On our way towards Sainte Mère Église, we will discuss the events leading up to D-Day. This was the first town to be liberated by the Americans on June 6th, 1944. From the market place, we will talk about the crucial objectives of the airborne forces and you will have some free time to see the historic town center before moving on to Utah Beach.
We will make a short stop at the Easy Company Memorial at Brecourt Manoir and the Winter Leadership monument on our way towards Utah Beach.
Utah was the most successful landing beach of the invasion due to multiple reasons which we’ll discuss on-site. I will tell you more about the famed ideal behind the Atlantic Wall and the Allied preparations to ensure the success of the landings, wave after wave, which would establish the beachheads. We will have some free time before taking a quick lunch break to maximize our time.
We will take a "snack lunch" break of about 45 minutes at a Boulangerie with a good choice of snacks, salads and sandwiches.
We’ll then drive along the coast to Omaha Beach and I’ll explain why the morning assault was so costly but how, overall, the landings were a success. It’s impossible to understand the difficulties of Omaha until you have seen the expanse of open beach and the imposing bluffs. Some free time allows you to reflect on these momentous events.
Our last stop will be to honor the fallen at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. This unforgettable scenery truly pays homage to the 9,387 American servicemen and women who stayed behind in burial. The scenic return route is an ideal opportunity to expand on the Battle of Normandy and the particularities of its famous hedgerow countryside which was such an ordeal for the allied troops. We will have covered a lot during the day – but it is only really a brief insight into the mighty endeavors of the Americans during this historic event.
After lunch, we head out towards Omaha Sector . . . first stop the Pointe du Hoc. Truly an amazing and unique setting for this overseas American memorial site, with its 100ft high cliffs and the hundreds of bomb and naval shell craters. I will explain the utmost importance of this German long-range coastal artillery site, the Ranger Task Force, its missions on D-Day, and more.
John was very knowledgeable and told several stories in great detail. It was a very moving tour. His love of the history was obvious and contagious. I highly recommend taking this tour.
Jon is an extremely knowledgeable tour guide and provided an amazing experience for me and my husband. From start to finish, we had a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend booking Jon as your guide. We certainly will if we are back in the area in the future.
This was my second visit to Normandy. We did a two day tour; day one was the Utah Beach Sector and day two, Omaha Beach, with a bonus Gold Sector stop. Outstanding in every way. Taken to places we would have otherwise missed. Jon possesses a superb and deep knowledge base and is able to easily share it with us. I cannot recommend him more highly. I loved the two day tour as opposed to trying to get it all in over one day. Currahee!
Jon was an amazing tour guide. he shared the historical back-drop to the events on D Day and brought us to numerous sites, bringing it all to life. He assisted us in providing research on a family member laid to rest at the cemetery as we visited.
Jon was an amazing guide! There were 7 of us, 3 of us in our 40s and then two sets of parents in their 70s. He is extremely knowledgeable and adapted to the slower pace of the older generation with us. Jon has such a passion for history and for me (someone who isn't that into it), I found it very intriguing and moving. He is a great story teller. Well worth the cost for a private tour, you won't regret it!
Booked for my parents and they loved loved loved Jon. If you are considering using Jon. Stop looking and book with him. Top tier tour.
Jon is the best in the business. Thank you for a perfect day.
Jon truly made this experience a once in a lifetime one. He has a way of bringing his passion for history to life for you. While standing in the square at St. Mere-Eglise I could picture the C-47's coming from the west at 500-600 feet and at a speed of 100 MPH while paratroopers dropped out of the sky. His command of language and the little details/stories that make this experience come to life, are simply outstanding. He is tireless and loves his job. We saw all the beaches, Point du Hoc and more. Each stop was filled with the history that changed the world. I recommend Jon for all. Simply outstanding.
Jon was very knowledgeable about the events and history of the area. His enthusiasm was very evident.
Once in a lifetime tour with Jon Fletcher! He made this tour so interesting with his unending knowledge and passion for all that is WW2. Jon thought of every detail to highlight each landmark and really bring the history to life. I enjoyed learning interesting stories of soldiers and landmarks that we were not taught in school. It was unbelievable to see where my Grandfather was on D-Day and see what these brave men went through. Thank you Jon for such a memorable and special tour!
Such a once in a lifetime experience with Jon! He planned out all of the tours down to the slightest detail to make it an amazing experience! He is so knowledgeable and passionate on everything WW2. We saw where my Grandfather landed on D-DAY and learned about so many heroic men, especially the ones history never taught us about. A truly unforgettable couple of days! Thanks again, Jon
First off, a naturalEnglish speaking guide makes the tour so much easier for an American. Next: Jon is a walking encyclopedia of the D-Day story. He lives in St Lo - he is part of the story. And lastly, Jon is a kind soul who made the trip special and fun for us.
Jon did a great job tailoring this tour for a group o 70 yr olds with some disabilities. Except for the rain, the 8+ hours we spent with Jon was thoroughly enjoyable and educational. Highly recommend his tour and will do it again if I return to Cherborg.
Jon is a wealth of information! We really enjoyed our tour! It was a cold, rainy day, but it didn't diminish the tour. Sorry again Jon! He took my husband and I to an ATM! Thank you again Jon! It was a world class tour and so very poignant for our 3 American veterans.
Jon did a great job narrating and truly describing the build up and the ultimate invasion of D Day. It was very meaningful to me since my Dad landed at Utah Beach. You can tell Jon has a passion and love for the history of the Normandy region. Great experience.
We had a great tour guide and he showed us the top items to see and explained many things about those items/areas. We would recommend Jon Fletcher to anyone interested in this tour. Jim Long
Outstanding trip with out tour guide John. He was a wonderful, personable, full of great stories, and a really nice gent to talk with all day. His excellent knowledge of the individual sites with examples and pictures and then additional explanations made for a fantastic day. He timed our trips to different sites so that we could be at the American cemetery for taking down of the US flag at 4 pm. A very humbling and sobering site. As a retired Admiral I found his knowledge and expertise impressive and exactly what we were looking for. Thank you John.
Tour was wonderful! Jon is remarkably articulate, incredibly well prepared, and very enthusiastic about his subject matter! The tour was refreshing and highly educational! The sights he took us to were presented logically and helped us comprehend what was happening as the complex invasion of Normandy was unfolding. We have recommended him to close friends and colleagues who may be able to attend one of his tours during the nexty few weeks.
What a day! Jon met us at the train and gave us a wonderful gift of his knowledge and hospitality. Very, very knowledgeable and thorough. As an American who wanted the D-Day experience, Jon completed that bucket list. He provided comfortable transportation and amenities. His choice for a lunch spot was wonderful. At the historic sites, he gave a wonderful presentation including important details and provided ample time to explore on your own. Every minute was educational-from the time of pickup to discharge. I highly recommend Jon to give you the complete D-Day experience. Do yourself a favor and book this tour. You won’t regret it. Thanks again, Jon!
We spent the day with Jon on the American Sector DDay tour. His knowledge of the invasion, including the history going back to WWI, was like an encyclopedia. As visual aids, he brought large pictures of maps, old photos of the sites at that time and pictures of some of the men involved. It truly brought the sites to life. My husband and I learned so much and enjoyed our day spent with Jon. Thank you, Jon. Great job’
We had a fantastic tour with Jon. He was extremely knowledgeable and the level of detail he provided was amazing. He picked us up promptly at 8:30am and dropped us off at 6pm. The tour began at Sainte-Mère-Église, moved to Utah Beach and then to Pointe Du Hoc. We then visited the American Cemetery with plenty of time to walk around and still attend the flag-lowering ceremony, which was quite moving. Our final stop was at Omaha Beach. There is so much to see and so much history in Normandy that a private tour is well worth it. I would highly recommend this tour with Jon.
Highlight of our holiday, highly recommended, Jon is super knowledgeable and was able to provide lots of details that really adds value to the tour
This was the best tour our family has ever had. Jon was prompt, very well versed in the area and history, and was flexible enough to make the day interesting for our entire family (including kids ages 7, 11, and 13). I cannot recommend him enough.
Jon was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and provided in-depth insight into the DDay invasion. His tour is especially for those WW2 buffs who are interested in the details of the attack.
Jon Fletcher is phenomenal! He went above and beyond on our private tour to find my Uncle's grave in the American Cemetery. He is extremely knowledgeable about World War II history. He researched the journey of my Uncle's division and found the exact location where he was killed in Auxais. He arranged for us to meet with local historians and dignitaries of this town and took us to the town's memorial to the lives lost in the 83rd division. The visit to the cemetery included even more special moments. The all day tour also included visits to Utah Beach, Omaha Beach and St. Mère Église. His attention to detail made this an unforgettable experience. Do not hesitate to book a tour with Jon.
Jon was fantastic! He gave a very thorough tour and answered all of our questions. We went to Saint Mère, Utah beach, some monuments, Omaha beach, and the American cemetery (he got us there in time to see the flag ceremony and ensured that we were in the perfect viewing spot).
Jon conducts a fantastic tour. His knowledge of the region and the Normandy events of WWII are incredible. His tour was comfortable and well timed. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a private tour.
We had a great experience with pur guide, Jon. His wealth of knowledge of the region, history, and WW2 was impressive. He engaged with our children and created an exciting learning environment.
I have wanted to see the D-Day beaches and memorials since I was a young boy, and this tour did not disappoint. We spent the entire day with Jon as he showed us 5 of the primary sights, concluding with the emotional flag lowering ceremony at the US cemetery. At each sight and during our travel time in between, he filled us in on the background of the war, the strategies, the tactics and some of the key individuals involved. His narrative was easy to follow, helped to bring us back to that era, made each sight come alive, and included fascinating stories of many of the individual heroes without overwhelming us with a lot of technical jargon. Jon has deep knowledge and was able to answer fully every question we posed. Jon clearly has a passion for his job, a heart for this historic event and great respect for this hallowed ground. It was an added bonus that he was of English descent but raised in Normandy, combining very clear spoken English with roots in the culture and history of the region. The tour was very easy to book online, his communication was prompt and responsive, the price was competitive with other full-day tours, and we were provided with timely door-to-door pick up and delivery service from our hotel in a very nice van.
Jon was an outstanding guide for our party of 4. Only one of us were WW II aficionados. Jon made the tour a delight for all of us. The timings were perfect, the stories were personal, and the day flew by! He brought the landings to life in a way that we will not soon forget. He obviously LOVES sharing his vast knowledge. He shared stories about folks who came from the places we live which added a great incentive for us to learn more when we return home.
Fantastic day, We cant really do justice to how much knowledge Jon has got around this subject, not one question went unanswered and they were always answered and explained with clarity and real information, such as units involved, places the events took place, photos and most importantly for us the individuals that took part from all sides. We went to Normandy for 3 days and would have happily, spent all of those with Jon. Thank you for making our time in Normandy so special and understanding even more than before, how much those men sacrificed for us. Don't think twice about booking Jon. Thanks Rob/Fin/Joe/Jim
Jon is friendly, organized, and a great storyteller. He is very knowledgeable and can speak to the people, places, and events at seemingly any depth you could want. Our group had studied Normandy 1944 closely so we peppered him with detailed questions and topics. His responses were always very insightful, and he really seemed to enjoy the discussion despite it not always being part of the planned tour. I highly recommend Jon to anyone in the Normandy area who is interested in learning about the events of 1944.
Jon with Normandy to Victory Tours is an AMAZING tour guide with such deep knowledge and passion for the history of Normandy. From the beginning of the booking process and throughout, Jon was in constant communication, set out our tour day, offered personalized needs (he provided a wheelchair for my handicapped dad), and taught us all about the events leading up to, around, and after the D-Day invasion in Normandy. His van was comfortable and clean, and he provided a cool bag so we could have a meal on our way home on the train. I highly recommend Jon for your tour to Normandy!
Jon gave us a fantastic tour of the American sector and cemetery. He has an encyclopedic knowledge, but isn't dry or boring. His tour was perfectly paced with the right combination of his commentary and time to walk around and take it all in. The van was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our outing with him and highly recommend his service.
Jon has a great knowledge of DDay and explains things thoroughly, in an engaging way. We could not have visited all the sites as efficiently, nor understood how DDay and the ensuing days played out so clearly without his amazing guidance. He truly enriched our visit, and we would highly recommend a tour with Jon.
I cannot say enough good things about Jon. His knowledge of D-DAY is impeccable and he did a great job of sharing that knowledge along with using Visual Slides to give us a very clear picture of the events that occurred. He made sure that we soaked up every minute in our day which included watching the American Flag Coming down at 5PM at the Cemetery and making sure we were back in time for our train. I would highly recommend Jon to anyone looking to book a private Normandy Tour.
WONDERFUL TOUR!! John was so knowledgeable about the entire tour from start to finish. Highly recommended!
Jon was awesome! He is very detail oriented and an expert on the American sector of D-day. He did an outstanding job explaining the history that took place. I can’t recommend him enough. Thanks Jon for an unforgettable experience.
Jon was right on time, met us outside cruise terminal in Cherbourg. He enlightened us with him knowledge from the start of our journey up until the end. He has a full visual presentation with pictures and maps of each location we stopped at- couldn’t have been more organized! Would definitely recommend to all cruisers looking to explore this vital piece of history.
Jon’s expertise on the events of D-Day, combined with the firsthand accounts of those who participated, created a deeply impactful and unforgettable experience. Going alone or with a group would not have provided the same level of insight and understanding.
Jon was beyond fabulous! He showed up promptly and immediately told us many facts to prepare us for what we were about to see. Very organized, professional, and comprehensive. I travel often and Jon is one of the best guides I have experienced. If you are going to Normandy to see and understand the events, there is no better than Jon.
Jon was beyond fabulous! He showed up promptly and immediately told us many facts to prepare us for what we were about to see. Very organized, professional, and comprehensive. I travel often and Jon is one of the best guides I have experienced. If you are going to Normandy to see and understand the events, there is no better than Jon.
We had a great D-day tour with Jon! He was so knowledgeable on history and we learned so much while seeing the amazing sights of D-Day. I would highly recommend this private tour with Jon!
Our family came to Normandy as a bucket list item for my dad. I was looking for something private and hands off. We hit the jackpot. Jon was full of knowledge and you could tell he genuinely wanted us to have a memorable experience. He told us “I do this all the time, for you this is a once in a lifetime experience” I would highly recommend Jon if you would like to have someone who cares about his clients and wants the best day possible for them. Thanks for Texas!
Great experience. Packed alot in a short time. He answered all questions and brought out the historical importancevof d day b
The tour was amazing. Jon is a tremendous host with the credible knowledge of the battle and surrounding area. His preparation and enthusiasm were tremendous The tour of the beaches and towns were fantastic and ended at the American Cemetery with the lowering of the American flag to the sound of Taps. Moving beyond words. I highly recommend using Jon and taking this tour.
Terrific tour! John is a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge about the fighting in Normandy, and delivers his fascinating narration with the skill of Sir Richard Attenborough.
Jon provided a well thought out tour with details that impressed all of us, including a military buff father in law. Extremely knowledgeable and good communicator. We would use him again if ever in Normandy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Our full day private tour with Jon was wonderful. After communicating with us, Jon molded our experience to my Dad’s time in the area of Normandy and the St Lo area. Jon took us to the location in a field that Dad and his group had shot the 105 Howitzer in the St Lo area. Very meaningful and moving. Jon went the extra mile for our day together. He set up a time in a small church for us to talk to a special, knowledgeable local older gentleman who told us about the 134th experiences in the area. This tour was the highlight for my daughter and I in our 1400 miles, following my Dad trec across Europe with General Patton.
I cannot say enough good things about Jon. His tour was the highlight of our trip, and it was a special one. We were in France following in my grandfather's footsteps from WWII. Jon researched his path and was able to pinpoint an exact location in a field where he fought in St. Lo. The whole experience was very moving. Thank you, Jon!
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