Viking has announced a new Paris & D-Day river voyage visiting destinations in England and France, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the historic World War II beach landing.
The 12-day voyage from London to Paris will commemorate Operation Overlord and the historic battles of Normandy, which took place nearly 80 years ago and served as the catalyst to the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation. Departure dates for the river tour will run from March through November 2024.
“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 Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a press statement. “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.”
Viking Tour Visits Sites in London and Paris
The new Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary voyage will begin in London with a visit to historic World War II sites including the Churchill War Rooms, where the D-Day landings were prepared in England, and Bletchley Park, the home of the World War II codebreakers. Guests can also learn about Britain’s Special Forces and its allies during a visit to the Imperial War Museum London, Gunwharf Quays, the D-Day Museum and Southwick House – where Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower planned Operation Overlord.
After four days in England, guests continue on to Paris to embark on a roundtrip sailing aboard a Viking Longship. Guests can explore Giverny and visit the gardens and farmhouse where Claude Monet lived and worked, trace the footsteps of Joan of Arc in Rouen, and visit Normandy’s American Military Cemetery and World War II beaches.
Viking Longships on the Seine River host 168 guests in 84 staterooms, and are built specifically to navigate into the heart of Paris, with an exclusive docking location at Port de Grenelle, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. The ships feature an Aquavit Terrace and a wide variety of stateroom choices, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic. The vessels also have a hybrid propulsion system with batteries and are also equipped for shore power to reduce reliance on fuel while in port. Onboard solar panels further contribute to the ships’ energy efficiency.
From now through March 31, 2023, Viking is offering a Spring Sale for residents of the U.S. and Canada, with up to free airfare and special savings on all river voyages.
For more information, visit viking.com.
