Normandy Beaches
May 19th, 2006, 07:53 AM
#5
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sharon....I've done the entire range of D-Day beaches (US Canadaian and British)twice in the past ten years. It is very easy to do on your own esecially if you've done the research. Driving this Normandy beach area is very practical and easy to do with a rental car. You can base yourselves in Bayeaux, which I've done twice, and visit a different "beach" (Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold, etc) each day...actually Utah, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha, including Arrowmanches, can be done in one full day, with plenty of time for reflection and walking..Juno and Gold, Pegasus Bridge, etc. can be done in one day also...of course, you can stretch to two days for each cluster (western and eastern). I found that being on our own, without a time table and other people around probably made it more meaningful, reflective, and spiritual.
Absolutely no problem finding everything.
Stu T.
Absolutely no problem finding everything.
Stu T.
May 19th, 2006, 07:57 AM
#6
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I'm the other side - I loved having a guide with his knowledge and knowing where to go. We learned a lot we didn't know (my husband knew a lot!) from him.
Click on my name and you will see some of my previous replies about www.victorytours.com and Roel.
Click on my name and you will see some of my previous replies about www.victorytours.com and Roel.
May 19th, 2006, 08:37 AM
#9
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As your husband is knowledgable about the battle, I agree with the other suggestions that you rent a car and do your own tour.
If he doesn't already have a copy, the Holt's Guide is invaluable, and certainly the best overall guide to the beaches and inland sites.
http://www.guide-books.co.uk/normandy.html
The best map is the Michelin 303 at 1:150,000, although for historic interest only, Michelin also publishes a reproduction of their 1946 map of the battle.
If he doesn't already have a copy, the Holt's Guide is invaluable, and certainly the best overall guide to the beaches and inland sites.
http://www.guide-books.co.uk/normandy.html
The best map is the Michelin 303 at 1:150,000, although for historic interest only, Michelin also publishes a reproduction of their 1946 map of the battle.
May 19th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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My husband is a history teacher and huge World War II buff. He LOVED the Battlebus tour in Normandy. Why?
Because as knowledgeable as he thought he was on the subject, the guide knew more. In fact, he tested him with a few questions, and was impressed with the responses. Not only had the guide read every book on Normandy (including all the same books my husband read), he had gathered countless eyewitness accounts from returning veterans. He had stories that weren't written in any books. The other customers we met on the tour (only four others) were all war buffs (including another history teacher and a college student majoring in history), so not only was my husband able to see the sights, he was able to discuss them with other knowledgeable enthusiasts. Moreover, I think we were taken to some interesting spots that were not in most guidebooks. Honestly, I think he had much more fun than he would have if we had just driven on our own. It's probably even better for a buff than for someone with a more casual interest.
Because as knowledgeable as he thought he was on the subject, the guide knew more. In fact, he tested him with a few questions, and was impressed with the responses. Not only had the guide read every book on Normandy (including all the same books my husband read), he had gathered countless eyewitness accounts from returning veterans. He had stories that weren't written in any books. The other customers we met on the tour (only four others) were all war buffs (including another history teacher and a college student majoring in history), so not only was my husband able to see the sights, he was able to discuss them with other knowledgeable enthusiasts. Moreover, I think we were taken to some interesting spots that were not in most guidebooks. Honestly, I think he had much more fun than he would have if we had just driven on our own. It's probably even better for a buff than for someone with a more casual interest.
May 19th, 2006, 12:18 PM
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My husband and I took a private tour with Ted Malendine, who owns a B&B with his wife Linda in Briquebec in Normandy. I highly recommend it. In fact, we are taking my parents there next week! Their B&B is called La Lande and you can read a little about it here:
http://www.specialplacestostay.com/s...FileID=fbb2056
I have posted somewhere on this board about the tour and the B&B, so you might do a search on my screen name if you want to find it. The tour cost 100E and lasted all day. Rooms at the B&B run about 65-70E per night for a double.
Enjoy your trip!
http://www.specialplacestostay.com/s...FileID=fbb2056
I have posted somewhere on this board about the tour and the B&B, so you might do a search on my screen name if you want to find it. The tour cost 100E and lasted all day. Rooms at the B&B run about 65-70E per night for a double.
Enjoy your trip!
May 19th, 2006, 04:08 PM
#16
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I rented a car and did my own tour of the Normandy beaches in 2002. It was very easy to drive in Normandy, and as a photographer going on my own was kind of essential. However, if you are wondering the best way to do it, why not do BOTH? Do the guided tour one day, then go back and see more on your own later. How can you go wrong?
Andrew
Andrew
May 19th, 2006, 04:33 PM
#17
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I agree with everyone. It's great to see your own pace and hang at batteries (Crisbeq) without being herded like cats to a van. On the other hand, I too have learned more from a guide based on thier interactions with vetnerans besides, they live there day in and day out. So...why not do both?
Explore some of the area on your own (maybe the Brit stuff if he's less versed/interested on that)and join a tour for one that interest you the most. Many guides will have a version that fits the bill.
You can easily spend a week there. We went for the 60th Anniv of D-Day and spent 5 days going through all the back roads and as far as St Lo. It was awesome.
Explore some of the area on your own (maybe the Brit stuff if he's less versed/interested on that)and join a tour for one that interest you the most. Many guides will have a version that fits the bill.
You can easily spend a week there. We went for the 60th Anniv of D-Day and spent 5 days going through all the back roads and as far as St Lo. It was awesome.
May 19th, 2006, 04:44 PM
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Hi sharonf. We just did the Battlebus American Highlights tour on May 1st. Wish we had had time to do the Band of Brothers tour, which is an extra day.
We were in a van with seven of us. All Americans. Very nice people. We loved the tour. It rained almost the whole day. Our guide was very informative. Because there wasn't much traffic he added a few extra stops. We had a lovely lunch.
I would do it again with my children. We had enough time at each stop. It was relaxing because we didn't have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend Battlebus...
We were in a van with seven of us. All Americans. Very nice people. We loved the tour. It rained almost the whole day. Our guide was very informative. Because there wasn't much traffic he added a few extra stops. We had a lovely lunch.
I would do it again with my children. We had enough time at each stop. It was relaxing because we didn't have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend Battlebus...
May 19th, 2006, 04:46 PM
#20
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Oh yea, and highly recommend Bayeux. We loved the town. Quaint and charming and very good food. Be sure and get apple anything in Normandy. They make the best apple products: jellies, Calvados, apple tarts, lots of apple things on the menus in town. Just wonderful stuff.
