D-Day Historian - Paul Woodadge
D-Day Historian - Paul Woodadge
D-Day Historian - Paul Woodadge
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Tours of the D-Day beaches and battlefields of Normandy for history-buffs and passionate travellers who want a detailed look at the historical areas, visiting not just the famous sites, but places off the beaten path that are often overlooked. Paul Woodadge is also an author and military consultant for TV shows and projects about the DDay landings and battle of Normandy.
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D-Day Historian - Paul Woodadge
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5.0
273 reviews
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270
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Nick19787043
Portland, OR3 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
My wife and I went on two WWII tours while traveling through Normandy France and one tour in Bastogne Belgium. Paul Woodage (D-Day Historian) tours was the by far the best tour we went on during our trip. Paul is passionate about the events that unfolded and shares his knowledge and vets accounts of of what happened where. If your passionate about WWII as I am and don't want to waste your time on a tour that your unsure about this is the guide for you. I highly recommend D-Day Historian above all other tours in the area.
Written 2 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoriChm
St. Albert, Canada20 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
My husband and I recently spent a week in Paris. My husband really wanted to visit Normandy, and I agreed to go along because it was so important to him. We only had one day to spend with Paul, and after corresponding with him, decided to take his Canadian tour. Paul was waiting for us at the train station and the tour began immediately. It wasn’t long before I was as engrossed as my husband, listening to Paul’s retelling and stories of the events around D-Day. What made this especially interesting was the stories that Paul related at each of the stops. He also had pictures from D-Day that matched the locations we stopped at so you could see what the area looked like on D-Day.
This was a once in a lifetime experience. We would certainly recommend Paul if you are looking for a similar tour. He was professional and personable, and very flexible in adapting the tour to meet our needs.
Unfortunately, later in our holiday, we were victims of a theft, losing all of our pictures from that day. We contacted Paul and he is in the process of sending us some pictures that so we have a remembrance of our special time in Normandy. This is definitely beyond the call of duty and so much appreciated!
This was a once in a lifetime experience. We would certainly recommend Paul if you are looking for a similar tour. He was professional and personable, and very flexible in adapting the tour to meet our needs.
Unfortunately, later in our holiday, we were victims of a theft, losing all of our pictures from that day. We contacted Paul and he is in the process of sending us some pictures that so we have a remembrance of our special time in Normandy. This is definitely beyond the call of duty and so much appreciated!
Written 13 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JWMNH
New Hampshire1 contribution
Jun 2015 • Friends
My Uncle and I went into our two day tour with prior knowledge of the Allied effort, and Paul instinctively knew where to take us and how to help us gain a better understanding of the events that took place. This man has earned our complete respect as a true historian and truth seeker of WWII history. We're already planning on future tours with him and we recommend Paul to anyone looking for more than the casual "up from Paris for the day" tour.
-Jim Mason and Prof. Warren Mason
-Jim Mason and Prof. Warren Mason
Written 19 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick P
6 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We (my wife and two daughters, 12 and 10) recently returned from France, where we spent Spring Break. When we were planning the trip, I told my wife that we had to visit Normandy and tour the battlefields. This had been a dream of mine for a very long time. My brother and his family had Paul as their tour guide in 2014 and after his recommendation and all the positives that I read on Trip Advisor regarding Paul, we booked his American tour. The tour was fantastic. Paul has an immense knowledge of WWII and the D-Day Invasion. As a former 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper and Ranger, I knew I would have a great time, but I was concerned about my wife and daughters. Paul quickly put that thought to rest. He had them totally interested within the first few minutes. He is an awesome story teller and can easily capture your attention. Paul goes down to the lowest level and introduces you to the veterans who were responsible for winning the invasion. You feel that you know these soldiers personnally and the sacrifices they made to help win D-Day and WWII. My wife and daughters were totally engaged during the entire tour. On the second day, Paul gave us a choice to either visit one of the museums or spend more time hearing about the veterans. My youngest daughter answered for all of us when she said " I would rather hear more of the stories you tell about these great soldiers." I wish we had more time in order to see the British sector of D-Day, but Paris was calling. I guess this means we will have to go back to Normandy and have Paul give us another awesome tour. If you plan to be in Normandy and want to see the battlefields, I highly recommend that you book a tour with Paul. You will not regret it.
Written 28 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSquaredNYC
New York City, NY47 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
We toured with Paul in March 2014. We took a one day tour of Omaha Beach and the area. Our daughter was 13 and son was 11. We were all mesmerized by Paul's stories of courage. It is absolutely amazing to actually see how large the beach is and how far those young men had to go - all while being shot at - wow! I was a little worried that our kids would be bored, but they were in the trenches, just as the soldiers were, and they could imagine what it was like on DDay. Paul is a very good story teller who has actually met hundreds of DDay veterans.
As we were touring the German fortifications, it was funny to see people try to listen in to our tour. You really do get so much more out of seeing the area when you have a tour guide who can point out things you would normally miss or not understand.
It's almost a year later, and the kids want to go back for another tour. That says everything!
As we were touring the German fortifications, it was funny to see people try to listen in to our tour. You really do get so much more out of seeing the area when you have a tour guide who can point out things you would normally miss or not understand.
It's almost a year later, and the kids want to go back for another tour. That says everything!
Written 18 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas M
Sanibel Island, FL45 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We took the 2 day American Experience with Paul recently. It was an excellent experience. Paul is a researcher, author and has done television series, including the History Channel. Paul weaves many stories of individual soldiers that he has interviewed, into his commentary.
The tour is extensive-we left our hotel by 830am each morning and didn't return until 530pm.
Paul is not only very knowledgeable, he is entertaining. The time spent with him was very enjoyable.
Walking the beaches, the bluffs and the American cemetery gives a real sense to the magnitude of this historic event.
The tour is extensive-we left our hotel by 830am each morning and didn't return until 530pm.
Paul is not only very knowledgeable, he is entertaining. The time spent with him was very enjoyable.
Walking the beaches, the bluffs and the American cemetery gives a real sense to the magnitude of this historic event.
Written 10 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine M
Omaha, NE3 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
My wife, myself and two adult sons took a two day Normandy tour with Paul. It was the week after the70th anniversary celebration in June. Two of us were pretty knowledgable about the Normandy invasion. We all agreed there could not have been a better guide. We did only Utah and Omaha beaches with several side trips inland. Our only regret is not spending more time with Paul. He was incredibly well-versed on every aspect of the invasion. He is bright, personable and detailed, never intimidating and giving the true story of "D Day" and the days after. It was truly a special treat and recommend him highly. We were all in agreement we wanted to return for more including the Britsh/Canadian sector and the band of brothers tour
Written 20 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Panzer35
Chesapeake, VA42 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
I am a 50 year old lawyer traveling with my lawyer wife who has a history degree, Father-in-law who is a Notre Dame chemical engineer & my 11 year old son & 16 year old nephew. My father-in-law & I have read about WWII & D-Day for years, but what we had was the broad strokes. We took Paul's two day American Experience Tour in June of 2014. We were completely blown away & it exceed doll of our expectations. First, you don't know what to expect until you walk the ground. Paul has done this for years & his knowledge, experience & passion for the subject make his tours spectacular. We lost count of the "WOW" moments. His knowledge of the subject, terrain & participants is invaluable. Second, the only way to understand these events is with someone like Paul. Despite my years of reading, I did not understand this until walking the ground with Paul & having him explain and interpret the events where they happened. Would not have had the same experience with some one just pointing landmarks. Paul's tour was deeply moving & unforgettable. Can't wait to go back for the British & Canadian Sectors tours. Bottom line, if you want the full D-Day story, tour with Paul.
Written 25 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco82ndLHA
San Diego, CA29 contributions
Jun 2011 • Couples
I visited Normandy for the first time with my wife and 2 children. I went on this tour alone since I was concerned my kids would get tired after a couple of hours. Actually there was another child on the tour and she was a huge fan of Band of Brothers and other WW2 movies. Anyway Paul was our guide and he was great. I am a member of the 82nd Airborne Living History Assoc. and I peppered Paul with tons of questions and answered every one of them and then some. Paul is very knowledgeable about WW2 and plus he knows a lot of the locals and they give him access to their property. The groups are small and therefore not a bus tour (therefore limiting where they go and what you don’t get to see). I took my family on a half day tour with another tour company and there was no comparison. We felt very rushed and didn't get to spend time at the different sites. DDay Historian Tours was not like that. We spent enough time at each site and had plenty of time to take pictures...bring a large capacity flash card. Next time I am in Normandy I will definitely use DDay Historian for their multi day tours and I'll have more questions for Paul. Thank you so much!
Written 28 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary L
1 contribution
Oct 2015 • Couples
We would highly recommend Paul's American Experience tour to anyone who is interested in D-Day from the ground level and its aftermath. He weaves stories of real people into the tour and ties events together to provide a clear understanding of the events of June 1944. His tour is worth every penny.
Written 19 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Paul,
I am planning on arranging a trip to Normandy around May-June 2020. I am not sure how many of us there will be, probably 4-6 men all in their 60’s and all of us Canadians. How many days should we plan on taking one of your tours next year and what is the cost? We are very flexible for the time.
Thank you,
Jim Reid
Written 8 May 2019
Paul, I see you come highly recommended. I was wondering your fee and availability in the time frame of early August
.I would like to see Omaha,Point Utah,Du Huch. St Mere Englise, and some of the Easy Company places. Do you also do a tour to Reims where the treaty was signed for VE-Day?.
Thank you in advance.
Todd D
Written 11 June 2018
Sorry I am fuly booked until November now
Paul Woodadge
Written 11 June 2018
Dear Mr Woodadge,
We are interested in a one-day tour of the American beaches during the week of Sept 23, 2018. Do you have any availability? Thank you, Stephen Davis
Written 29 May 2018
No sorry I am fully booked throughout September now
Paul Woodadge
Written 30 May 2018
nyeway
Bayeux, France
Are you available tomorrow 3/12? We just found out our tour is cancelled. Thank you
Written 11 March 2018
Our ship, Caribbean Princess, will be docked from 7 AM to 8 PM on July 23rd. The 4 "boys", ages 67 to 17, are looking for a private D-Day tour.
Thanks,
Brett
Written 22 January 2017
Dear Brett,
Sorry but I don't take on cruise ship tours personally. The ports like Le Havre are too far away from my home and the days just too long.
Best regards and sorry I cannot help
Paul Woodadge
Written 23 January 2017
Hello Paul, do you have any group for 1st-2nd April 2016 that I could probably join with my wife and daughter ? Thank you, Kostas
Written 28 March 2016
I don't do group tours - only private tours. You can see my diary on my website. The only spare dates I have in April are 7th and 8th
Written 28 March 2016
Hi Paul, are you available on April 26, or 27? party of 4 persons, 2 adults, 1 15yr old, and a 10yr old. We're interested in the American landing in Omaha,point du hoc, for entire day.
Written 13 March 2016
We are ending a European vacation in France and would like to visit the D-day sites. Unfortunately we are not knowledgable at all about the history of D-day or the area. We will most likely be traveling by train from Interlake Switzerland, will spend a night and I don't know what city to arrive in in order to take in this area. I would like advise on what tour to take. We are also very interested in visiting Mont St. Michael. The biggest thing to share with you is we will be a family of 9--2 Parents and 7 kids aged 18 to 4 years so attention and interests are varied. :-)
Written 5 October 2015
Details of my tours and where I am based (Bayeux in Normandy) can be found on my website. But i personally don't take children under 12 on tours. Plus I can only accommodate 8 passengers, as a group of 9 you will need to look at a bigger company with two vehicles or a single 16 seater. Best regards
Written 5 October 2015
Hello,
I will be in the area on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November. Will you be available for tours any of those days?
Thank you
Gerry
Written 24 September 2015
Hi Gerry, Sorry I am not available then. You can always check my website for my availability where I have an online calendar
Paul
Written 24 September 2015
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