Planning a trip with such diverse destinations requires careful consideration of travel times, distances, and attractions along the way. Here’s a suggested itinerary for your trip:

### Day 1: Arrival in Manchester

• Arrive in Manchester, UK.
• Explore the city if time permits. Highlights include Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Art Gallery, and the Northern Quarter for dining and shopping.

### Day 2: Manchester to Hereford

• **Drive from Manchester to Hereford** (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours).
• Visit Hereford Cathedral and see the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.
• Overnight in Hereford.

### Day 3: Hereford to Devon

• **Drive from Hereford to Devon** (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on your exact destination in Devon).
• Explore Dartmoor National Park or other attractions in South Devon.
• Overnight in Devon.

### Day 4: Devon to Portsmouth

• **Drive from Devon to Portsmouth** (approximately 2 to 2.5 hours).
• Visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to see HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum.
• Overnight in Portsmouth.

### Day 5: Ferry to Normandy

• **Take the ferry from Portsmouth to Normandy** (approximately 5 to 7 hours, depending on ferry schedules).
• Arrive in Normandy and proceed to your accommodation.

### Days 6-8: Normandy

• Explore Normandy’s historic sites, including the D-Day Landing Beaches, Bayeux Tapestry, Mont Saint-Michel, and local villages.
• Enjoy French cuisine and local specialties.
• Overnight stays in Normandy.

### Day 9: Normandy to Paris

• **Drive from Normandy to Paris** (approximately 3 to 4 hours).
• Return the rental car upon arrival in Paris (if applicable).
• Check into your accommodation in Paris.

### Days 10-12: Paris

• Explore Paris’s major attractions, following the suggested itinerary for 3 days in Paris as outlined earlier.
• Enjoy museums, landmarks, shopping, and dining.
• Overnight stays in Paris.

### Day 13: Paris to London

• **Take the train from Paris to London** (Eurostar, approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes).
• Check into your accommodation in London.
• Explore London’s attractions such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum.

### Days 14-15: London and Dover

• Explore more of London’s sights and attractions.
• **Drive from London to Dover** (approximately 2 hours).
• Visit Dover Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover.
• Overnight stay in Dover.

### Day 16: Departure from Dover

• **Depart from Dover** for your return journey to the US or onward travel.

### Tips:

• **Transportation**: Consider renting a car for the UK portion of your trip and returning it before heading to France. Use public transportation within cities like Paris and London.
• **Accommodation**: Book accommodations in advance, especially in popular cities like Paris and London.
• **Attractions**: Check opening hours and book tickets in advance for popular attractions to save time.
• **Timing**: Keep in mind travel times between destinations and plan accordingly to maximize your time at each location.

This itinerary balances driving distances with ample time to explore key sights in each destination, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable trip through the UK and into France. Safe travels!

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