Britain Express Tours
Relive the War

Relive the War, from London's Blitz to French Battlefields

This popular tour comes in two versions, one for adults only, and one for adults and families. Click for the detailed itinerary here, or read what past tour participants had to say about their experiences. For further information and registration, email British Connection, call 1 800 420 2569, or use our Printable Registration form

Tour B
(for Adults only)
Cost $2,890.00 per person sharing a room $600.00 single supplement
Duration 8 days
Airfare not included - can be provided
Insurance not included - is available and highly recommended
Where England and France
Subject of the Tour World War II
When September 2002
Endurance level Easy
Lodging Hotels of good quality
Starts in London England
Ends in Paris France
Age Range For Adults Only
Group Size 5 to 20

Departure and arrival information
Depart USA on or before 16^th September return to USA on 24^th September 2002

Tour begins in London on 17^th September 2002 and ends in Paris on 24^th September, 2002

Point du Hoc memorial

Tour B Description
Spend eight days exploring the people, places and events of World War II from the Blitz of London to the Liberation of Paris. You follow in the footsteps of those who went before and recreate in your mind the sights, sounds and feelings of those who waged war.

You explore battlefields in France and the War Command office in London and learn about the secrecy of the D-Day effort. You experience the danger and risk, the comradeship and victories and the great sadness of the war. You visit these extraordinary places, now so peaceful, that were indelibly marked by the forces of war.

This unique trip is available for group or independent travelers.


Tour A
(for Adults and Families)

Cost $2,890.00 per person sharing a room $600.00 single supplement discount for third person in the room
Duration 8 days
Airfare not included can be provided
Insurance not included - is available and highly recommended
Where England and France
Subject of the Tour World War II
When June 2002
Endurance level Easy
Lodging Hotels of good quality
Starts in London England
Ends in Paris France
Age Range For Adults and families minimum age 10 years old.Group Size 5 to 20

Departure and arrival information
Depart USA on or before 19^th June return to USA on 27^th June

Tour begins in London on June 20^th 2002 and ends in Paris on 27^th June, 2002

Tour A Description

Spend eight days exploring the people, places and events of World War II from the Blitz of London to the Liberation of Paris. You follow in the footsteps of those who went before and recreate in your mind the sights, sounds and feelings of those who waged war.

You explore battlefields in France and the War Command office in London and learn about the secrecy of the D-Day effort. You experience the danger and risk, the comradeship and victories and the great sadness of the war. You visit these extraordinary places, now so peaceful, that were indelibly marked by the forces of war.

Above the secret wartime tunnels in Dover

Why this tour makes a great family program for the right teens and their families
This unique trip is available for group or independent travelers. The June departure will accommodate families and adult travelers. Family participants may not be younger than 10 years old and must in the estimation of their families and the organizers of this tour, be very keen to learn about the War. It can be a fascinating program for suitably motivated young people who want to know more about this period in history. We find that the following parts of the tour in particular fascinate teens - the channel tunnel rail trip, the visit to the War Museum in London which has many exhibits that are accessible to young people because of the sounds, faces of people and presentation of the material. HMS Belfast also appeals and the Memorial Museum in Caen, as well as the secret war time tunnels, and the Cabinet War Rooms.

Relive the War Itinerary for Tours A and B

Depart USA at least one day before tour begins, overnight in the plane. Arrive London early the next day.

Day 1: The group will be met on arrival at the airport, and transfer to the London hotel to rest. Later we will visit Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. Under the steps leading up to the Foreign Office, are the bomb-proof rooms where Churchill's cabinet met during the Blitz, making many crucial wartime decisions.

You can see the meeting rooms, the maps and the British end of the special telephone link that Churchill had with U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. As you explore these low-ceilinged rooms, the knowledge that the ordinary people of London did not know that they were there adds to the feeling of secrecy and power.

Afterwards, take a guided stroll through St. James' Park, with its fine views of Buckingham Palace, and nearby Green Park. Welcome Reception at the hotel Overnight London.

Day 2: We will visit the highly-respected Imperial War Museum in London, including its simulated Blitz bomb shelter. This brings home some of the fear and uncertainty of such an experience, something felt by so many thousands of Londoners.

At the museum, we will be given a talk by one of the museum's excellent staff on their World War II collections. After lunch (available in the cafeteria) we will visit HMS Belfast, moored in the River Thames opposite the Tower of London. Looked after by the Imperial War Museum, this huge ship is one of the last surviving craft that served during D-Day.

Climbing up and down its many levels and passageways gives one a healthy appreciation of the dangers of being on a battleship under fire. In the late afternoon, travel to Canterbury in Kent, where we will check into our hotel for a two-night stay. Overnight Canterbury.

Day 3: Today we will walk along the famous White Cliffs of Dover, just 20 miles from Canterbury, with a view across the English Channel to the cliffs of France. Then we will visit Dover Castle. We will have a guided tour of both the medieval castle built by Henry II in the 1180s and the site's Secret Wartime Tunnels.

The tunnels were originally dug to house troops during the Napoleonic Wars, then were hugely extended in World War II to accommodate a hospital and operational headquarters for the Navy.

The tour takes us through the hospital and down a level to the rooms used by Adm. Bertram Ramsey to plan and execute Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in May 1940.

Lunch in a 14th-century Country Pub, then back into Canterbury for a walking tour of the historic city with its magnificent cathedral. In the cathedral, the expert guides will give us a special tour. Second night in Canterbury.

Day 4: Today we leave England and race through the Channel Tunnel on the Eurotunnel with its intriguing drive-on vehicle transporter train. The ride through the tunnel takes just 35 minutes.

Once in France, we head towards the Dunkirk beaches themselves. A unique feature of this tour is the chance to, on one day, see where the Dunkirk evacuation was planned, and then just the next day walk the Dunkirk beaches themselves.

You will be told about how the evacuation happened, where key actions took place, and what the experience was like waiting on or near these beaches for the 330,000 who were evacuated.

Next, we have Lunch in St. Omer, followed by a visit to La Coupole, a new museum inside an underground V2 launch site. This offers a close-up look at a chilling piece of Nazi engineering. Afterwards, we drive to Normandy, arriving in the evening. We will view the coast at Arromanches where you can see the remains of Mulberry Harbour, before reaching our hotel in Bayeux.

Bayeux is a fascinating medieval town with an abbey, narrow streets and a friendly atmosphere. Overnight in Bayeux and dinner with the group reserved.

Day 5: Travel to Omaha Beach and then the American Cemetery. This is the area so poignantly depicted in the film Saving Private Ryan.

On the beach, our guide will demonstrate where various actions occurred, tell the story of the morning, and show how gradually near-defeat was turned around. This is one of the highlights of this tour, a far more detailed look at events on this beach than received by tour groups who only see the beach by looking over it from the cemetery above.

We travel on to Pointe du Hoc, where the rangers scaled the cliffs, then to Utah Beach. Inland we go to Sainte Mere Eglise, where the first U.S. parachute landings took place (brilliantly recreated in the film "The Longest Day", actually filmed in the very town square where the events of 6 June 1944 unfolded).

Then it is back to Bayeux via the German Cemetery with its excellent Peace Exhibition. Late afternoon is an opportunity to see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, associated with battles of a much earlier time, the era of William the Conqueror. Second night in Bayeux.

Day 6: Today we will visit the Memorial museum in Caen, a light and modern museum with clever design features that put the story of World War II into a clear perspective.

Among many fine exhibits are photographs of the pre-war city of Caen (obliterated during June and July 1944) and films of the Nuremburg Rallies that are so clear that you feel as if you were seeing a modern event.

While in Caen we will interview a former Resistance worker, if available, to discuss this vital part of the war effort. After lunch (available in the cafeteria) we drive on to Paris. Here our guide will give us an introductory tour of Paris, arriving at the Arc de Triomphe for dinner and a night time view from the top of the Arc afterwards. Overnight Paris.

Day 7: In Paris, we visit the Montparnasse district for the story of the liberation. There is a new museum about the Liberation here, and a good view from Montparnasse Tower, which we will sample. Then, to the Louvre where our guide will give us an introductory tour, followed by lunch and a boat trip on the River Seine from the Pont Neuf.

Later the group can visit the Eiffel Tower without the guide, or enjoy the Invalides Military Museum or a guided walking tour of the Montmartre area. This evening a farewell dinner with the group if you wish. Second night in Paris.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport in Paris for flight back to the USA. (alternatively take the Channel tunnel train back to London and return to the USA from London.)

Included

• Seven nights accommodation in quality hotels in London, Canterbury, Bayeux and Paris sharing a twin or double room: London one night, Canterbury two nights,. Bayeux 2 nights, and Paris 2 nights
• reduction if available for third person in the room for the Family tour A only.
• Breakfast each day.
• Educated, knowledgeable guides
• Selection of visits to places of special interest as described in the itinerary.
• transportation in air conditioned mini van or coach and by train
• Welcome Get together or Reception in London
• Farewell dinner in Paris
• Airport transfers from selected flights.
• Entrances to places visited.
• Round trip Eurostar rail tickets from London to Paris.

Not included

• Single supplement.
• Dinner or lunch, except for Farewell Dinner in Paris
• Taxi transport to private dining choices.
• Wine, beer, or spirits.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls.
• Any transportation not included and not part of the tour program.
• Any pre- or post-tour accommodations, meals, or transport. These can be arranged, but are not included.
• Insurance, which is highly recommended and is offered.
• Air travel.

Available

Option to arrive early before the tour starts and/or depart after the group tour ends. Additional cost not included

Testimonials
Some recent written references: from past participants on similar World War II tours with the same guide.

"It was a really great day: thank you so much for making it so delightful and interesting. You have a great knack for giving much information in a very relaxed way so that we learn without realising it!"
Alison Gordon-Johnson, MBE, Secretary of the Friends of the Imperial War Museum, London (Tel: 011 44 207 416 5255) Day Out to Dover Castle November 2001

"I was surprised at how much I learned and how much I enjoyed finding out. You made the place real, alive - thank you"
Ronald Hawkes, Chaplain to St Edmund's School, Canterbury - Day Out to the Somme battlefields (World War I) October 2001

"I wanted to say a special Thank You for Great Guiding and a wonderfully organised trip" Kate Crawley, London "Thanks for a most enjoyable trip - your organisation and administration was first-class"
Peter Milner, Cambridgeshire - both re. 4 Days in Berlin looking at Cold War and World War II sites October 2001 (Tel: 011 44 1223 290540)

"Thank you for your ever-ready flexibility, and for being so accommodating of last minute details with a smile. We are especially grateful for your special way of making love of knowledge contagious, and your great sense of humour"
Waukesha County Technology College, Wisconsin - France & England Tour June 2001 (incl. Omaha Berach tour) Tel: Tim Graham, Associate Dean Culinary Arts & Hospitality management 262 691 5566

"We had such a wonderful time in Canterbury this spring thanks to you"
Margot Woodwell, Pennsylvania - Kent April 2001

"I am most grateful to you for a thoroughly enjoyable day in Paris last week. All the arrangements worked like clockwork and meant a completely relaxed day for all of our staff"
Tom Bremridge, Head of Human Resources, Knight Frank Ltd - Day Out to Paris, February 2001

"Thank you so much for your patience and knowledge on our trip to Dover and tour of Canterbury. Our family enjoyed themselves immensely. The tour was wonderful and your knowledge of the subject was great. You get high marks for everything"
Michael Walsh, Chicago - Kent November 2000