Signature: The Legacy of WWII in London & Normandy

Signature: The Legacy of WWII in London & Normandy

• Trip code: 425X008
• Dauer: 9
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Trace the dramatic arc of WWII from London’s secret bunkers to the liberation of Paris. Enjoy a private dinner in the Churchill War Rooms, uncover Enigma secrets at Bletchley Park, and walk the hallowed sands of D-Day. This journey connects you to stories of strategy and sacrifice, ending with the enduring charm of the French capital.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nts)

Checklist

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noice-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 22

Highlights

Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at the historic Churchill War Rooms bunker beneath Whitehall, Immerse yourself in the world of wartime intrigue discovering the story behind the Enigma code breakers, Participate in a meaningful walking tour of London curated and led by people affected by homelessness, Walk the poignant sands of Omaha Beach reflecting on the bloodiest fighting of the D-Day invasion, Walk along the cratered cliffs where US Rangers scaled heights to destroy German gun positions during D-Day, Gain personal insight into the invasion history during a private discussion with the D-Day Story Museum curator

Introduction

Trace the dramatic arc of WWII from London’s secret bunkers to the liberation of Paris. Enjoy a private dinner in the Churchill War Rooms, uncover Enigma secrets at Bletchley Park, and walk the hallowed sands of D-Day. This journey connects you to stories of strategy and sacrifice, ending with the enduring charm of the French capital

Meals Included

8 Frühstück, 3 Mittagessen, 4 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD210-275 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

London nach Paris

Transport

Private vehicle, ferry, private army trucks, walking

What's Included

Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Westminster Area Walking Tour, London
Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, London
Signature Moment: Churchill War Rooms, London
Signature Moment: D-Day Museum.Visit and Discussion with the Curator, Portsmouth. Arrival and Departure Transfers. Westminster Area Walking Tour. London Coach City Tour. St. Paul's Cathedral Entrance. Expedition Leader Walk to Borough Market. HMS Belfast Tour. Bletchley Park Guided Tour with Enigma Machine. Pegasus Bridge Visit. Expedition Leader Led Walk of Sword Beach. Expedition Leader-Led Walk of Sainte-Mère-Église. Self Guided Airbon Museum Visit. La Fière Bridge Photo Stop. Tour of Utah Beach. Major Richard Winters Memorial Photo Stop. US Army Truck Transfer. Bunker du Poste de Direction de Tir Tour. Omaha Beach Excursion. American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer Visit. onet House Visit. Guided Tour of Paris' Passageways. Sightseeing Coach Trip to Président Wilson Market. Eiffel Tower Visit. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expert Throughout. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 London

Welcome to London. Your expedition begins upon arrival to the Heathrow Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and be immediately immersed in wartime history at the Churchill War Rooms, a fortified bunker deep underneath Whitehall from which Winston Churchill directed the British war effort. Wander through the historic rooms and the adjacent Churchill Museum, examining maps and items from Churchill's life. Your tour is guided by a former IWM Operations Director, providing deep context to the war. Continue with a welcome reception and dinner inside one of the museum's unique spaces

Day 2 London

Set out on a powerful walking tour curated and led by people affected by homelessness. This experience provides intimate, human insight into the resilience and challenges of London life. Next, board your coach for a panoramic tour of London’s WWII highlights, viewing Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Visit inside St Paul’s Cathedral, a symbol of London’s defiance during the Blitz. After free time for lunch near Borough Market, explore the decks of the HMS Belfast, a crucial survivor of the Imperial War Museum fleet, gaining firsthand insight into naval warfare. Enjoy a free evening to explore London on your own

Day 3 London/Portsmouth

Depart London for the countryside and be immersed in a world of intrigue and espionage at Bletchley Park. Discover the untold story behind the Enigma code breakers, who successfully deciphered the encryption used by German forces — a crucial insight into the pivot of the war. Lunch is at your leisure at the Canteen. Afterwards, travel to Portsmouth to visit the D-Day Story Museum. Your experience includes a private discussion with the museum curator, gaining unparalleled, personal insight into the invasion history and artifacts before touring the exhibits

Day 4 Portsmouth/Bayeux

Today, you cross the English Channel by ferry to Caen, tracing the route of the invasion forces. Your exploration of Normandy begins at the Pegasus Memorial Bridge, dedicated to the 6th British Airborne Division, who executed the famous coup de main raid. Walk the poignant sands of Sword Beach, one of the five critical landing points for the Allied invasion, reflecting on the scale of the operation and the thousands of soldiers who arrived here. You'll then transfer to your hotel in Bayeux, a town steeped in history

Day 5 Bayeux

Continue your exploration of Normandy and WWII history with the airborne assault. You'll visit the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where paratroopers dropped amid gunfire on the night of June 5th. See the church steeple where one paratrooper was famously entangled. Continue to Utah Beach, one of the American landing sites, and visit its museum. Your tour traces the path of resilience: Visit Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, one of the first liberated villages, and see the memorial for Easy Company. Head to La Fière Bridge, site of an important battle led by the 82nd Airborne Division. Afterwards, venture into the field where Easy Company Commander Thomas Meehan and his crew perished when their 47 crashed under enemy fire — a powerful connection to the history that was dramatically recounted in Stephen E. Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers

Day 6 Bayeux

The day begins by boarding US Army trucks for the drive to the German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Then, visit the dramatic Pointe du Hoc, where US Rangers used hooks and ropes to scale 30-metre-high (100ft) cliffs — walk along pathways still cratered by mortar blasts, viewing the concrete bunkers. Wander the poignant sands of Omaha Beach, site of the bloodiest fighting during the invasion. A guide uses wartime pictures to bring the operation to life. You'll pause for a minute of reflection on the sand. Conclude your tour at the serene American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, taking in the moving sight of row upon row of small white grave markers

Day 7 Bayeux/Paris

Depart Bayeux in the morning bound for the village of Giverny. Visit the sanctuary of artist Claude Monet, restored in the late 1970s, where the pink rendered house and the flower and water gardens are perfectly preserved, immersing visitors in the artist and gardener’s world. Afterwards, continue to Paris. Join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for an optional discovery walk, providing an initial orientation of the French capital before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure

Day 8 Paris

Discover another side of Paris on a guided journey into a ‘city within a city’, exploring historic, glass-roofed passageways filled with 19th-century charm. A local guide highlights this captivating, intimate glimpse into Parisian life. Next, travel to the upscale Marché du Président Wilson, a bustling Saturday market known for fresh seafood, pastries, and cheese. Enjoy a walking exploration of the market, followed by free time for lunch on your own near the Eiffel Tower area. The day concludes with a special farewell dinner, celebrating the end of your journey from resistance to liberation

Day 9 Paris

Your expedition concludes today. Transfers are provided to the airport at any time during the day

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 London

Day 2 London

Day 3 London/Portsmouth

Day 4 Portsmouth/Bayeux

Day 5 Bayeux

Day 6 Bayeux

Day 7 Bayeux/Paris

Day 8 Paris

Day 9 Paris