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Activity Level: M
Start / Finish: Deauville / Lison
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Boredom Conquered
Surely one of the most rewarding things about travelling with kids is seeing a place through their eyes, especially one you’re familiar with yourself. There is almost nowhere where that experience is more poignant than in Normandy. Rollo’s fiefdom; William the Conqueror; Operation Overlord… the sands of this region have witnessed a millennium of incredible human history. But as much as there is to learn here, this gorgeous strip of northern France is plenty fun, too. While the kids sail, ride horses, and go sand-sailing on Utah Beach, the adults can sip Calvados at our private 16thC castle. And together, you can all explore Pegasus Bridge, view the Bayeux Tapestry and tour the American cemetery. Regardless of age, you’ll go home forever changed.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke Normandy With the Kids adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Planner for further details.
Day 1 From Pegasus Bridge, cycle along the coast to Sword Beach and other WWII sites
Day 2 After biking to Bayeux—home to the famed Tapestry—kids head to the beach for a sailing class while grown-ups pedal to Arromanches-les-Bains Day 3 Bike along the coast to Omaha Beach and tour the fortifications and American Cemetery with a local expert
Day 4 Cycle through countryside en route to our château, a manor that dates back to the days of William the Conqueror; kids go horseback riding
Day 5 Relive D-Day in Sainte-Mère-Église, the town made famous in the film The Longest Day, then discuss your experiences with a veteran of the French Resistance over dinner
Day 6 Breakfast in Canisy, then au revoir in Lison
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La Chenevière, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
This 18thC château combines luxurious rooms with the quaint warmth of an English country house. Outstanding French cuisine is served in the hotel dining room overlooking the park.
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Château de Canisy, Canisy
This beautiful country seat of Count and Countess de Kergorlay is a private heaven that we are invited to share. While here we are lords and ladies of the manor. And what a manor: the beautiful 16thC castle was designed to rival the best of the Parisian style du jour. Its beautiful 60-acre park is full of amenities for you to enjoy. Our evenings are spent exploring the grounds or the many elegant salons before withdrawing to our themed rooms.
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Donna and Rich Hooker
Normandy Bespoke 2009
“Everything about our trips was outstanding—the hotel, restaurants, picnics, activities, scenery, sightseeing stops. Every one of our needs was met. Our guides Annik, Dale and Marya were excellent. Their winning personalities and willingness to go to any length to meet our needs was greatly appreciated. Their mastery of the French language made all situations smooth and seamless.”
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Moderate
This trip is rated Moderate. While most of the riding is relatively easy, expect the occasional challenging climb. On a couple of days, the ride is longer than the average 45 km (28 mi.), although the terrain on these days is fairly flat. Supervised kids’ activities and extra van support provide added flexibility for shortening daily rides.
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