Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Paris-Normandy Grayline One Day Bus Tour - I am helping my sister and DH (621 yrs. and 72 yrs.) who have never been to Europe plan a trip for late August. They will have 3 or 4 days in Paris. They do not want to drive and want to see Normandy D-Day

Paris-Normandy Grayline One Day Bus Tour - I am helping my sister and DH (621 yrs. and 72 yrs.) who have never been to Europe plan a trip for late August. They will have 3 or 4 days in Paris. They do not want to drive and want to see Normandy D-Day

Old Jun 17th, 2006, 07:29 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Paris-Normandy Grayline One Day Bus Tour - I am helping my sister and DH (621 yrs. and 72 yrs.) who have never been to Europe plan a trip for late August. They will have 3 or 4 days in Paris. They do not want to drive and want to see Normandy D-Day

See above, I put all the post in title by mistake. She is 61 yrs. not 621 years, now that would make history! Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.
sebinah is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:27 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Look at (or have them look at) the sights that the tour goes to. It is probably better to put up with the fourteen hours then to omit the invasion area. On the plus side, you might be able to arrange pick up and drop off at their hotel (through Grayline).
Big_Red is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:31 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry no information but at least Rex won't tell you to re-post with a more specific title.
saps is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:32 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow! Your sister is REALLY old! Are you sure she should travel?
wren is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:35 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
saps, exactly ! sorry sebina, no info from me ther. I just liked the title. Not that every one should start doing the same though.
kappa is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:36 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
> from me ther ..

NEIther, bad editing.
kappa is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:39 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry about the sarcasm above...

Most people on this site seem to agree that if you only have 3 or 4 days in Paris, stay there the entire time. There is so much to do they could never run out of things to see by concentrating on Paris this time and perhaps exploring outside the city another time.

We were in Normandy last summer for 5 days, spending 2 1/2 days exploring the DDay area. I think others on this site have taken a bus or train to Bayeux for the day...hopefully they will post.

wren is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 10:17 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 71,712
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Where else are they going on the trip and for how long?

Give us a whole picture and we can maybe give you better advice.

Just as a for instance -- if they are going to the UK they might be able to visit Normandy for a day or two enroute to Paris. That sort of thing.

But about the 1-day tours - hundreds of people take them every day.. Long and expensive - but the most practical way to do it from the Paris end.
janisj is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 11:12 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wren, I think your comment about her age is very funny. Fortunately she does not read this site. They are NOT museum people. This is their first trip out of the US. Not for me and DH, but their priorities are Princess Diana's gravesite and Normandy. Obviously we don't travel together. Thanks everyone for your input. Sorry about the long title. It was an error and I couldn't figure out how to correct it. I have to get this trip planned for her today and I'm a novice.
sebinah is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 11:18 AM
  #10  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Sebina,

Have they considered doing Normandy ans skipping Paris?

How long is this trip?

ira is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 11:36 AM
  #11  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you win the prize for the longest title in the history of Fodorism. I applaud the effort and the fact that you didn't entitle your post, "help," or something equally vague. Well done!!
P_M is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 11:56 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another option is to have them take the train to Bayeux and meet their tour guide there.

We used Victory Tours and we met him at the train station at Bayeux - there was, in fact, a family who had just taken the train from Paris and were going back that evening.

Of course, that may require more 'logistics' - getting to the train station, buying a ticket, getting on the right train and return. The 'easiest' option may be the bus tour even though it is a very long day.
surfmom is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 12:00 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another option is to take go to Normandy with Segway (the Normandy tour is by mini-bus, not Segways). This tour goes by train, rather than bus, so you don't have to leave so early.
djkbooks is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 12:06 PM
  #14  
rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm sorry - - there is not enough room on the "spine of the book" for this title.



Best wishes,

Rex
rex is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 12:07 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We took this tour last year. Naturally we would hasve loved to hav more time in Normandy but we did enjoy the tour. It was a long day but we dozed on the bus both coming and going. We liked having a stress free day. We went to the museum first and had a good lunch there before going to see the beaches and the bunkers. It was really quite amazing. then we went to the cemetary which was awsome.
Suzanne2 is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 02:35 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow...if mom's that old, I'd hate to think of my age....That was pretty funny!

btewalt is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 03:08 PM
  #17  
LN
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My thoughts would be to consider renting a car and driver to take them there. They would get there much quicker , be much more comfortable, and probably thank you for your idea. You'd be surprised cause I doubt the price would be much higher than $350 to $400.
LN is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 08:13 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Both ParisVision and Cityrama offer tours to the D-Day beaches.
Underhill is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2006, 09:28 PM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone. Mission accomplished. My sister was overwelmed about making her plans for Ireland, England, France. So in an intense 24 hours and with your help, we got it set up. Her daughter and I have benefitted from Fodorites advice so today we made all the reservations for her Aug. 25 trip. BTW, she bought all the clothes several months ago but was so overwhelmed by the planning that yesterday I realized I had to do it today and thanks to all your help was able to do it. Goodnight.
sebinah is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jenblase
Europe
5
Mar 2nd, 2009 09:05 AM
lrowe
Europe
8
May 28th, 2008 04:00 PM
jelane
Europe
8
Apr 16th, 2008 04:37 AM
Fritz7
Europe
4
Mar 24th, 2006 05:34 AM
kosmonaught
Europe
9
Oct 12th, 2003 01:41 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -