Posted on 05/29/2009 5:04:49 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler
I'd like to tour the Normandy battlefields, work my way inland, and end in Berlin.
I'd like to do this in the next year or so.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Yep, I would probably compare the commercial tours; The motorcoach approach gives you more info than creating it yourself and the cost is about the same in the long run.
I’ve read good things about http://www.battlebus.fr though I have no personal experience with them.
I went to Normandy last October but just did a one day quickie bus tour out of Paris so I can’t help you much with what you want to do. I would definitely go with an organized tour if you want the most out of it though, unless you really know your way around France and Germany and have a way of finding significant sites.
If you aren’t comfortably familiar with the history of the landings, then a battlefield tour might be worth it. However, if you feel knowledgeable about the invasion, then definitely rent a car and drive around. You can do all the main sights in a day or two, though spending three or four will let you hit some very cool sites not on the tour bus path.
I am sure you will have a wonderful time, no matter what you decide.
Visiting
Omaha Beach - Utah Beach - Pointe du Hoc
Pegasus Bridge - Ste. Mère Eglise - St. Lô
Bastogne - Battle of the Bulge - Hürtgen Forest
Siegfried Line - Remagen - Berlin
May, June, July, September, 2009
I think the best way would be to charter a boat in England, get within a mile of the coast and change to a raft or dinghy. Have that take you to near the beach and swim in the rest of the way.
Seriously, I envy you. Whatever tour you take will probably be a lifelong memory of a hallowed moment of the history of our nation.
Marking... Will be going to France in July.
Watch “Band of Brothers”. Write down the names of all the towns. Visit every place on the list. That would be an awesome trip.
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.
Sure has been a while! Are you going to D.C. in September?
If I’m going to do this, I’m going to be as thorough as I can possibly be.
Thanks!
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.
My dad took the tour some time ago. To the best of my recollection, his advice was to get across the beach and into heavy cover as quickly as possible.
I had an uncle who took THAT tour. He mentioned that the scenery was beautiful but that the beach was awfully crowded with Germans.
I have. Make sure you stop at the American cemetery. I can’t remember what it’s near. For all his liberal holier than thow posturing, Rick Steves has a good chapter on visiting Normandy. I’ll try to dig it up tonight.
Thanks to your Dad, we can visit and pay tribute to him and all those who risked - and lost - their lives for our freedom and liberty.
We owe them a debt we cannot repay.
Colleville-sur-mer
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.