World War II History: Tour of England and France (Session 1)

Begin your travels by meeting the group at the Salt Lake International Airport for your international flight to London, England.

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The trip, which will include layovers, will begin day 1 and arrive in London day 2 after traveling overnight. Travel will be in Economy Basic unless traveler upgrades to different class.

Arrive early at Heathrow Airport and travel into London to store your bags at the hotel. Spend some time at the Imperial War Museum London before enjoying lunch at Borough Market.

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After lunch, cross Tower Bridge and take in the imposing fortress that is the Tower of London. Continue the day with a visit to St. Paul’s cathedral, the dome of which offers a tremendous city view.

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This will be a long travel day but staying awake is the most effective way of overcoming jetlag.

During World War II, the Royal Family insisted on remaining in residence at Buckingham Palace, making it a seductive target for Luftwaffe attacks. You will see no evidence of the sixteen Blitz bomb strikes, however, as you tour the impressive palace and beautiful grounds today.

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Visit the underground bunker used as the central office for Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet. Learn about how the bunker became like an underground city and the strict rules put in place to ensure order.

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Optional: See a London play for an additional fee.

In retaliation for the British bombing of Cologne, the Luftwaffe sought to attack cities of significant cultural history. Canterbury was among those cities ruthlessly carpeted with bombs. Marvel at the strength of the people in rebuilding and in the beauty of Canterbury and its esteemed cathedral.

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Enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea in a quaint Kent village. Spend the evening at Botany Bay, a hidden gem offering stunning views of white cliffs and beautiful chalk stacks.

Tour medieval Dover Castle founded in the 11th century. It has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history. Also, enjoy a tour of the passageways under the castle used during WWII's Operation Dynamo and known as the Secret War Tunnels.

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Experience a traditional Sunday Roast dinner at a local carvery. Typically including roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, and gravy, this is an authentic English meal. Vegetarian options.

Fly from London to Charles de Gaulle airport, then travel into Paris. After dropping luggage at your hotel, enjoy a tour of the stained-glass windows of Sainte Chapelle, a view of the fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral and a wander through the galleries and exhibits of the famous Louvre museum.

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Stroll along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a broad boulevard that is home to the world’s most fashionable high-end brands. Arrive at the Arc de Triomphe in time for a twilight view of the city.

Choose to spend the morning touring the opulent Palais Garnier opera house or the Catacombs of Paris, final resting place of millions of Parisians displaced from their cemetery plots.

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After lunch, tour Les Invalides military museum, famous as the final resting place of Napoleon. The museum is dedicated to France’s military history.

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Ascend the Eiffel Tower for an incredible aerial view of the city of Paris and marvel at the architectural wonder that was controversial when first built but has since been embraced as the symbol of Paris.

Travel across the French countryside from busy Paris to the laid back coastal towns and villages of the Normandy coast. We will make a stop at Monet’s Garden along the way to break up the long drive day.

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Visit Arromanches des Bains, known during WWII as Port Winston, and view remnants of the Mulberry Harbor. A staggering 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and four million tons of war supplies arrived via Port Winston.

View the German batteries at Maisy and Azeville. Pay your respects to the American troops who died and are buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Stroll the famous landing sites at Omaha and Utah beaches. Visit Angoville-au-Plain church, commemorating the war wounded.

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Travel to Mont Saint Michel for an evening view of this astonishing abbey on a rock in the ocean.

Explore the winding alleys, steep stairs and humble shops that make up the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont Saint Michel Abbey.

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Considered the linchpin of the Atlantic Wall by the German army, Saint-Malo was heavily fortified during WWII. It was severely bombed during Allied attacks and rose again, painstakingly restored stone by stone by the determined Malouins. Stroll the beaches, walls, and old town of this resilient stronghold.

Return to Paris with a stopover in Caen to visit the Caen Memorial Museum, commemorating World War II and the Battle for Caen. More generally, the museum is dedicated to the history of the twentieth century, mainly focused on the fragility of peace.

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Before returning to our airport hotel, stroll through the charming town of Vernon, on the banks of the river Seine, for a final taste of French fare, culture, and architecture.

Travel back by international flight to Salt Lake City from Paris. Return trip will include layovers and will be in Economy Basic class. Travelers may choose to upgrade to another class for an additional fee.

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Because of the difference in time zones when traveling from Europe to the United States, you will leave Europe in the morning and return to the Salt Lake International airport the evening of the same day.