Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of World War II's D-Day invasion, when Allied forces landed at Normandy in France to liberate Europe from the Nazis.
To commemorate the historic military operation, Viking is launching a new river cruise with stops at several important WWII sites in England and France.
Running from March through November of 2024, the 12-day "Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary" voyage kicks off with a 4-day land-based tour in London, where participants will visit the Churchill War Rooms, the code-breaking estate of Bletchley Park, and other key locations in the planning and waging of the conflict.
Then it's on to Paris to board a Viking Longship for a 7-day round-trip journey along the Seine, which stretches into Normandy as it flows past cobblestoned villages, hilltop chateaus, Claude Monet's Giverny (of water lily fame), and Joan of Arc's Rouen.
Viking's itinerary finds time for all of those, but the emphasis remains on locations, museums, monuments, and memorials related to the war. Naturally, that includes thorough explorations of Normandy's D-Day beaches and the American military cemetery, with its poignant profusion of white marble crosses and stars of David on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach.
“Many of our guests, particularly those with family members who served in the armed forces, have a keen interest in World War II history,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen in a statement announcing the cruise. “In keeping with our commitment to offer experiences for The Thinking Person, we are pleased to unveil this special voyage that commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day—one of the most significant milestones in modern history.”
Cruise accommodations are aboard one of the line's Longships, which have 84 staterooms and can accommodate up to 168 passengers.
Bookings for Viking's Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary trips are open now, for departures from March through November 2024. France will likely be a hot ticket in travel next summer, when Paris hosts the 2024 Olympics from July 26 through August 11.
Prices for Viking's World War II–themed voyage start at $5,499 per person. Go to VikingRiverCruises.com for more information.
Related stories:
• Places Where You Can Still See Evidence of the Nazi Occupation of Paris
