Monday May 29

For many of our travelers it is departure day, for the overnight transatlantic flight. Some travelers may choose to leave for Europe sooner to extend the start of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on pre-tour accommodations.

Guests who have other travels already in progress will meet the start of the tour on Day 1 in London.​ 

Day 1 - London

Tuesday May 30

In the mid-afternoon all clients can check into the group hotel. In the meantime, today you are free to explore London, an amazing city of history and monuments waiting to be discovered including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Imperial War Museum, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Platform 9-3/4 at Kings Cross Station ... and so much more! 

In the evening we gather in the heart of London for our Welcome Dinner, to set the stage for our adventure. Overnight London - hotel tbc. [D]

Day 2 - The Build-Up to D-Day

Wednesday May 31

​We begin exploring the story of D-Day with a look at various maps and plans, to give context to the events about to unfold. After a visit to the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, we head south toward the coast. We'll pause in Southwick for lunch at a very historical pub that played its own small role in the planning of D-Day.

After lunch, we visit The D-Day Story, located on Southsea Common right on the coast. This museum expertly tells the story of the D-Day build-up, and features a very rare LCT landing craft with a Sherman Tank. From here it is a short stroll along the promenade to the beautiful Portsmouth Naval Memorial, which commemorates nearly 25,000 sailors of the two great wars who were lost at sea. Overnight Portsmouth / Southampton - hotel tbc. [B,L] ​

Day 3 - The Crossing

Thursday June 1

Just as the lads did in 1944, we'll pack up our kit and set out across the English Channel - destination, France. It is an early morning out of the hotel to catch our 8:00 am sailing to Ouistreham, a crossing of ~6 hours. You will have time on board to relax and enjoy lunch at your leisure. 

Upon arrival in France, we visit Pegasus Bridge and the most eastern edge of Sword Beach, to learn all about the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. We then settle in for the first of nine nights in the Calvados Region. ​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B] ​

Day 4 - Omaha Beach

Friday June 2

Today we'll visit the first of the two American landing sectors, code named Omaha Beach. The D-Day assault on this beach was, according to the veterans themselves, aptly depicted by the opening twenty minutes of the Steven Spielberg film Saving Private Ryan. The Americans suffered heavy losses here, due in part to the difficult terrain which favoured the defenders. We'll take a walk along the bluffs high above the beach, and also walk at the water's edge, to see both perspectives. We will also take some time for reflection at the Colleville-sur-Mer American War Cemetery which serenely overlooks the Normandy shore below. 

We then move further west to Pointe-du-Hoc where the United States Army Rangers famously scaled 100' cliffs to secure the position. We close out the day with a short drive inland to La Cambe German Cemetery, one of the many international sites of commemoration and an opportunity to respectfully consider the losses of the opposing army. More than 21,000 German soldiers lie here, some having not even reached their eighteenth birthday. ​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L] ​

Day 5 - Utah Beach

​Saturday June 3

This morning we set out to visit again with the USA, at the western-most landing zone code named Utah on the eastern shore of the Cotentin Peninsula. Utah is a wide, flat expanse and offers great views from the dunes, whereupon numerous monuments have been placed to mark the American landings.

​A short drive in from the coast takes us to Saint-Mère-Église, central to the region where the United States 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions parachuted into France to secure the western flank of the allied landings. You'll enjoy some free time here, to take in the sights and sounds of the anniversary days.

We visit a few additional points of interest inland connected to 'Easy Company' of the 101st. ​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L]​

Day 6 - Gold Beach

Sunday June 4

Day Six takes us to points of interest within the second British landing zone, Gold Beach. This area was selected as one of two sites to construct the man-made Mulberry Harbour where ships could off-load the massive supplies needed for the Allied forces. The view from the cliffs above reveals remnants of the harbour just off-shore. We then walk down into Arromanches, a lovely coastal tourist village, for some free time to explore. 

We also make a visit to Longues-sur-Mer, a German coastal artillery position of four large naval guns which posed a serious threat to Allied ships off-shore and the landing beaches themselves. Our final stop of the afternoon is the British Normandy Memorial, newly dedicated in June 2021. ​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L]

Day 7 - Juno Beach (Part 1)

Monday June 5 

This is our first of two days along the 8 kilometers of shoreline that comprises Juno Beach. We begin by exploring Bernières-sur-Mer where we find 'Canada House,' easily the most iconic building of the entire Normandy coast. Just down the boardwalk stands one of many concrete defenses, barely changed since 1944.

After a short break, we take a battlefield walk along the shoreline to the eastern most point of the Juno sector and the village of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Here we find yet another concrete defense, with the 50-mm German gun still sitting ominously in its place. Along the way we see more iconic beachfront structures.

Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L]

Day 8 - D-Day 84

Tuesday June 6 

🍁🍁🍁

Today is the big day, the 84th Anniversary of D-Day. We'll keep the schedule clear to attend the official commemoration ceremonies at the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. ​​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B]

Day 9 - Juno Beach (Part 2)

Wednesday June 7

Unique to Liberation Tours, we explore the battles which took place inland from Juno after the D-Day landings. Following the path taken by the Canadians, we'll visit the village squares of Buron, Authie and others ... little places with big memories of their Canadian liberators. We also make a stop at Carpiquet Airport to hear of the fierce battle for control of this strategic ground.

In the mid-afternoon we take time for an important site of pilgrimage at Ardennes Abbey, where Canadian soldiers were illegally executed.

We close out the afternoon with time to unwind in the beautiful medieval town of Bayeux. ​​Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L]

Day 10 - Juno Beach (Part 3)

Thursday June 8

With the official commemorations concluded and the crowds mostly  dispersed, we circle back to the Juno Beach Centre for a high quality visit.

Our morning includes a tour inside the JBC, and some time in reflection as we walk along the shoreline to hear stories of heroism and bravery amidst the chaos of war. 

We'll visit the spot where French General Charles de Gaulle set foot in his triumphant return onto French soil, marked by the Cross of Lorraine. And, we'll see more examples of the military hardware that helped the Allies win the war. ​

In the late afternoon we visit the hallowed grounds of Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, where just over 2,000 young men await your visit.

Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L]

Day 11 - The Battle of Normandy

Friday June 9

For the final day on the battlefields we venture into the countryside south of Caen, where the Battle of Normandy played out in the weeks and months following D-Day. 

We'll visit various historical points related to Verrières Ridge, including the monument at Point 67 which dominates the landscape. We stop in St-Lambert-sur-Dives where David Currie earned a Victoria Cross in the battle for the Falaise Gap.

Our visit also features another battlefield walk, this time through the village to a small bridge where the German Army attempted a desperate escape. 

In the evening we gather for our Farewell Dinner, to share in the company of new friends and to raise a glass to all who have served our nation - and continue to do so today. Overnight Normandy - hotel tbc. [B,L,D]

Day 12 - Return

Saturday June 10

This morning is an early a.m. departure for Charles de Gaulle Airport for those returning home. 

Afterward, for those who have plans to stay on extra days, the coach will drop you into downtown Paris. Let us know if we can quote you on post-tour accommodations.