Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community – and Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday! Here we are in May and schedules are crazy with social and milestone events from weddings to graduations, and of course Mother’s Day.
Once things simmer down and you have a chance to breathe, it’s time to look at the calendar for your upcoming travel for the rest of the year, especially if you hope to travel during the peak holiday season. It’s always a bummer to disappoint clients who wait too long to get the ball rolling (sometimes it’s unavoidable) and find themselves left with less than ideal choices due to last minute high prices and low availability. In fact, I have two clients in this situation right now who want to travel to popular European destinations with tight travel windows in peak season.
Tip – as soon as you are certain that you want to travel, send me a quick email or text so I can follow up taking the burden of remembering off your plate. Many of you may be thinking about Italy in 2026, so I encourage you to reach out to me soon to indicate interest, and I’ll follow up with you in the fall. Many other tourists are avoiding the Jubilee crowds this year but keen to go next year. Let’s beat the rush! My partners in Italy agree 😊
Picking up where I left off in the previous newsletter about my recent time in Paris, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed exploring the Normandy region which is not far from Paris (2+ hour drive). Travelers who go to Normandy on a long day trip are missing many special places and experiences. There’s much more to Normandy than the D-Day landing sights.
To recap, this trip report is in four parts:
1- Southeastern France’s Rhône River towns (last week)
2- Paris in the springtime and Notre Dame visit
3- Normandy’s villages (including Giverny) and D-Day landing sites
4- The charm of the Loire Valley
Read on for the France scoop part three about why a trip to the Normandy region is will surprise and delight you…
Giverny
On the way to Normandy, you can stop at Giverny which is approximately 1.5 hours by car. Fun fact – I had a poster of the Giverny gardens in my bedroom as a teenager so I was very much looking forward to seeing Giverny in real life.
Giverny is the home of Monet (now a museum of sorts) and visiting is like stepping into an impressionist painting. Strolling the gardens around the property and touring the interior of his pink home with green shutters is a must for lovers of gardens and the era.
It’s a very popular place and tends to be crowded on a sunny day in spring when the gardens are at their most stunning. There’s a fantastic restaurant nearby that I will recommend in your itinerary when you go.
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: Exploring Normandy in the spring is beautiful with flowers everywhere you look! While the weather can be rainy anywhere in the spring, when it’s sunny it’s glorious and very colorful. Dog lovers – you’ll see people with their dogs enjoying the good weather everywhere. Oh and the food is fantastic!
D-Day Landing Sites
I was fortunate to visit the D-Day Landing sites (ie. Omaha Beach) on a sunny day in April which made covering a lot of ground easier as it’s widespread with much to see. I had a wonderful driver-guide named Valentin who has deep knowledge of the war and it’s significant places.
Hearing how the young soldiers climbed the cliffs and ran towards the bunkers where the German soldiers laid in wait was particularly impactful for me as I have two sons. The irony is that coastal Normandy is stunningly beautiful but it’s basically a graveyard when you consider what happened a mere eighty years ago.
Prepare yourself to be emotionally drained but feeling that it was well worth your time.
Charming, Historic Villages & Cities
Bayeux, Honfleur, Rouen, Étretat – these are four places worth visiting in the Normandy region. There are more worthy places but we only have so much space here.
Bayeux is the home to a stunning Cathedral and the famous tapestry; it’s is lovely to walk around.
Honfleur is so charming, and you feel the Impressionist era painters that were inspired there.
Rouen is the capital city with medieval history and sights.
Étretat is stunning with its coastal cliffs, scenic golf course, and unique garden / art center.
I highly recommend spending time in Normandy and love to plan custom itineraries to this special region of France. Wondering where to base your stay? I have options I will share during your trip consultation.
To travel is to live… here’s to 2025 being an unforgettable and amazing year for new travel adventures! Let’s go…
Susan
Discover your perfect trip to France
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