At War with Wellington - The Peninsular War by Air
At War with Wellington - The Peninsular War by Air
At War with Wellington - The Peninsular War by Air
13 Days
Visiting: Talavera 1809, Badajoz 1812, 'Bloody' Albuera 1811, Ciudad Rodrigo 1812, Salamanca 1812, Vitoria 1813, Bidassoa River 1813 and the Siege of San Sebastián 1813, Battle of St. Pierre 1813, Taking of Toulouse, Fontainebleau
Tour operator:
Tour code:
kepw
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
Everyone
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
On this fascinating battlefield tour we see the battlefields in Spain made famous by the ‘Richard Sharpe’ books and TV series. We examine the Peninsular War battles, such as Salamanca, Talavera and Badajoz. Walk the ground where British Redcoats fought the soldiers of Napoleon.
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Madrid where you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Day 2 Talavera 1809
Location: 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.
Day 3 Badajoz 1812
Location: 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.
Day 4 'Bloody' Albuera 1811
Location: '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.
Day 5 Ciudad Rodrigo 1812
Location: 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.
Day 6 Salamanca 1812
Location: 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.
Day 7 Vitoria 1813
Location: 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.
Day 8 Bidassoa River 1813 And The Siege Of San Sebastián 1813
Location: 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.
Day 9 Battle Of St. Pierre 1813
Location: 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.
Day 10 Taking Of Toulouse
Location: 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.
Day 11 Fontainebleau
Location: 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.
Day 12
Return home. You will return by coach to either your original departure airport* or one of our local joining points.
Accommodation
Throughout the tour you will stay in 3 or 4-Star, city-style hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this Operator
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 40% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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