We plan to leave Paris early on a Monday morning in May. We can't check into our gite near Bayeaux until between 4 and 6. We planned to leave in the morning and stop by the museum in Caen on the way. My husband would like to do a full day band of brothers tour and it looks like Dale Booth has a good one. He also wants to do a tour of the beaches. I was wondering if we should do a beach tour while we are at the Caen museum, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out the times the tours are offered. I see morning and afternoon.. What are the specific times??? There are five of us which include my d-day/ WWII fanatic teenage boys ages 16 and 14. I have a history minor, so I am also very interested ( and LOVED the Band of Brothers series). But we also have a 9yo daughter. She is used to being dragged around battlefields as we have done TONS of Civil War ones and other historical sites and museums on our many family travels ( normally take 2 or 3 educational type trips a year.) But these tours seem really long. That said, she loves people and would probably charm the tour guide. She normally does. We leave on Friday to head to Versailles for the day and onto Germany. We have a car. Any advice about doing both a band of brothers and a beach tour? I figure it would be a private tour since there are 5 of us. I know it will be pricey, but this is a once in a lifetime chance. We used frequent flier miles for plane tickets, so I would rather splurge for something like this and save in other areas. christine
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
19 posts
Yes, I would do 2 separate tours. My family (with 10 yr old daughter) did a private BattleBus tour for one day in Aug. We blended some Band of Brothers and American highlights tour elements, i.e. St. Mere Eglise, Utah and Omaha beaches. While very enjoyable and informative, it was too much to cover in one day. We all (except my daughter) wish we would have spent two days covering the area. That, or for us, dropping the BoB pieces as no one else besides me was really into it. We regret not having more time to walk around Omaha beach and the American cemetary. Either way, have a great trip.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2902 posts
I did the Band of Brothers tour with Dale Booth when he was with Battlebus. It was fantastic, and I highly recommend it. Dale also does a one day tour of the beaches. Why not book him for both if he is available. The only downside I see is that your daughter will probably get bored. Maybe make it up to her on another day of your trip? If the rest of you are WWII fanatics, you will absolutely love two days with Dale.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7079 posts
I am a big fan of history, and really enjoyed the D Day sites, but if you're going to Normandy, it would be a mistake to miss other things there that are worth seeing. Mont St. Michel is the first thing that comes to mind. Unless you've been there/done that, or planning to return sometime soon, you really should work that into your plans. It's a magical place. My advice would be to spend the night there on the Mont, either on your way to or from the D Day sites. You will be glad you did. Hope that helps.