Compare WWII D-Day, Landing Beaches & Battle of Normandy by Great Value Vacations vs Cruise on the Marne Canal from Paris to Epernay (port-to-port cruise) by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 5 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,595 | $ 2,005 |
| Price Per Day | $ 519 | $ 286 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | Group tour | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation. GOOD NEWS - The local tour operator will no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination for travelers as of March 1, 2023. For travelers departing before March 1, the tour operator requires that travelers aged 12 and older provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English, for all vacations. Proof of vaccination must be completed at least 14 days prior to the tour start date. *Exceptions apply to children who do not qualify for vaccination. Explore the locations you've only read about in history books with this WWII D-day, Landing Beaches & Battle of Normandy vacation. You'll visit beaches where iconic battles took place, museums filled with interactive exhibits, and cemeteries that are a tribute to the Allied forces. You'll even visit a German artillery bunker as well as have a chance to see the original Pegasus bridge! Your tour begins and ends in Paris, where you can spend an evening indulging in culinary masterpieces and taking in the breathtaking sights of the city, from the Eiffel Tower to The Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa. You'll also spend two nights based out of Caen, where you'll be surrounded by imposing castles and Romanesque Abbeys. |
From Paris to Epernay, cruise on the majestic Marne canal lined with cities full of character. You will discover charming and timeless Paris and its famous monuments, but also Reims, the City of Art and History, home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Do not miss out on Hautvillers and its beautiful surrounding vineyards. |
Day 1 Welcome to Paris!
Say "bonjour" as you land in Paris and are transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure; perhaps you'd like to spend some time taking in the masterpieces at The Louvre today! At 5:30 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Paris - Caen
Visit the highlights of Caen today! Depart early in the morning and prepare for a day full of history. Get lost in the Memorial Museum for France with its exhibits, films, and gardens. Continue to historic Arromanches, home to the iconic artificial port built by the allies. Visit this man made marvel and be treated to a screening of a film at the 360 circular cinema!. Journey on to Arromanches-les-Bains where you will discover the secrets of the D-day Museum, then finally make a stop at Longues-sur-Mer and explore German artillery.
Day 3 Caen
Start the day off with a trip to Utah Beach to see the memorials and visit the museum. Then in Sainte-Mère-Église, you'll visit the Airborne Museum. Here, American paratrooper John Steele's parachute got caught in the steeples; you may recognize this location from the associated scene in the movie The Longest Day! Continue onto Utah Beach, where you can view the memorials, followed by a trip to the Ponte du Hoc and Ranger's Assault museums. The last stop on today's adventure will be at Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument and Omaha Beach, where you'll have the opportunity to pay your respects at the nearby American Military Cemetery and Memorial.
Day 4 Caen - Paris
Today's journey starts with a visit to the Canadian Center in Bény-sur-Mer. Explore the Juno Beach Center, where you can visit the exhibition then take a moment at the Memorial to the Canadians. You'll then drive along the coast via Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, making one last stop at the Memorial Pegasus Museum and bridge in Ranville before beginning your journey back to Paris.
Day 5 Depart France
Enjoy a transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight home.
Day 1 PARIS
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner.
Day 2 PARIS - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
We'll set out on an excursion through the major sites of the capital: the Place de la République, the main boulevards, the Opera, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the Louvre. Join us on an original walk along the prettiest covered arcades in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. We'll return on board and start cruising towards Lagny-sur-Marne.
Day 3 LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - ISLES-LES-MELDEUSES - SAINT-JEAN-LESDEUX- JUMEAUX
This morning will be spent cruising to Isles-les-Meldeuses. This afternoon, join us on a tour of the charming town of Meaux, from the Cathedral to the Bishops' Palace, passing the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the magnificent Bossuet Garden, traditionally believed to be an early work of Le Nôtre. We'll discover and taste the Brie de Meaux cheese, hailed as "the King of Cheeses”. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux where we will return on board.
Day 4 SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX - CHÂTEAU-THIERRY
This morning will be spent cruising, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Château-Thierry and set off for an excursion with an educational falconry performance (1). We'll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Afterwards, we'll return on board.
Day 5 CHÂTEAU-THIERRY - DORMANS
We'll start sailing towards Dormans. This afternoon, join us on an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We'll start off with a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. We'll continue our visit to a prominent champagne house, with a tasting*.
Day 6 DORMANS - EPERNAY
This morning will be spent sailing towards Epernay. This afternoon, we'll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims, known as the "City of Coronations”. We'll take part in a guided tour of the historic center as well as a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. We'll return on board. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
Day 7 EPERNAY - Paris(2)
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Paris(2). End of our services.
