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Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion
ENGLAND & FRANCE
D-Day: Courage, Conflict, and History in England and France
with Ed Lengel
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Normandy, American Cemetary
Longues-sur-Mer Battery
HMS Belfast
Bletchley Park Enigma Machine
Omaha Beach
Starting at $7,595 per person
8 Days, 7 Nights, May 28 - June 4, 2025
Join author and military historian Ed Lengel on an extraordinary journey through the pivotal moments and places that shaped D-Day and the Allied victory in World War II. Beginning in London, trace the footsteps of the courageous men and women who fought for freedom with visits to Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, the nerve center of Britian’s wartime leadership, and Bletchley Park, where codebreakers worked tirelessly to decipher enemy communications. Explore the HMS Belfast, a Royal Navy vessel that played a key role in the D-Day landings, and travel to Portsmouth where final preparations for the invasion were secured at Southwick House, otherwise known as D-Day headquarters.
Next, you’ll cross the English Channel into Normandy and watch history unfold as you follow the events of the historic liberation of France. From defensive fortifications won in hard-fought battles to bridges captured in daring airborne assaults, each visit is a poignant reminder of a time when the fate of Europe was determined by the success of the largest amphibious landing in history. Your experience culminates in a powerful walk along Omaha Beach, where the bloodiest battles of D-Day were fought, followed by a private wreath-laying ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery to honor those who gave their lives. With fascinating insights into the circumstances surrounding that fateful day interspersed with human stories of bravery and determination, Ed Lengel will bring this monumental chapter of history to life as you explore the courage, conflict, and sacrifice that forever changed the course of the 20th century.
D-Day: Courage, Conflict, and History in England and France
with Ed Lengel
Explore Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, the historic underground bunkers where Churchill directed Britain’s war strategy during World War II, preserved with original maps and artifacts from 1945.
Uncover the secrets of Bletchley Park, the home of the Enigma code breakers who cracked Nazi communications and played a pivotal role in shortening the war.
Learn about the daring airborne operations and beach landings by the British at Pegasus Bridge and Sword Beach that were critical to the success of D-Day.
Visit Southwick House and see the map Eisenhower and Montgomery used to plan the largest amphibious landing in military history.
Highlights
Ed G. Lengel
Ed G. Lengel is a professional author, public speaker, and historical tour guide. He received his PhD from the University of Virginia, where he was a full professor and directed the Washington Papers Project for many years. He served as Chief Historian of the White House Historical Association, wrote the new history of Colonial Williamsburg as a Revolutionary in Residence, and worked at the National World War II and Medal of Honor Museums.
Mr. Lengel has written 14 books on American history, including To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918 and Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion. Mr. Lengel is a co-recipient of the National Humanities Medal and has won two writing awards from the Army Historical Foundation. He has made frequent television and radio appearances on The History Channel, SiriusXM, National Public Radio, and many other media outlets.
Journey Expert
Ed G. Lengel
Day 1 – Drama Beneath Westminster
Churchill War Rooms
Arrive on individual flights into London (Heathrow Airport – LHR) and transfer independently to your hotel. Your journey begins with a private guided coach tour of London’s World War II sites and memorials, including a visit to Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms. These historic underground bunkers, where Churchill directed Britain’s war strategy, remain preserved with original maps, telephones, and sleeping quarters from 1945. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome drink and opening remarks by your tour expert, Ed Lengel, followed by dinner in your hotel.
Included Meal: Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Riu Plaza Victoria
Bletchley Park
Begin your day with a guided visit to Bletchley Park, where Mr. Lengel will uncover the true story of the Enigma code breakers and their pivotal role in the war effort. With their decoder machine, famously featured in The Imitation Game, they deciphered the Wehrmacht’s encrypted messages and helped to shorten World War II. After lunch at leisure, get a firsthand look at naval life during one of history’s most defining moments with a visit to the HMS Belfast, an historic Royal Navy warship that fired some of the first shots on D-Day. Dinner and the rest of the evening will be yours to enjoy in London.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Riu Plaza Victoria
The Golden Lion Pub
Travel south to Portsmouth, which in 1944 was part of a 10-mile- deep coastal strip closed to all visitors in preparation for Operation Overlord. Enjoy an exclusive visit to Southwick House, which served as D-Day headquarters under the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Commander-in-Chief General Bernard Montgomery. In the Map Room, see the map used to plot the largest amphibious landing in military history (subject to confirmation). Explore Southwick village and gather for lunch at The Golden Lion Pub, once converted into an officer’s mess during World War II and where General Eisenhower himself would enjoy a pint of beer. Visit The Portsmouth D-Day Museum, home to the Overlord Embroidery and Landing Craft Tak 7074, and join Mr. Lengel in a discussion about the logistics of such a massive operation: How do you get an army across the English Channel and into France when your enemy is well armed, well trained, and expecting you? Continue the conversation over dinner this evening at your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Marriott Hotel Portsmouth
Merville Battery Site
This morning, cross the English Channel by ferry and arrive in Normandy in the afternoon. Visit the Merville Battery and Museum, a coastal artillery battery built as part of the Germans’ Atlantic Wall to defend continental Europe from Allied invasion. As you walk amongst the original bunkers, hear Mr. Lengel tell the story of the 6th British Airborne Division who were deployed just after midnight on June 6, 1944, to destroy the German stronghold before its troops could prevent the progress of Allied forces on nearby Sword Beach. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Bayeux and gather for dinner in a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel d’Argouges
D-Day Beaches Sign
Spend a full day immersed in the history of D-Day as Mr. Lengel offers insights that place some of Normandy’s most significant sites into a broader context of the Allied invasion and the overall strategy of World War II. Begin at La Fière Bridge and its ‘Iron Mike’ Monument, a tribute to the paratroopers who fought bravely in the area. Continue to Sainte-Mère-Église, one of the first towns liberated by Allied forces, and explore the Airborne Museum, which vividly recounts how the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions dropped to the ground under the cover of darkness on June 5, 1944. In Saint-Marie-du-Mont, visit the historic Église Notre-Dame and see the confessional that is still riddled with bullet holes, then head to Utah Beach, where over 23,000 Americans made an amphibious landing in the early hours of D-Day. If time permits, pay a visit to the solemn La Cambe German Cemetery. Conclude the day with dinner in a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel d’Argouges
Pegasus Bridge
Begin with a morning visit to the Longues-sur-Mer Battery, a German artillery unit perfectly located to oppose the D-Day landings and a prime example of the defensive strategies faced by Allied forces. In the afternoon, your exploration of the remarkable achievements of the British army continues with visits to Sword Beach and Pegasus Bridge, whose swift capture of these key positions by daring British troops played a crucial role in the success of the invasion. Return to Bayeux, where dinner and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel d’Argouges
Omaha Beach Memorial
Spend today exploring the Omaha Beach area, beginning with a visit to The Overlord Museum and its extensive collection of artifacts from the Normandy invasion. Then, reflect on the bravery of Allied forces during a guided walk along Omaha Beach, where American soldiers entered the “gates of hell” and incurred the greatest losses of D-Day. Continue to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur Mer and join Mr. Lengel in a poignant wreath-laying ceremony to honor the fallen heroes who sacrificed so much for freedom. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers to conclude your journey during a special farewell reception and dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel d’Argouges
Transfer to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport – CDG) for individual flights home. The drive to Paris will take approximately 4 hours.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Hôtel d'Argouges, Bayeux, France
Historic Hôtel d’Argouges is housed in an elegant 18th-century townhouse and surrounded by a quiet country garden. In the main house, guests will admire a lovely, classic atmosphere: high ceilings, parquet floors, Normandy antiques, and ornate fireplaces. The guest rooms are spread out over three buildings, featuring traditional designs, exposed wood beams and comfortable furnishings, with restorative views of the peaceful landscapes. Located in the city center of Bayeux, guests are perfectly situated for exploration of both Normandy and historic Bayeux, with numerous shops, restaurants and bars only moments away from the hotel.
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel – Portsmouth, UK
A contemporary hotel ideally located near the ferry terminal, 174 relaxed rooms offer high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, pillow-top mattresses, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. The sleek hotel gym is equipped with cardio and weight training machines, while the onsite Cast Iron Bar and Grill features old-school classics and delicious craft beers. The Portsmouth Marriott received a Green Key certification for its environmental responsibility and sustainable operations.
Hotel Riu Plaza Victoria – London, UK
Newly opened and located in the heart of London, the Hotel Riu Plaza Victoria is the perfect base to discover the vibrant British capital. 435 bright and stylish rooms are designed to guarantee a peaceful rest and offer Wi-Fi, satellite TV, air conditioning, and a tea kettle for your morning brew. Other onsite amenities include a lobby bar, Tastes Restaurant, and a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre.
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