A D Day Commemoration

About 8 miles downstream—which means seaward, to the east—from central London, Greenwich is a small borough that looms large across the world. Once the seat of British naval power, it is not only home to the Old Royal Observatory, which measures time for our entire planet, but also the Greenwich Meridian, which divides the world into two—you can stand astride it with one foot in either hemisphere. Bear in mind that the journey to Greenwich is an event in itself. In a rush, you can take the driverless DLR train—but many opt for arriving by boat along the Thames. This way, you glide past famous sights on the London skyline (there’s a guaranteed spine chill on passing the Tower) and ever-changing docklands, and there’s usually a chirpy Cock-er-ney navigator enlivening the journey with his fun commentary. A visit to Greenwich feels like a trip to a rather elegant seaside town—albeit one with more than its fair share of historic sites. The grandiose Old Royal Naval Hospital, designed by Christopher Wren, was originally a home for veteran sailors. Today it’s a popular visitor attraction, with a more glamorous second life as one of the most widely used movie locations in Britain. Greenwich was originally home to one of England's finest Tudor palaces, and the birthplace of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Mary I. Inigo Jones built what is considered the first "classical" building in England in 1616—the Queen's House, which now houses a collection of fine art. Britain was the world’s preeminent naval power for over 500 years, and the excellent National Maritime Museum> details that history in an engaging way. Its prize exhibits include the coat worn by Admiral Lord Nelson (1758–1805) in his final battle—bullet hole and all. The 19th-century tea clipper Cutty Sark was nearly destroyed by fire in 2007, but reopened in 2012 after a painstaking restoration. Now it’s more pristine than ever, complete with an impressive new visitor center. Greenwich Park, London's oldest royal park, is still home to fallow red deer, just as it has been since they were first introduced here for hunting by Henry VIII. The Ranger's House now houses a private art collection, next door to a beautifully manicured rose garden. Above it all is the Royal Observatory, where you can be in two hemispheres at once by standing along the Greenwich Meridian Line, before seeing a high-tech planetarium show. Toward north Greenwich, the hopelessly ambitious Millennium Dome has been successfully reborn as the O2 and now hosts major concerts and stand-up comedy gigs. More adventurous visitors can also go Up the O2 on a climbing expedition across the massive domed surface. Meanwhile, those who prefer excursions of a gentler kind may prefer to journey a couple of miles south of the borough, farther out into London’s southern suburbs, to the shamefully underappreciated Eltham Palace. Once a favorite of Henry VIII, parts of the mansion were transformed into an art deco masterpiece during the 1930s.

Welcome to London. On arrival at London airport make your way to the Arrivals Hall to meet a representative from Vantage Explorations, followed by a transfer to our group hotel. At the hotel, visit our hospitality desk in the lobby to meet our team who will provide you with useful information regarding pre-embarkation procedures and about your time in London. You will also receive cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and your cabin number on the ship. This evening offers time to relax in preparation for our ‘day out in London’ tomorrow. Our group hotel has a popular restaurant and is close to plenty of corner pubs and cosy restaurants should you wish to try some local cuisine. Accommodation: London Hotel (or similar)

London is an ancient city whose history greets you at every turn. If the city contained only its famous landmarks—the Tower of London or Big Ben—it would still rank as one of the world's top cities. But London is so much more. The foundations of London's character and tradition endure. The British bobby is alive and well. The tall, red, double-decker buses (in an updated model) still lumber from stop to stop. Then there's that greatest living link with the past—the Royal Family with all its attendant pageantry. To ice the cake, swinging-again London is today one of the coolest cities on the planet. The city's art, style, and fashion make headlines around the world, and London's chefs have become superstars.

Today we immerse ourselves in stories from London’s wartime era. During World War II, London faced a period of relentless bombing raids, with over 30,000 civilians losing their lives during the Blitz from 1940 to 1941. The city’s spirit was tested as residents huddled in backyard bomb shelters and London Underground stations during air raids, while the introduction of V-1 and V-2 rockets in 1944 and 1945 brought further destruction and fear. Amid these hardships, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother chose to remain in London, embodying steadfast resolve and solidarity with their people. Winston Churchill, the country’s indomitable prime minister, also stayed, leading and inspiring resilience through his speeches. Daily life was marked by hardship, including food shortages and rationing, constant alerts and the strain of living under siege conditions. Despite these challenges, Londoners’ spirits remained unbroken, embodying an enduring resolve and unity. Our day is spent at two poignant memorials dedicated to those who lived through the war: the Imperial War Museum, and the Churchill War Rooms. Founded in 1917, the Imperial War Museum commemorates the sacrifices and experiences of those involved in conflicts from World War I to present day. Originally housed at Crystal Palace, it moved to its current location in Lambeth, London, in 1936 to better accommodate its extensive collections of military artefacts, exhibitions and personal stories. A stand-out feature of the Imperial War Museum is its D-Day section, which offers an in-depth look at the critical Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Through personal testimonies, artefacts donated by veterans and their families, and immersive displays, this exhibition explores the intricacies of Operation Overlord. Visitors can engage with multimedia presentations and reconstructed scenes that illustrate the strategic planning, the valour of the troops, and the profound impact on civilians. This section is a moving tribute to the courage and sacrifices of those who participated, preserving their stories for future generations to remember and honour. Our journey continues this afternoon when we tour one of London’s most authentic World War II locations. Few sites capture the essence of World War II like London’s Churchill War Rooms, the nerve centre of the Allied offensive. This underground labyrinth housed Winston Churchill and much of Britain’s wartime cabinet, playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the D-Day invasion and the overall Allied victory. On 10 May 1940, Britain’s new Prime Minister strode purposefully down to the basement of an anonymous government building and declared, ‘This is the room from which I will run the war.’ Deep beneath Whitehall, these secretive chambers, with their offices, map rooms ‒ and even bedrooms ‒ preserved in their wartime state, were where the war was strategically ‘fought’. Churchill famously said, ‘The War Rooms were the headquarters of the Allied Command. They were the centre of the action.’ Today, the Churchill War Rooms, including the acclaimed Churchill Museum, offer a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world where critical decisions were made, and are one of London’s most compelling attractions. Tonight, we embrace the spirit of VE Day cockney-style with our own ‘knees-up’ at a one-of-a-kind London venue. The days of rationing are over and it’s time to celebrate with some 1940s music and traditional ‘pub grub’. Accommodation: London Hotel Meals: Breakfast, canapes and drinks at our Welcome Event

Portsmouth is one of the most densely populated cities in Southern England, and is unusual as most of its built-up area occupies Portsea Island, linked to the mainland by road and rail bridges. Although there is a Roman fort at nearby Portchester, occupied later by the Saxons and Normans, there was no settlement on the site of Portsmouth at the time of the 1086 Domesday Book. The town developed in medieval times and received its first charter in 1194 from King Richard I; soon afterwards it became a major naval base. It has the world’s oldest dry dock, and is home to several famous ships, including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, raised from the Solent in 1982. Portsmouth remains an important naval base and is home to a large proportion of the British service fleet. The waterfront area is now dominated by the Spinnaker Tower, 560 feet high, the United Kingdom’s tallest building outside London. Other things to see in the city include the house where Charles Dickens was born, and the City Museum, which contains a permanent exhibition devoted to another famous writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who lived in the town.

We leave London and head to our first stop for the day. Just north of Portsmouth, Southwick House played a pivotal role in World War II as the forward base for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). From 2 June 1944, this elegant Georgian mansion became the nerve centre for the D-Day invasion. It was at Southwick House that General Dwight D Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, made the historic decision to commit 3,000,000 men and 2,727 ships to the operation that would turn the tide of the war. Initially planned for 5 June, D-Day was delayed due to poor weather conditions predicted for the English Channel. Eisenhower and his team, including Admiral Bertram Ramsay and General Bernard Montgomery, gathered in the mansion’s library to review the latest weather report. Following Captain James Martin Stagg’s forecast of improving conditions, Eisenhower made the decisive call, ‘Ok, let’s go!’ allowing the campaign to proceed on 6 June. The map room at Southwick House was crucial for tracking the invasion and the Battle of Normandy. We hope to visit the map room and small museum here to start our D-Day journey. (Southwick House is currently used by the Royal Navy. Access will be confirmed closer to our travel date. If a visit is not possible, we hope to visit The Red Lion at Southwick which has its own “war time’ story to tell.) On reaching Portsmouth we visit the D-Day Story. This popular exhibition offers a compelling insight into the pivotal role this historic port city played in the Allied invasion of Normandy. The museum opens with Landing Craft Tank 7074 (LCT), the last surviving LCT from D-Day, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the operation. Portsmouth, being one of the main embarkation ports, was central to the planning and execution of the invasion. The city was a bustling hub of activity, with thousands of troops, vehicles and supplies being organised for Operation Overlord. The museum’s preparation galleries delve into the strategic planning that began in Portsmouth, showcasing the extensive logistical efforts that were critical to the success of the operation. As you move through the D-Day and Battle of Normandy sections, you’re transported back to 6 June 1944, experiencing the intensity of the landings. The Legacy gallery and Overlord Embroidery conclude your visit with a powerful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those involved.

Thrust out into the sea and bound to the mainland only by tenuous man-made causeways, romantic St-Malo has built a reputation as a breeding ground for phenomenal sailors. Many were fishermen, but others—most notably Jacques Cartier, who claimed Canada for Francis I in 1534—were New World explorers. Still others were corsairs, "sea dogs" paid by the French crown to harass the Limeys across the Channel: legendary ones like Robert Surcouf and Duguay-Trouin helped make St-Malo rich through their pillaging, in the process earning it the nickname "the pirates' city." The St-Malo you see today isn’t quite the one they called home because a weeklong fire in 1944, kindled by retreating Nazis, wiped out nearly all of the old buildings. Restoration work was more painstaking than brilliant, but the narrow streets and granite houses of the Vieille Ville were satisfactorily recreated, enabling St-Malo to regain its role as a busy fishing port, seaside resort, and tourist destination. The ramparts that help define this city figuratively and literally are authentic, and the flames also spared houses along Rue de Pelicot in the Vieille Ville. Battalions of tourists invade this quaint part of town in summer, so arrive off-season if you want to avoid crowds.

Perched on the border of the former kingdoms of Normandy and Brittany, the walled city of Saint-Malo boasts medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and shops filled with delicious Breton treats, truly embodying its nickname as a ‘pirate town.’ Known as the ‘City of Corsairs’ due to its notorious privateering past, Saint-Malo’s strategic importance carried into the 20th century. In late 1944, its role as a Nazi stronghold led to over 80 per cent of the town being destroyed. Today, Saint-Malo honours its rich history through its museums, festivals and preserved historic sites, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into its storied past. Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. Option 1 – Morning experience: The Pirate Town of Saint-Malo Join our local guide this morning for a walking tour of Saint-Malo’s historic walled town. Standing proudly behind its stone ramparts, Saint-Malo boasts a captivating history more closely tied to privateering than outright piracy. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Saint-Malo was renowned as a bastion for the wealthy privateers known as corsairs. These state-sanctioned sailors, authorised by the French crown, were tasked with attacking and capturing enemy ships during times of war. Unlike pirates, who operated independently and unlawfully, privateers acted under official letters of marque and reprisal, sharing their spoils with the French kings. The corsairs of Saint-Malo were highly skilled and daring seafarers who played a crucial role in French naval warfare and overseas trade. They conducted raids on English and other enemy ships, bringing back wealth and prestige to Saint-Malo. This era of privateering earned Saint-Malo a notorious reputation, brought to life through captivating tales of its most famous – or infamous – pirates and their treacherous lifestyles. Option 2 – Morning experience: All the Light We Cannot See – World War II Saint-Malo Join our locally guided World War II walking tour of Saint-Malo and immerse yourself in the dramatic events of 1944. For two relentless weeks, Allied forces bombarded this Axis stronghold, reducing 80 per cent of the city to rubble and ultimately forcing the Nazi forces to surrender. The tour takes inspiration from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Though a work of historical fiction, the 1944 siege and the struggle for control of Saint-Malo were very real. As we walk through the city’s narrow streets, we follow in the footsteps of the novel’s heroine, Marie-Laure, and explore key locations mentioned in the book, while gaining an insight into the determination of the French Resistance organisation, Le Maquis. Experience the tension as residents were forced to surrender their wireless receivers under threat of arrest as saboteurs. Reflect on the bravery of the Resistance fighters, many of whom were interned at Fort National. Wander to Rue Vauborel, imagining the home where Marie-Laure and her great-uncle Etienne lived during the siege. This poignant tour offers a powerful reminder of the war’s impact on Saint-Malo and its resilient people, capturing the essence of their courage and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity. Option 3 – Morning* experience: Mont Saint-Michel Normandy’s most recognisable silhouettes, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mont Saint-Michel, has captured the imaginations of pilgrims, artists, and travellers for centuries. Founded as a monastery in the 8th century, Mont Saint- Michel became a significant pilgrimage destination during the Middle Ages. Its abbey, perched atop the island’s rocky peak, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles. The narrow, winding streets of the village below the abbey are lined with buildings dating back centuries. Visitors can explore the abbey’s intricate chapels, cloisters, and panoramic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the bay. During World War II, just four days after the occupation of Paris, Axis forces took control of Mont Saint-Michel, using St Aubert Church as a lookout post. The island also became a popular destination for German and Austrian tourists and soldiers, attracting around 325,000 visitors. After General Patton broke through at Avranches at the end of July, a Jeep carrying three passengers departed from nearby US positions towards the monastery on 1 August 1944. One was Private Freeman Brougher of the 72nd Public Service Battalion, a propaganda unit, accompanied by two British journalists. By the time they reached the island, the Jeep was carrying several hangers-on, including a fireman, two priests and three women. Brougher drove down the causeway to Mont Saint-Michel and received a hero’s welcome. Surrounded by a jubilant crowd and handed babies to kiss, Brougher was escorted to the mayor, who had him sign the Golden Book, the island’s record of visiting nobility. (Note: Mont Saint-Michel is surrounded by one of Europe’s highest tidal ranges, with waters rising and falling up to 14 metres (46 feet) daily. This creates a mystical atmosphere as the island alternately appears to float on water or be connected to the mainland by a causeway. Because our visit is subject to tidal fluctuations, access to the site can only be confirmed closer to our date of travel.)

Cobblestone streets, blooming floral displays, and tiny churches welcome you to this wonderfully pretty harbour. The town of St Peter Port is as pretty as they come, with glowing flower displays painting practically every street corner and window-ledge with colour. As the capital, and main port of Guernsey, St Peter Port puts all of the island’s gorgeous beaches, wonderful history and inspiring stories at your fingertips. Feel the gut punch of the midday gun firing at Castle Cornet, which stands guard over one of the world's prettiest ports. This 800-year-old, Medieval castle offers staggering views of the harbour from its imposing, craggy island location, and you can look out across to the looming shorelines of the other Channel Islands from its weathered battlements. With four well-tended gardens, and five museums offering a rich overview of Guernsey's history, you’ll want to leave a few hours aside to explore the many treasures that lie within the castle’s walls.

A mere 30 miles off the Normandy coast, the self-governing British Crown Dependency the Balliwick of Guernsey, is one of the eight permanently inhabited strongholds of the Channel Islands. Despite being closer to France, Guernsey holds to its distinctive British character. When William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, became King of England in 1066, the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, became possessions of the English Crown. They have remained British Crown Dependencies ever since. Guernsey and the other Channel Islands were the only British territories occupied by Axis forces during World War II. The occupation began on 30 June 1940, following the fall of France, and lasted until 9 May 1945. The invaders forces transformed Guernsey into a fortified defensive position, with extensive bunkers, gun emplacements and tunnels. Life under Nazi rule was extraordinarily difficult. Food had been rationed for several years, but by the end of the war, it became impossible to import supplies from France, leading to severe shortages. During the autumn of 1944, fuel and food supplies were running critically low and medical supplies were almost non-existent. Over 1,000 of the 24,000 residents not evacuated to England were deported to German prisons and labour camps, with only about 700 returning. Communication with the outside world was heavily restricted, adding to the isolation and hardship. Despite these relentless challenges, the people of Guernsey exhibited remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Their courage and determination were crucial in enduring the occupation. Liberation on 9 May 1945, is celebrated annually as Liberation Day, symbolising the end of a harrowing chapter and the beginning of recovery and rebuilding. Our guided tour of Guernsey’s World War II sites offers a poignant journey into the island’s wartime history. We visit several sites relevant to this period including the German Occupation Museum where you will find a collection of authentic artefacts generously donated by residents. These items provide a deeply personal glimpse into the daily struggles and hardships faced by the islanders. The German Naval Signals HQ at the La Collinette Hotel, was a crucial communications centre for the Germans until the occupation ended. The La Valette Underground Military Museum, displays the vast network of secret tunnels constructed using forced labour. Originally intended as a U-Boat fuel store, these tunnels reveal the extreme fortifications imposed by the Nazis and the suffering of those who were forced to work on them. This tour not only uncovers the strategic significance of Guernsey during World War II, but also pays tribute to the enduring spirit of its people who lived through these harrowing times. Our evening sailing returns us to the mainland of France at the mouth of the River Seine.

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie's seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world's sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

We disembark at the riverside town of Honfleur and make our way to Paris in the wake of the Normandy freedom fighters, Free French and Allied forces. In the unyielding summer of 1944 in Normandy, the devastation was immense. Around two million soldiers, twice the area’s peacetime population, clashed in brutal combat. Civilians suffered greatly, with over 60,000 casualties and 500,000 buildings obliterated. The local inhabitants of Normandy had few choices: remain at home and hope for the best, try to escape if they could, or hide in quarries and makeshift shelters. In the Calvados département, the final village to be liberated was Honfleur, miraculously undamaged, achieving freedom on 25 August - the same day as Paris. Heading to Paris we hear tales of the French who fought for their country’s liberation. A two-hour drive brings us to Mont-Valérien, a poignant memorial site that served as the main execution location for the Nazi authorities in France during World War II. Mont-Valérien was designated in 1941 as the site for executing hostages, and Resistance fighters condemned by Nazi military tribunals as retaliation for attacks on soldiers. Between March 1941 and August 1944, over a thousand people were executed here. From September 1941, reprisals included executing hostages from the same social or political circles as those who committed attacks, often in the areas where the attacks occurred. Hailed as the ‘Saviour of Paris’, General der Infanterie, Dietrich von Choltitz, will forever be remembered for his decision to allegedly defy Hitler’s order to destroy the city. Surrendering to the Free French forces on 25 August 1944, he found that the French Resistance had already taken control of much of the city and he would not have been able to carry out his Fuhrer’s orders anyway. During the Allied invasion of Normandy, Parisians, led by Resistance fighters and supported by the French Forces of the Interior (FFI), began a courageous revolt against their occupiers. Street battles erupted across the city as Resistance fighters and citizens fought to reclaim their freedom, with General Patton ultimately leading the US Third Army to victory. Entering Paris, we visit a vivid reminder that many Parisians never gave up on their beloved city. Situated in the pavilions at Place Denfert-Rochereau, the Musée de la Libération de Paris reveals the previously unknown Liberation of Paris command headquarters hidden beneath the West Pavilion. This site served as Colonel Rol’s (French Forces of the Interior) command post during the uprising on 19 August 1944. We explore a rich collection of artefacts, photographs and personal stories from the Liberation of Paris, showcasing the bravery and resilience of Parisians during World War II. This evening, we gather to honour and remember those who fought bravely, those who resisted oppression, and those who were innocently caught up in the chaos of war. We take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and contributions, while also celebrating the freedom they bestowed upon us in this vibrant, liberated city. Accommodation: Paris Hotel (or similar) Meals: Breakfast onboard, Farewell Event