Being out of the league of "money is no object", I might suggest that Bayeux, as Al suggests, is one spoke for the Cotentin. If they have kids, the chateau in Caen is good for letting them loose and burning off steam running around. According to my friend, the new museum of Liberation in Caen is well worth going to, but more of an adult thing. I would tend to avoid staying in Caen because of the traffic, even with the new beltway. Liseux is another hub if you want to explore the Calvados area. Down towards Mont St Michel, I have recently found that Fougeres is not a bad hub, which also gives the option of nearby St Malo, Dinan, and Rennes.
Now, where to stay. I tend to prefer the Gites, but if money is no option, how about the more opulent ones situated in old chateaux or manoirs ? I forget the name of the grouping, but they are very classy B&Bs, and if its the right place, provides opportunity to interact with some very interesting people. Having dinners at those places is also an option.
I would further suggest that they get a NAV system in the rental car, especially if the hotel is out in the country. Also, many of the old cities are a maze of one-way streets, and the signing for route directions in cities is many times confusing because they assume that you already know the area. Make sure the NAV has the option for English if has audio capability.
Joe
The Perfect Normandy Trip
QUOTE
They don't mind driving but (personally) I hate the idea of changing hotels EVERY night.
Ah, but one should not do Normandie by car going from place to place.. I did Normandie using Bayeux as the spoke of the wheel staying there every night. Most day trips were less than an hour. I would only do it by car. At the worst one could pick two spots to stay over.
Friends asked me to plan a money is no object trip throughout Normandy.
They want to see the sites and stay in beautiful hotels and eat in GREAT restos:
They're picking up a car in Rouen and leaving it at CDG!
Sites to see: Honfleur, Bayeux, The Normany beaches and graveyards and Mt.St. Michel.
They don't mind driving but (personally) I hate the idea of changing hotels EVERY night.
If you could plan a dream trip --- this is your chance! And you be doing me a favor and spending someone else's money!
They want to see the sites and stay in beautiful hotels and eat in GREAT restos:
They're picking up a car in Rouen and leaving it at CDG!
Sites to see: Honfleur, Bayeux, The Normany beaches and graveyards and Mt.St. Michel.
They don't mind driving but (personally) I hate the idea of changing hotels EVERY night.
If you could plan a dream trip --- this is your chance! And you be doing me a favor and spending someone else's money!