At War With Wellington - The Peninsular War By Air
- Duration: 12 days
- Board Basis: Mixed Board
- Tour Ref: D2TLEGKEPW
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Air
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
2020 Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Madrid where you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Meals - Dinner
Day 2 - Talavera 1809
This morning we visit Wellesley’s (Wellington) advanced Talavera ‘outposts’ along the banks of the Rio Alberche hearing the story surrounding the fortified Casa de Salinas. Touring the battlefield we then visit the memorial sited on the slopes of the Cerro de Medellin Hill and study the landscape on which the principal fighting occurred. We stay for two nights in Badajoz.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Badajoz 1812
Badajoz, a fortified ‘gateway’ town to Spain fell to Allied troops in one of the bloodiest sieges of the campaign on 6th April 1812. We view the ‘breaches’ where the main fighting occurred. On the ramparts we study how the French and German garrison resolutely resisted the Allied operations for many days. Later, we ascend to the exterior of Fort San Cristobal and view Badajoz from the opposite bank of the River Guadiana.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - 'Bloody' Albuera 1811
A hard fought victory for the Allies commanded by General Beresford, ‘Bloody’ Albuera was one of the most sanguine battles of the campaign. Today, we see the ‘Fatal Hill’ where the principal fighting occurred. Wellington, surveying the aftermath, observed the corpses ‘literally lying dead in their ranks as they stood’. After visiting the monuments in the nearby town we drive to Guarda for an overnight stay.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Ciudad Rodrigo 1812
This morning we visit the Battlefield of Fuentes de Onoro, both one of Wellington’s closest run and finest victories. After lunch, we will walk the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo 1812. Walking the ramparts, our journey will end at the castle. We continue to Salamanca for two nights.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Salamanca 1812
A few days after the Battle of Salamanca the French General Foy, writing of Wellington’s skill, said ‘it brings up Lord Wellington’s reputation almost level to that of Marlborough’. Today, we leisurely drive and walk across the battlefield and beyond seeing and hearing why.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Vitoria 1813
Leaving Salamanca we study further events surrounding Wellington’s retreat from Burgos including the engagement at Venta del Pozo. Later we see how he masterfully outflanked the French and brought them to battle winning the decisive victory at Vitoria. We drive to Pamplona where you will learn how the French fortress commander reluctantly surrendered to the Spanish. We stay at Pamplona for one night.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Bidassoa River 1813 and the Siege of San Sebastián 1813
Today we will stand on the bridge where Wellington wrote a despatch prior to defeating Marshal Soult at the battle of Sorauren, ending any attempt to relieve the besieged French garrison at Pamplona. After examining the Allied defence at the Maya Pass we study the Storming of San Sebastián, the battle of the Bidassoa River 1813 and preview the battle of the Nivelle. We then drive to the Biarritz area for two nights.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Battle of St. Pierre 1813
Today we over-view the landscape encompassing both the Battles of the Nivelle and the Nive. After lunch in Bayonne we reveal how General ‘Daddy’ Hill held his nerve and won the action at St. Pierre. Here we visit Marshal Soult’s Memorial. Afterwards, we study the French Sortie from Bayonne and visit the Citadel.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Taking of Toulouse
This morning, we view the landscape of the Battle of Orthez 1814 and hear how both Wellington and Foy were wounded. After lunch, we drive to Toulouse. Here we study how Wellington wrested the city from the French on 12th April 1814 only to hear that Napoleon had recently abdicated. We stay overnight in the Limoges area.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 11 - Fontainebleau
Today we travel to the Palace of Fontainebleau where your guide will explain the political circumstances surrounding both the 1807 and 1814 Treaties of Fontainebleau (entrance fee extra – approx. 11 Euro). Then to Paris area for an overnight stay.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 12
Return home. You will return by coach to either your original departure airport* or one of our local joining points.
Meals - Breakfast