Ever since the allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy this area of France has had special meaning for a large multitude of men and their families. For a great many it was to become the place in which they died whereas others, who survived WWII look back and remember the loss of friends (and often family) on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Sadly for many of those who survived the initial push from the beaches they were faced with stronger German opposition than had been expected and many more lost their lives. The Battle of Normandy was one of the world’s greatest military clashes and D-Day remains one of the most important dates in the history of the Second World War.

Even today there is a great deal of interest in the Battle of Normandy and many veterans, their children and grandchildren visit the area for a touring vacation. Many people visit the military cemeteries to see if they can find the graves of a fallen friend or family member. With the increasing interest in genealogy there is a growing number of younger people visiting Normandy to see if they can discover the grave of the grandfather or even great grandfather.

For those interested in this period of world history Normandy, France has a number of very interesting sites. It is still possible to see one of the Longues Battery casemates which housed 150-mm guns and protected the beaches from invasion. Other ruins exist in various stages of production such as the uncompleted Mont Fleury Battery, which is basically a breeze block shell. Some local landmarks were damaged by the bombardment, such as the Mont Fleury lighthouse which is closed to the public.

Today Normandy is a thriving holiday area with excellent countryside and gorgeous beaches and there are a number of Normandy guidebooks available to help plan your vacation. One of the most exciting ways in which to enjoy the area is by taking one of the motorcycle tours that are often available. If you are lucky enough to have good weather this is simply the best way in which to travel from one site to another.

If you are unable to take a bike tour of Normandy there are a number of organizations which offer alternatives such as Battlebus who offer Tours of the D-Day beaches and battlefields which are extremely popular with visitors from America. Other companies offer a more personal and bespoke service, often in a small people carrier type vehicle, this type of tour is often more flexible and there is often a choice of tour routes.

If you are planning a vacation in Normandy, France and you are considering booking a hotel in Normandy consider taking a two center vacation such as spending some time in Paris or even travel on to other areas of France. For those traveling from as far away as the U.S.A. such breaks may be the only opportunity to explore Europe. Whatever you decide we hope that you have a wonderful time.

Andrew Kelly writes widely for travel sites with his main interests being Scotland, England and Wales. However, when he stays in hotels in Normandy he uses his experiences in his writing and reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_M_Kelly

Camping holidays in France have long been a favourite for British holiday makers, especially for families. The combination of fantastic beaches, quality food, and beautiful countryside makes for a superb trip to Europe, and nowhere is this truer than in Normandy. Camping in Normandy is special for a number of reasons; here are just five…

Close to Home

For sheer convenience, it is hard to beat a family holiday in Normandy. It is the region of France that is closest to the UK, and a camping holiday in Normandy is only a short crossing on the ferry or Eurostar away. No epic car drives across the length of France – you can get to a campsite in Normandy in a matter of hours and the shorter the car journey, the fewer ‘are we there yet’ comments you’ll hear from the children in the back!

Great Beaches

Normandy has a glorious coastline, alternating characterful little coves with long stretches of golden sand. Most campsites in Normandy are concentrated along the coast, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a beach holiday and experience the beautiful Normandy countryside at the same time.

Superb Regional Cuisine

As any stay at a country campsite in Normandy reveals, it is a land of orchards and dairy farms, and sampling the local produce is a real highlight of camping here. Normandy produces over half of the milk and dairy produce that is consumed in France – Camembert is the most famous cheese from the region, but it also produces Neufchatel, Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and many others. From the orchards, apple based dishes and sauces dominate the cuisine, including many excellent ciders and apple brandies. Being a coastal region, the seafood is unsurprisingly very good – make sure to try a local assiette de fruits de mer while you are camping in Normandy.

Historical Sights

Normandy has more to offer than just good beaches and fine cuisine. There is some superb medieval architecture on display at the charming town of Hornfleur, which is a picturesque place for a day trip away from your Normandy campsite. At Bayeux, you can see the original Bayeux Tapestry, the spectacular linen weaving that tells the story of the 1066 Norman conquest.

The beaches of Normandy are famous for more than just being good for relaxing on; the D-Day landings in World War II signified the beginning of the serious land campaign which eventually led to Germany’s defeat. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Allied landing zones (including Omaha, Juno and Sword) and surveying the remnants of a great battle fought decades before.

Family Friendly Campsites

When manypeople think of camping, they imagine muddy fields, pouring rain, and the most basic of facilities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many of the campsites in Normandy are luxurious, with restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, onsite shops and a host of other facilities. Normandy campsites are perfect for families, with a combination of onsite facilities, beaches and local countryside all acting as playgrounds to keep the children entertained.

Stephen Lane is the Marketing Director of Canvas Holidays, one of the leading European camping and mobile home holiday company in the UK. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer tailor made Normandy camping holidays, as well holidays to the rest of France and other countries such as Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany and other destinations across 9 European countries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Lane