A D Day Commemoration

Welcome to London! Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the Arrivals Hall where a representative from Vantage Explorations will be waiting to greet you and arrange your transfer to our group hotel. Once at the hotel, please stop by the hospitality desk in the lobby to meet the team, who will provide helpful information about pre-embarkation procedures and your time in London. You will also receive cabin tags for your luggage—be sure to clearly label them with your name and your assigned cabin number on the ship. This evening is yours to relax and unwind as you prepare for tomorrow’s ‘day out in London.’ The group hotel features a popular restaurant and is conveniently located near charming pubs and cozy eateries, offering the perfect opportunity to sample some local cuisine.

Step back into London’s wartime era and explore the city’s remarkable story of endurance. During World War II, London withstood relentless bombing raids, with over 30,000 civilians losing their lives during the Blitz of 1940–1941. Residents huddled in backyard bomb shelters and London Underground stations during nightly attacks, while the later arrival of V-1 and V-2 rockets in 1944–1945 brought further destruction. Amid the devastation, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother remained in the city, standing as symbols of solidarity. Prime Minister Winston Churchill led with fierce determination, rallying the nation through his speeches. Daily life endured immense strain—from food shortages and rationing to constant air raid alerts—but the spirit of Londoners remained unbroken.
Begin the day by visiting two iconic memorials dedicated to those who lived through the war: the Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms.
At the Imperial War Museum, founded in 1917, encounter powerful exhibits that capture the human experience of conflict from World War I to the present. Explore an extensive collection of military artifacts, personal accounts, and immersive displays. Discover the D-Day exhibition, an in-depth presentation of the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. View firsthand testimonies, examine artifacts donated by veterans and their families, and walk through multimedia displays that bring Operation Overlord to life. Understand the strategic planning, the bravery of the troops, and the immense civilian impact—preserving their legacy for future generations.
Continue the journey this afternoon at the Churchill War Rooms, one of London’s most authentic World War II sites. Walk through the underground nerve center that housed Winston Churchill and Britain’s wartime cabinet. Step into preserved offices, map rooms, and sleeping quarters that reveal the hidden world where critical decisions shaped the course of the war. On 10 May 1940, Churchill famously declared, "This is the room from which I will run the war," marking these chambers as the heart of the Allied command. Explore the Churchill Museum and experience the charged atmosphere where history was made.
This evening, celebrate London’s wartime spirit with a lively VE Day-style ‘knees-up’ at a unique venue. Enjoy an evening of 1940s music, camaraderie, and classic pub fare, bidding farewell to the days of rationing and embracing the joy of victory.

Leave London and head to your first stop for the day. Just north of Portsmouth, Southwick House played a pivotal role in World War II as the forward base for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). From 2 June 1944, this elegant Georgian mansion became the nerve center for the D-Day invasion.  
It was at Southwick House that General Dwight D Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, made the historic decision to commit 3,000,000 men and 2,727 ships to the operation that would turn the tide of the war. Initially planned for 5 June, D-Day was delayed due to poor weather conditions predicted for the English Channel. Eisenhower and his team, including Admiral Bertram Ramsay and General Bernard Montgomery, gathered in the mansion’s library to review the latest weather report. Following Captain James Martin Stagg’s forecast of improving conditions, Eisenhower made the decisive call, ‘Ok, let’s go!’ allowing the campaign to proceed on 6 June. The map room at Southwick House was crucial for tracking the invasion and the Battle of Normandy. Hope to visit the map room and small museum here to start your D-Day journey. (Southwick House is currently used by the Royal Navy. Access will be confirmed closer to your travel date. If a visit is not possible, you hope to visit The Red Lion at Southwick which has its own “war time’ story to tell.) 
On reaching Portsmouth, visit the D-Day Story. This popular exhibition offers a compelling insight into the pivotal role this historic port city played in the Allied invasion of Normandy. The museum opens with Landing Craft Tank 7074 (LCT), the last surviving LCT from D-Day, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the operation. 
 Portsmouth, being one of the main embarkation ports, was central to the planning and execution of the invasion. The city was a bustling hub of activity, with thousands of troops, vehicles and supplies being organised for Operation Overlord. 
The museum’s preparation galleries delve into the strategic planning that began in Portsmouth, showcasing the extensive logistical efforts that were critical to the success of the operation. As you move through the D-Day and Battle of Normandy sections, you’re transported back to 6 June 1944, experiencing the intensity of the landings. The Legacy gallery and Overlord Embroidery conclude your visit with a powerful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those involved.

Sailing up the Orne River in the early hours of 5 June, dock at the port of Caen, where you remain for two days, giving you time to explore the region’s D-Day sites and memorials. 
It is well documented that the taking of Caen played a pivotal role in the World War II D-Day campaign. On 6 June 1944, as the Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the aim was to secure a foothold on the Normandy coast, but Caen, situated strategically inland, became a crucial objective due to its location and extensive infrastructure.   
The Battle of Caen, which unfolded between June and August 1944, was one of the longest and most intense battles of the Normandy campaign. The city was a primary target for the British and Canadian forces, who aimed to capture it quickly. However, German forces, well-entrenched and heavily fortified, put-up fierce resistance, resulting in prolonged and brutal fighting. Caen endured extensive bombing and artillery shelling, leading to significant destruction and civilian casualties, with the city almost entirely reduced to rubble by the battle’s end. Despite these challenges, the Allies persisted, gradually encircling and breaking through the German defences. The eventual liberation of Caen on 20 July 1944, was a turning point in the Normandy campaign, allowing the Allies to push further into occupied France. 
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.  
Option 1 – Full-day experience: Caen Memorial Museum and the D-Day Beaches 
Built above the former command post of German General Wilhelm Richter, a critical site during the early weeks of the battle, the Caen Memorial Museum is considered one of the best D-Day museums in France. Offering an immersive exploration of the 6 June landings and their broader impact on the Battle of Normandy, the D-Day exhibit places this pivotal event within the context of the wider campaign, essential to the liberation of France and Europe. Through documents, artefacts, and personal accounts, visitors gain a comprehensive understanding of the invasion’s significance. Return to the ship for lunch, before driving west to tour the D-Day beaches and memorials. 
Option 2 – Full-day experience: Pegasus Bridge and the D-Day Beaches 
Visiting Pegasus Bridge immerses you in a crucial chapter of D-Day history. In the early hours of 6 June 1944, Major John Howard led 181 men from D Company of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in a daring airborne operation. Their gliders, towed across the Channel by Halifax bombers, landed with remarkable precision near the Orne River and Caen Canal. 
‘The job was to clear the ground for your gliders to land near Pegasus Bridge,’ Howard recalled. By 12.26am, the bridge was captured in a fierce 10-minute firefight, securing a vital crossing for the Allied advance. Tragically, Lieutenant Den Brotheridge fell as the first British soldier killed in the Normandy Invasion. The bridge was later renamed Pegasus Bridge in honor of the Parachute Regiment’s emblem. Today, a museum and memorial on Major Howard Road commemorate this historic battle. The original bridge, now replaced by a larger replica, remains a prominent display. The soldiers who fell are buried in the nearby Ranville Cemetery, marking their sacrifice. Return to the ship for lunch, before driving west to tour the D-Day beaches of Normandy and memorials.  
Option 3 – Full-day experience: Airborne Sainte-Mère-Eglise Museum and the D-Day Beaches 
A few miles from the Normandy landing beaches, the Airborne Museum stands as Europe's largest tribute to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who fought in the Normandy campaign. Originating from World War I, the 82nd Infantry Division, known as the "All American" division, was composed of men from every state in the U.S. By mid-February 1944, the 82nd AB was stationed in Nottingham, England, preparing for D-Day. Reinforced by the 507th and 508th Parachute Infantry Regiments, the division faced heavy combat in Normandy, losing over 2,000 men and sustaining nearly 8,000 wounded and 350 prisoners before returning to England on July 13, 1944. The museum features historic Waco gliders and C-47 planes, used during the campaign. In the new Operation Neptune exhibit, you can experience a simulated parachute jump on June 6, 1944, embark on a C-47 in England, and drop into Sainte-Mère-Église amid the fighting.  Continue to tour the D-Day beaches and memorials. (Note: Due to the museum’s location, passengers joining this tour will be offered a boxed lunch) 
Each of the above tours will visit the D-Day Normandy beaches and memorials with a local guide. 
On the night of 5 June and into the early hours of 6 June, airborne troops parachuted into action while heavy bombers targeted key coastal artillery. An armada of 5,000 ships, including a thousand battleships, crossed the English Channel under cover of darkness and storm, their approach shielded by damaged German radar stations. At 5.45am, battleships began their bombardment, paving the way for landing craft and the first assault waves. The names Sword, Juno, Utah, Gold, and Omaha have become legendary as the sites where tens of thousands of troops stormed ashore. 
In the afternoon, explore these historic beaches and their memorials dedicated to the brave men who landed on D-Day and in the days that followed. The local guides provide a vivid account of the events, bringing the stories of courage and sacrifice to life. 
Utah beach – At 6.30am, the US 4th Infantry Division, led by General Barton and supported by amphibious tanks, arrived at the La Madeleine dunes on Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Beach. Coastal currents had pushed their landing craft two kilometers south of the intended site, making the landings considerably more perilous. However, diminished by intense air and sea bombardment, German resistance was relatively weak. The US faced only minor losses, with approximately 50 dead and around 150 wounded. By early afternoon, they had linked up with the 101st Airborne Division.  
Sword Beach – To the west of the Orne, between Langrune-sur-Mer and Ouistreham, the sector was heavily fortified. General Rennie’s 3rd British Division, bolstered by two special commando brigades, landed at Hermanville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. Intense fighting was needed to capture Ouistreham. In the afternoon, Lord Lovat’s 1st Special Service Brigade successfully reached the Ranville and Bénouville bridges (Pegasus Bridge), linking up with the paratroopers. Meanwhile, the 4th Brigade faced difficulties in capturing Lion-sur-Mer and Luc-sur-Mer, leaving a gap between Sword and Juno beaches. This breach allowed a detachment from the German 21st Panzer Division to infiltrate and briefly reach the sea before retreating. The 3rd British Division’s main force, delayed by German fortifications, was unable to capture Caen as intended. 
Gold Beach – The British 50th Infantry Division, led by General Graham, landed at Asnelles and Ver-sur-Mer around 7.25am. Despite fierce German resistance at both ends of their landing zone, the enemy was pushed back towards the center, allowing the British to advance inland. By the evening of 6 June, the 50th Division’s vanguard was at the outskirts of Bayeux, which they entered without conflict the following day. Meanwhile, in the late afternoon, the 1st Hampshire Regiment advanced along the coast and captured Arromanches, the site designated for one of the artificial ports. 
Juno Beach – The sector between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Saint-Aubin was assigned to General Rodney Keller’s 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, with support from the No. 48 (Royal Marine) Commando. Navigation challenges caused by coastal reefs delayed the arrival of landing craft, which reached the shore at high tide and encountered the formidable obstacles set by Rommel. This led to heavy casualties and significant beach obstruction. After intense combat and the loss of around 1,000 men, including 300 killed, the Canadians succeeded in linking up with British forces at Gold Beach and securing a solid bridgehead about twelve kilometers deep, the deepest of the day. 
Omaha Beach – a seven-kilometer stretch nestled between Vierville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer and flanked by steep cliffs. This strategic location was heavily fortified with field guns, mortars and machine guns, creating a formidable defence. Despite knowing the risks, the Allies had no alternative but to proceed with the assault. Inaccurate bombing had failed to disable the German defences, which were further bolstered by the unexpected arrival of the 352nd Infantry Division. On the morning of 6 June, soldiers from the US 1st and 29th Divisions, commanded by Generals Huebner and Gerhardt, faced devastating losses. Trapped on the beach amid a scene of chaos – bodies and burning equipment – it took them nearly six hours to overcome the obstacles, scale the embankment and reach the plateau. By evening, their advance had barely extended two kilometers inland.

Today, plan to spend your morning at the commemoration ceremony for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, along with its poignant visitor center in Colleville-sur-Mer. 
Visiting the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial on the anniversary is a deeply moving experience. Established on 8 June 1944, it became the first American cemetery on European soil during World War II. Spanning 172 acres, the cemetery is the final resting place for 9,389 military personnel, many of whom lost their lives during the D-Day landings and subsequent operations. The site includes the Walls of the Missing, where 1,557 names are inscribed, with rosettes marking those who have been identified since.  
Your time includes time spent at the visitor center. One-third of the 30,000-square-foot building is dedicated to exhibits featuring personal stories, narrative text, photos, films, interactive displays and artefacts that highlight the courage and sacrifice of the US forces in the Battle of Normandy. The visitor center pays tribute to the values and sacrifices of the World War II generation, making a visit to this museum a profoundly moving experience. 
Today is celebrated as Liberation Day in many villages across the region, with vibrant ceremonies, towns decked out in flags, lively festivals and visits from dignitaries. Time permitting, pause to experience the welcoming atmosphere, including a stop at the historic city of Bayeux, liberated by British troops in the early hours of 7 June 1944. The day concludes with a late afternoon sailing on the Orne as Douglas Mawson re-enters the English Channel and continues towards Brittany, following the path of General George S Patton.

Perched on the border of the former kingdoms of Normandy and Brittany, the walled city of Saint-Malo boasts medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and shops filled with delicious Breton treats, truly embodying its nickname as a ‘pirate town.’ Known as the ‘City of Corsairs’ due to its notorious privateering past, Saint-Malo’s strategic importance carried into the 20th century. In late 1944, its role as a Nazi stronghold led to over 80 per cent of the town being destroyed. Today, Saint-Malo honours its rich history through its museums, festivals and preserved historic sites, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into its storied past. 
Personalise your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.   
Option 1 – Morning experience: The Pirate Town of Saint-Malo   
Join the local guide this morning for a walking tour of Saint-Malo’s historic walled town. Standing proudly behind its stone ramparts, Saint-Malo boasts a captivating history more closely tied to privateering than outright piracy. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Saint-Malo was renowned as a bastion for the wealthy privateers known as corsairs. These state-sanctioned sailors, authorised by the French crown, were tasked with attacking and capturing enemy ships during times of war. Unlike pirates, who operated independently and unlawfully, privateers acted under official letters of marque and reprisal, sharing their spoils with the French kings. The corsairs of Saint-Malo were highly skilled and daring seafarers who played a crucial role in French naval warfare and overseas trade. They conducted raids on English and other enemy ships, bringing back wealth and prestige to Saint-Malo. This era of privateering earned Saint-Malo a notorious reputation, brought to life through captivating tales of its most famous – or infamous – pirates and their treacherous lifestyles.   
Option 2 – Morning experience:  All the Light We Cannot See – World War II Saint-Malo 
Join your locally guided World War II walking tour of Saint-Malo and immerse yourself in the dramatic events of 1944. For two relentless weeks, Allied forces bombarded this Axis stronghold, reducing 80 per cent of the city to rubble and ultimately forcing the Nazi forces to surrender. The tour takes inspiration from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Though a work of historical fiction, the 1944 siege and the struggle for control of Saint-Malo were very real. As you walk through the city’s narrow streets, follow in the footsteps of the novel’s heroine, Marie-Laure, and explore key locations mentioned in the book, while gaining an insight into the determination of the French Resistance organisation, Le Maquis. 
Experience the tension as residents were forced to surrender their wireless receivers under threat of arrest as saboteurs. Reflect on the bravery of the Resistance fighters, many of whom were interned at Fort National. Wander to Rue Vauborel, imagining the home where Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne lived during the siege. This poignant tour offers a powerful reminder of the war’s impact on Saint-Malo and its resilient people, capturing the essence of their courage and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity. 
Option 3 – Morning* experience: Mont Saint-Michel 
Normandy’s most recognisable silhouettes, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mont Saint-Michel, has captured the imaginations of pilgrims, artists, and travellers for centuries. Founded as a monastery in the 8th century, Mont Saint-Michel became a significant pilgrimage destination during the Middle Ages. Its abbey, perched atop the island’s rocky peak, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles. The narrow, winding streets of the village below the abbey are lined with buildings dating back centuries. Visitors can explore the abbey’s intricate chapels, cloisters, and panoramic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the bay.  
During World War II, just four days after the occupation of Paris, Axis forces took control of Mont Saint-Michel, using St Aubert Church as a lookout post. The island also became a popular destination for German and Austrian tourists and soldiers, attracting around 325,000 visitors. After General Patton broke through at Avranches at the end of July, a Jeep carrying three passengers departed from nearby US positions towards the monastery on 1 August 1944.  
One was Private Freeman Brougher of the 72nd Public Service Battalion, a propaganda unit, accompanied by two British journalists. By the time they reached the island, the Jeep was carrying several hangers-on, including a fireman, two priests and three women. Brougher drove down the causeway to Mont Saint-Michel and received a hero’s welcome. Surrounded by a jubilant crowd and handed babies to kiss, Brougher was escorted to the mayor, who had him sign the Golden Book, the island’s record of visiting nobility.  
(Note: Mont Saint-Michel is surrounded by one of Europe’s highest tidal ranges, with waters rising and falling up to 14 meters (46 feet) daily. This creates a mystical atmosphere as the island alternately appears to float on water or be connected to the mainland by a causeway. Because your visit is subject to tidal fluctuations, access to the site can only be confirmed closer to your date of travel.)

A mere 30 miles off the Normandy coast, the self-governing British Crown Dependency, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, is one of the eight permanently inhabited strongholds of the Channel Islands. Despite being closer to France, Guernsey holds to its distinctive British character. When William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, became King of England in 1066, the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, became possessions of the English Crown. They have remained British Crown Dependencies ever since. 
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands were the only British territories occupied by Axis forces during World War II. The occupation began on 30 June 1940, following the fall of France, and lasted until 9 May 1945. The invaders forces transformed Guernsey into a fortified defensive position, with extensive bunkers, gun emplacements and tunnels.  
Life under Nazi rule was extraordinarily difficult. Food had been rationed for several years, but by the end of the war, it became impossible to import supplies from France, leading to severe shortages. During the autumn of 1944, fuel and food supplies were running critically low and medical supplies were almost non-existent. Over 1,000 of the 24,000 residents not evacuated to England were deported to German prisons and labor camps, with only about 700 returning. Communication with the outside world was heavily restricted, adding to the isolation and hardship.  
Despite these relentless challenges, the people of Guernsey exhibited remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Their courage and determination were crucial in enduring the occupation. Liberation on 9 May 1945, is celebrated annually as Liberation Day, symbolising the end of a harrowing chapter and the beginning of recovery and rebuilding. 
Your guided tour of Guernsey’s World War II sites offers a poignant journey into the island’s wartime history. 
Visit several sites relevant to this period including the German Occupation Museum where you will find a collection of authentic artefacts generously donated by residents. These items provide a deeply personal glimpse into the daily struggles and hardships faced by the islanders. The German Naval Signals HQ at the La Collinette Hotel, was a crucial communications center for the Germans until the occupation ended. The La Valette Underground Military Museum, displays the vast network of secret tunnels constructed using forced labour. Originally intended as a U-Boat fuel store, these tunnels reveal the extreme fortifications imposed by the Nazis and the suffering of those who were forced to work on them. 
This tour not only uncovers the strategic significance of Guernsey during World War II, but also pays tribute to the enduring spirit of its people who lived through these harrowing times. The evening sailing returns to the mainland of France at the mouth of the River Seine.

Disembark at the riverside town of Honfleur and make your way to Paris in the wake of the Normandy freedom fighters, Free French and Allied forces. 
In the unyielding summer of 1944 in Normandy, the devastation was immense. Around two million soldiers, twice the area’s peacetime population, clashed in brutal combat. Civilians suffered greatly, with over 60,000 casualties and 500,000 buildings obliterated. The local inhabitants of Normandy had few choices: remain at home and hope for the best, try to escape if they could, or hide in quarries and makeshift shelters. In the Calvados département, the final village to be liberated was Honfleur, miraculously undamaged, achieving freedom on 25 August - the same day as Paris. 
Heading to Paris hear tales of the French who fought for their country’s liberation. A two-hour drive brings you to Mont-Valérien, a poignant memorial site that served as the main execution location for the Nazi authorities in France during World War II. Mont-Valérien was designated in 1941 as the site for executing hostages, and Resistance fighters condemned by Nazi military tribunals as retaliation for attacks on soldiers. Between March 1941 and August 1944, over a thousand people were executed here. From September 1941, reprisals included executing hostages from the same social or political circles as those who committed attacks, often in the areas where the attacks occurred. 
Hailed as the ‘Saviour of Paris’, General der Infanterie, Dietrich von Choltitz, will forever be remembered for his decision to allegedly defy Hitler’s order to destroy the city. Surrendering to the Free French forces on 25 August 1944, he found that the French Resistance had already taken control of much of the city and he would not have been able to carry out his Fuhrer’s orders anyway.  During the Allied invasion of Normandy, Parisians, led by Resistance fighters and supported by the French Forces of the Interior (FFI), began a courageous revolt against their occupiers. Street battles erupted across the city as Resistance fighters and citizens fought to reclaim their freedom, with General Patton ultimately leading the US Third Army to victory.  
Entering Paris, visit a vivid reminder that many Parisians never gave up on their beloved city. Situated in the pavilions at Place Denfert-Rochereau, the Musée de la Libération de Paris reveals the previously unknown Liberation of Paris command headquarters hidden beneath the West Pavilion. This site served as Colonel Rol’s (French Forces of the Interior) command post during the uprising on 19 August 1944. Explore a rich collection of artefacts, photographs and personal stories from the Liberation of Paris, showcasing the bravery and resilience of Parisians during World War II.  
This evening, gather to honor and remember those who fought bravely, those who resisted oppression, and those who were innocently caught up in the chaos of war. Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and contributions.

Farewell your fellow travellers this morning, and transfer to the aptly named Charles de Gaulle Airport for your onward journey. For those eager to explore more of Paris, there's an extension package designed to showcase the highlights of this stunning city. Please ask your consultant for more details.