Folds of Honor presents Operation Overlord with Lt Col Dan Rooney

Join Lt Col Dan Rooney in honoring the 80th Anniversary of the most significate military event in our countries history… D-Day. Follow along the path where America’s best and brightest fought in World War II, including a Normandy tour that visits the invasion beaches, especially Omaha and Utah, as well as the American Cemetery.

The Operation Overlord Tour (codename for the Battle of Normandy) covers the planning and launch of the D-Day Invasion. This itinerary is based on thousands of hours of interviews, studying of the battlefields, and other World War II research. Thanks to their experience with the terrain and its history, we are able to present a D-Day tour that is unmatched in its authenticity.

As Stephen Ambrose said, “The American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and all of us, living and yet to be born, must be profoundly grateful.”

Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney is a force for good. A decorated F-16 Fighter Pilot and PGA Pro, he is best known for founding the Folds of Honor, a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has provided 44,000 life-changing scholarships totaling approximately $200 million. Rooney’s life calling of “inspiring people to help people,'' is made obvious by his variety of roles. A USA Today bestselling author, he’s a highly sought-after motivational speaker that has addressed over 1,000 corporations and groups across America. As a Class A Member of the PGA, he founded two nationally ranked golf clubs, The Patriot Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus. Rooney has been recognized as one of People Magazine’s “Heroes of the Year”, Money Magazine’s “Hero of the Year”, and ABC World News Tonight’s “Persons of the Year”. Lt Colonel Rooney lives in Owasso, Oklahoma where his most important role lies, with his wife and five daughters.

Per Person Double Occupancy
$6,249
Single Supplement: $1,550
(Limited Availability)

June 23 – July 1, 2024

9 Days / 8 Nights

A donation to Folds of Honor, in the amount of $250, is included in the price of this tour.

Itinerary

1
Sunday, June 23, 2024

Arrive London
Welcome to London, a city steeped in culture and history. Settle into our hotel, located in the Kensington neighborhood of London. Tonight, meet our host, fellow travelers, and an expert WWII historian, who will be leading the tour, during a welcome reception and dinner featuring local specialties. (D)

2
Monday, June 24, 2024

London Sightseeing
The morning will feature key sites in London that figured prominently during the War. We then proceed to the Churchill War Rooms, the underground nerve center for Britain’s war effort. Later, visit the Imperial War Museum, which houses authentic examples of World War II weaponry, tanks, aircraft, and an exhibit of WWI trench warfare. The remainder of the day is yours to discover London as you please. (B)

3
Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Portsmouth
Depart London for Bletchley Park and visit the nerve center for intelligence, utilized in the Allied War effort, code name Ultra. Here we will see the place where the Enigma machine is housed and where the cyphers and codes of several Axis countries were decrypted during the war.

Later today, tour Southwick House, the advanced command post of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. In the months leading up to D-Day in 1944, the house became the headquarters of the main Allied commanders, including Naval Commander-In-Chief Admiral Ramsay, Allied Supreme Commander General Eisenhower, and Army Commander-In-Chief, General Montgomery. (B, D)

4
Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Ferry to Normandy
After breakfast, we will board the cross-channel ferry and embark for Normandy as the troops did in 1944. Our first stop will be Sainte-Mère-Église, one of the villages where the American Airborne descended on D-Day. Here we will view and explore the iconic church where John Steele and his landing on the steeple are memorialized. We also visit La Fière Bridge where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully delayed a German Panzer counterattack against the Allied landing forces. (B, D)

5
Thursday, June 27, 2024

Normandy
We will study The Longest Day at Brécourt Manor, where Lt. Dick Winters, with members of Easy Company, successfully silenced German artillery firing on American troops landing at Utah Beach. Next, visit Utah Beach, where the 4th Infantry Division landed, and the Invasion Museum, depicting their heroics. Finally, we will stop at Ste-Marie-du-Mont where the unique Renaissance-style steeple still stands as an observation post by the Germans. (B, Boxed Lunch)

6
Friday, June 28, 2024

Normandy
Proceed to the town of Carentan to follow the exact steps American Paratroopers took during the Battle of Normandy. We will also visit Pointe du Hoc, where Rudder’s Rangers scaled the cliffs to neutralize German heavy guns defending the expanse of beaches on D-Day. (B, Boxed Lunch)

7
Saturday, June 29, 2024

Normandy
Our final full day in Normandy begins with a visit to Omaha Beach, where American forces landed, faced the strongest German resistance of the day, and incurred the greatest losses. We will walk the beach and visit some of the German defense fortifications. We explore these sands from the tide’s ebb to the distant dunes to understand the emotions of the young soldiers of the 1st and 29th Divisions as they approached the gates of hell. We will pay our respects at the American Cemetery with its 9,387 American soldiers’ graves stretching along the top of the bluff overlooking the beach and will be present at the evening flag-lowering ceremony. (B, Boxed Lunch)

8
Sunday, June 30, 2024

Paris
Our day begins with a view of the battery at Longues-sur-Mer, a fine example of the great defenses that made up Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. We then proceed along the British Beaches to Pegasus Bridge, where the first shots were fired on D-Day. The British Sixth Airborne, led by Major John Howard with a miraculous glider landing, carried out a surprise attack that overtook this crucial bridge across the Caen Canal. We will arrive in Paris later this afternoon. The Allies, preceded by Free French troops, symbolically reclaimed the French capital from the Nazis in August 1944. Tonight, bid au revoir to your traveling companions as you enjoy a late dinner at the Eiffel Tower. (B, D)

9
Monday, July 1, 2024

Depart for Home
After breakfast depart Paris for the USA with fond memories of your trip. (B)

Inclusions

Included

  • A donation to Folds of Honor, in the amount of $250, is included in the price of this tour.
  • Premium hotel accommodations throughout London, Bournemouth, Normandy area, and Paris **
  • All ground transportation
  • Expert English-speaking guides
  • Local Historian throughout the tour
  • 15 Meals (8 breakfasts, 3 boxed lunches, 4 dinners)
  • Gratuities for the historian, drivers & local guides
  • Taxes and fees as of 5/5/23
  • Complete services of Cruise & Tour including tour manager
 

*Hotels may be substituted due to unforeseen circumstances.
**ETIAS: The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a visa waiver/pre-screening program for ALL travelers who are visiting countries in the Schengen Area, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania, expected to come into effect by November 2023. For more information, please visit the official website: www.etias.info.
***Please note the order or sightseeing may be altered yet all inclusions will be experienced.


Extraordinary Experiences

  • Cocktail with your host, Lt Col Dan Rooney.
  • Get to know Lt Col Dan Rooney over a Q & A.
  • Pay respects to the 9,378 fallen American Soldiers at the American Cemetery in Normandy.

 

Not Included

  • Increases in taxes, fees, or surcharges after 5/5/23
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airfare
  • ETIAS authorization
  • Items of a personal nature

 


 

Activity Level 3

This tour moves at a moderate pace where planned activities are extended and there will be limited leisure time. Days may begin earlier or end later in the evening. You can expect to be standing and walking for longer periods of time, climbing steps, walking uphill, walking along uneven surfaces, and extended riding in safari vehicles over rough terrain.

 

Testimonials

The anticipation was exciting, the realization was thrilling, and the end is filled with memories, stunning and lasting. I am enjoying being back home; however, I would sign up again without reservations! You are to be commended for the impeccable realization of the cruise which went without flaws.
- Monique
Every time we have traveled with them it has been a wonderful experience. Always there to help with anything; wonderful to have arrangements made for a smooth trip so we don't have to!!
- Margaret

Rates

Per Person Double Occupancy
$6,249
Single Supplement (limited availability)
$1,550
Travel Insurance
Will be quoted at the time of booking

 


Deposit/Payment

      • A $1,000 per person deposit is required with your reservation.
      • A second deposit in the amount of $2,000 is due 12/8/23.
      • Final payment due 2/23/24.
      • All payments can be made by credit card or check.

Cancellation/Refund

      • Your initial $1,000 deposit is refundable through 12/7/23, less a $500 per person cancellation fee.
      • Between 12/8/23 and 2/23/24, the cancellation charge is 50% of the deposits paid.
      • After 2/23/24 or non-appearance on departure day, 100% of the cost of your travel arrangements is forfeited.

 

Call 800-383-3131 to Reserve Your Spot Today!

How to Book

  1. Call Cruise & Tour at (800) 383-3131 or REQUEST A CALL
  2. Ask to have a place held on this trip
  3. You will receive an email with a link to our online registration form

Fill it out and you’re in!

It’s that easy. Give us a call today!


Travel Insurance Information

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Cruise & Tour recommends that you purchase travel insurance.

To purchase travel protection insurance:

  1. Click here to view and print the Travel Insured International brochure which has a brief summary of coverage.
  2. After making your travel reservation and deposit, a Cruise & Tour representative will create an insurance quote for you. You will receive that travel insurance quote from Travel Insured International Customer Care.
  3. From here you will be able to view the quote, add additional coverage options such as Cancel for Any Reason, and purchase your policy all in the Travel Insured International Portal.

Please Note: Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion will be waived if you purchase the protection plan within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment. Options such as Cancel for Any Reason or Interrupt for Any Reason must also be purchased within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment.

To view and print the Explanation of Benefits, click here.

Covered events for trip
Cancellation/Interruption
Sickness, Accidental Injury or Death of You, Your Travel Companion, Family Member, or Business Partner Job Loss or Lay Off Traffic Accident en Route to Departure Weather Natural Disaster at Destination Extension of School Year Terrorist Attack Revoked Military Leave Strike Bankruptcy of Travel Supplier Being Hijacked, Quarantined, Subpoenaed, or Asked to Serve on Jury Duty
* See Travel Insured International Description of Coverage for complete coverage details.