Alternative to Normandy Beach
I'm not interested in seeing the beaches of Normandy. Has anyone done anything else during this stop? Explored on their own? if so, what did you do and how did you do it (ex: private tour, taxi to town, bike ride to town, etc.). I'll be there in April. Thanks in advance.
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Why wouldn’t you be interested to go to any of the Normandy beaches? Just inquiring.
Everyone has different thoughts about this. Those beaches don’t interest me either even though my dad was at the Dunkirk rescue mission, the little ships.
Unfortunately, that day is a hotel move day so unless you can figure out a way to get to the next hotel (in Dinard) you pretty much have to stay with the group/coach.
I've done the Dday beaches twice (once on a Seine cruise and once on this tour) and didn't particularly have an interest initially (no relatives involved, not my favorite historical era, etc) but was pleasantly surprised how interesting it was. The local guides are very good. We took this tour in 2021 and at that time it flowed in the opposite direction with Normandy coming towards the end. I could have stayed at the hotel in Deauville but decided to keep with the group. Some repeats from the previous visit but also some new sites. At Point du Hoc, the cemetery and Omaha beach you can just chill and enjoy the seaside view.
Compared to previous years, they have switched from clockwise to counter clockwise interary which as Claudia mentioned makes the D-Day beach day now hotel switch/travel day to Dinard. Otherwise you could have the train to Rouen or Lisieux. Unfortunately there is no easy way to get to Dinard on your own to meet up with the group. I have been to the Normandy beaches three times, twice with Tauck, and have found each trip interesting and more insightful/reflective. On our Normandy tour last year the Normandy day was: visiting a WW2 museum, Pointe du Hoc, one of the landing sites, lunch, and a visit to the American Cemetery.
While the OP's name appears Lithuanian in origin, it's likely a married name and maybe she's German?
Jodi, A. couple of tips: If you arrive to Monet's garden just after they open, head to Monet's house first and then go to the water garden after that. That will allow the first bolus of tourist to vacate the water garden area. When in Deauville a least go to the beach area and walk along the boardwalk. Not sure if they will have all of the beach umbrellas up in April yet. When in Port du Courtesy, head to the harbor and make a left along the harbor and follow a path to the harbor opening for sunset. You will need a windbreaker and if on the beaches the tide can come in quite quickly.
Watch The Band of Brothers to have just a movie snapshot of what these young men went through. They literally saved this country. Those beaches are sacred ground. It's an honor to walk on those beaches.
Thank you OT34. We have been to Normandy twice and we will visit again in May. My wife always ends up in tears. One of the most significant places and events in history. By the way, there are German cemeteries there as well. I have considered doing a trip focused only upon Normandy. We had lunch in Sainte Mer-Iglese which is a very interesting place. Probably no interest in Lunar Landings?
As important as these beaches are, it wouldn't hurt for Tauck to have another option, especially on a travel day. I definitely appreciated being able to chose to visit Dachau or not when on the Romantic Germany tour. I probably wouldn't take another Seine River cruise unless there was something else to do on Normandy Beach day. Once was enough for me.
Sealord: we had a 5 day Normandy tour in April of 2015 (I can’t believe 10 years have flown by) tour of Normandy with Stuart Robertson, a British WW2 historian. NormandyBattleTours.com. It was worth every penny, and 5 days was not enough especially when visiting the cemeteries and witnessing how emotional Stuart became when passionately speaking about these battles. It sends a shiver up my spine just thinking about those 5 days. Also his bed and breakfast inn that his wife operates (they live next door to it) is on the field where the paratroopers landed at the beginning of the campaign ir battle.
We're doing the Seine holiday cruise later this year and I'm glad there is an option to stay in Rouen that day. Have only seen it once on a very hot Sunday so it will be nice to spend more time in the city.
It would take a long time to see all the Dday sights as they are so spread out. Both times we've done it it was a very long day.
We took this tour several years ago and skipped the Normandy beaches to go to Honfleur, which I'm glad to see is now included on this tour. You could hire a driver for a full day and go to both Lisieux and then to Fougeres before going to the hotel. Or, you could go directly (about 2 1/2hrs away) to your new hotel in Dinard and then go to Dinan, a very pretty medieval city, about 30 min from Dinard. If Dinan, go to the upper town. I'm not sure if the bus only goes to the lower part but you could have the hotel arrange a taxi or hire Tours by Locals to take you.
My dad was at D Day - a wounded father, an uncle who died. I appreciate the importance of the Normandy beaches but I'm with Goddess - it would be nice for Tauck to offer alternatives or not change hotels on such emotional days to allow people to make choices.
Claudia Sails: I also plan to take the Seine Holiday Magic river cruise. My departure date is December 23 - are you on the same cruise? I know we are both frequent Tauck travelers.
No were on an earlier departure. Looking forward to it.