Grandson major history buff - last spring break did London
He has expressed interest Germany and Normandy
Question: Best to book tour from Paris to Normandy - perhaps a day tour by Viator or ???
Then from Paris fly or train to Germany (Berlin, Munich)
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Posted by
2540 posts
See Rick's advice as to day tour recommendations of Normandy. It's very sobering. I'd fly using an open-jaw ticket and absent more time than I think you have, fly into Paris or Berlin and a one-way flight to the other city.
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
Yes take the train to Bayeux and stay at that hotel and buy a tour of the D-Day Beaches and American Cemetery
Posted by
OP
89 posts
Thank you! Wont do the day trip to Normandy from Paris. I agree - so much to see and since this the focus we will
plan to stay 2 full days. Any hotel suggestions?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14723 posts
I enjoyed the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux where I stayed on a Rick Steves tour.
Do some looking on here for suggestions on day tours of the D-Day sites. Also on the Rick Steves tour we had Dale Booth who was just amazing but others have done excellent tours with Overlord.
The excellent thing about the smaller tours is that they can sometimes tailor things to the group. For instance, Dale asked the group to let him know if any of us had relatives who landed or other interests. I was interested in a particular Advanced Landing Ground (temporary runway set up) and he was able to point that out to me as well as work in some information on ALGs during the day.
I'd suggest you get the GS to watch The Longest Day - old school movie from the 60's but a fair representation of many aspects of the day.
Posted by
OP
89 posts
Great hotel suggestions too.
Normandy very special to our family. His great grandfather actually was the lead pilot
of the air invasion - the B24. Though not part of the land, they part of the support in air.
Have his flight schedule (original) assignment for that day. So will spend more than one day.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6447 posts
I highly recommend going to Arromanches. There are the remnants of the artificial harbor right off a nice beach with views of Normandy cliffs. Also, recommend the small, but informative museum right next to the beach.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1880 posts
I also stayed at the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux. Nice and simple hotel. There is no AC and as with all European hotels, no screens on the windows, so fly and bee swatting was a daily activity. Book the Normandy tour ASAP. 2019 is the 75th anniversary. It will be crowded. I enjoyed the Bayeux Shuttle all day tour. Enjoy.
Posted by
11569 posts
No to a day trip to Normandy! Spend at least two nights, maybe three so you can visit the American, British and Canadian beaches and museums. The British story is compelling.
Stay at Lion d’Or where many of the WWII greats stayed.
Spending time in Paris too?
I think combining Normandy and Berlin is a great idea.