Start your Normandy & Brittany trip from England with a 4-day/3-night extension that traces the planning and launch of Operation Overlords from England. The extension includes London sites such as Churchill War Rooms and Windsor Castle, as well as an English Channel crossing from Portsmouth. The extension is timed so that you arrive in France just in time to start your Normandy & Brittany Cultural Walking Adventure.

DAY 1 – LONDON
We’ll meet early afternoon at our hotel in London’s stylish and convenient Kensington neighborhood. Our local guide has laid out a fascinating walk that includes a visit to the Churchill War Rooms – the well-preserved secret bunkers where the Prime Minister and his Cabinet led the war effort. Dinner tonight is at one of our favorite restaurants,famous for its culinary updates of British classics.

DAY 2 – WINDSOR CASTLE
Our day begins with a brief trip into the countryside, where we’ve arranged a wonderful visit to Windsor Castle. The oldest occupied castle in the world, it’s still the Official Residence of Her Majesty the Queen. We’ll explore on a guided visit to the grounds.

Back in London, we’ll walk along the scenic Thames Pathway to the HMS Belfast, a warship that provided artillery cover for Allied troops landing on D-Day. We’ll go aboard to wander the ship’s nine decks. Our evening holds a truly special experience: You’ll toast the view from atop the London Eye with a champagne reception. Located just across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament, it’s the perfect opportunity to see the broad expanse of the city laid out before you.

DAY 3 – PORTSMOUTH
After breakfast, we entrain at Waterloo station for the 1.5-hour ride to Portsmouth. One of England’s most important ports for centuries, it was the gathering point for the Allied invasion armada. We’ll stroll the city and learn about its role in the country’s grand naval history. We’ve also arranged a visit to the D-Day Museum, including its remarkable 272-foot-long tapestry depicting the events of the invasion (and inspired by the Bayeux tapestry that we’ll see later in the week). Dinner tonight is in one of the city’s fine restaurants.

DAY 4 – CHANNEL CROSSING TO FRANCE
As you know, the troops made the crossing to France in hard, crowded vessels. Our trip is considerably more luxurious, but a fine way to get a firsthand sense of what a long, risky and massive endeavor it was to transport so many troops across these open waters.

Upon our landing in France, we’ll transport you to the starting point of your Normandy & Brittany tour.