Normandy Tours of the D-Day Landing Sites

Welcome to D-Day Tours

Normandy Tours of the D-Day landing sites personalised for you, whether driving from England or meeting up in France. This web-site provides information to help you plan your own individual trip.

For a one-day round trip flying from England inclusive of a six hour ground tour of the D-Day landing sites, please choose our D-Day Air Tours web site.

Emily Giffin and Jack Port

A photo of Emily Giffin and Jack Port in St. Mere Eglise.

Jack is a D-Day veteran who came ashore on Utah Beach under Roosevelt and ultimately fought the whole way to Germany via Paris under Patton.

Emily said: "Michael tailored our day to suit our interests and pace. Not only is he a first class WWII scholar and historian but he brought the invasion to life by conveying the emotion and individual impact of D-Day from multiple perspectives. We could not have asked for more."

Emily Giffin is a well-known author. She is both an international best-selling author as well as a New York Times best-selling author. Possibly listed as a #1 NYT best-selling author (she's been #2 three times). Emily is the author of numerous novels including "Something Borrowed", "Something Blue", "Heart of the Matter" and "Where We Belong".

» More about St. Mere Eglise

The Business Makers - Radio Show Interview 3 April 2010

Interviewer: "Russ Capper" for the US radio show "The Business Makers".

Episode: 252 | Date: April 03, 2010

» Click here to listen at www.thebusinessmakers.com

» Read the full transcript...

"Russ sends in this on-the-road interview from Cannes, France. Londoner Michael Phillips formed Perception Travel to provide English-speaking tours of the World War II D-Day landing sites of Normandy. He tells the personal stories of the soldiers, hence the name “Perception.” He was definitely in the right place at the right time. Fifteen years ago, Phillips lost his job in the insurance industry and, soon after, realized his true passion. He set about learning his war stories, writing a business plan, then “Saving Private Ryan” became a run-away success and, well, the rest is history."

Stop Press... an article by Mr. George F. Will

I recently had the pleasure and privilege to conduct a tour for the renowned journalist, Mr George F. Will.

» Click here to read his column in the Washington Post
which he wrote after the tour.

"Michael’s great asset as a D-Day guide is his ability to communicate with you in his first language, English. Whilst others can give you the bald facts, Michael is able to add entertainment, including some humor, and a "wow" factor to his presentation which you are unlikely to find elsewhere. He is clear and concise; you will not be left without a true appreciation of what happened on June 6th 1944."

Mr George F. Will did not make his choice lightly, and nor should you.

Our tour of the D-Day Normandy battlefields and cemeteries with you and Sally as our delightful, enjoyable, knowledgeable, and insightful guides and companions was a moving and enriching experience that I will never forget. Thank you for a most thorough, informative, enlightening and memorable time.
 
Gratefully,
Herb Kelleher
Former Chairman and CEO of Southwest Airlines
» More...

We, at D-DayTours.com, offer in-depth private D-Day Normandy tours directed in English by a professional English guide. Michael Phillips and D-DayTours.com is a small business dedicated to the comfort and personal service of the traveller. We provide an insight into specialist areas, while retaining the all important ingredients of flexibility, quality and professionalism.

Knowledgeable talk at each site gives renewed insight into the dramatic events of 1944 and a look at how they have been viewed over history.

We offer tours specifically designed for you and your interests in the D-Day Landings.

Although a 5 - 6 day Normandy tour is recommended (also preferred by most) and will cover all aspects of the D-Day Landings, we can organise for tours to last any number of days. We can also travel with you from the UK or meet with you in Normandy. (If travelling from the UK and you have limited time please see our alternative website for our D-Day Air Tours).

The actual Normandy tour itinerary can be dictated by you and your party. But we are prepared to put together an itinerary for you if you wish to simply indicate the duration of the tour and your specific interest whether you choose the American, Canadian or British landing sites or a combination thereof.

For sample tour itineraries see our American D-Day Tour Page, Canadian D-DayTour Page or our British D-Day Tour Page.

Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information. Click here for my contact details.

Professional English Guide

Credit Cards accepted

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A message for 2013

First I would like to make mention of the number of clients who have become good friends since I started this business in 1997. Each time I greet a new client there is a meeting of minds, one side who has a desire to see and learn and another who likes to give and instruct. It is a perfect combination leading to many firm friendships; a bonding across the Atlantic as in 1944.

Once again, 2012 was a record year for takers of private tours of the historic D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy, France. It is remarkable that visitor numbers to the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy continue to increase notwithstanding the state of Western economies at present. 2012 was my busiest season since I started touring over 16 years ago and 2013 shows no sign of slowing down.

The question must be asked why this should be so? Possibly because everyone has a natural curiosity to visit places which have relevance in their lives, or Nationalistic instinct. The D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy admirably fills this role. June 6th 1944 witnessed a turning point in history when the largest ever invasion fleet assembled comprising Allied combatants sailed from Britain to engage the firmly entrenched German positions in Normandy, France. It was vital to overcome Hitler’s fascist forces and return Democracy into Europe, a theme often quoted in the world today as the battle for Freedom continues its two steps forward, one step back progress. As all schoolchildren know, this chapter was successfully concluded following Hitler’s suicide in Berlin at the end of April, 1945. Ten months of bloody and brave fighting had achieved the victory and all this started on the beaches and fields of Normandy.

Something has to be said for the loyalty and devotion of the American people to travel years later the thousands of miles from America to Europe to pay homage and tribute at these sites, and to the brave soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought there.

As a private guide I escort single travelers, family groups and groups of friends on one to five day tours, with an option to visit Le Mont St Michel as a break from the war-war theme. It is always a pleasure and a privilege for me to undertake tours, and whereas the sites remain the same, the people I take there are always different. The certainty of the discovery of historic achievement, dedication and bravery is evident at every turn in Normandy.

Today in 2013 we have the credit crunch and economic uncertainty with which to contend. In 1944 it was guns and bullets and lives.

Michael Phillips
Managing Director
Perception Travel Co. Ltd.
England

Private Transfer from London by Air

Short on time or prefer to fly?

D-Day Airtours will take you on an insightful one-day tour by air of the landing beaches and other D-Day sites. Pick up from Central London (or other areas by arrangement) in the morning, flying to Carpiquet airport, Caen from Oxford, and return by mid-evening of the same day.

Alternatively, for an even shorter visit, take a flying tour over the area with guided commentary.

Either way your tour is delivered by a professional English guide experienced and knowledgeable in the D-Day landings.

Whether you are from America, Canada or Britain you will be provided with detailed information about your country's role in the landings.

Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information - click to contact us.