Day 1
Departure (UK)
Depart the school in the evening and travel to Portsmouth on an overnight coach journey. Evening meal at a service station en route*
School Tour
Twenty years after the end of WWI, war returned to Europe.
Experienced Mercat Tours International guide
All transport to and from departure point
All accommodation
Dinner, breakfast and packed lunch options
Free entry to all museums and sites on the itinerary
From £800 Per Person
Tour rates vary based on the type of group, time of year, and accommodation preferences. For a customised itinerary and pricing, please contact us directly.
Overview
On 6th June 1944, the forces of the British Empire and USA breached the Wall on the beaches of Normandy - ‘Operation Overlord’ had been launched and the liberation of Europe from the dark rule of the Third Reich had begun.
On our D-Day Landings Experience, our expert guides will lead students through the historic events of D-DAY to honour those whose planning and leadership, courage and sheer luck was to lead, ultimately, to the defeat of Nazism and the overthrow of the Third Reich.
The Longest Day – when the course of World War II was finally changed.
What To Expect
✓Visit Pegasus Bridge and Ste Mere Eglise, where the first airborne troops landed in the early hours of D-Day
✓Stand with respect at the grave of the first man to die in the battle
✓Trace the footsteps of those who landed at Juno and Gold beaches
✓Fathom the challenge faced by overlooking Bloody Omaha Beach
✓Lay a wreath for the fallen in Bayeux, honouring their sacrifice
✓Come away with strengthened confidence, independence, friendships and critical skills for the future
✓Complements the Curriculum for Excellence (Scotland) and the National Curriculum (England & Wales)
We take care of all the logistics for the 6-day tours. Including travel, accommodation, and meals to ensure students and teachers can fully enjoy the history, culture, and unforgettable moments. * not included in package
Departure (UK)
Depart the school in the evening and travel to Portsmouth on an overnight coach journey. Evening meal at a service station en route*
Arrival in France
Morning ferry to Caen (Ouistreham). Reserved assembly room on board for your school group. Arrive in Caen (Ouistreham) mid-afternoon before travelling to and checking in at the accommodation.
Pegasus Bridge & Sword Beach
Visit Pegasus Bridge and Museum, Ranville Cemetery, Merville Battery and Sword Beach.
Juno & Gold Beaches
Visit Juno Beach, Gold Beach, the British Normandy Memorial, Arromanches, the 360 Cinema and the Mulberry Harbours.
Omaha & Utah Beaches
Visit the German Cemetery at La Cambe, Sainte-Mère-Église, Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-St-Laurent and Omaha Beach.
Return to UK
Depart the accommodation and travel to Portsmouth on the morning ferry. Arrive in Portsmouth mid-afternoon before continuing by coach to the school. Lunch and an evening meal at service stations en route* . Arrive at the school in the evening.
The minimum number of students required is 25. The smaller the group, the more expensive the trip becomes - but most groups average about 35 students. We have a maximum of 40 students per coach to ensure maximum comfort for all on board, however we can book you multiple coaches for larger groups. One school who travel with us take up to five coaches!
There is one free place for an adult per ten students. Usually this means all teachers go free.
We will ask you to advise us of any specific needs within your group, including any dietary, medical and mobility needs. We understand that not all additional support needs are physical. We ask early in the booking process to ensure these needs are factored in at all stages of your trip.
Simply submit an enquiry form online and one of our team will be in touch with a proposed itinerary and initial costings. Payment of the deposit (£100 per paying member) to secure the booking is required no later than 9 months before the departure date.
All travellers will require their own Passport and GHIC card. Any non UK, non-Irish travellers may require an ETA and/or visas.
There are plans to introduce a new scheme, ETIAS, in the near future - if this is required we will let you know. You can find out more about each of these documents by clicking the links above.
Please refer to the official Government website for guidance on passport requirements after Brexit. Please note this information is updated regularly.
Our tour itineraries are carefully designed to provide a comprehensive look back at the history, making the most of the group's time with us.
The days are packed full of opportunities to learn, connect and engage with the stories, and our guides are always happy to be flexible to the needs of the group to ensure the tour is being pitched appropriately. However, it is our overwhelming experience that students become absorbed by our guides' storytelling, responding meaningfully to the places we visit and the various stimuli and resources they will encounter. This is strongly reflected in both the student and teacher evaluations and feedback, and it is regularly reported that students talk about their experience long after their return. We recognise that it is a busy few days, and so down time is factored into each day.
Your tour pack will include a kit list, which varies depending on weather and time of year. You should bring a small overnight bag for travel, as all main luggage will be kept on the coach until you arrive at your accommodation. If travelling on the overnight ferry, we would suggest including toiletries, essential medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, and PJs. Check out our Packing List.
Yes. We have risk assessments for all sites visited - will share as part of your Tour Pack when you book.
There is no specific limit. However you may need to carry all your belongings a short distance from the coach drop off point to your accommodation, so please bear this in mind!
Seats and seatbelts, toilet for emergency use/medical requirement/ AV equipment for guide/educational use during your trip. Not all coahes have USB charging ports.
We happily invite anyone on our tours to let us know of any relatives who are buried or commemorated at any of the sites on the itinerary. The information you provide will be shared with your guide, who will make efforts to research the relative(s) and gather any additional information in time for the tour. We will do our best to arrange a visit to the site(s) where the relatives are buried or commemorated. However, please note that this will depend on time, traffic, and weather conditions. We also invite schools to let us know of any former pupils who are buried or commemorated at any of these sites.