A fascinating look at the role of Allied and German Tanks in the Battle of Normandy where we see an original Tiger tank, Shermans, Panzers, and many other vehicles in the French Tank Museum as well as on the D-Day and Normandy battlefields.

Day 1

Local departure by coach, then to Normandy for a four-night stay.

Day 2

Gold Beach, Juno & Villers Bocage

Gold Beach

We start on the British D-Day beaches looking at the use of specialist armour. On Gold Beach we discuss the use of self-propelled guns of the Royal Artillery in the 'run-in shoot' seeing an example of a Sexton. At Juno Beach we look at the roll of Churchill AVREs and also Sherman DD tanks seeing original examples of both. Following lunch we look at the use of tanks inland post D-Day and the fortunes of the 7th Armoured Division in its clash with German Tiger tanks at Villers-Bocage in June 1944. We then examine the largest British tank battle of the Normandy campaign when the British attacked during Operation Goodwood seeing the battlefield around the Bourguebus Ridge and visiting the graves in Bannerville War Cemetery.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3

Operation Totalise & Saumur

French Tank Museum

A long but rewarding day as we travel south to visit the superb French Tank Museum at Saumur. This is France's main museum of armoured fighting vehicles and covers WWI to the present day. Among the more than 200 tanks found here, many were used in Normandy and among them are a Panther tank, Tiger I and Tiger II as well as Allied Churchills and Shermans. We have plenty of time to explore this rich collection before returning to Normandy.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Omaha Beach, La Cambe & Overlord Museum

Omaha Beach

Bank in Normandy, today we look at the American use of armoured divisions and start on Omaha Beach where Sherman DD tanks ran into problems on D-Day. We visit the Omaha Beach museum and see a Sherman before moving onto La Cambe for a look at the decorated German panzer crews buried there including Tiger Ace Michael Wittmann. After lunch we visit the Overlord Museum. We also visit the site of Barkmann's corner and look at how a single Panther tank held up the American advance here in 1944.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5

We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you transfer to your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.

Included meals: Breakfast

At a Glance

Tour Includes

4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefield guide
Convenient local joining points
Travel by Silver Service coach

Included Excursions & Visits

Battlefield visits as described

Optional Excursions & Visits

Entrance fees to museums & places of interest (extra cost)

Notes

Please Note: For 2017 tours due to the permanent closure of the Normandy Tank Museum, we will now visit the Overlord Museum.

Single Room Supplement from £99.00 (5 days).

Frequently asked questions about our tours

Do I have to do the excursions?

Certain excursions are included in the price of your holiday. If you choose not to go on an included excursion, for whatever reason, no refunds will be made.

Will I receive a more detailed itinerary before I travel?

Yes, you will receive one with your Travel Documents, which are sent 7-10 days before departure.

Do you take children on your European Tours?

We believe that our holidays may not be suitable for children under 8 years old (except for Disneyland Paris bookings) however, we will consider individual requests on application. Customers aged 18 and under at the time of travel must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian aged over 18 years old.

Can you tell me what the weather will be like on my tour?

You can check weather averages at here.

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 2-star Hotel Carline Caen Nord, situated on the outskirts of Caen. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and lift.

Due to demand we may also use the 2-star Kyriad Caen Sud-Ifs.

France

Carline Caen Nord

Find out more

Carline Caen Nord

The Carline Caen Nord hotel is set in a flowery surrounding with a garden in the area of Caen. The hotel is close to the D-Day landing beaches and the William the Conquer historical town. The hotel facilities include a lounge, a bar, a restaurant and Wi-Fi/Internet access. All bedrooms feature T.V, Tea and Coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom.

English Speaking Staff
Guest Lounge
Bar
Restaurant
WiFi Available

TV
Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Bath and/or Shower
Telephone

Frequently asked questions about accommodation

Can I join at the hotel?

If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.

No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.

Do the rooms have private facilities?

All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.

Are there tea and coffee making facilities in the room?

Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.

Do the hotels have lifts?

Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.

Do the hotels you use have ground floor rooms?

Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.

Should I take my own towels or will they be supplied?

Your hotels will supply towels in your room.

Will the hotel cater for vegetarians or any other dietary requirements?

We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.

We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.

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Travel Information

Travel Options
Extra Services

Looking for your local joining point? Enter your post code below

*Please note pickups are subject to availability.

Frequently asked questions about travel options

What time will I be picked up and dropped off?

Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.

Can I pre-book my coach seat?

Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law.

Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.

If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.

Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.

Will we be sat together?

We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.

Are refreshments served on the coach?

Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.

What route does the coach take?

Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.

With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.

Is there a toilet on-board the coach?

All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air or TGV holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.