[Idyllchat] Normandy

Tue Feb 5 15:45:48 EST 2008

Here is a message sent a few years ago to Vance Roy.  We enjoyed visiting sites on our own--more flexible and had the same time frame as you.  Other friends have done it with a Tour and enjoyed it (they had less time).  The book is still available at Amazon.  You will love Bayeux.  Recall Vance/Barbara did a trip report--and his/her description of some of their meals is a joy.   Happy planning.  Joan.

First, try to get your hands on an excellent book "Major & Mrs. Holt's 
Battlefield Guide to the Normandy Beaches".  Reading this book ahead will 
greatly enhance your visit.  This one of a series of excellent battlefield 
books (WWI, included), published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd., South Yorkshire, 
UK.  ISBN  0 85052 662-0.  I did get ours through Amazon.  Reading this book 
ahead would greatly enhance your enjoyment of the trip.

In May 2000 we stayed in Bayeux at Hotel Rheine Mathilde in (recommended by 
another Idllyer), just adjacent to the famous Tapisserie de la Reine 
Mathilde, which is a must see.  This historic tapestry is astonishing!  The 
modest hotel is very French, and the chef-owner serves a very nice lunch. 
Friends just returned, wishing they could have stayed there longer.

Bruce is the history buff, and I patiently trudge through war museums with 
him with a book to bide the time..  However, the Musee de la Bataille de 
Normandie/Notts Yeomanry Memorial (just on the outskirts of Bayeux) was an 
exception.  It had a great collection of newspapers from the early 30's 
through the end of the war in English, French (and American) which I was 
able to sit and read.  The "why" of war piques my interest.

The most touching moment of our trip was a visit to the American cemetery at 
Omaha Beach.  We visited very early on a misty May morning.  There were few 
visitors, the carillons were playing a hymn, and the number of crosses were 
overwhelming and touches your soul.  We walked the beach, lost in thoughts 
of what faced those brave young men.   The cemetery is lovingly cared for. 
We also visited the German cemetery nearby.

My favorite meal was at one of the beaches in a parking lot on a blustery 
day!  A catering coach, served a wonderful meal of salad and crepes.  Unable 
to eat outdoors, they provided a tray to take to our car.  We laughed, as 
they served us on china plates--after all, we are in France!  Beats the US 
Styrofoam culture. First, try to get your hands on an excellent book "Major & Mrs. Holt's 
Battlefield Guide to the Normandy Beaches".  Reading this book ahead will 
greatly enhance your visit.  This one of a series of excellent battlefield 
books (WWI, included), published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd., South Yorkshire, 
UK.  ISBN  0 85052 662-0.  I did get ours through Amazon.  Reading this book 
ahead would greatly enhance your enjoyment of the trip.

In May 2000 we stayed in Bayeux at Hotel Rheine Mathilde in (recommended by 
another Idllyer), just adjacent to the famous Tapisserie de la Reine 
Mathilde, which is a must see.  This historic tapestry is astonishing!  The 
modest hotel is very French, and the chef-owner serves a very nice lunch. 
Friends just returned, wishing they could have stayed there longer.

Bruce is the history buff, and I patiently trudge through war museums with 
him with a book to bide the time..  However, the Musee de la Bataille de 
Normandie/Notts Yeomanry Memorial (just on the outskirts of Bayeux) was an 
exception.  It had a great collection of newspapers from the early 30's 
through the end of the war in English, French (and American) which I was 
able to sit and read.  The "why" of war piques my interest.

The most touching moment of our trip was a visit to the American cemetery at 
Omaha Beach.  We visited very early on a misty May morning.  There were few 
visitors, the carillons were playing a hymn, and the number of crosses were 
overwhelming and touches your soul.  We walked the beach, lost in thoughts 
of what faced those brave young men.   The cemetery is lovingly cared for. 
We also visited the German cemetery nearby.

My favorite meal was at one of the beaches in a parking lot on a blustery 
day!  A catering coach, served a wonderful meal of salad and crepes.  Unable 
to eat outdoors, they provided a tray to take to our car.  We laughed, as 
they served us on china plates--after all, we are in France!  Beats the US 
Styrofoam culture.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harold Mcleod 
  To: IdyllChat at lists.untours.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:45 AM
  Subject: [Idyllchat] Normandy

  We will be traveling with two other couples in the Normandy area of France in mid-April and have booked a hotel in Bayeux.  Our priority is to visit the WW II D-Day sites.  Will appreciate any suggestions on whether it is most effective to hire a guide with their vehicle or to rent a car and do the site visits ourselves.  We will be in Bayeux for 3 nights, arriving early the first day by train from Paris and departing the Normandy area after lunch on the last day to return to CDG for the night, before  flying home  the next day. 

  Thanks,  Ruthie and Harold

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  _______________________________________________
  This message was sent by IdyllChat.
  To reply or send a new message, email to:
  IdyllChat at lists.untours.com

  Visit the IdyllChat archives:
  http://mailman.dca.net/pipermail/idyllchat/

  Search Idyllchat Archives for any subject at: http://search.dca.net/sites/untours/main.html
  >
  Read real Untourists' candid accounts of their Untours: 
  > http://www.untours.com/triplogs.html To unsubscribe, change to digest delivery, or 
  temporarily pause delivery, visit:
  http://mailman.dca.net/mailman/listinfo/idyllchat
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.dca.net/pipermail/idyllchat/attachments/20080205/c2600df0/attachment-0001.htm