For some reason, I've been receiving travel directories addressed to my late father-in-law from Elderhostel. He died in '04 and we didn't get anything from them since about 2005, but he's apparently been resurrected in their mailing list.
Anyways, the company offers educational tours that go beyond the normal cruising and playing bingo. One of their trips is "America to the Rescue: The Liberation of France." Ok, poor choice in titles, but the itinerary is interesting.
Start out in NYC and sail 7 days on the QE2. A series of lectures discusses the US' relationship with the European powers before and during the war. The planning of D-Day is also discussed with emphasis on the strategies and goals of the various national leaders and generals.
The QE2 arrives in Portsmouth and the group visits Southwick House – Ike's HQ. More on the preparations for D-Day. A visit to the HMS Victory is also included.
The group then takes a ferry to Cherbourg and spends four days studying the liberation of Normandy – accompanied by members from the D-Day Academy (whatever that is) and exploring Omaha and Utah in period vehicles (DUKW's or CCKW's?) Stops also at the American Military Cemetery at Normandy and Chateau d'Englesqueville.
On the last 3 days of the 15 day trip, the wives are thrown a bone with tours of the cathedral at Rouen, the garden in Giverny and Paris. More excursions and discussions on the liberation of Paris.
All, in all, not a bad trip for about $5-6k each. I'm just not geriatric enough to go on it. But then, I suspect that some of the tourists may have taken the trip at government expense 64 years ago.
Wyatt
