Signature: The Legacy of WWII in London & Normandy

  • thumbnail image_signaturethelegacyofwwiiinlondonnormandy

Duration: 9 days

Begins: London

Ends: Paris

Trip Code: EULFNS

From

£7,449 per person

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    Trace the dramatic arc of WWII from London’s secret bunkers to the liberation of Paris. Enjoy a private dinner in the Churchill War Rooms, uncover Enigma secrets at Bletchley Park, and walk the hallowed sands of D-Day. This journey connects you to stories of strategy and sacrifice, ending with the enduring charm of the French capital.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    National Geographic Signature
    Exceptional exploration led by renowned experts, offering rare, private access to the world’s most storied sites — all defined by an unparalleled level of service and comfort.
    Service Level
    Luxury
    Five-star hospitality and meticulously curated inclusions, featuring iconic properties, fine dining, and private door-to-door service.
    Physical Rating
    2 - Light
    Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your G for Good Moment: Westminster Area Walking Tour, London
    • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, London
    • Signature Moment: Churchill War Rooms, London
    • Arrival and Departure Transfer
    • Churchill War Rooms Tour and Dinner
    • Westminster Area Walking Tour
    • London Coach City Tour
    • St
    • Paul's Cathedral Entrance
    • Expedition Leader Walk to Borough Market
    • HMS Belfast Tour
    • Bletchley Park Guided Tour with Enigma Machine
    • D-Day Museum Portsmouth Guided Visit
    • Expert Presentation on Stories from Men on the Ground
    • Pegasus Bridge Visit
    • Expedition Leader Led Walk of Sword Beach
    • Expedition Leader Led Walk of Sainte-Mère-Église
    • Self Guided Airbon Museum Visit
    • La Fière Bridge Photo Stop
    • Expedition Leader Led Tour of Utah Beach
    • Major Richard Winters Memorial Photo Stop
    • US Army Truck Transfer
    • Bunker du Poste de Direction de Tir Tour with Expedition Leader
    • Omaha Beach Excursion
    • American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer Visit
    • From Toehold to Liberation Expert Lecture
    • Monet House Visit
    • Guided Tour of Paris' Passageways
    • Sightseeing Coach Trip to Président Wilson Market
    • Eiffel Tower Visit
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

    Allow USD185-240 for meals not included.

    Day 1 : London

    Welcome to London–arrive at Heathrow Airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and be immediately immersed in wartime history at the Churchill War Rooms, a fortified bunker deep underneath Whitehall from which Winston Churchill directed the British war effort. Wander through the historic rooms and the adjacent Churchill Museum, examining maps and items from Churchill's life. Your tour is guided by a former IWM Operations Director, providing deep context to the war. Continue with a welcome reception and dinner inside one of the museum's unique spaces.

    Arrival Transfer

    London Heathrow Airport - London 0h54m - 1h 29km

    You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

    Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group

    London

    Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.

    Churchill War Rooms

    London 4h

    Enjoy an exclusive evening at the Churchill War Rooms, featuring a private tour and lecture led by a former director or military historian within the underground nerve center of Britain’s wartime government. The experience concludes with a sophisticated 1940s-themed dinner in the historic Harmsworth Room, complete with English sparkling wine, period memorabilia, and a curated three-course menu.

    Acommodation

    Conrad London St. James

    Acommodation

    Conrad London St. James

    Meals Included:

    Dinner

    Day 2 : London

    Set out on a powerful walking tour curated and led by people affected by homelessness. This experience provides intimate, human insight into the resilience and challenges of London life. Next, board your coach for a panoramic tour of London’s WWII highlights, viewing Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Visit inside St Paul’s Cathedral, a symbol of London’s defiance during the Blitz. After free time for lunch near Borough Market, explore the decks of the HMS Belfast, a crucial survivor of the Imperial War Museum fleet, gaining firsthand insight into naval warfare. Enjoy a free evening to explore London on your own.

    Westminster Area Walking Tour

    London 1h

    Explore world-famous landmarks like Westminster Bridge while learning about the trailblazing women who shaped British history, while hearing a powerful firsthand account of homelessness that challenges how we think about our city’s public spaces.

    London City Tour

    London 2h

    Enjoy a curated journey through the heart of the capital, passing luxury icons like Harrods before pausing for photos at legendary landmarks including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square. The experience culminates with a grand visit to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of His Majesty the King.

    St. Paul's Cathedral

    London 0h30m

    Step inside this world-famous landmark to admire the stunning architecture and grand interior of Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece.

    Walking

    St Paul's Cathedral - Borough Market 0h30m 2km

    Join your Expedition Leader on a walk to Borough Market.

    Imperial War Museum - HMS Belfast Tour

    London 1h30m

    Led by a knowledgeable guide, this tour explores the historic decks and specialized compartments of HMS Belfast. You will learn about the ship’s significant naval history and see how the crew lived and worked during its years of active service.

    Free time:

    London Evening

    After a day of exploring on foot, enjoy a relaxed evening at your own pace to experience London’s world-class dining or the vibrant energy of the West End. Whether you choose a quiet riverside stroll or a cozy corner in a historic pub, the night is yours to soak in the city’s charm.

    Acommodation

    Conrad London St. James

    Acommodation

    Conrad London St. James

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 3 : London/Portsmouth

    Depart London for the countryside to immerse yourself in a world of intrigue and espionage at Bletchley Park. You'll discover the untold story behind the Enigma code breakers, who successfully deciphered the encryption used by German forces — a crucial insight into the pivot of the war. Lunch is at your leisure at the Canteen. Afterwards, travel to Portsmouth to visit the D-Day Story Museum. Your experience includes a private discussion with the museum curator, gaining unparalleled, personal insight into the invasion history and artifacts before touring the exhibits. The day concludes with an expert lecture on the transition from resistance to attack.

    Private Vehicle

    London - Bletchley Park 2h 85km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Bletchley Park Enigma Machines

    Bletchley Park 0h45m 1km

    Step back in time with a local expert as you tour the once-secret rooms where codebreakers worked to shorten the Second World War. You will explore the historic huts and blocks where the world’s first computers were born and see an original Enigma machine up close.

    Private Vehicle

    Bletchley Park - Portsmouth 2h30m 178km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    D-Day Story Museum

    Portsmouth 1h30m

    Gain a unique perspective on the Normandy landings with a curator-led briefing followed by a guided tour of the museum. This experience combines expert historical analysis with a local walk to see the monuments and landmarks firsthand.

    Private Vehicle

    Portsmouth - Southampton 0h30m 20km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    National Geographic Expert Discussion

    Portsmouth 0h45m

    Join a discussion about stories of the pivot from resistance to attack.

    Acommodation

    Hilton Southampton - Utilita Bowl

    Acommodation

    Hilton Southampton - Utilita Bowl

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 4 : Portsmouth/Bayeux

    Today, you cross the English Channel by ferry to Caen, tracing the route of the invasion forces. Your exploration of Normandy begins at the Pegasus Memorial Bridge, dedicated to the 6th British Airborne Division, who executed the famous coup de main raid. Walk the poignant sands of Sword Beach, one of the five critical landing points for the Allied invasion, reflecting on the scale of the operation and the thousands of soldiers who arrived here. You'll then transfer to your hotel in Bayeux, a town steeped in history.

    Ferry

    Portsmouth - Caen 6h 200km

    Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

    Pegasus Bridge

    Bénouville 0h30m

    Visit the iconic Pegasus Bridge for a photo opportunity at the very location where the Allied liberation of France began. It is a perfect moment to capture images of this world-famous landmark and its dedicated war memorials.

    Private Vehicle

    Bénouville - Sword Beach 0h30m 13km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Sword Beach Walk

    Sword Beach 0h45m 1km

    Walk the historic length of Sword Beach under the guidance of your expedition leader, who will bring the events of June 6th to life.

    Private Vehicle

    Sword Beach - Bayeux 0h45m 45km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 5 : Bayeux

    Continue your exploration of Normandy and WWII history with the airborne assault. You'll visit the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where paratroopers dropped amid gunfire on the night of June 5th. See the church steeple where one paratrooper was famously entangled. Continue to Utah Beach, one of the American landing sites, and visit its museum. Your tour traces the path of resilience: Visit Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, one of the first liberated villages, and see the memorial for Easy Company. Head to La Fière Bridge, site of an important battle led by the 82nd Airborne Division. Afterwards, venture into the field where Easy Company Commander Thomas Meehan and his crew perished when their 47 crashed under enemy fire — a powerful connection to the history recounted in Band of Brothers .

    Private Vehicle

    Bayeux - Sainte-Mère-Église 0h45m 59km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Sainte-Mère-Église Village Walk

    Sainte-Mère-Église 0h30m 1km

    Join your Expedition Leader for a walk through Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French town liberated by American paratroopers during the D-Day landings.

    Airbon Museum Visit

    Sainte-Mère-Église 0h30m

    Enjoy a self-guided visit to the Airborne Museum, exploring the history of the American paratroopers through an extensive collection of WWII artifacts. This visit offers the opportunity to see original gliders and transport planes used during the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Église.

    La Fière Bridge

    Sainte-Mère-Église 0h15m

    Stop at the historic La Fière Bridge, a critical site where paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne fought a legendary three-day battle to secure the Merderet River crossing. The site features the "Iron Mike" statue and offers a clear view of the flooded marshes that defined this pivotal D-Day objective.

    Utah Beach

    Utah Beach 0h45m

    Join an expert expedition leader for an exploration of Utah Beach and its historic landmarks. Gain insight into the D-Day landings as your leader breaks down key events that took place across this storied coastline.

    Major Richard Winters Memorial

    Sainte-Marie-du-Mont 0h15m

    Take a photo stop at the Major Richard Winters Leadership Memorial, a 12-foot bronze statue of the "Band of Brothers" commander charging toward Brécourt Manor. This monument serves as a powerful tribute to the courage and leadership of all junior officers who spearheaded the D-Day landings.

    Free time:

    Bayeux Evening

    Return to your hotel and enjoy a free evening in Bayeux to fill however you wish.

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 6 : Bayeux

    The day begins with an expert discussion on the stories of sacrifice from the beaches to the hedgerows before boarding US Army trucks for the drive to the German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Then, visit the dramatic Pointe du Hoc, where US Rangers used hooks and ropes to scale 30-metre-high (100ft) cliffs — walk along pathways still cratered by mortar blasts, viewing the concrete bunkers. Wander the poignant sands of Omaha Beach, site of the bloodiest fighting during the invasion. A guide uses wartime pictures to bring the operation to life. You'll pause for a minute of reflection on the sand. Conclude your tour at the serene American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, taking in the moving sight of row upon row of small white grave markers.

    National Geographic Expert Presentation

    Bayeux 1h

    Join a National Geographic Expert for a poignant presentation titled "Stories of Sacrifice: From Beaches to Hedgerows." This session examines the personal legacies of the Normandy campaign, focusing on the human cost of the Allied advance from the coast into the inland countryside.

    4x4

    Bayeux - Longues-sur-Mer 0h15m - 0h30m 10km

    Board authentic, period-correct US Army trucks for a scenic drive to the historic coastal battery at Longues-sur-Mer.

    Bunker du Poste de Direction de Tir Walk

    Longues-sur-Mer 0h45m 1km

    Join your Expedition Leader for a walk to the Bunker du Poste de Direction de Tir, where you will explore the strategic remnants of coastal defense history. This excursion includes the rare opportunity to go inside the bunker's reinforced chambers to examine its original layout and learn about its role in maritime surveillance.

    Private Vehicle

    Longues-sur-Mer - Pointe du Hoc 0h45m 34km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Pointe du Hoc Walk

    Pointe du Hoc 0h30m 1km

    Join your Expedition Leader for a guided walk along the rugged cliffs of Pointe du Hoc to view the historic bunkers and craters left by the daring Ranger assault. This excursion offers a powerful perspective on the battlefield’s dramatic terrain and the strategic fortifications that once overlooked the English Channel.

    Omaha Beach

    Omaha Beach 1h30m 4km

    Walk through the "Dog Red" and "Easy Red" sectors of Omaha Beach on a guided journey that traces the intense struggle for the Vierville Draw and the German fortifications of the Atlantic Wall. This commemorative experience incorporates historical artifacts and archival imagery, concluding with a poignant tribute as a remembrance cross is placed in the sand followed by a moment of silence.

    American Military Cemetery

    Colleville-sur-Mer 2h 2km

    Pay your respects at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, a hallowed site overlooking the English Channel where 9,387 white marble headstones stand in silent tribute to the fallen. Stroll through the impeccably maintained grounds, pausing at the memorial colonnade and the reflecting pool to honor the immense sacrifice made on the nearby shores of Omaha Beach.

    Private Vehicle

    Colleville-sur-Mer - Bayeux 0h30m 28km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Bayeux War Cemetery

    Bayeux 0h30m

    Visit the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest British military cemetery of World War II in France, to pay your respects at this beautifully maintained memorial to the Commonwealth forces.

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Acommodation

    Villa Lara Hotel

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 7 : Bayeux/Paris

    Join your expert for a discussion about Paris and its transition from a toehold to liberation before departing Normandy for Giverny. Visit the sanctuary of artist Claude Monet, restored in the late 1970s, where the pink rendered house and the flower and water gardens are perfectly preserved, immersing visitors in the artist and gardener’s world. Afterwards, continue to Paris. Join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for an optional discovery walk, providing an initial orientation of the French capital before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

    National Geographic Expert Presentation

    Bayeux 0h45m

    Join a National Geographic Expert for a morning lecture detailing the strategic Allied advance from the initial Normandy bridgehead to the triumphant Liberation of Paris.

    Private Vehicle

    Bayeux - Giverny 2h 210km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Monet Gardens

    Giverny 2h - 2h30m

    Stroll to the historic home of Claude Monet for a delightful afternoon in Giverny, beginning with a leisurely lunch just steps from the artist's front gate. Following your meal, enjoy a self-guided exploration of the vibrant house and its world-famous gardens, including the tranquil Water Garden where you can cross the iconic Japanese bridge and see the lilies that inspired Monet’s greatest masterpieces.

    Private Vehicle

    Giverny - Paris 1h30m 72km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Free time:

    Paris Evening

    Settle in however you wish this evening; perhaps join your Expedition Leader on a walk to the Louvre.

    Acommodation

    Hotel Edouard VII

    Acommodation

    Hotel Edouard VII

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 8 : Paris

    This morning, you will discover another side of Paris. Depart on a guided journey into a ‘city within a city’, exploring historic, glass-roofed passageways filled with 19th-century charm. A local guide highlights this captivating, intimate glimpse into Parisian life. Next, travel to the upscale Marché du Président Wilson, a bustling Saturday market known for fresh seafood, pastries, and cheese. Enjoy a walking exploration of the market, followed by free time for lunch on your own near the Eiffel Tower area. The expedition concludes with a special farewell dinner in town, celebrating the end of your journey from resistance to liberation.

    Guided Walk of Covered Passageways

    Paris 1h30m 2km

    Join a local guide to explore the enchanting 19th-century "covered passages" of Paris, beginning with the elegant mosaics of Galerie Vivienne and the bustling Passage Choiseul. Your walk continues through the historic Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy, concluding at Passage Verdeau to discover a hidden world of antique shops, boutiques, and glass-roofed charm.

    Sightseeing Drive to Président Wilson Market

    Paris 3h

    Board a private coach for a panoramic drive past iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame on your way to the vibrant Marché Président Wilson. Upon arrival, join your Expedition Leader for a guided exploration of one of Paris's premier open-air markets, where you’ll have free time to sample local delicacies and enjoy lunch on your own.

    Free time:

    Paris Afternoon

    Spend the afternoon however you wish. Perhaps join your Expedition Leader on a walk through the Eiffel Tower area or explore some of the many cafes, museums, or iconic sites.

    Eiffel Tower Visit

    Paris 2h - 4h

    Visit the most famous landmark in France, the Eiffel Tower. Opt to climb the stairs or take an elevator to the top for a stunning view over the city. Hang out at dusk and watch the tower light up.

    Acommodation

    Hotel Edouard VII

    Acommodation

    Hotel Edouard VII

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 9 : Paris

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    Departure Transfer

    Paris

    You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

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