Statistics show us that 87% of all travel is purchased by women.  That means that men, for whatever reason, really do not purchase travel for themselves.   So, what is a great travel gift to get for a guy?  Here it is:

A visit to the beaches, cemeteries, and battle sites pays tribute to the acts of bravery our heroes displayed on June 6, 1944.  It brings with it a greater understanding and appreciation of the events surrounding that fateful day.  Walk in the sand at Utah and Omaha to get the vantage point of the liberators when their landing-craft ramps dropped into the surf.  Visit enemy bunkers.  Stare down the cliffs scaled by the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc.  Walk through liberated villages still scarred by the ferocious fighting. Stand on the hallowed ground where “The Bedford Boys” sacrificed all they could as the first wave of invaders at Vierville Draw.  Everyone experiences different emotions upon seeing the field of crosses and Stars of David at the American Cemetery, but be assured of this - the memory of your visit will stay forever. 

The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, operators of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, presents an itinerary for those who wish to learn more about one of the most significant events in American and world history. Combined with a delightful tour of Paris, this trip will be talked about for years to come.

Look What You Get:

·         8 Nights Accommodations in charming, clean, comfortable, quiet hotels in safe, central locations.  Spend 4 nights in the heart of Paris, on the historic Left Bank in the midst of Parisian cafés, bistros, shops, and historic sites like Notre Dame and Luxembourg Gardens. The popular Grand Hotel des Balcons boasts a “Certificate of Excellence” from TripAdvisor.com.  In Normandy, headquarter in the historic village of Bayeux at the renowned Hotel Churchill for 4 nights.   Rooms have private bath, shower, hair dryers and free wireless internet connections.  Breakfast is included.

·         Professional Tour Guide Services.   Professional and licensed guides are dedicated to telling the story of June 6, 1944 and the events surrounding that day.  Their impassioned descriptions, insight, and explanations bring D-Day to life.   They answer questions, go to special places other tours rarely visit, and leave the traveler with an experience not to be forgotten.   In Paris, our licensed and engaging guides do more than relate the stories of World War II.  Be treated to the best pleasures of the City of Light.  Tour leaders stay with the group 24/7, from start to finish.

·         Private Limo Pickup.  Be personally greeted at the Paris airport by a driver, regardless of arrival time, to be transported directly to the hotel.  How easy is that?

·         Transportation.   In Paris, we go on our schedule using public transportation.  We don’t insulate travelers by herding them on one of those big bus tours.  See the real Paris with a small group of active travelers.  After Paris, depart for Normandy in private luxury vans.   As a bonus, stopover at Giverny, the home and gardens of famous Impressionist painter, Monet.  In Normandy, 7-8 passenger private vans get us right on the beaches and to places where those big bus tours can’t go. Return to Paris via train.  We assure that this private tour offers the most intimate look possible, and provides the most adequate time at the Normandy Invasion Beaches and surrounding areas.  

·         VIP Paid admission to over 60 top attractions including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Pantheon, Centre Pompidou, Rodin Museum, Napoleon’s Tomb, Arc de Triomphe, Conciergerie, Cluny Museum, Picasso Museum, Orangerie Museum and more with NO waiting in line.  Each traveler will be issued a 4-day Paris Museum Pass.  On arrival day, enjoy a relaxing evening cruise down the Seine River to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle over this wonderful city.  In Normandy, admission is included to all sites on the itinerary.

·         Personalized Itinerary:  Although this itinerary primarily focuses on WW II and the Normandy Invasion Beaches, sufficient free time is provided to explore other options with the guidance and assistance of tour leaders.   For those who do not wish 3 full days of touring the invasion beaches, an optional day trip to dramatic Mont Saint-Michel is offered.

·         Small group size limited to 10-16 friendly, like-minded travelers.  Move around the city quickly and efficiently.  Visit places big tour groups don’t go. Dine at intimate and authentic restaurants.  

·         Traveling Solo?  About 50% of our travelers are usually solo travelers.  Everyone feels welcome! 

·         Gift Package:  In advance of the tour, travelers receive a copy of “The Bedford Boys” by Alex Kershaw and a special Juno Beach Membership to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.

·         Personalized, attentive service.  Your professional tour leader, Professor Stephen Solosky, takes care of the details, serving as the group’s private concierge.  Everyone is well-prepared and well-informed on all aspects of the tour.  Please direct all questions and concerns regarding this trip to Professor Solosky at info@travelingprofessor.com or by phone at 413.528.2125. 

·         Best of All – The cost is only $2,999 per person, double occupancy.  Stay extra nights for only $139 per person, double occupancy.   This trip is perfect for solo travelers at a single supplement of only $395.

 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Thursday April 20, 2017	Regardless of time of arrival, be greeted at the Paris airport by a private limo driver for transfer directly to the Grand Hotel Des Balcons.   Later that afternoon meet with your tour leader and our small group of travelers.  After a short introduction enjoy an overview of Paris with a relaxing cruise down the Seine River.  With the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background, sail past the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Orsay down the center of Paris.   Hotel:  Grand Balcons.
Friday April 21	We begin our first full day in Paris.   A private guide leads us to Napoleon’s Tomb with a full explanation and discussion of this historic monument and the Emperor.  The adjoining Musée de l’Armée has an excellent World War II section providing a decidedly French perspective of the winning of the war.   After lunch, head over to the Arc de Triomphe.  Today, like every day we spend in Paris, free time for travelers is provided to use the Paris Museum Pass to skip the long lines and visit any attraction of your choice.   That evening, like all others, we’ll plan dinner at a local authentic restaurant.   Join us or go out on your own with our recommendations.  Hotel:  Grand Balcons.
Saturday April 22	Our professional guide takes us inside Notre Dame.  Tour Ile de la Cité with the conversation focusing on France’s participation in WW II.   After lunch switch gears to visit the wonderful Musée de l’Orangerie, one of the best collections of Impressionist painting in the world. Hotel:  Grand Balcons
Sunday April 23	A free day to shop, relax or use the Paris Museum Pass for no-wait-in-line admission to visit any site of your choice. Our tour leader is available to help plan your day.  Hotel:  Grand Balcons.
Monday April 24	After breakfast a private luxury van picks us up at the hotel for the march to Bayeux.  Along the path is Giverny, the home and gardens of Monet, the famous Impressionist painter.  We take advantage with a 2 hour stop for a visit and lunch.  After arriving in Bayeux that afternoon, check into the Hotel Churchill , stroll over to see the famous Bayeux Tapestries.  Bayeux provides good dining, shopping, and historic site opportunities.  Hotel:  Hotel Churchill .
Tuesday April 25	This morning we begin our Normandy Invasion beaches tour where it all began:  Pegasus Bridge.  We plan on visiting the nearby British cemetery, Sword Beach, the site of Ouisterham Casino and the Commandos Memorial.  We follow up at the Canadian and English sectors, so very important in understanding the American forces invasion.  We’ll finish up at Arromanches and the Mulberry artificial harbor.  Our professional tour guides tell the stories you’ve never heard before of the strategy, bravery, and leadership that made the invasion a success.   Hotel:  Hotel Churchill .
Wednesday April 26	The American paratroopers jumped into Normandy the night before the land invasion.  Soon after, gliders crash landed into the countryside.  We visit those sites and hear unbelievable stories of bravery by heroes like those of Private Charles DeGlopper at La Fiére and Major Dick Winters at Brecourt Manor.  A visit to Sainte-Mère-Église and its museum brings us up close and personal with the battle.  Witness the battle-scarred buildings and view the actual equipment used in the invasion.  It is on to Utah Beach to walk on the sand.  A visit to the new Utah Beach Museum shows us more of the aircraft, equipment, and weapons of the battle.  We finish up at the bomb craters, pillboxes, and cliffs of Pointe du Hoc where Lt. Col. James Rudder and over 225 Rangers overcame unbelievable resistance to take the enemy.  Hotel:  Hotel Churchill .
Thursday April 27	Our last and most memorable day.   Begin by visiting the last existing enemy gun emplacement at Longues-sur-Mer.  Then it is onto the sands of Omaha beach.  If like the others we have taken to Normandy, you will be frozen in stunned silence while facing the same landscape from the viewpoint our men faced when they exited the landing craft.  Everyone always asks, “how did they do it?”  Our guides will tell about the courage and incredible daring and risks taken to overcome what seemed like an impossible task.  No description can be given of a visit to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer – it is not possible to put into words the emotions brought about when confronted with the monuments, crosses, and Stars of David honoring the fallen.  Our last visit is to Vierville Draw.  It was here the National Guard unit from Bedford, Virginia landed and faced brutal resistance as the first wave of invaders.  The “Bedford Boys” proportionately took the greatest sacrifice of any unit in the invasion.   See the pillboxes, guns, and obstacles confronted on the way to victory.  Hear the descriptions of courage and grit while standing on the hallowed ground where the fighting took place.    Our expert guides tell the story.  Hotel:  Hotel Churchill .
Friday April 28	It’s getaway day.  We are scheduled to take the train back to Paris St. Lazare station (2 ½ hour trip).  Please schedule airline departure for after 2 pm.  Options are available for those wishing to spend more time in Paris.

Useful Notes:

·         This tour is for active adult travelers in good health, able to handle their own luggage, walk up and down stairs and uneven terrain, keep an active pace, and do not have mobility issues.  Sorry, no one under 21 years of age or under is permitted on this tour.

·         Producing and leading this tour is Professor Stephen Solosky, “The Traveling Professor”. Please direct all questions regarding this tour to him via email at info@travelingprofessor.com or telephone at 413.528.2125.  He and his staff are happy to communicate with you prior to the trip to answer questions or address concerns.  Information is sent out well in advance of departure to ensure you are well-prepared for this expedition.

·         Airfare is NOT included.  This allows the most flexibility in planning a trip.  Professor Solosky can help in planning an air itinerary.

·         Trip health and cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Use  http://www.safeguardtravel.com/ as a resource.

·         Due varying dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegan, lactose intolerance, low-salt, etc.) dinners are not included in the price in order to provide travelers wider choices.  However, we arrange for moderately priced group dinners every night.  Please join us or go out on your own with our restaurant recommendations.

How to Book:

Send a $350 deposit per person made to “Traveling Professor LLC” and send to:  TRAVELING PROFESSOR,  PO BOX 747, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230.   Deposits are credited towards the cost of the tour.  Deposits are fully refundable up to 21 days after receipt unless the tour is scheduled to start within 60 days.   No refunds within 60 days of the commencement of the tour.  However, all deposits and payments are refundable should the trip be filled to capacity upon your cancellation.

TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve seen the movies, read the books, heard the stories.  Nothing, and I mean nothing compares to walking on the sands of Omaha, staring over the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, or seeing the memorials, crosses and Stars of David at the American Cemetery.”   Ken G., Houston, TX.

 

“A visit to Paris was the perfect complement to our tour.”   Ann G., Tampa, FL.

“..we thought this was an excellent combination of visiting both the Normandy Beaches and Paris.  It was extremely well-organized and planned.  No wonder over half the people on the tour previously traveled with The Professor”.  Jan and Larry H., Milwaukee, WI.

“For me, the guides made all the difference.  They brought D-Day alive with stories of bravery, courage, and pure guts.  Every American needs to visit Normandy to fully appreciate what these men sacrificed so that we may have the freedoms we enjoy today…”.   Jim Z., Philadelphia, PA.

“Thanks again for a really wonderful experience and for showing so clearly you embrace each traveler "in your care" as you would a loved family member”.  Larry M., Long Island, NY.

View photos of one of our previous tours here:  https://goo.gl/photos/NTtmg5iUjCN41rwQ9