Le Havre, France
Tours Delivered,
Since Apr 6, 2015
10.0
Hours, Avg. response time
Guide #13893
Since I started work as a D-Day guide in 2013 I have had that great honour to welcome over 30 American WW2 veterans on my tours. Many families of D-Day veterans have asked me to help them discover the places where their loved ones fought and the sobering facts about their lives in Normandy. I moved from Moscow to Caen in Normandy in 2012 as I have a great passion for the history and culture of Normandy. I started my career as a Tour Guide with 5 weeks of theoretical and practical courses at the Caen Memorial Museum after which I worked for the Museum for almost 4 years as a tour guide on the D-Day beaches. Starting my own business was my big dream as "knowing the history of this place I have an almost an irritating desire to share it with people all over the world". Specializing mostly in Private Guided tours of the D-Day Landing Beaches and the Battle of Normandy, I also provide other tours and suggest other options to my clients so they can better understand the historical importance of this region. For me, Normandy has become my second home. This region is like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle - sprawling across France's northwestern corner. Normandy with its surprising charms, beautiful coastal landscapes, pebbly beaches, excellent museums, quiet pastoral villages and architectural gems was the perfect destination to start my career as a guide. I love traveling and have a passion for showing people from all over the world the beauty of Normandy. I am very enthusiastic and know how to communicate well with everybody, and I understand the importance of listening and respecting the others. With my tours you can spend an unforgettable time visiting the major tourist destinations in Normandy: Caen, with the spectacular Abbeys for Men and Women, St. Peter's Church and even the Castle of William the Conqueror; Bayeux: with it's splendid Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the beautiful untouched medieval buildings; Lisieux, a town that is world-famous thanks to Saint Therese of Lisieux; and the stunning Mont-St-Michel, one of the greatest sights in all of France. Ready to taste something new and special? Book the "Tasty" Tour and let me take you to the best restaurants and local farms producing Camembert cheese and cider, the makers of homemade chocolate and biscuits, and sample the local fresh fish and seafood at local stalls. I came to Normandy as a foreigner, I started discovering it as a stranger but now I am enthusiastic and happy to be able to show you this magnificent region with all its authentic beauty! I am ready to share my knowledge and my passion for my tours with you - are you ready to join me?! P. S. my dearest potential clients/ travelers, all my tours can be customized and adapted to your presences/ age/ interests/ hobbies/ pace. The standard itineraries that I'm suggesting can't work for everyone! I think one of my greatest qualities as a tour guide is my flexibility. I'll listen to you and take all your expectations into my account to make your short/ long stay in Normandy unforgettable and pleasant! -Full time job as a local tour guide since December 2013 -Professional Tour Guide Card delivered by the state of France as the prove of my skills and experience -5 years as a local guide in Normandy for the museum "Mémorial" of Caen -Special training classes of 5 weeks studying the DD landing, the Second World War history and the local history of Normandy - Special training courses in History of Art -Second Master's Degree in the Cultural Mediation -Master's degree in foreign languages
Le Havre
Caen
Bayeux
Cherbourg

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174 reviews
Svetlana was the most amazing guide for my daughters and me. We are basic WW II enthusiasts and she took her encyclopedia knowledge of the area and turned it in to one of the best days of our trip to France. She was so personable and made the day trip so memorable and fun for my daughters. Inputting personal tidbits and keeping my daughters engaged and then turning and...

Replied from Svetlana V.
Dear Pam, You made me cry with a smile ! I cannot even find the right words to thank you enough for such a feedback ! I have to return all the compliments back- you and your girls were so kind, so sunny and so friendly, so i couldn’t even imagine spending the day differently. It think you truly made it special for me- your questions, your insights, your thoughts -...

We had an incredible day with Svetlana exploring the small French villages/towns of Honfleur, Beaumont- en- Auge and Deauville. Her historical knowledge of the area was first class. She created a fabulous travel experience memory for us which was educational, personable and fun. Her passion for history was inspiring.! Merci Svetlana!

Replied from Svetlana V.
Dear Suzanne and Dave! You were a dream guests for this tour!! It was so wonderful and lovely sharing the things I love the most in Normandy with both of you!! Thank you so greatly for your extraordinary kindness and your appreciation of my job!!!
Svetlana was a wonderful tour guide. Her knowledge of the WWII landing on Omaha beach and all that surrounded it made this a really interesting and learning experience! She brought us to a wonderful local place for lunch. She also was adaptable and added a visit to a ciderie at the last minute. This was much appreciated and very interesting! We would definitely...

Replied from Svetlana V.
Dear Joseph, I was a real pleasure meeting you both and getting to know you !!! Thank you for your gentle attitude, your kinds words regarding my skills, knowledge and personality! I am extremely happy to see how much you have appreciated your time with me and that you truly enjoyed your DD experience! Thank you very very much!!!!
We had a private day and half tour of the Normandy WW2 sites with Sveta (Alex was the driver). My wife, adult daughter and myself thoroughly enjoyed our tour Sveta is like a college professor with her extensive encyclopedic knowledge of WW2 and the area. We learned so much from her; yet her presentation was not overwhelming. We highly recommend you book a tour with Sveta...

Replied from Svetlana V.
Dear Mark, Susan and Melinda! Can’t say enough about how grateful I’m for your positive feedback and your kindness! It was more than a pleasure spending those 2 days with your family!! Was so happy to meet you and get you all to know better ! Thank you again!!! Sincerely, Svetlana