We did the same in summer 24 as well actually, and yeah they’re both a fair step up on Salou but more for adults than the small ones.
Salou is not without its charms though, great beachfront and you can wander in randomly and use the pool in most hotels without anyone batting an eye. Plenty of bars to stop for a drink and some tapas while watching the debauchery unfold in front of you.
@Fagan_ODowd you are regular boat traveller between Ireland and France. Three of us are heading in June, Dublin to Cherbourg. I have booked the car but they offer a lot of extras, food etc. Should i book any of these extras or no need for them?
We are going to travel a bit around Normandy. Want to see some of the WW2 sites. Anywhere you would especially recommend? What cities/ towns/ villages would you recommend? I havent sorted accomodation yet so need to do that next. Thanks in advance.
No
The only extra worth shelling out for is a decent cabin with a window. Walk the boat when you get on and see what grubbing places take your fancy. For adults there is a decent sit down silver service restaurant at the top of the boat but the buffets are fine too and there is a pizza place in the middle of the boat if you have children with you.
The 360 movie exhibit at Arromanches les Bain gives a great sense of what the fighting was like. St Mere Eglise is a lovely village with a WW2 heritage. Watch the film the Longest Day before you go and then you’ll appreciate the dummy parachutist hanging from the church steeple.
There are little museums at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. The US Cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer is well worth a visit. I think the German cemetery at La Cambe (just off the main road, also has great toilets) is the most poignant.
Bayeux has the British cemeteries but also the Bayeux Tapestry which is a must see in the region. You could and should also take in a visit to Mont St Michel in the region. Honfleur is a lovely little fishing port in the region with great fish restaurants along the water. Deauville has a lovely sandy beach but is a good bit bigger than Honfleur. Isigny sur Mer is just off the main road and is a grand stop with a few little restaurants.
Cherbourg itself is a bit of a dump but the E Leclerc supermarket on the edge of town is a grand place to stop and stock up with wine and beer before the ferry back. You can also eat perfunctory food there to fill you up before the ferry.
Tremendous scheduling there, he’ll need oodles of time to cover that spread of sights.
You’re the ideal Irish Michael Portillo, hat and all.
FAO @Glentaisie : Watch out for this lad near the wine warehouse.
Neither him or any of his associates are actually Frogs…
That’s brilliant sir, thanks very much for this. I have indeed watched The Longest Day so have heard about St Mere Eglise. And Bayeux and the Tapestry is on the list too.
Bring a few euro coins to pay for the parking at St Mere Eglise
Couldn’t advise you all to go to Napoli enough lads. Very reasonably priced city. For a Margerita pizza it cost €8 average price in all restaurants. €2 for an espresso.
To go for an 8 hour tour down along the Amalfi coast taking in Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi was €60. The tour guide then gave us the option for a half an hour boat ride along the Amalfi coastline for €20 which was 100% worth it. Mad seeing random houses with lemon trees out the front.
I didn’t realise that Diego Maradona was that revered there. I was well aware, but when you’re there it’s on a totally different level! The .an is literally God! No other jersey of any other club aroind the city, no Juventus, no Milan, just Napoli, Napoli, Napoli. 100% one club town.
Did a guided 3 hour tour of Pompeii for about €40. Not worth it, most overrated place I’ve ever been. Do it once, but that’s it. Place gets too packed. We did it over the last few days, can only imagine what it’d be like in the height of summer.
Napoli you either love or hate it. I loved it, would go back. Want to go back. Ragin the club was away to Hellas Verona on Saturday to cap off the holiday tbh. I didn’t book it, missus did. But I came away not knowing was it better than Lisbon or not as my favourite city. Bellisimo Napoli.
Just realised I put in the two random pictures of cars on the road. Seeing Italian drivers is an experience in itself!
The party never ends ! You the man.
