Colin Kingwell's Jazz Bandits

Normandy

Jazz in Normandy, 5 days

The Band will be visiting Normandy this Autumn and we are sure of good response following last year’s visit to Green Spain. There’s a great affinity between the Normans and ourselves going back many centuries and a warm welcome is guaranteed. The only problem has been what to include and what to leave out of the programme as there is such a lot to see in this charming Province.
We’ll be staying at Bayeux at the 3* Novotel Hotel on the outskirts of the town. It’s an easy walk into the town centre from the hotel. Buffet breakfast and dinner with wine will be included during our stay at the hotel (except the first day). The comfortable rooms are well appointed and all have private facilities en-suite, there’s a large restaurant in which the Band will play, a small bar and an outdoor swimming pool. The Leclerc Hypermarket is only about 100m distant, near to the British War Cemetery.
We set off on Monday and cross the Channel on the 1445 sailing from Portsmouth to Caen. The Band will play at some time during the sailing. We arrive in France at 2200 (local time) and then drive directly to Bayeux to check into our hotel for four nights. Because of the late arrival no dinner has been arranged this evening and we anticipate that most people will eat on board ship.
Next day we drive to Bayeux and park near the town centre. You’ll have plenty of time to sightsee in this old city which, following the D-Day Landings, was briefly the capital of France. In the afternoon we will drive to Port-en-Bessin, a pleasant fishing port and resort a few miles from Bayeux. On the way back to the hotel we will stop at a cider/calvados producer to taste and possibly buy the product. We then return to the hotel for dinner and entertainment by the Jazz Bandits.
On Wednesday we will drive to the coast to visit Arromanches where the famous Mulberry Harbours were created and which enabled the Allies to land supplies during the Landings. We now continue with our coastal drive to Ouistreham and thus to Pegasus Bridge where we have arranged a visit to the museum. We return to the hotel in the afternoon.
On Thursday we are heading eastwards to the very attractive port and resort of Honfleur where we will spend the morning. In the early afternoon we begin the return journey to Bayeux and will stop at the Caen Peace Memorial en route. Before we reach the hotel we will stop at the Leclerc Hypermarket for essential shopping.
We have a very early start on Friday as the ship sails from Caen at 0900. Once again, we anticipate that the Band will play a session in the main bar during the crossing. After disembarkation at Portsmouth the coach returns to the original pick up points.

The cost includes: all travel by executive coach; ferry crossing ; four nights at a 3* hotel; three hot buffet breakfasts and one cold buffet breakfast; three dinners with wine, entertainment by the Band; all excursions including entrances as detailed.

Departure date

Single room supplement £115 (outrageous we know, so if you would like to share with someone to avoid this please let us know and advise age bracket)

Pick up points : Hayes : Holiday Inn - Heathrow : Portsmouth Ferryport