Normandie
A bunch of Western Command members made the trip over for the 2004 D-Day ceremonies. If you've never been it's probably the trip you want to make.
I would rent a car on the continent, at least the steering wheel is on the correct side! For visiting the museums around London the buses and the tube are best. Check out the Cabinet War Rooms and the new Churchill exhibit, quite good. The changing of the guard was a bit disappointing because if you didn't get there hours before and press your nose through the grate you didn't see much.
I took the Eurostar from Paris to London and would recommend it. The trip is less than 3 hours and you go from Gare Nord in Paris to the heart of London and vice versa. One quirk was that the ticket agent in Paris said to buy a return ticket as it's cheaper than a one-way ticket and she was right.
I was over last year as well for the "Voie de la Liberte" trip in July where we traced Patton's drive from Utah Beach to Bastogne. It was organized by the Belgian Military Vehicle Trust and a few other groups. We traveled with the Belgians and they were most helpful. I think you will find that comradeship with most any group over there. It's also nice having someone that can speak the local lingo. Some WC members had got together and purchased a jeep and a deuce & 1/2 which they used in 2004. It was stored in Belgium and we used them last year. The plan was to bring them back to Canada at sometime but they are still in Belgium so if not here by 2009 they might be available.
Like you, my war dept has given me the go ahead for the trip and there's ample time for planning. I wouldn't hesitate dropping an email to MVT, KTR or the BVMT and discuss your plans.
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