Do you have a personal connection to the D-Day Battle of Normandy?
Has Normandy been on your list of must-visit destinations?

​My Grandpa Rendel was a Hammond, IN pediatrician who left his practice and family to serve in the US Naval Reserve.  He held the position of Chief Surgeon on the USS Doyle during the Battle of Normandy.  We found a fascinating article about his contribution to D-Day in the Hammond (IN) Times from July 25th, 1944

I was 12 when I started my travels in Europe with my Dad and his Westmont High School German students.  We have so much fun traveling together and we are thrilled to co-host this trip! We know there must be others who share a personal connection to the D-Day Battle of Normandy, which is why we invite YOU to be a part of our November 11th-18th, 2025 adventure!

Pre-onboard events, FAQs, ready to go, reminders, get to know your fellow travelers and THEIR Normandy stories - can you just imagine what connections?

Host: Christine Potthoff
Travel Advisor & Owner
travel beCAUSE, LLC

Host:  Jim Rendel
Christine's Dad
Retired WHS German Teacher

In Honor of: Donald T Rendel
Jim's Dad & Christine's Grandpa
MC, USNR

Join us on our Avalon Tapestry II Itinerary: 8 Days Paris to Paris on the Seine River

The November 11th, 2025 Itinerary operates in this order:
​Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Paris
Day 3 Conflans
Day 4 Les Andelys-Rouen
Day 5 Caudebec (Normandy)
Day 6 Caudebec (Normandy)
Day 7 Vernon
Day 8 Paris

Here's why we chose an Avalon Waterways river cruise for this adventure!

  • A deposit of $250 per person confirms your stateroom, with balance due in August 2025.​ 
  • Unpack once & easily walk off our small 128 passenger ship to explore, shop, or dine in each port of call! Plus, enjoy local cuisine & entertainment onboard.
  • True, the weather trends towards rainy & chilly at this time of year.  But that makes November a much more affordable time for this experience!
  • New to river cruising? You'll have a single point of contact for guidance & questions from start to finish!
  • We can host events onboard & design port adventures exclusively for our group!
  • Want to add more time in Paris before or after our cruise?  Or, excited to incorporate additional destinations into this trip?  travel beCAUSE can help with transportation, accommodations, activities, & more!
Our trip is also a fundraiser for
Operation Support Our Troops - America!
travel beCAUSE will make a donation to OSOT
​thanks to your participation in our adventure!

​What's included in your Avalon Waterways Cruise Fare?

  • Avalon Choice excursions including Active, Discovery & Classic options, plus complimentary bikes & e-bikes 
    • These Avalon excursions do NOT operate during our cruise:​​
      • Vernon:  Monet’s House (excursion replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon & its castle)
      • Les Andelys:  Hike to Château Gaillard 
  • Onboard dining options including daily breakfast, lunch, & dinner incorporating local cuisine, plus room service, & snacks in the 24/7 Club Lounge
  • ​​Beverages onboard including a daily Happy Hour, complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch/dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, water stations, smoothies, & self-serve coffee, tea & juices in the Club Lounge.
  • Complimentary Starlink Wi-fi 
  • Fitness Center & Wellness Activities such as yoga
  • AvalonGO App with daily schedules, dining/bar menus, & entertainment & activities
  • Pre-paid Gratuities
  • Taxes & Port Fees

Although these elements are not part of your Avalon Waterways Cruise Fare,
\travel beCAUSE can customize your trip in so many ways!

Pre-or Post Cruise Accommodations, 
​ Trip Extensions ​ & Shore Excursions 

Airfare & Ground Transportation

Travel Protection 
We're planning optional Normandy excursions not included in Avalon's Choice Excursions  exclusively for our group to potentially include Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, Arronmanches, the Caen Memorial Museum, Longues-sur-Mer, Pointe du Hoc & more!​