Normandy & Calvados

ITINERARY

Monday - Early morning departure from Dorset to join the 08:30 ferry sailing from Poole to Cherbourg (5 hrs). Arrive early afternoon and drive to Lisieux, a charming city where faith and history meet. Home of St Therese whose extravagant basilica outshines the medieval cathedral and rivals the Sacre-Coeur in Paris. After settling in enjoy a set-menu dinner (choices all other nights) after which you could stroll to the basilica just 10 mins away.

Tuesday - Drive to Normandy's Flower Coast, starting with a visit to the upmarket coastal town of Deauville - long home to French high society. Continue to Honfleur and discover its picturesque harbour and cobbled streets - a favourite with artists. End the day with a visit to a Calvados producer in the leafy Touques Valley to taste the elegant and fruity French Apple Brandy. A tour of the distillery includes tastings accompanied by three local cheeses - the true flavour of Normandy.

Wednesday - A tour along the iconic D-Day landing beaches: Juno - Sword - Gold - Omaha - Utah. The 6th June 1944 was a turning point in the Second World War and events on these shores have defined our modern world. We stop as appropriate for sights and reflection. This afternoon visit the Caen Memorial Museum, a new exhibition dedicated to D-Day and the Battle of Normandy with state of the art audio and visual displays - pure historical intensity!

Thursday - Enjoy a morning of sightseeing in Rouen - a veritable museum city it leaves no visitor indifferent with its beautiful half timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets, gothic churches, art galleries, public gardens, riverside walks and boutique shopping. This afternoon drive through the scenic valley of the River Seine to Vernon to visit Monet's famous garden at Giverny. See the wonderful house and beautiful gardens that remain a magnet for art and garden lovers throughout the world.

Friday - Morning at leisure in Lisieux - follow in the footsteps of Saint Terese to discover many sites associated with her by simply following a blue line around the town. This afternoon we shall drive to Bayeux, best known for the famous tapestry depicting the events of the Norman Conquest in 1066. We have included admission to the tapestry exhibition. There will be time to explore the ancient town and view its fabulous Gothic cathedral - a national monument.

Saturday - Heading homewards we shall pause at the pretty seaside town of Grandcamp-Maisy which has a fishing harbour, marina and beautiful sandy beach. Continue to Cherbourg (hypermarket) this afternoon to join the 17:00 ferry bound for Poole (arrive 20:30) and so return home late that evening.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner