Battlebus D-Day Tours
 

We are taking our 3 boys (15, 12 and 8) to the D-Day sights for a day in August (day trip from Paris). I have read glowing reviews of Battlebus Tours and they say they do private tours (8-9 hours) that can be geared to families (some props, photos, lesser known bunkers that kids can climb into, etc.). It is 400 Euros, but it is an important day on our trip and I am seriously considering doing it so that the kids stay interested and really get something out of it. Has anyone used Battlebus and if so, do you think this is the type of tour they would do well?

Hi

I did one of the Battlebus 'standard' tours last April - a full day tour of the British/Canadian Beaches. As there were only two of us on the trip, the guide was able to vary things from the standard a little, and give us some more choices.

I would recommend them! The guide was knowledgeable, funny, and very open to being asked 'stupid' questions. The other person on the trip didn't know as much about D-Day as I did (it's one of my obsessions) and he managed to pitch the tour for both of us.

If my experience with them is anything to go by, I'd say they'll do your private tour very well.

-- Viola

I'm sure you have "done your homework" on the area at the time of D-Day. However, I just picked up Time Magazine's "60th Anniversary Tribute- D-Day- 24 Hours That Saved the World" which may be of interest to you and your boys before you go. I was there in the summer of 2002 with my wife and saw some of the sites but am planning to return and stay longer with a car.

I'm going next week (!) on a tour that I booked through parisvision.com. I'll let you know how it was.

Yes, yes, yes! I took the all-day American beaches highlights tour about 2 weeks ago and it was great. The price for the regular tour is $75 per person, so your price of $400 for 5 seems very reasonable. They do ask for payment in cash, at the end of the tour. I think it is something your boys will enjoy and will remember forever. If you did it on your own you would not learn nearly so much. We stopped at places that only an experienced guide would know about -- an unmarked field where paratroopers landed, for example -- and our guide had so many stories of individuals and what they did. Our guide was Dale, who was excellent, and I think he would be very good with kids. If I were you I would specifically request him, although their other guides may be equally good. The tour does start at 8:30am (at least mine did), so you would need to spend the night in Bayeux where the tour begins. The guide will stop for a quick lunch, but with kids you may want to bring water and a snack.

Thanks to all. Nicki, since the tour would be private, they would start whenever we want, so we could take the first train train from Paris and do it as a day trip. I want a tour that really caters to the kids -- that is why a private tour. I keep reading great things about Battlebus -- that is why I will likley settle on them.

May i recommand you Overlortour.com d-day Tours in Normandy (France) ?

So it?s been over a month since my visit to Normandy and my tour with Overlordtour, but still I find myself thinking about the experience almost everyday. I wanted to recommand Overlordtour and say thanks so much for the time spent out on The Beach, and the over various points, it was a dream come true! The passion and enthusiasm of Alan shined through in every single step we took, and it was beyond obvious that you truly knew your stuff. From one war buff to another, it was a pleasure to be able to really converse about the different places and the sacrifice that was made as well. You have a deep respect for the men who gave of themselves so that others might live in freedom, and that is something that struck me greatly.

You can get information at www.overlordtour.com.

Ed.

We took the private Battlebus tour with Geert and were very happy. My kids thought it was a highlight of our European vacation. My observation from message boards is that most of the local tour companies seem to do a very good job as most posters seem very pleased.

My husband and I are hoping to do one of these tours this spring when we visit Paris. Can they really be done as day tours from Paris or do you need to spend the night somewhere closer?

I did a day trip from Paris with Parisvision. We actaully saw quite a bit. Museum at Caen, A great lunch at a little chateau, Juno beach, Canadian cemetary, Avranches, American cemetary/Omaha beach, and Point du Hoc.

My husband and I took the Battlebus tours American Highlight Tour on June 2. Dale was our guide, and it was absolutely the best thing we could have done as we were short on time to visit the D-Day sites. My husband is a real WWII historian, and Dale impressed him with his knowledge and expertise. I am not so much a WWII historian, but Dale was always willing to answer any questions whether from an "expert" like my husband or from a novice like myself. I would imagine all the guides are good.