus.
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Thanks Sharon for the feedback on Battlebus tours. My husband and I are planning on using them in May 2009 on our trip to France. I have heard such wonderful stories from those who have gone on their tours. I can't wait to go.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32320 posts
Sharon,
My experience with BattleBus Tours was exactly the same as you described. Dale was also my Guide for the American Highlights tour, and he provided an exceptional and very informative tour! Did you stop at the small "mini-Museum / B&B for lunch, or the small Church at Angoville au Plain where the two Medics from the 101st performed such exemplary service?
I took the Juno (Canadian) tour with Paul on the following day, and it was also an awesome and especially moving look at the experiences faced by our Canadian troops (especially those dealing with the battles with the 12th SS).
I want to visit other sites in Normandy, and will definitely be using BattleBus again!!!
Cheers!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9145 posts
So glad you enjoyed Battlebus tours. This is why I recommend them to anyone who says they are going to Normandy. So often people think that they wouldn't be that interesting, because they didn't like history in school, or that it will be boring. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks for sending us your feedback!
Posted by
OP
San Luis Obispo, California, usa
33 posts
Ken--Yes, we started off at the church where the young medics set up their "hospital". Their story was so moving and so detailed (since Dale had heard it first hand)--it set the tone for the whole day... We also had lunch at the little museum you referred to.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32320 posts
Sharon, fantastic! It sounds like Dale is introducing all of his tours to those sites. The story of the two Medics from the 101st ("Band of Brothers"?) was very moving, especially for me as I worked as a Paramedic for about 30 years! The fact that they only "lost" one patient was a testament to their skill and dedication.
I'm looking forward to my next tour in that area (whenever that might be?).
Cheers!