Roger A. Freeman Heritage Tour - D-Day Normandy - Fall 2026

We recognize that not everyone can take two weeks off at a time, which is why we are excited to introduce a new option for our Normandy/D-Day Tour. You can now choose to participate in just the second half of the tour. This allows you to experience the history and beauty of Normandy even with limited time. Don't miss this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of heroes and witness the sites that changed the course of history. Book your half-tour option today!

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has designed a trip to explore the museums, beaches, and historic sites of Normandy in commemoration of this pivotal moment in world history. The tour will take our group to all five landing beaches as well as other significant historical sites in Normandy.

Your Tour Leader and Tour Manager are both experts in the history of the Eighth Air Force, the Royal Air Force Bomber Command, and general World War II history.

The tour will be led by Mark S. Copeland, the Director of Educational Travel for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. He is recognized as one of the leading authorities on the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Mark is among the most knowledgeable and respected historians of the Eighth Air Force worldwide and has a deep passion for World War II history.

For over forty years, Mark has traveled extensively throughout Europe and has specifically designed this tour to offer a unique experience. You will visit extraordinary sites that are not included in any other tour itinerary. Throughout the journey, you will also have the opportunity to meet local historians, museum docents, and volunteers, enhancing the content of your experience.

Day 1 - Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - Arrival Day

Tour participants will arrive at Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London, where a representative from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will meet them. Guests will be escorted to their exclusive private car with a dedicated driver, who will transport them to the MacDonald Hotel in Windsor.

After check-in, you will have the opportunity to explore the village of Windsor. In the evening, join us for a cocktail reception and welcome dinner, where you will meet the other tour participants and have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the itinerary.

Day 2 - Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Southwick House - Portsmouth - D-Day Story

Our D-Day journey begins at the remarkable D-Day Story in Portsmouth, which highlights the city's significant contributions to the success of the Allied Invasion of Europe.

We will enjoy a private lunch at the Golden Lion, followed by a tour of Southwick House, the headquarters of General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Normandy Invasion.

In the evening, we will travel to the charming village of Eastwell, where we will spend the night at Eastwell Manor House. This location is less than 40 minutes from Dover, from where we will cross into France the following morning.

Day 3 - Friday, October 30, 2026 - Travel to France

Our group will depart from Eastwell Manor and head towards Dover, where we will take the Channel Tunnel to France. After crossing into mainland Europe, we will make our way to our base hotel, the Château Saint Gilles, located in Bayeux, France.

A box lunch will be provided on the bus as we travel.

After a long day of travel, we will enjoy a relaxing meal at the hotel.

Day 4 - Saturday, October 31, 2026 - D-Day Experience / Free Day in Bayeux

In the morning, we will take a tour of the D-Day Experience at Dead Man's Corner in Carentan. In the afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to explore the historic city of Bayeux, France.

Dinner will be on your own.

Day 5 - Sunday, November 1, 2026 - Airborne Museum, Saint-Mère-Église - Utah Beach - Brecourt Manor

Our D-Day experience begins at the exceptional Airborne Museum in Saint-Mère-Église, where we will explore the history of the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne Divisions.

After enjoying a delicious lunch at a nearby French bistro, we will tour the Utah Beach Museum, followed by a private visit to Brecourt Manor. Here, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment—known as "Easy Company"—successfully destroyed the German 105mm guns on the morning of June 6, 1944.

Our evening meal will be at the Hotel de L'Marine.

Day 6 - Monday, November 2, 2026 - Pointe du Hoc / Omaha Beach / American Cemetery - Colleville-sur-Mer / Germany Cemetery - La Cambe.

Our group will begin the day by touring Pointe du Hoc, where the 2nd Rangers scaled the cliffs on the morning of June 6, 1944, to destroy the German guns embedded in concrete bunkers.

Next, we will journey to the cemetery at La Cambe, which is the final resting place for 21,222 German war dead.

A box lunch will be provided before we explore Omaha Beach and the Overlord Museum. We will conclude our afternoon at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where 9,387 American servicemen and women are interred. A special ceremony will be held at the cemetery for our group.

Our evening meal will take place at Chateau Saint Gilles.

Day 7 - Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Mulberry Harbor / Allied Beaches (Gold, Juno and Sword) / Pegasus Bridge Museum / Longues-sur-Mer Battery

We will take a leisurely drive along the French coastline to view the remains of the Mulberry Harbor. Then, we will continue toward the city of Caen, where we will visit the German gun battery emplacements at Longues-sur-Mer and the famous Pegasus Bridge Museum.

Dinner will be at the Hotel De Lion in Bayeux.

Day 8 - Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - Travel Back to England / Musée du Mur de l'Atlantique

Today, we say farewell to Normandy as we travel back to London via the Channel Tunnel.

We will make a stop at the Musée du Mur de l'Atlantique (Museum of the Atlantic Wall) for an insightful visit.

Afterward, our group will be taken directly to the MacDonald House in Windsor, where we will enjoy our final farewell dinner.

For our guests departing the next morning, an easy check-in process will be arranged for their flights back to the United States.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 - Departure Day

Our guests will enjoy a smooth check-in process for their flights back home to the United States. Private car transfers will be arranged, providing a 20-minute drive to Heathrow Airport.

You will be dropped off at your respective terminal in the Departures area.