Sights in Normandy—Pictures from 2 D Day Anniversary Trips

By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

www.dreamdestinations.com

75 years ago today, the Allies invaded France in the Normandy region to start the defeat of Germany. We have been lucky to lead 2 Anniversary Trips (the 70th and 75th) to Normandy.

I could tell about the massive effort to assemble and train the invading force, the detailed planning and super human effort of the soldiers involved, but perhaps we should see the results of their sweat, blood, sacrifice of these soldiers by looking at Normandy in two Anniversary Celebrations from some of our pictures. Normandy is free today and they have never forgot the cost to make them free.

The soldier’s deeds on that day allowed Normandy to be reborn. In Europe, the best concentration of museums, memorials and preserved sites from WW II are in Normandy. When you add in the re-enactors and equipment displays, it is almost overwhelming how good this festival celebration is—I can’t tell how much I recommend a trip here.

The other part of this is a question we are often asked--why go back a second time or more on a trip or river cruise in Europe?—I think our pictures will show you how easy it is to really miss an important aspect of a site or experience and why we keep returning to learn and see more.

So, let’s take a journey through our pictures of 5 years past and this year’s celebration to see a festival that no one will forget!

Churchill War Rooms

Imperial War Museum

Caen Memorial Museum

American Cemetery

**Big Red One (1st Infantry) D Day Soldier who landed in 1944—the Big Red One was my first unit in my military service**

Mont St, Michel

Arromanches

**D Day 75 Garden—look closely, you can see part of Port Winston in the background 2019**

**Floating Tank outside the D Day Landing Museum 2019**

Longues-sur-Mer Coastal Gun Battery

Omaha Beach

Pointe du Hoc

**Point du Hoc Ranger Bayonet Monument 2014**

Utah Beach

Ste. Mere Eglise Airborne Museum

Ste. Mere Eglise

**Lady reenactors with col. (ret) Joe Frankie 2019**

My Final Thoughts

Wow—an unmatched experience in my opinion! This quick over view does not really do each stop justice, so later this year I will write and provide pictures about some of these stops in detail. Thanks for reading and thanks to the 33 folks we led—it was awesome!

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 48 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Sights in Normandy--Pictures from 2 D Day Anniversary Trips

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