Exploring Normandy, Brittany, and the Channel

Exploring Normandy, Brittany,
and the Channel Islands
August 30 – September 9
Explore special places in Lower Normandy – evocative setting of the D-Day Landing
in ’44, the old Celtic region of Brittany, and the Island of Jersey. Travel by small
group (6 – 9 travelers), enjoying a quiet approach to the stories, foods, scenic byways, and natural beauty of the regions.
Itinerary:
August 30
Depart on your international flight.
August 31
Arrive in Europe; as a group, we’ll travel by train to Caen, capital of Normandy. Upon arrival
we’ll transfer to a comfortable 9-passenger van. We’ll enjoy lunch together, then drive through
scenic countryside to Bayeux and the Chateau Bellefontaine, our hotel for the next three
nights. Relax in the gardens and pretty grounds, featuring a stream that flows through. After
an early “dinner,” retire for a good night’s sleep. Overnight, Chateau Bellefontaine (pictured).
September 1
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Bellefontaine. By mid-morning, we’ll drive west to explore
sites on the Cotentin Peninsula: the village of St. Mere Eglise – famous for the paratrooper
assault on D-Day; the “most beautiful village” of Barfleur, and Utah Beach. We’ll return to the
Bellefontaine by late-afternoon to relax. Dinner and overnight, Bayeux.
September 2
This morning we’ll visit more important D-Day sites: Pointe du Hoc – where Army Rangers
assaulted the fortified high cliffs; the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer; and adjacent
Omaha Beach. In the afternoon, we’ll drive through pretty villages to Arromanches – where
we’ll see the remains of the “Mulberries” or floating docks out in the ocean. Return to Bayeux
afterwards. Those who wish can see the famous Bayeux tapestry, depicting the story of
William of Normandy’s conquest of English King Alfred at the Battle of Hastings. Dinner in
Bayeux; overnight at the Chateau Bellefontaine.
September 3
We’ll drive through scenic Basse-Normandie into Brittany. We’ll visit a lovely garden (the Parc
Botanique de Haute Brétagne) and the fascinating medieval town of Fougères en route to St.
Malô, our home for the evening.
St. Malô is a walled seaport on the English Channel (in French, La Manche). Full of history and
charm, enjoy walking the streets of old town; our hotel is nearby, inside the walls (as they say
locally). Have a savory dinner and a good night’s rest; in the morning, we’ll depart by ferry for
the Channel Island of Jersey – known as the “Flower Island.” Overnight, St. Malô.
September 4
We’ll have an
early breakfast
at the hotel, then
onto the Jersey
ferry, which
departs at 8:00
am. Our voyage
time is one hour,
twenty minutes
– enjoy the sea
views as we go.
After we arrive in
Jersey’s capital,
St. Helier, we’ll
make a leisurely
drive west to St.
Brelade’s Bay and St. Ouen’s Bay. All of Jersey is very scenic: cliff-top views over the blue surf
– sometimes crashing on rocky shores; in other places rolling gently onto sandy beaches. The
interior is hilly, green, and pastoral – home to dairy and vegetable farms, and tailored estates.
Small villages and castles – sometimes in ruin – ring the coast.
In the St. Ouen area we’ll see the breathtaking La Corbière Lighthouse, set against the sea.
We’ll enjoy lunch and several great photo-ops, before driving to St. Aubin and the lovely
Somerville Hotel. Explore the village-port of St. Aubin on foot: lovely boats moored in the
harbor; old merchant homes on the waterfront; boutiques and gardens. Dinner and overnight
on the Isle of Jersey.
September 5
After a delicious breakfast
at the Somerville, we’ll
spend the first part of the
day exploring the island –
with poignant and
picturesque sites
underlining Jersey’s
strategic position
between England and
“the continent.” We’ll
learn about island life
during the German
occupation of World War
II; other visits will include
Elizabeth Castle,
guarding St. Helier. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore St. Helier. We’ll return to St.
Aubin and the Somerville for dinner and our overnight.
September 6
We’ll spend the first
half of the day on
Jersey before
departing by ferry for
Brittany. When we
arrive on the French
mainland, we’ll make
our home in Dinard –
directly on the water,
and with a great view
of walled St. Malô,
lying across the bay.
After settling in at the
Hotel de la Vallée,
enjoy a short drive
along the coast to the
pretty village of St. Lunaire. Dinner and overnight in Dinard.
September 7
Today we’ll explore Brittany’s sublime beauty: stunning seascapes along Cap Frénel, a visit to
the Haras National – breeding stables for the famous Breton horse, and a drive inland to the
lovely village of Moncontour.
We’ll drive back to Dinard in the mid-afternoon. Enjoy a walk on the beach or into town.
Overnight, Dinard.
September 8
After breakfast in the Hotel de la Vallée, we’ll drive to the Abbaye du Mont St. Michel. We’ll
enjoy our morning visit, then drive to Rennes, Brittany’s capital. We’ll park our van and take
the fast train to Roissy, near the Charles de Gaulle airport. Overnight, Roissy.
September 9
We’ll shuttle to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
__________
Trip Price:
$3698 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $795; price includes all ground and
water transportation (trains, van, ferry), accommodations for 9 nights in hotels of 3-star or 4star standard, all breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, all touring and entrances per the itinerary.
Price does not include international airfare, some meals, optional activities, optional trip
insurance, personal expeditures.
Additional Trip Information:
Registration / payment:
You may print and fill out the form, found at the end of this document, to register for the trip.
Registration is on a first-come/first-served basis; trip space is limited. Your registration form
should be accompanied by a deposit payment of $750 / person. Final payment is due July 1.
Refunds can be granted prior to July 1, minus a $100 processing fee (to Explore Up Close, LLC),
and other non-refundable monies paid as deposits to vendors (hotels, coach company, etc.), if
applicable.
Fitness level of participants / assumption of risk:
Participants should have a fitness level and a health standard that allows them to walk
moderate distances, climb stairs in buildings, and negotiate uneven terrain in urban and rural
settings. By signing up for this trip, participants acknowledge that they meet this basic fitness
level, and assume all the risks associated with international travel.
Air tickets and trip insurance:
For assistance purchasing air tickets and / or trip insurance, contact Jane Calhoun at Gateway
Tours and Cruises (864-585-7390) in Spartanburg.
Hotels:
Our multi-night hotel stays will feature: the Chateau Bellefontaine (Bayeux); the Somerville
Hotel (Jersey); and the Hotel de la Vallée (Dinard).
Transportation:
Our transportation will be by chauffeured 9-person van (Mercedes or other maker).
__________
For more trip information (including specific trip questions), contact Chumley Cope / Explore
Up Close, LLC: (864) 431-7567; [email protected]. Find the trip details and
registration information on the web at www.exploreupclose.com.
[Please find registration form, beginning on the next page. (Print pages 8 and 9 of
this document.)]
Trip Registration Form
Please mail / return this registration form, along with deposit check (payable to Explore Up Close), to:
Explore Up Close, LLC
613 Poplar St.
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Normandy, Brittany, and the Isle of Jersey, August 30 – September 9
1. Name: _______________________________________
2. Mailing Address:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
3. Home Telephone Number: ____________________
4. Email Address: ____________________________
5. Will a spouse / friend / guest accompany you on this trip?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Name of person(s) traveling with you:
__________________________ ; __________________________________
How to contact this person: email ____________________________________________
Telephone: _________________________________
6. Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible):
_____ room with two (2) beds
_____ room with one (1) bed
7. Deposit / Refund information:
Refunds (minus a $100 service fee for international trips) can be granted before bookings are
made, but not less than 60 days prior to trip departure. The purchase of trip insurance can
insure your trip investment in the event of illness and a number of other “emergency
contingencies.” See your travel agent or call Chumley Cope for more information.
8. Payment information:
Full payment is due 60 days prior to the trip start date.
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Enclosed is my check, payable to “Explore Up Close,” in the amount of
_______________.
This payment covers the deposit(s) / full payment(s) [circle one] for the following travelers:
a. ____________________________________
b. ____________________________________
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Additional information / questions about the trip:
Contact Chumley Cope at Explore / Up Close, LLC.
You may reach Chumley by telephone at (864) 431-7567 or by email at
[email protected]. Look for information about other trips at
www.exploreupclose.com.