D-Day: Retracing History from England to France
8 days from $7,595
Retrace the heroic journey of Allied soldiers who stormed Normandy’s beaches at dawn on June 6, 1944, and turned the tide of World War II. Follow the footsteps of Churchill and Eisenhower in London and Portsmouth, and delve into the top-secret work of Alan Turing and the codebreakers at Bletchley Park. Then cross the English Channel to Normandy to explore sites that tell the story of D-Day, from Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach to the Normandy American Cemetery.
Highlights
- London: Learn about the behind-the-scenes preparations necessary to stage the largest amphibian landing in history. In London, visit Winston Churchill’s underground Cabinet War Rooms and step aboard the HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Royal Navy warship of World War II.
- Bletchley House and Portsmouth: Trace the intriguing story of Alan Turing and the Enigma codebreakers on a tour of Bletchley House. In Portsmouth, hear the personal stories behind the epic landings at the The D-Day Story museum before sailing across the English Channel.
- Normandy’s World War II Sites: Stand atop the dramatic bluffs of Pointe du Hoc and visit the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where paratroopers dropped from the sky in a hail of gunfire. Walk along Utah and Omaha beaches with an expert historian for a closer look at how the historic landings and air invasion unfolded. Stop at Arromanches, where prefabricated concrete harbors known as Mulberries still dot the shore. During four days in Normandy, tour a range of local and world-renowned museums that offer a deeper understanding of the Battle for Normandy.
- Note: Map reflects May 31 (Group B - 2026 & 2027) and September 2026 departures. May 31 (Group A - 2026 & 2027) and September and October 2027 departures will overnight in Bayeux.
This was a wonderful tour. Our guides brought D-Day alive for us, giving us a taste of what those men faced in 1944. My only regret is that the tour was not longer.
— Kevin M.
Itinerary
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Day 1 — Depart the U.S.
Depart the U.S. on individual flights for London.
Day 2 — London
Arrive in London and transfer to your hotel. Gather as a group in the early afternoon for a guided visit to Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms and the adjoining Museum. It is from this underground “safe place” that Churchill directed the British war effort and where today one can still see maps, telephones and bunks preserved since 1945. This evening, enjoy a private reception and dinner. (R,D)
Day 3 — London/Bletchley Park
Travel to Bletchley Park and discover the real story behind the Enigma code breakers, credited with shortening the war by successfully deciphering the encryption used by the Wehrmacht to safeguard its messages. Enjoy an explanation of the decoder, as seen in The Imitation Game.
After lunch at leisure, visit the HMS Belfast, part of the Imperial War Museum. (B)
Day 4 — London / Portsmouth / Normandy
This morning, travel south to Portsmouth. Enjoy a pre-opening visit to The Golden Lion Pub, which was converted into an officer’s mess during World War II. Surrounded by photographs and memorabilia, stand in the very same spot where Eisenhower would enjoy a pint. Explore the charming Southwick Village on your own, then embark on a tour of the D-Day Story. Board the last surviving Landing Craft Tank from the invasion, examine the Overlord Embroidery – a stunning handcrafted depiction of the D-Day events that stretches some 270 feet – and see a replica of the map General Eisenhower used to plot Allied positions. This museum aims to focus on the personal stories of those who landed on the beaches of Normandy.
This afternoon, cross the English Channel by ferry and arrive in Normandy in the late evening. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Sainte Mère-Église / Utah Beach / La Cambe
Explore the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division paratroopers dropped from the sky in a hail of gunfire on the night of June 5. View the church steeple upon which one unlucky paratrooper was entangled for hours, and visit the village’s remarkable museum.
Continue to Utah Beach, the site of one of the two American amphibious landings in the early hours of D-Day. Stop for lunch at Le Roosevelt, a restaurant built around a former German bunker just steps from the historic beach. This afternoon, pay a visit to the German war cemetery at La Cambe. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Pointe Du Hoc / Arromanches / Bayeux
One of the most dramatic sites along the Normandy coastline is Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers used hooks and ropes to scale cliffs some 100 feet high in order to destroy key German gun positions. Walk along cliff-top pathways still cratered by mortar blasts, and venture into the concrete bunkers from which German forces unleashed a barrage of artillery fire.
Travel to Arromanches, one of the few remnants of the prefabricated concrete harbors (i.e. mulberries) that assisted in landing Allied supplies, and visit the Arromanches Landing Museum. After a lunch at leisure, travel to Bayeux, where you will have time to explore the town before a guided visit to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux. Then visit the Pegasus Memorial Bridge and Museum—dedicated to the men of the 6th British Airborne Division. Explore this museum on a guided tour, the exhibits recounting the battle for this strategic location in 1944. (B)
Day 7 — Colleville-sur-Mer / Omaha Beach
This morning, visit the Overlord Museum, then walk along Omaha Beach, site of the bloodiest fighting of the invasion day. At the Omaha Beach Memorial, lay flowers in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. After a picnic lunch, commemorate the D-Day anniversary* at the American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer to honor those who sacrificed so much. All ceremonies are subject to confirmation and details will be announced closer to the event. This evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell reception and dinner. (B,L,R,D)
*While the September and October departures will not coincide with the anniversary commemoration, they do include a visit to the cemetery.
Day 8 — Depart Paris
Depart as a group from Normandy to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for individual flights home or onward. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
Dates & Prices
Click on the departure date to see pricing. Click the for more information.
Dates
Group
Availability
Price
May 31 - Jun 7, 2026
A
Departed
from $7,995
Hotels: Marylebone Hotel & Hôtel d’Argouges
| Occupancy | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,995 | $9,345 |
May 31 - Jun 7, 2026
B
Departed
from $7,995
Hotels: Kensington Hotel & Thalazur Ouistreham
| Occupancy | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,995 | $9,345 |
Sep 28 - Oct 5, 2026
Call to Join Waitlist
from $7,595
Hotels: Leonardo Royal Hotel London St. Paul's & Thalazur Ouistreham
| Occupancy | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,595 | $8,845 |
Oct 10 - 17, 2026
Available
from $7,595
Hotels: The Bloomsbury Hotel & Hotel d'Argouges
| Occupancy | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,595 | $8,845 |
Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.
Experts
Mitch Yockelson
Military Historian
Mitch Yockelson is an Archives Specialist with the National Archives and Records Administration. Additionally, Mitch is a professor of military history at Norwich University and …
Mitch Yockelson is an Archives Specialist with the National Archives and Records Administration. Additionally, Mitch is a professor of military history at Norwich University and the author of many books, articles and reviews. His latest book, The Paratrooper Generals: Matthew Ridgway, Maxwell Taylor, and the American Airborne from D-Day through the Normandy Campaign was published by Stackpole in 2020.
Mitch regularly leads battlefield tours and frequently lectures on military history, including Smithsonian Resident Associates. He has been featured on 60 Minutes, PBS and C-SPAN, as well as the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and Washington Post.
Mitch lives in Annapolis, Maryland.
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Chris Ketcherside
Military Historian
Chris Ketcherside is a professor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he has had the opportunity to turn his lifelong passion for …
Chris Ketcherside is a professor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he has had the opportunity to turn his lifelong passion for military history into his profession. Among his publications, he has co-authored a book on the U.S. Rangers in World War II. He attained his PhD at Saint Louis University, focusing on U.S. military history and civil relations.
Chris previously served in the Marine Corps, where he became a practiced expert in amphibious operations and conducted several battlefield staff rides.
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Steve Mrozek
Military Historian
The former National Historian of the 82nd Airborne Division Association for over twenty years, Steve Mrozek had the rare opportunity to interview many of 82nd’s …
The former National Historian of the 82nd Airborne Division Association for over twenty years, Steve Mrozek had the rare opportunity to interview many of 82nd’s WWII veterans. Steve is the author and contributor of several books related to airborne warfare and has had an extensive historical museum career. As a paratrooper himself with over 100 parachute jumps to his credit, he retired from a 26-year career in the Army, which included a tour with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan. Steve brings a special insight into the soldier's experience and began leading battlefield tours to tell the stories of those who fought there.
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Tour Details
Accommodations
The Kensington Hotel (Group B May 2026 & 2027 and October 2027 departures)
London, England
Located in a former Regency mansion, the elegant hotel in London’s Kensington neighborhood combines classic British hospitality with an irrepressible sense of fun. 144 comfortable and contemporary rooms are flooded in natural light and offer air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi, tea and coffeemaking equipment, and luxury toiletry products. Other onsite amenities include a cozy drawing room, sleek cocktail bar, spa and fitness facilities, and Town House Restaurant, which serves a modern British mix of creative and seasonal dishes.
Marylebone Hotel (Group A May 2026 & 2027 and September 2027 departures)
London, England
Nestled between fashion boutiques and quiet residential areas in the posh, central London neighborhood of Marylebone, this recently refurbished (2020) 4-star hotel exudes cozy modern chic. Though spacious, the 257-room Marylebone Hotel retains a boutique, homey ambiance. The smart and sophisticated guest rooms offset neutral tones with striking custom furnishings and mahogany wardrobes, creating a fresh, clean aesthetic. Each room is outfitted with luxury bedding, Italian marble bathrooms, and Malin & Goetz toiletries. Other amenities include a swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and dance studio.
Leonardo Royal Hotel London St. Paul's (September 2026 departure)
London, England
Located steps from the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London’s vibrant business district, this hotel’s grand entrance, stunning rooftop views, and stylish interiors strike the perfect balance of history and modernity. Elegantly decorated rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi along with flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, designer toiletry products, and luxury bedding. A dramatic glass atrium houses three bars and restaurants, while other onsite amenities include a spa and health club with an indoor pool, sauna, and gym.
The Bloomsbury Hotel (October 2026 departure)
London, England
The Bloomsbury Hotel is perfectly located on a quiet street in the heart of literary London, a short distance from the theatre and shopping districts. Rooms evoke a sense of period charm blended with contemporary chic and feature comfortable beds, sumptuous armchairs to relax in and Italian marble bathrooms with heated floors. Located in the hotel, the Landseer Restaurant and Bar offers high quality British cuisine throughout the day, and also offer a delightful afternoon tea daily. Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.
Thalazur Ouistreham – Hôtel and Spa (Group B May 2026 & 2027 and September 2026 departures)
Normandy, France
Overlooking the sea, Thalazur Ouistreham – Hôtel and Spa is a sophisticated 4-star hotel that combines beachfront luxury and modern amenities. Centrally located near Caen and close to Ouistreham city center, the hotel features sweeping views of the ocean with free access to the full-service spa. The spa offers a thalassotherapy center, 2 saltwater swimming pools, fitness center, hot tub, sauna, and a hammam. Bedrooms are modern and spacious and include flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can dine in the dining room overlooking the beach and sea, or out on the terrace.
Hôtel d'Argouges (Group A May 2026 & 2027, September 2027, and October 2026 & 2027 departures)
Bayeux, France
Historic Hôtel d’Argouges is housed in an elegant 18th-century townhouse, set back from the main road and surrounded by lush lawns and tranquil gardens. In the main house, guests will admire a lovely, classic atmosphere: high ceilings, parquet floors, Normandy antiques, and ornate fireplaces. The guest rooms are spread out over three buildings, featuring traditional designs, exposed wood beams and comfortable furnishings, with restorative views of the peaceful landscapes. Located in the city center of Bayeux, guests are perfectly situated for exploration of both Normandy and historic Bayeux, with numerous shops, restaurants and bars only moments away from the hotel.
Activity Description
Expectations: Eight-day Special Interest tour featuring two regions and two hotel stays. Full-day excursions outside London and from the hotel located in Ouistreham or Bayeux. Some extensive walking tours of villages and cities, museums, and outdoor military sites; some extensive standing during outdoor tours and ceremonies.
Excursions can be over uneven terrain (e.g. groomed trails/hilly walkways, cobblestones, stairs without handrails, the absence of elevators); some longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Due to the nature of this tour, there is little free time except for the evenings. Travelers will cross the English Channel by an afternoon ferry ride from Portsmouth to Ouistreham or Bayeux.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with long days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Reading List
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Testimonials
What our travelers are saying...
— Kevin M.This was a wonderful tour. Our guides brought D-Day alive for us, giving us a taste of what those men faced in 1944. My only regret is that the tour was not longer.
— Paul S.This was a fantastic journey, excellent guides, well planned. As an extra bonus, we got meet WWII veterans on the boat from England to France and that was thrilling.
Travel Insurance
For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
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