Thank you all very much for your advice and input.
I am passionate about the history of WWII. My Dad has his uncle’s jump boots (82nd Airborne; jumped into Normandy). I’d like to to bring them with me. I have been reading about D-Day for years and years, and a visit is near the top of my “Things to Do Before I Die” list.
I am quite certain that my trip will be very rewarding, and highly emotional.
Again, many thanks.
Hey, Pete. Been a while.
If I were touring France, I’d make it a point to visit the Third Army Cemetery, which I believe is actually in Luxembourg. It is where General Patton and so many of the Third Army soldiers are buried. After that, it’s all good.
A friend of mine and his son went there a few years ago. It kicked this kid into a WWII historian mode. His room is a mini WWII museum and he has developed an excyclopedic knowledge of the war, taking great pleasure in correcting his history instructors at college. He’s trying to get an appointment to West Point.
Your trip will be very moving. Have fun is probably not the proper term, but I can’t think of anything else. Have a fun and memorable trip.
Advice by DooDahhhh, GnL, rotstan and Iron Jack is pretty much on the money. It is very daunting to make it a DIY (do it yourself) tour. Do compare, though. Try searching at websites like military.com for recommendations, too.
I visited the Brittany region in 1977. Knowledge of conversational French helped me greatly since many of the older folks do not speak much English. Even young people lose the ability without practice (My friend Marcella in Italy learned English in high school and although she understands a lot, she has forgotten her spoken English - quite frankly I don’t have to hear her speak, just looking at her is wonderful). All the tour guides speak pretty good English. My French helped me get a room with an elderly couple in Ste. Mere Eglise; $3.00/night (remember this was 1977).
The Third Army cemetery, as mentioned, is the most impressive. To avoid dicey weather, travel in the summer or early fall. I was in France in June for the 24 Hours of LeMans and it rained off and on the entire time I was there. However, the overcast weather does give you a feel for the actual invasion. There’s something eternally serene about the cemetery on a cool, bright summer’s day, even with all the other visitors around.