It is 80 years since Operation Neptune - the largest seaborne invasion in history - which helped to change the fate of the Second World War.
With just a few survivors remaining from what became known as D-Day, it has never been more important to understand its significance.
This exclusive six-day tour takes in three pivotal periods of the war, starting off on the home front as historian, Paul Beaver, joins the group to explore key Battle of Britain and London Blitz sites. From there it is over to Dunkirk where you will explore the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial and Dunkirk War Museum as well as visit the key beaches where the British Expeditionary Force staged their dramatic withdrawal, rescued by the thousands of "Little Ships".
You will have dinner with author Clive Harris who will give talk and host a Q&A to understand more about the impact of their heroic rescue and the context for the subsequent invasion of Normandy. It is here where you head next with visits that include Pegasus Bridge, Juno and Sword Beach as well as following the fighting as it moved inland.
To make your trip even more special is the company of the renowned historian and author Stephen Fisher who will join for both a walk along key sites on Sword Beach as well as a talk and Q&A - an ideal climax to the trip that will unpack both the history and tales of heroism and sacrifice from the extraordinary generation of men and women who helped to shape the events of the Second World War
You will tour a number of key Battle of Britain sites today including the Biggin Hill Museum and the Battle of Britain Memorial followed by a short walk around Westminster to discover the last tangible reminders of the London Blitz and where the planning happened for D-Day. In the evening you will enjoy a talk and Q&A with historian and author Paul Beaver.
Today you will take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille where you will travel by coach on to Dunkirk and visit the poignant beach where hundreds of civilian boats joined the 1940 evacuation of 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops. You will also visit the nearby Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery and Memorial before learning more about this incredible story at the excellent Dunkirk War Museum.
Tonight you will dine on board the paddle steamer, Princess Elizabeth, one of the boats which helped evacuate 1,673 Allied soldiers in Operation Dynamo. Enjoy a welcome drink, wine with and hear a talk from author Clive Harris on the Battle for France in 1940 and the Dunkirk Operations.
You will travel by coach to Normandy where your three-night stay begins with a visit to Pegasus Bridge to study the Coup de Main Airborne Operation prior to the landings, before enjoying an evening at leisure at your Normandy Hotel.
Today will be spent studying the first 36 hours of the Normandy Landings by visiting a number of the beaches where British, Canadian and US Troops landed on the 6 June 1944. Your day starts with a walk along Sword Beach led by historian Stephen Fisher, the author of the newly released Sword Beach: The Untold Story of D-Day's Forgotten Victory.
From there you will visit the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, Juno Beach where the Canadian forces came ashore and Arromanches where the remains of the Mulberry Harbour are still visible today. Next, you head to Omaha Beach to learn of the US experience during the landings before ending at the American Cemetery and Memorial high above the beaches where each day concludes with a moving ceremony. This evening enjoy dinner with author and historian, Stephen Fisher.
Your final day will look closer at the fighting inland as the battle for Normandy continued, including a visit to the scene of Operation Goodwood where a concerted effort was made to break out through a corridor east of Caen, followed by the decisive Operation Cobra lead by the Americans and the subsequent Operation Bluecoat which saw the capture of the western edge of the Mont Picon Ridge. Fittingly, your day ends at Bayeux to visit the poignant British War Cemetery and Memorial.
Transfer to Paris for return rail travel to London by Eurostar.
Stylish central London hotel with restaurant
Holiday Inn® London - Bloomsbury hotel is located just moments
from Russell Square tube station on the Piccadilly Line. It's close
to major transport hubs - Kings Cross St Pancras station and Euston
station are both less than a mile away, reachable in five minutes
by bus or taxi. You can drive to Heathrow Airport (LHR) in 40
minutes.
Rooms feature private bathrooms with bathtub and hairdryer. You'll
find complimentary tea and coffee in your room, and enjoy extra
comfort from blackout curtains and the pillow menu. There's a
restaurant, a bar and an Irish pub on-site, plus nightlife, shops
and entertainment within walking distance.
Comfortable hotel by Dunkirk's harbour with modern rooms, a bar, lounge and fitness room
Situated in the city centre by Dunkirk's harbour, this 1950s
hotel is a short walk from the Musée Portuaire and the Jardin de
Sculptures.
The modern, comfortable rooms have TVs and free WiFi, as well as
minibars, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Upgraded rooms add
seating areas, while some have views out to the harbour.
There is also a communal dining room for breakfast, as well as room
service, and a relaxed lounge/bar area and fitness room.
Located between Caen and Cherbourg, 1 km from the famous tapestry, the old town and close to the landing beaches, The Novotel Bayeux offers 77 air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and a bar, as well as 4 fully-equipped conference rooms for meetings and seminars.
This hotel is perfect for both business travel and family vacations to Normandy. Facilities include free car park, swimming pool and landscaped. LED TV 40 "with 50 channels.
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