Category: Holidays

Proposed Hucknall and District u3a Normandy D Day Landings Holiday Tour

Thursday April 16^th to Tuesday April 21^st, 2026

An Overview

On our guided WW2 Tour we will see some of the most iconic D-Day locations and visit all the D-Day landing beaches along the Normandy coastline as well as seeing the site of the Pegasus Bridge glider landing, and where the ‘Band of Brothers’ fought near St. Mère Eglise.

We will also visit Caen which rose to prominence in the 11th century when William the Conqueror made it his base. He and his wife Matilda founded two grand abbeys, still standing today. It was heavily bombed in WWII during the Battle of Normandy and Caen now blends medieval heritage with modern vitality.

Itinerary

Day 1- Travel by Skills Luxury Coach to Dover       (215 miles 4.5 hours)

Ferry Crossing                                                   (1.5 hours)

Calais an interesting drive to Bayeux                  (245 miles 4.5 hours)

Day 2- Pegasus Bridge and Arromanche

Day 3- Ste Mere Eglise, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha

Day 4- (Sunday) Free Day in and around historic Bayeux

Day 5 – Caen and the Caen Memorial Museum

Day 6- Return Journey

Accommodation: The Novotel Bayeux

The Novotel Bayeux is just 1 km away from the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the historic town centre. Guestrooms are modern and comfortable and are equipped with modern en suite facilities, Wi-Fi access and air-conditioning. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and garden.

The accommodation is on a Bed and breakfast basis except for the last night Monday 20^th when we have a group meal.

Costs

The cost to Skills is £649.00 per person in a twin or double

Unfortunately, singles are an extra £150.00

I have secured 14 twin rooms;8 doubles and 4 singles.

There will be an additional £20 to £30 for the guide and driver’s tip

The initial deposit to be paid to Skills is £65.00 per person

Once the group has been established, I will send out details of how to pay the deposit

Please email me with your name(s) and room type preference if you wish to join this holiday – (davidrose98835@gmail.com)

Our trip to Melrose went without a hitch and was a great success; everyone seemed to have had a great time.

We had three day trips, and thankfully the weather was kind to us. We went to Jedburgh and Kelso two quaint, typically Scottish towns, Edinburgh, where we had a short guided tour and then time to ourselves.  The last trip and my favourite was to Lindisfarne Holy Island, with some stunning views across to the mainland and the ruined abbey.

The walkers among us went on two magnificent walks, the first along the River Tweed, where Gary and Tina managed to video an Otter fishing, unfortunately I didn’t see this.  We then continued via Sir Walter Scott’s house to Loch Cauldeshiels and then back to the hotel.

The second walk was through the Eildon Hills by the Rhymer’s stone and again along the Tweed back to the hotel, taking time to view Melrose Abbey and Melrose itself.

The hotel itself was very good as was the food and the staff very helpful and quick.  There was entertainment every night, which was very good especially the first night.

Thanks to everybody for making it such a memorable trip.

Mark

It was a bright and sunny morning when the new 61 seater luxury Skills coach left Hucknall Market Place travelling north with 51 passengers on board.

The first stop was Harewood House near Harrogate, a beautiful Georgian house owned by the Lascelles family. We were given four hours to explore the house along with the bird sanctuary, walled garden, woodland walks and the many places to sit, eat and drink. Before arriving at our hotel in Newcastle we also had a stop to visit ‘Angel of the North’, a most impressive monument sitting at the side of the A1.

Saturday was spent exploring the sites and sounds of Newcastle City. Many opted to take the City tour bus which visited the Sage, galleries, cathedrals and the waterfront on the famous River Tyne. Our visit also coincided with Nottingham Forest playing their first match of the season at Newcastle.

In the evening we travelled to Bishop Auckland to see the main event of the weekend ‘Kynren’. It is an outside performance of 2000 years of North East history performed by actors and residents of the town, including animals, a wonderful show topped off by a spectacular firework display.

On the Sunday after breakfast we travelled from Newcastle over the moors to Whitby for an extended lunch break. Whitby was busy but the fish and chips were lovely. To finish the visit a brass band was playing near the pier, a wonderful ending to the visit before returning home in the early evening.

Five days half-board at The Cumberland Hotel, South Cliff, Scarborough
28th November 2022.

Includes:
One full day and one half day excursion
Travel direct, NO stop at interchange
Entertainment most evenings including fancy dress competition
All rooms centrally heated with tea and coffee making facilities

£249 pp sharing twin or double room. £50 deposit cheque made to ALFA Ltd. Contact Caroline Rhoades, Ashfield u3a Holiday Organiser on crhoades159@gmail.com