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Hosted By: Wanda Starke
Retired News Anchor
WXII TV
View Biography
Enjoy tours of Paris and London and visit historic World War II sites on the Normandy Coast. Explore London in-depth with a certified Blue Badge Guide. Visit the Tower of London, the Churchill War Rooms, Imperial War Museum, and enjoy an authentic afternoon tea. Cross the English Channel into Normandy and visit a variety of sites important to D-Day such as Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and the Point-due-Hoc Ranger Monument. On our way to Paris, visit Giverny, location of Claude Monet’s home and gardens. We enjoy all that Paris has to offer including a Seine River cruise and visit to the Louvre.
You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!
October 9th, 2023 - October 19th, 2023
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$6599
Single
$7599
Final Payment Date: 07/06/2023
Day 1 : Fly to England
Board an overnight flight to London to begin this journey of a lifetime.
Day 2 : London City Tour
Upon arrival in Europe, we are joined by a resident Blue Badge Guide whose passion for British history and traditions enhance our experience. Our sightseeing begins with a tour of Windsor Castle, private home of past and present British royalty. We are guests in London for three nights. Tonight, enjoy a Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 : Thames River Cruise
After an included full English breakfast we join our Blue Badge Guide at the Tower of London. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, this enduring fortress houses both Britain’s Crown Jewels and a medieval collection of armory and weaponry. Its ancient stone walls hold some of the city’s darkest secrets, and we are privy to a few of them during our narrated tour. Take a snapshot of neighboring Tower Bridge as we embark for a delightful sail on the River Thames. Later, we partake in a favorite pastime of locals, Afternoon Tea. It is truly the perfect end to our day’s scheduled activities as we dine on a delicious array of bite-size savories, sip expertly steeped tea, and enjoy the comfort of easy conversation with our new acquaintances.
Day 4 : Churchill War Rooms
Today includes a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, part of the underground nerve center of Britain’s war effort. Next we see the Imperial War Museum which houses authentic examples of World War II weaponry and an exhibit of World War I trench warfare.
Day 5 : Portsmouth & Ferry to France
We say farewell to London and travel to England’s south coast. Upon arrival in Portsmouth we visit the award-winning D-Day Museum before boarding a ferry to cross the English Channel to France. Our comfortable accommodations for the next three nights are in Caen.
Day 6 : D-Day Sites
We are joined by a special World War II guide to learn about famous battle events. Spend the morning at Omaha Beach where Americans took the German fortifications. We study the battlefield, cross the beach, analyze maps, and pay tribute to the courage that guarded our freedom. The American Cemetery stretches along the bluff where we may offer our respects among the hundreds of Crosses and Stars of David for the deceased. Our next visit is Arromanches, the renowned site of Mulberry Harbor. This artificial port and dock carried thousands of Allied troops and cargo across the Channel during wartime. Portions of it remain today.
Day 7 : Normandy Sites
Joined by our World War II guide, we spend the morning at the Pointe-du-Hoc Ranger Monument located on a sheer cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. Americans seized the German artillery equipment here, preventing fire on American troops landing on the beach. This afternoon we visit St. Mére Église, seized by American paratroopers on D-Day. Hear the interesting story of American Private John Steele and visit the Airborne Museum. Next we visit Utah Beach, the westernmost beach during the Allied Landings. Later, we view the Bayeux Tapestry which tells the tale of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England.
Day 8 : Monet’s Garden
Today we begin our journey to Paris. En route we visit the charming village of Giverny and stroll the gardens and visit the home of famous Impressionist artist Claude Monet.
Day 9 : Paris City Tour
We discover the enchanting sights of romantic Paris, the City of Light. On a guided tour we see the Champs Elysees Avenue, Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure. Relax at a sidewalk cafe, do some shopping, or visit city sights. After dinner, a spectacular Seine River cruise creates a magical evening. Illuminated buildings, bridges, churches, and the Eiffel Tower create a dramatic backdrop in the night sky.
Day 10 : Iconic Louvre Museum
This morning enjoy a guided tour of the world-renowned Louvre Museum and discover its many masterpieces. We have the afternoon free for individual pursuits. Visit the Musee d’Orsay or stroll through The Tuileries Garden. We gather this evening for a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Paris, the perfect ending to our fabulous vacation.
Day 11 : Memories to Cherish
WXII TV Pickup Locations:
Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Triad International Airport
Wanda began working at WXII 12 in 1994 and was an anchor and special projects reporter until her retirement in 2020. At her core, Wanda describes herself as a storyteller and continues to write and produce videos.
She also volunteers with the Shepherd’s Center and serves on the Executive Committee of the Women’s Council of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation.
Wanda has been honored by The Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences because of her significant contributions to the television industry. She was also awarded the President’s Award for Volunteer Service from President Barack Obama, The Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Excellence Award Honoring Women in Media from UNCF, and the Anna Quindlen Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Join Wanda and WXII 12 News viewers on this beautiful vacation.
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.