2017 & 2018 Tours - The Cultural Experience

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2017 & 2018 ToursBaTTlefields, arChaeology & hisTory

60. The Doughboys Turn the Tide

61. 1918 Centenary

62. Italy during the First World War

63. Medics & Padres

64. Operation Mercury

66. Russia 1941 - 1943

68. D-Day Landings & Paris

69. Battle of the Bulge

70. Holocaust Landscapes

72. The Holocaust

74. The Holy Land in Turmoil

76. Invasions of Belarus

78. Kaliningrad: Russia's Forgotten Exclave

79. The Spanish Civil War

80. Fortress Malta

82. Tours by Date

84. Tailor-Made Tours

85. Booking Form

87. Important Information

32. Napoleon in Russia

33. Retreat to Corunna

34. Wellington in Portugal

35. Wellington over the Pyrenees

36. Wellington in Spain

38. A Near Run Thing

39. Walking Waterloo

40. The Indian Mutiny

42. The American Civil War: Eastern Theater

44. The American Civil War: Western Theater

46. The American Civil War: Southern Heartland

48. The Zulu War

50. Custer & The Indian Wars

52. The Franco-Austrian War

53. Walking the Ypres Salient

54. The Russian Revolution

56. The Gallipoli Campaign

57. Salonika

58. Lawrence of Arabia

3. Welcome

4. What to Expect

5. Added Value

6. Our Guides

10. The Archaeology of The Bay of Naples

12. The Foundations of Modern Civilisation

14. The Golden Journey to Samarkand

16. The Roman Empire's Western Extremity

18. El Cid & The Reconquista

20. Hadrian's Wall

21. Wars of the Roses

22. English Civil War

23. Frederick the Great

24. Rebels & Redcoats

26. Wellington in India

28. Napoleon in Italy

30. Escape from Elba

31. Austerlitz: Napoleon's Masterpiece

For more information on any of tours or to book your trip:C a l l 0345 475 1815

U S A ( T o l l - f r e e ) 1-877-381-2914

V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com

E m a i l [email protected]

@CultExp /historicaltours

EARLY PERIODS

17th & 18th Century

napoleonic period

VICTORIAN ERA

First World War

second World War

cross periods

UsefUl InformatIon

“In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and

the power of the vision pass into their souls.”Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Gettysburg 1889

CONTENTS

3www.theculturalexperience.com • 0345 475 1815 • [email protected]

A little about The Cultural Experience

Our Team. We are a small but highly professional travel team with a passion for history. We enjoy building and maintaining personal relationships with our clients, many of whom become friends. As much as you do, we look forward to travelling with you on these special journeys that we have diligently created. See us on page 9.

Our Ethos is based on three principles:

• Using sound research and planning to create a three-dimensional version of history (human, time and space) – and to place the colourful characters and exciting events concerned at the very locations they came together.

• Using experienced expert guides, chosen for their extensive knowledge and ability to pull these three dimensions together in an engaging and entertaining manner – so you can virtually ‘touch and feel’ what it would have been like at the time.

• Putting all this in the cultural context of the local countryside, customs and cuisine – in a relaxed but organised way.This is what The Cultural Experience is all about: providing a well-planned quality themed tour which is informative, informal and inclusive – aimed at both enthusiasts and those with a general interest in history and travel. For more details see ‘What to Expect’ on the next page. We hope you enjoy browsing our brochure and remember: if you cannot find your ideal tour here, we will devise a bespoke one for you - just ask!

Our Services. As our range of tours expand, so do our range of services. We now offer:-

• Scheduled Tours: These are our all-inclusive pre-arranged tours – and the main subject of this brochure. • Bespoke Tours: These are tailor-made tours for individuals, groups and specialist organisations, such as military units

and schools.• Travel Service: Finally, as a travel company in our own right, we are able to cater for specialist travel and

accommodation needs, particularly for those guests travelling long distances – and to arrange extensions to, or linking travel between, our scheduled tours.

WELCOMEAnother year has gone already, the busiest one so far for The Cultural Experience. Thank you to everyone who has travelled with us. Via our customer surveys we are proud to share that virtually everybody who holidayed with us over the last 12 months said our tours met their expectations, represented great value for money and that they would travel with us again. The on-line independent review site, Feefo, rates us as 4.8/5.0 for both our products and experience. We continue to share your holiday experiences via our fortnightly email and on our Facebook page both retrospectively and with ‘live’ tour reports, pictures and videos and I encourage you to continue to share your memories with us and your fellow travellers through these mediums.

Sharing is a key component of what we offer at The Cultural Experience. You continue to tell us where you want to travel and what period of history you wish to indulge in and we work with you to deliver new products to achieve those goals. You only have to look inside at the new tours for evidence of this symbiotic relationship. I’ve enjoyed sharing experiences, culture, knowledge and opinions with everyone on every tour in which I’ve participated: in ‘the field’, as we’ve travelled, over a drink at the bar and whilst enjoying some great dinners. Like you, in the company of new and old friends and acquaintances, I’ve been to places that I never thought I would get the chance to visit, heard their significance explained by experts and explored them to my heart’s content. I’ve no plans to stop travelling and it is my hope that within this brochure you will find plenty of tours to inspire you to join me, or any one of our plethora of expert historians, on the holiday of a lifetime.

Alan Rooney Director, The Cultural Experience

4 V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815

Your Guides are all experts in their own field – chosen on the basis of their ability to bring history to life in an interesting, enthusiastic and, where appropriate, humorous way. They will act as your host throughout the holiday and be available to answer your questions whilst conducting tours during the day or when socialising in the evenings. Generally they will also be accompanied by a tour manager who will take care of all administrative matters.

Your Fellow Guests will typically be a refreshing and diverse group of individuals and couples from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. No special prior knowledge is assumed or required – just a general interest in the subject. Whilst respecting individual privacy, we work hard to make everyone feel welcome – and normally find the group quickly comes together in a very informal and inclusive way. For this reason, we typically restrict the size of our groups to between 6 - 22 people – which also means we have more flexibility in finding good accommodation and restaurants for you.

Food. Most of our tours are on a half board basis i.e. the tour price includes a good breakfast and in the evenings a three-course dinner (usually based on regional specialities) with coffee and, when appropriate, wine is included. We endeavour to dine a la carte but dependent on the restaurants ability this may be a fixed menu. At lunchtimes we will stop to allow you a light lunch and drink. The exception is our ‘Experience’ tours which include all meals, albeit if only a picnic lunch.

Accommodation. We have taken considerable effort in selecting our hotels which are always very comfortable, well-located and offer great value. Circumstances and location will dictate their standard, which is generally 4 star, occasionally 3 star and sometimes 5 star. Wherever possible hotels will have an historic connection to the heritage and events we are covering, and/or which are representative of the style and culture of the region. Single travellers will be accommodated in a double room for sole occupancy. Often it is possible to upgrade to superior rooms or suites. Please enquire when booking.

What’s Included. The tour price includes: flights, which unless otherwise stated are from London Heathrow; either Standard Premier (Eurostar) or First Class trains; modern, comfortable and spacious air-conditioned coaches; and all entrance fees to sites and attractions as detailed in each itinerary. Flights, trains and hotel rooms can be upgraded, where available.

Your Financial Security. The Cultural Experience is a member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA) and we hold a Civil Aviation Authority Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL No. T10153) – so you will never be stranded either financially or travel-wise.

Comfortable, characterful hotels

Informal & inclusive groups

Enthusiastic and entertaining guides

WHAT TO EXPECT

ACTIVITY LEVELS

Our tours vary as to the amount of physical activity involved. See the Important Information on the inside back cover for the ‘entry point’ criteria vis: “All tours involve a fair amount of walking often over uneven cobbled streets, hillsides or steps. Participants on all tours should be able to walk or stand for at least 60 minutes [to, and at, each observation point] without aid or requiring a rest. You should also be able to carry your own luggage”. Within this all-embracing criteria we have graded each tour as:

Level 1: Tours where the group is generally conveyed by coach between stands – with walking confined to a short stroll to each observation point.

Level 2: This is our standard tour type which necessarily involves a certain amount of walking along country tracks and up slopes in order to reach vantage points. Sensible shoes and outdoor clothing are required and distances of up to a few miles a day may be involved.

Level 3: These are tours involving a higher level of fitness and stamina i.e. our ‘walking tours’ or those tours regularly involving uphill stretches or walks of more than a few miles a day, so suitable walking gear and a day pack will be required.

Hybrid: Where a walk is described as e.g. Level 2/3, this means it is a Level 2 tour with one or two short Level 3 pitches (e.g. a steep climb) which could be avoided by less able participants rather than holding up the rest of the group.

5U S A ( T o l l - f r e e ) 1-877-381-2914 E m a i l [email protected]

ADDED VALUE

At The Cultural Experience we can offer many additional extras to your trip to enhance the overall experience, please ask us for further details and the costs. Here are just some of the elements we can arrange to make your tour tailored specifically to you. Think of us as your personal travel agent.

FLIGHTS

The Cultural Experience are pleased to be a British Airways Appointed Operator. When possible we will use British Airways out of London for our overseas tours. We also have access to a wealth of other top quality airlines which will be used dependent on the requirements of your tour.

REGIOnAL COnnECTInG FLIGHTS

We are able to offer regional connections to our London flights from airports around the UK including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Belfast, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Dublin. Please contact us for prices.

FLIGHT upGRAdES Enjoy an enhanced in-flight experience by upgrading your seat. See right panel for details

pREmIum ECOnOmY

Available on longer international flights, Premium Economy offers more privacy, space and comfort in a smaller, secluded cabin.

CLuB/BuSInESS EuROpE

European business-class service, a perfect combination of efficiency, convenience and comfort. Benefits include:

• access to comfortable private lounges (where available)

• more personal space to work or relax• complimentary food and drink

service• dedicated check-in desks (where

available) • priority boarding • larger baggage allowance than Euro

Traveller

CLuB/BuSInESS WORLd

Available on longer, international flights.Benefits include:

• a spacious seat, which converts into a fully flat bed

• delicious food and drink options using fresh, local ingredients

• access to private lounges • luxurious spa treatments • dedicated check-in desks • priority boarding

FIRST CLASS

The finest way to travel! Benefits include:

• your own private, spacious suite• a fully flat bed with mattress and

duvet• delicious and indulgent dining• access to luxurious lounges• spa treatments • exclusive and attentive service

ExTRA TOuR ARRAnGEmEnTS

Subject to availability we can lengthen your holiday, combine it with another, extend your flight dates and book extra accommodation. If you want to extend your break, upgrade your room or book pre or post tour accommodation simply ask a member of the team when you make your booking.

REAdInG LISTS

We have compiled suggested reading lists for each of our tours. Although certainly not essential to have prepared for any of our tours in this way, it may improve and add to your enjoyment of your trip to your selected destination. You can find these lists on the appropriate tour page on our website.

TRAInS

Our tours to Europe by train include Standard Premier Eurostar seats and 1st class TGV (where applicable). In Standard Premier you will enjoy comfortable, spacious seats and a light meal with hot and cold drinks but, if you prefer to travel in even more comfort, and enjoy a three course gourmet meal and drinks served at your seat, together with complimentary newspapers and magazines, then why not upgrade to Business Premier – the ultimate Eurostar Experience.


OUR GUIDES

Our Guides are selected for three attributes: all are accomplished experts in their own fields – whether as acclaimed academics, proven historians or distinguished soldier practitioners. They must also be able to tell their story in an interesting and engaging manner ‘in the field’ – and be prepared to continue the discussion over dinner in the evenings. It is this combination of expert, raconteur and host that makes our guides special – and is key to The Cultural Experience brand success.

Stuart R dempsey is a history graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s university and is now in his fourteenth year as a Gettysburg licenced battlefield guide. Stuart conducts tours of several battlefields of the American War of Independence and Civil War in North America, and of Second World War sites in Europe, including Berlin, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge.

dr Bruce Cherry has had a varied career as university lecturer and journalist. His doctorate is in military history and he has been guiding tours of the First and Second World War European battlefields for over 30 years. His latest book They didn’t want to die Virgins examining sex and morale in the British Army on the Western Front was published in January 2016.

professor Tim Cole teaches history at the University of Bristol and is an expert on the history, representation and memorialisation of the Holocaust. A popular guide on this specialist subject, he is the author of Images of the Holocaust (1999), Holocaust City (2003) and Traces of the Holocaust (2011) and has just completed a book on Holocaust Landscapes.

Tim Clayton mA, FSA is the author of a number of books on the Napoleonic period including the award-winning Trafalgar: the Men, the Battle, the Storm, Tars: the Men who made Britain Rule the Waves, and Waterloo: Four Days that Changed Europe’s Destiny, shortlisted for the British Army Military Book of the Year in 2015. He is an expert on the visual print culture of the eighteenth century and was co-curator of the British Museum exhibition Bonaparte and the British in 2015.

major Gordon Corrigan mBE was an officer in the Gurkhas before retiring from the Army in 1998. He is now a military historian and author of numerous books. His television appearances include The Gurkhas, Napoleon’s Waterloo and Battlefield Detectives. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Universities of Birmingham and Kent, a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and a member of the British Commission for Military History.

dr Waitman Beorn is a Lecturer in the Corcoran Department of History at the University of Virginia. He is also a consultant and writer for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Dr Beorn was previously Director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum. His first book, Marching Into Darkness: The Wehrmacht and the Holocaust in Belarus, was published in 2014 and won the Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize for best first book from Harvard Press.

dr martin Boycott-Brown A childhood fascination with Napoleon was reawakened whilst Martin was living near Verona, leading to eight years of research on Napoleon's first campaign in Italy. He walked battlefields, spoke to locals, found previously ignored Italian and German sources, went back to earlier French theorists to better understand how Napoleon worked, and strove to find eye-witness sources, all of which proved far more interesting than the myths perpetuated in so many books. It is their authenticity which forms the basis of Martin’s approach.

Cliff Churgin is a licensed Israeli guide specialising in the battlefields of Israel as well as being an author and co-producer of “Battlefields” a multimedia CD-Rom on the history of warfare. He has also written about the Assyrian invasion of Judea for Ancient Warfare Magazine. A veteran of the Givati Brigade, Cliff has also written about Israeli politics and culture for McClatchy Newspapers.


dr Andy Fear was born in Morecambe and educated at Lancaster RGS and New College Oxford where he obtained his BA and D Phil (on Roman Spain). After a brief spell at Jesus, Oxford he went on to teach Classics at the Universities of Keele and Manchester. An ardent Hispanophile, his academic interests and publications cover the provinces of the Western Roman Empire (especially Britain and Spain), ancient and medieval Warfare, and the Iberian peninsula.

Orlando Figes is Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of London and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. His first book, Peasant Russia - Civil War, was described as ‘one of the most important books ever published on the Russian Revolution’. His latest book is Revolutionary Russia 1891 - 1991. It argues that - although it changed in form and character - the Russian Revolution should be understood as a single cycle of 100 years, from the famine crisis of 1891 until the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1991.

Eamonn Gearon is an historian and analyst who has lived and worked across the Middle East for twenty years. Like T. E. Lawrence, he is a noted desert explorer, whose camel-powered Saharan explorations grew out of time spent with the Bedu in the Libyan Desert. Eamonn works as a Special Adviser to government and military and is an analyst of Islamist terrorist groups. Author of The Sahara: A Cultural History which the BBC described as “vital background reading for anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of the Arab Spring campaigns.”

dr Simone Gigiliotti is a Senior Lecturer/ Reader in Holocaust Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London. She has published numerous studies on Jewish victims and survivors’ experiences during and after the Holocaust, and particularly so as they relate to deportation, evacuation and death marches. Her publications include: The Holocaust: a Reader; The Train Journey: Transit, Captivity and Witnessing in the Holocaust; and The Young Victims of the Nazi Regime: Migration, the Holocaust, and Post-war Displacement.

major General John drewienkiewicz CB CmG or ‘DZ’, is a former Engineer-in-Chief of the British Army who spent years in Bosnia and Kosovo in the late 1990s. After 20 years of walking European and American battlefields, the Balkans sparked his interest in the wars of the mid-19th century, from the 1859 Italian War, through the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 to the 1870 Franco-Prussian War. He has written five books which examine campaigns through the lens of wargaming, his latest on Königgrätz was published earlier this year.

Fred Hawthorne BA served with the United States Air Force during the latter stages of the Vietnam War. In the 30 years since, Fred has earned a series of university degrees in American History, US Colonial History and Historical Archaeology – and he has conducted more than 5,000 tours on these themes. He now lives practically on the battlefield at Gettysburg and is one of the most experienced experts on Civil War battlefields.

Colonel Robert Kershaw BA served in the army as a Paratrooper. He is now an established military historian, author and commentator. An internationally acknowledged expert on the Eastern Front, he has also published books on a wide range of battles and campaigns, including Red Sabbath - The Battle of The Little Bighorn, and Battles that Changed the World, in which he takes a unique view of the battles of Stalingrad, Hastings and Waterloo and A Street in Arnhem.

Ian Knight is a writer and historian who is internationally regarded as a leading authority on the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He has published over forty books and monographs, the majority of them on Zulu history and the rest on other nineteenth-century British colonial campaigns. He has appeared on-screen in a number of television documentaries.

Simon Jones mA, formerly curator at the Royal Engineers and King’s Liverpool Regiment Museums, has guided at battlefields around the world since 1997. The author of books on tunnelling and gas warfare during the First World War, he has taught the First World War at Liverpool and Lancaster Universities and has Masters Degrees from Liverpool and Leicester Universities.

Colonel nick Lipscombe mSc FRHistS served for 34 years in the British Army; seeing operational duty with the British and American armies. He is an accomplished Napoleonic historian with an extensive knowledge of the Peninsular War. His works include the award winning Peninsular War Atlas and Concise History, Wellington’s Guns, Wellington Invades France, the official Waterloo 200 Bicentenary book Waterloo, A Decisive Victory and most recently Wellington’s Eastern Front.


dr John Sadler FRHistS is a lawyer and a lecturer in War Studies at the University of Sunderland Centre for Lifelong Learning. An experienced and entertaining battlefield tour guide, he is also widely published on medieval themes, the Scottish Wars and The First World War. He is an acknowledged authority on medieval armour and weapons and adopts an interactive approach with his audience with demonstrations of swordplay, musket drill and the odd dash of drama!

Alan Rooney mBA A historian by preference and a tour operator by profession, Alan is the founder and managing director of The Cultural Experience and before that was managing director at Holts Tours and Midas Tours. He is a Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society. a member of the Royal Historical Society and the British Commission for Military History and has been exploring and guiding on battlefields of the Napoleonic period for over 20 years - and still keeps his hand in by regularly leading tours.

dr matthias Strohn WFRHistS was educated at the University of Münster (Germany) and Oxford. He is a senior lecturer in War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Matthias is a specialist in the history of the German army in the two World Wars. He has published widely on this subject and he has written and edited 5 books and numerous articles. Matthias holds a commission in the German army and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the British Army and the German Bundeswehr.

dr Simon Trew is a lecturer in the Department of War Studies at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Since 1994 he has developed an enthusiastic interest in the Normandy campaign and, as well as lecturing widely on the campaign, has appeared in numerous TV documentaries on this and other military subjects. In 2009 he was nominated for a prestigious 'Emmy' award for his research in support of a television documentary on the D-Day assault at Omaha Beach.

dr Amanda pavlick mA is a Roman archaeologist who specializes in the material culture of Roman cities and pre-Roman Italy. She has taught Roman and Greek art and archaeology, warfare in ancient literature, and the archaeology of ancient Egypt at the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University, and has undertaken fieldwork in the Republic of Georgia, England, and Italy. She has notably spent seven seasons excavating a neighbourhood south of the theatre district in ancient Pompeii, an archaeological site with which she is more than well versed.

dr munro price was born in London and educated there and at Cambridge, where he went on to complete a PhD. Now Professor of Modern European History at Bradford University, he has also taught at the University of Lyon. His main contribution to Napoleonic history is his most recent book, Napoleon: the End of Glory which sheds new light on Napoleon's fall from the retreat from Moscow to exile on Elba, using previously unexploited archives in France, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Alan Wakefield graduated from the University of Reading in 1990 with a degree in History and followed this with an MA in War Studies from King’s College London. Having worked as a curator at the National Maritime Museum and RAF Museum, Alan qualified with an MA in Museum Studies from University College London. He is co-author of Under the Devil’s Eye: Britain’s Forgotten Army at Salonika 1915-1918 and Christmas in the Trenches 1914 – 1918 and is currently Chairman of the Salonika Campaign Society and a member of the British Commission for Military History.

major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA is an ex Gurkha and Signaller who has enjoyed a lifelong fascination for military history and battlefield touring. A history graduate, he studied strategy at the Royal College of Defence Studies, acts as a Defence Adviser and is currently Chairman of the Society for Army Historical Research. He leads a variety of tours for TCE and has made a particular study of Wellington’s campaigns and leadership style.

dr Rita Roussos studied ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley and completed her PhD in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. For many years she was Professor of Art History and Classical Archaeology and Head of the Liberal Arts Department at the American University of Athens. She has participated in several archaeological excavations in Greece and conducted archaeometric investigations at Isthmia, Loussous and Mantinea.

Tony O’Connor FSA studied Ancient History and Archaeology at Manchester University where he specialised in the Roman Empire and the world of the Phoenicians. After working across the Mediterranean and the UK as a field archaeologist he began a career in museums first as a curator and then as a service director. Tony who has many years’ experience of leading tours is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.


The Cultural Experience team outside our offices in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

From left to right:

Billy Grimes (Research Assistant)Claire Shaw (Accounts Manager)Shaun Bartlett (Marketing Manager)Alan Rooney (Managing Director)Emma Curteis (Operations Manager)Shaun Smith (Tour Manager)

Col Ray Wilkinson QVRm Td VR, is Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for East Anglia and a Visiting Lecturer at Kingston University. A romantic idealist at heart, Ray is fascinated by the ‘human spirit’ aspects of military history. He has been leading tours for many years, initially to First and Second World War sites and, in recent years, to Spain to satisfy his particular interest in the British Battalion of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.

dr paul Wordsworth is a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford (Brasenose College), focussing on the archaeology of the medieval Caucasus and Central Asia. He is currently directing a new archaeological project exploring the remains of a frontier city of the early Islamic Caliphate in Azerbaijan and writing a book on medieval caravanserais and the practice early Islamic travel in the deserts of Central Asia.

MEET THE TEAM


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the archaeological delights of the bay of naples pompeii, herculaneum and more

This comprehensive archaeological tour of the Bay of Naples and the events of AD79 not only includes the well-known and impressive remains of Pompeii and the superbly preserved Herculaneum but also those lesser known, but nonetheless important sites such as the seaside villas of the wealthy at Oplontis, possibly once owned by Poppeia, wife of the Emperor Nero; Stabiae, where the frescoes are amongst the most beautiful found anywhere in the world; Cumae, the first Greek colony on the Italian mainland; Baiae, a fashionable Roman seaside resort and Pozzuoli, the main port of the early Roman Empire. There is no better time to explore the Bay of Naples than in the Spring and Autumn when the temperatures are pleasant, there is minimal heat haze to obscure visibility and the archaeology is bereft of buzzing tourists.

Our magnificent base throughout the tour is La Medusa Hotel a fabulous and Boutique Spa in Castellammare di Stabia, an eighteenth century Bourbon residence with refined and elegant interiors set amongst its own secluded park. Throughout you will be in the expert company of Roman Empire specialist Tony O’Connor, a veteran guide and archaeologist or Amanda Pavlick, a Roman archaeologist who specializes in the material culture of Roman cities and pre-Roman Italy: both have excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa.

13 - 19 march 2018

with Tony O’Connor

26 October - 1 november 2017 &

23 – 29 October 2018

with dr Amanda pavlick

7 daysActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, all lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £1895Single supplement: £195Deposit: £200Price without flights: £1745

When Vesuvius erupted, pyroclastic debris was hurled more than twenty miles into the atmosphere, engulfing the entire Bay of Naples and beyond, killing thousands of people. Pompeii was not the only city to be destroyed - the inhabitants of all the neighbouring Roman resort cities, including Herculaneum and Stabiae, were also completely obliterated. The devastation wrought and the way the volcanic ash sealed and preserved everything it engulfed, has fascinated visitors since the first archaeological investigations at Pompeii in 1748. The fact that it has been the most famous archaeological site in the world for so long means that centuries' worth of repairs and restorations have added their own overlay to the Roman originals. Modern day archaeologists have to sift through not only layers of dust and ash to interpret this large city but also the theories and presumptions of the excavators that went before them.

day 1 - Fly London to naples. Check-in to our hotel in The Bay of Naples for six nights. Welcome drink and introductory lecture.

day 2 - paestum. Spend the day exploring the heart of the ancient city of Poseidonia. The most dramatic sights are the three Doric temples; roofless, but still standing, these are among the greatest archaeological monuments in Italy. In the afternoon we visit the Museum which contains paintings and grave goods from tombs in and around

" A truly wonderful tour. Tony was a superb guide.”


Early Periods

the archaeological delights of the bay of naples pompeii, herculaneum and more

Paestum. The most famous of these is the fresco from the 'Tomb of the Diver', the only extant wall-painting from a Greek tomb.

day 3 – pompeii. A whole day in Pompeii exploring the public monuments and private residences that best illustrate what life was like in this bustling port and market town. The fountains in the street, worn where thousands of people have rested to take a drink, the stepping stones, wheel ruts, corner shrines, bakeries, public baths, the brothel, street cafés and ancient graffiti – all of human life in AD79 is here when you know where to look for it.

day 4 – Stabiae and Oplontis. Ancient Stabiae, founded between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, was one of the places chosen by the aristocracy of Rome to build their large luxury villas in a panoramic position on the edge of Varano Hill. It was here that Pliny the Elder met his death, probably during the last fatal surge of the pyroclastic cloud. We visit three impressive houses today - Villa San Marco, Villa Arianna and the Villa of Poppea at Oplontis, a grand residential building on an imperial scale, with a huge pool, and cleverly designed gardens.

day 5 – Herculaneum. During the eruption of Vesuvius, the buildings of Herculaneum were smothered by toxic gas and boiling mud which, as it solidified, prevented their collapse. Subsequently sealed under an airtight layer of volcanic rock, the partially

excavated town now offers a unique insight into Roman life, with many buildings still with upper storeys intact and frescoes and mosaics in an excellent state of preservation. In the afternoon, we drive up the slopes of Vesuvius, taking the final stage to the summit on foot (a walk of around 200m).

day 6 – Cumae, Baiae and pozzuoli. A day exploring the area west of Naples known as The Phlegraean Fields. Cumae, the epicentre of the Greek colonization of the 8th century BC; Baiae, the home of pleasure palaces of Roman emperors; the Castello Aragonese which now houses the Archaeological

Museum of the Campi Flegrei; and Pozzuoli, with its impressive amphitheatre begun by Roman Emperor Nero and finished by Vespasian.

day 7 – naples. The National Archaeological Museum, great treasure trove of the Bay of Naples and home of one of the most important collections of classical archaeology in the world. Among the notable exhibits are the Herculaneum papyri, carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the Alexander Mosaic, originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii. Continue to Naples for our return flight to London.

Pompeii today


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the foundations of modern western civilisation the essential archaeology of greece

The remains of countless cities, fortifications, temples and monuments, scattered throughout Greece, stand testament to a long and vibrant past: many enjoy a worldwide reputation while some await discovery by the more inquisitive. Our selection of sites is representative of the major periods: Mycenaean, Archaic and Classical and in themselves are some of the most important in Attica and the Peloponnese. Our expert guide, Dr Rita Roussos, a veteran of many an archaeological project and former lecturer of Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens, will narrate, explain, interpret and analyse each of the sites of antiquity that we explore, many of which are still under excavation. Whilst in the present we will enjoy colourful Greek culture and sample some fabulous cuisine.

Our bases for the tour are two delightful five-star hotels: one with stunning views over Nafplio’s old town and harbour, the other with amazing vistas over Athens and the Acropolis and yet within easy walking distance of the Plaka. Both boast well-appointed swimming pools and al fresco dining. For that extra bit of comfort and style you might wish to spend a little extra and book a superior room or even a suite.

29 may – 5 June 20188 days

with dr Rita RoussosActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 and 5 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £2395

Single supplement: £350

Deposit: £225

Price without flights: £2195

Homeric and Ancient Greece! Evocative times that resonate through the centuries: the little known Mycenaean civilisations of the Iliad and the Odyssey; the Archaic age that saw the rise of city states such as Athens and Sparta and the fateful war with Persia; the Classical era during which Athens and Sparta vied for supremacy; the Hellenistic which saw the spectacular rise of upstart Macedonia. Greece is an enduring and irresistible lure to those who are interested in antiquity, for the Greeks were the founders of so many of those ideals which we commonly think of as peculiar to the West. From travellers like Cyriac of Ancona ‘father of archaeology’, who journeyed there over five and a half centuries ago recording inscriptions and describing the monuments he saw, to Heinrich Schliemann and his quest to prove the historical accuracy of the Iliad and Aeneid, the Hellenic adventure was and is of profound significance for the history of the world.

day 1 – depart. Fly from London to Athens and transfer to our hotel in Nafplion for 4 nights.

day 2 – mycenae and Tiryns. Mycenae is one of the most important palatial centres of the late Bronze Age in Greece. The famous Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus, the largest of the beehive tombs outside the walls of the city, are the most notable of its ancient remains. Tiryns is another excellent example of the Mycenaean civilization. Its impressive walls, built of stones even larger than those of Mycenae, are up to 8m thick and 13m high.

day 3 – Epidauros and the nafplion Archaeological museum. Drive east to the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros. This centre of healing attracted thousands of visitors and facilities were built to accommodate them - hostels, gymnasium and, of course, a theatre. Designed for a capacity of c13,000 spectators, Epidauros theatre is in an excellent state of preservation. In the afternoon we return to Nafplion to visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in an impressive Venetian building constructed in 1713 to serve as the storehouse for the Venetian fleet.

day 4 – messene. Drive south to explore the large but unfrequented site at Messene, the political, economic, religious and artistic centre of the Messenes. Still undergoing excavation, the site comprises a large theatre, an agora, a vast Sanctuary of Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all ancient Greek stadiums.

day 5 – Corinth and Acropolis museum, Athens. Corinth is on the narrow isthmus between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs connecting the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece. Although it is now split by the Corinth Canal, for over a millennium it was rarely out of the limelight in the ancient world. Continue to Athens and check-in to our hotel for the next 3 nights. Evening visit to the spectacular Acropolis Museum.

day 6 – Athens Acropolis, Agora. Explore the four major standing structures on the


Early Periods

the foundations of modern western civilisation the essential archaeology of greece

Acropolis: the Propylaia, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and Parthenon and from there view where St Paul preached to the early Christians. The aesthetics of the architectural elements of the Parthenon are breathtaking even in a ruinous state. In the afternoon we visit the Agora where Athenian citizens gathered to conduct their business.

day 7 – delphi. Possibly one of the most beautiful classical sites in Greece, situated high on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, Delphi was the spiritual centre and symbol of unity in classical Greece for hundreds of years. At its heart is the Sanctuary of Apollo where the Oracle was consulted on all major decisions. The vast site also includes other important elements: the Treasury and Castalian Spring along with a theatre and the stadium where the Pythian Games were held.

day 8– Return. Free leisure time before transferring to the airport for our flight from Athens to London.

ATHENS & ATTICA 2 DAy EXTENSION SUGGESTION

day 8 – national museum Athens, Kerameikos Cemetery. Displaying the world’s finest collection of ancient Greek art, the National Museum’s light and airy exhibition space is packed with awe-inspiring bronze and marble statues, such as the Poseidon of Cape Artemision, and intricately crafted gold jewellery and weaponry, including Agamemnon’s golden death mask. We spend the morning here and in the afternoon visit the little-frequented, but fascinating, site of the cemetery of ancient Athens at Kerimeikos.

day 9 – Thorikos, Brauron and Sounion. A day exploring sites in the beautiful Attica area. Thorikos, where recent excavations have discovered the largest underground mining network yet found in this region of the Aegean; the early sacred site of Artemis at Brauron where, every four years, Athenians processed from the sanctuary on the acropolis in Athens; and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, famously immortalised by Byron who carved his name into one of its columns.

day 10– Return. Free leisure time before transferring to the airport for our flight from Athens to London.

Pantheon

Acropolis Tiryns

“Outstanding tour with an excellent team - warm, friendly

and professional."


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the golden journey to samarkandthe silk roads of uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, intriguing and historically rich, is a cradle of culture from where a mesmerising collection of sapphire and gold buildings, monuments and magnificent cities have arisen reflecting the influence of the diverse cultures that have passed along the ‘Silk Road’. Some of the oldest settlements in the world conjure up images of sandy-coloured buildings adorned with turquoise domes, intricate wall tiles in magnificent rich colours that fill entire rooms, and bustling bazaars complete with patterned carpets and the smell of spices swirling through the air all of which will transport you back to a time when these places were the centre of world trade. Situated in the heart of the Eurasian Steppe, the country boasts a dramatic geography of unforgiving deserts, sumptuous oases and fertile valleys watered by the Amu Darya, the ancient River Oxus.

From its fast modernising capital Tashkent, to the small oasis of the ancient Islamic world in Khiva a trip to Uzbekistan offers a truly pioneering once in a lifetime opportunity, all to be enjoyed in the company of Paul Wordsworth, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Faculty of Oriental Studies and an expert on Islamic archaeology and the history of the Caucasus and Central Asia.

22 September – 3 October 2017&

28 September – 9 October 201812 days

with dr paul WordsworthActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, internal flight, rail fares, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, all lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £3050


Deposit: £300

Without flights: £2600

The Silk Roads were a series of trade routes that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, established during the Han dynasty. Not only were these routes crucial to the trade of goods including textiles, spices and of course silk, arguably its most important export was culture. Religion, language, philosophy and technology all travelled with the merchants and were introduced to societies all over the civilised world. The Silk Road was closed off in the mid-fifteenth century by the Ottoman Empire, which wasn’t a total disaster, as traders were forced out to sea, giving birth to the ‘age of discovery’. Uzbekistan played an important role on the route and flourished. After a turbulent history in which it has been conquered by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Imperial Russia as well as a period of oppressive Soviet regime, it has been left with a rich and diverse legacy.

day 1 - depart. Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Tashkent.

day 2 – Tashkent. Arrive Tashkent early morning and check-in to the Wyndham Hotel. After some rest and recuperation, we will re-group for lunch and an afternoon visit to the Fine Arts National Museum where there is an extensive collection of paintings, ceramics, royal regalia and Syuzani and enjoy a special visit to its Institute of Restoration.

day 3 - Shohruhiya and Tashkent. Drive through the Uzbek countryside to the ancient settlement of Shohruhiya, the first large city of Tashkent oases, situated on the Great Silk Road through Yaksart. Return to Tashkent to explore the old city or “eski shakhar” including its spiritual heart, Hast Imam Square, the

Tellya Sheik Mosque and the striking brand new Mosque of Hazrati Iman.

day 4 – Khorezm Oasis. Check-out of our hotel and take an early morning flight to Urgench from where we explore the remains of two of the ancient desert castles on the edge of the Khorezm Oasis: Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala, the latter known as the fortress in the wind. After lunch in our Yurt restaurant we drive across the entire oasis to Khiva, the most isolated of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities situated on the edge of the Karakum desert. Check-in to our Hotel Orient Star, a former Madrassa, for two nights.

day 5 – Khiva. We spend the whole day exploring this wonderful city on foot. Although it was virtually destroyed by Genghis Khan, much of what was subsequently rebuilt is impressive. Particularly its designated World Heritage inner fortress of Ichan Kala home to the Kunya Ark, the Khan’s fortress, the Kalta Minor Tower, the Djuma Mosque, the superbly tiled Pakhlavan Makhmud and many other mosques and Madrassas. This evening we dine besides Lake Kharrat and enjoy the wonderful sunset over the Kizilkum Desert.

day 6 – Journey to Bukhara. We take a long drive the through the desert, enjoying a picnic en-route and stopping at the widest expanse of the Amu Dayra (River Oxus) to see how its waters have been diverted by the Soviets causing the Aral Sea to dramatically recede. We arrive at Bukhara mid-afternoon allowing time to visit the beautifully located Samani and Chashma Ayub mausoleums and the Bolo Khauz Mosque before we check-in to our hotel for the next two nights.


Early Periods

the golden journey to samarkandthe silk roads of uzbekistan

day 7 - Bukhara. A full day to explore the ‘Noble City’ of Bukhara, once one of the most important and beautiful cities of the Muslim world with over a hundred architectural monuments, the most important being the Po-i-Kalyan religious complex and the massive Ark fortress including its infamous Zinden in which Col Stoddart and Capt Connolly were imprisoned prior to their beheading in 1842. This evening we shall enjoy a traditional folk show followed by dinner.

day 8 – Bukhara to Samarkand. Drive to the Palace of the Moon-like Stars, the Summer Palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. Thence to

the Sarmysh Gorge to see the 4000 year-old open-air petroglyphs painted on its polished basalt rocks. Arrive Samarkand where we check-in to the Grand Samarkand Hotel for three nights.

day 9 –Shakhrisabz. Travel via the Takhta Karcha Pass to one of the oldest cities in the world and the birthplace of Emir Timur. Among the architectural monuments there are the remains of the massive portal of the Ak-Saray Palace and the Dor-us-Saodat Burial Complex, an outstanding example of Khorazmian architecture. Also here is a mausoleum built for Tamerlane himself several years before his death arranged in the shape of a tent. On our return we visit the shrine of Langar Ota with its monument to Tamerlane’s general and its wonderfully tiled 15th century mosque.

day 10 – Samarkand. Visit the 14th Century Ulugbek Observatory, its small museum and the giant astrolabe; explore the stunning Shah I Zinda avenue of beautifully tiled mausoleums; the lavish Regional Studies museum with its peculiar collection including furniture captured from Napoleon in 1812; Registan Square and its wondrous architectural ensemble of Tilla-Kori Madrasah; Ulugbeg Madrasah and Sher-Dor Madrasah, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.

day 11 – Samarkand, Tashkent. Morning visit the Afrosiab museum with its important archaeological collection, thence to the Bibi Khoym mosque built in commemoration of Timur's wife, buried in a tomb located in a madrasa complex nearby. Continue to the Gur Emir mausoleum complex where Tamerlane is interred. In the late afternoon, we take our business class seats on the high speed train to Tashkent.

day 12 – depart. An opportunity to explore the Chorsu Bazaar before transferring to the airport for our return flight home arriving London mid-evening.

"The Cultural Experience brings professional insight, planning and performance to an enviable level."

Tamanna Kala, Bukhara

Khiva

City walls, Khiva


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THE ROMAN EMPIRE'S WESTERN EXTREMITY THE ROMANS IN PORTUGAL AND EXTREMADURA

The conquest of Lusitania, the most westerly of Rome’s possessions began in the 180s BC after raids by the Lusitani tribe into Rome’s province of Further Spain. Lusitani were a fierce tribe, the Roman writer Pliny derives their name from the wild rites (lusus) of the wine god Pan. Long wars of expansion followed with the Lusitani at times giving as good as they got. One chieftain, Viriathus, remains a Portuguese national hero to this day. The area was eventually tamed by Caesar in the 60s BC. It was made a separate province in around 25 BC by the Emperor Augustus and given a new, purpose-built capital at Merida whose Roman name means “The Emperor’s City for veterans”. Two famous governors who would have known Merida were the short-lived emperors Otho and Geta. The province was a peaceful one, but never quite forgot its military roots. Units of Lusitanians are found in the Roman army and legionary veterans from Merida are even found buried at Chester. As well as these Celtiberian tribesmen, the area also

contained pure Celts as town names like Mirobriga and Conimbriga show and some Phoenician traders had also ventured here. In prehistory the region was an important outpost of the Tartessic culture.

day 1 – Outward Travel. Fly London to Lisbon and drive to Coimbra where we check-in to our wonderful art-deco hotel for one night. We will have time to explore this important university city including its fine Roman cryptoporticus before we enjoy an introductory talk and dinner.

day 2 - Conimbriga and Alcantara. We start our tour proper in amongst the ruins of Conimbriga, the best preserved Roman town in Portugal. We will explore many of the surviving buildings and great houses dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries: Repuxos House with its wonderful garden with its original hydraulics and fantastic mosaics; the tunnels and stalls of the amphitheatre; the thermal baths and of course its forum and wonderful museum. Thence to the stunning bridge over

The wealth and peace brought to the former province of Lusitania by the Romans are reflected in the magnificent monuments left for us to admire across the province and their variety allows us to see not just the richness of city life, but also the source of the riches and infrastructure which allowed that life to flourish. This novel archaeological tour takes us through the Portuguese regions of Estremadura, Beiras and Alentejo and the Spanish region of Extremadura. Whilst we will visit many important Roman sites such as Conimbriga and Emerita Augusta, we will also learn how they generally settled in this western extremity of their empire at remote villas, infrastructure sites and even extant factories. We explore some of the region’s great cities such as Coimbra, Caceres, Evora and, of course, Lisbon. We will enjoy some great historic hotels staying at Portuguese Pousadas and Spanish Paradores and sample the delicious regional cuisine for which they are renowned. The tour is led throughout by Roman historian Dr Andy Fear of Manchester University, who will provide insight, analysis and inspiring narrative to this fascinating period of history.

2 – 9 April 2018 8 days

withdr Andrew FearActivity Level 2


Tour price: £2375


Deposit: £225


"Well organised, clearly experienced and willing to go above and beyond

to ensure a positive experience."

Roman Theatre in Merida


Early Periods

THE ROMAN EMPIRE'S WESTERN EXTREMITY THE ROMANS IN PORTUGAL AND EXTREMADURA

Amiens Cathedral

The Battle of Crécy

the River Tagus at Alcantara, so well-built, that until only recently articulated wagons were crossing over it. Today access is limited to lighter traffic and so we can safely walk its length and see the aedicule dedicated to Trajan. Thence to Caceres where we find an excellent example of a Roman camp dating to the 2nd century BC. Check-in for the night at the Renaissance Palace parador located in the heart of Caceres.

day 3 – Emerita Augusta. The capital of Lusitania founded in the 1st century BC, Emerita Augusta (Merida) boasts one of the finest collections of extant Roman architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. We will explore its theatre, amphitheatre, circus, bridges and water management systems, temple, many residential buildings and the superb Museum of Roman Art. Check-in to Merida parador, a former 18th century convent, for one night.

day 4 – proserpina dam and Badajoz. Built to ensure a bountiful water supply to Emerita

Augusta, we walk over this earth dam with its retaining wall which still serves the purpose it was designed for 2000 years ago. Thence to the Roman villa at Torre Aguila with its Octagonal and Summer rooms with their hypocaust, thermal baths, mill and press. We continue to Badajoz to visit its wonderful archaeological museum. We spend the night in the delightful fortified city of Elvas just inside the Portuguese border, our hotel built in to the actual walls.

day 5 – Evora and Alcacer. We spend the morning in Evora where there is the opportunity to explore this UNESCO listed town, including the wonderful Roman Temple surrounded by a host of equally magnificent medieval religious buildings. We continue to Alcacer do Sal where we find the remains of a Roman cult site and a small museum. Check-in to our pousada hotel, at once both a former convent and a castle, for one night.

day 6 – mirobriga and Troia. We drive to Santiago do Cacem with its lovely castle and the important Roman archaeological site of Mirobriga with its baths, forum and hippodrome. Thence to the Roman remains on the Troia Peninsula which include an extant garum factory. We spend our last two nights at the lovely castle parador at Palmela with magnificent views over Setubal and the Atlantic Ocean.

day 7 – Lisbon. We spend a full day in Lisbon where we explore the cathedral with its interesting Roman artefacts and theatre and the impressive archaeological museum.

day 8 – Ordrinhas and Home. We travel out to the Roman museum at Odrinhas and then on to Lisbon airport for our return flights.


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El Cid and thE REConquista thE MooRs VanquishEd FRoM noRthERn sPain

This tour showcases one of the oldest standing ensembles of military architecture in Western Europe and includes watch-towers and castles like Gormaz, a massive edifice with sides ¼ mile long, and the double castle at Berlanga both once held by the Cid. The area is full of early Romanesque churches which bear witness to the faith of these warriors who saw themselves as crusaders, just as important as those who fought in the Holy Land. And our four-star accommodation is no less historical, most having been built hundreds of years ago: respectively a former monastery, hostel, contemporary hotel and a university all situated in the heart of some of Spain’s oldest cities. The tour is accompanied by leading academic, Dr Andy Fear, of Manchester University, who combines his extraordinary knowledge of Medieval Spain with his huge personality to create a fascinating narrative of El Cid, his times and the Christian's Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula.

5 – 12 September 20188 days

withdr Andy Fear

Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £2375


Deposit: £250


The recovery of Spain from Moorish rule was a long and complex process. This tour starts at the beginning of the story by visiting the site of King Pelayo’s victory over the Moors at Covandonga in AD 722 and then follows the expansion of the kingdom he forged first in Oviedo. Here we’ll see the palace complex built by King Ramiro I in the ninth century and the pantheon of other early Asturian kings, along with the sacred crosses they believed brought them victory in battle and the “Spanish Turin Shroud.” We then cross the mountains to the old Spanish capitals of Leon and Burgos where the figure of the Cid comes to the fore. An extraordinary soldier of fortune whose turbulent life was lived out around the Burgos and encapsulated in Spain’s national epic here. En route we will also meet the Cid’s King Alfonso the VI, Fernan Gonzalez, the founder of Castile, Alfonso X, Spain’s answer to Alfred the Great, and bones of the saints who inspired them.

day 1 - Fly London to Bilbao. Drive to Covadonga, the site of Pelayo’s victory over the Moors and his final place of rest. Continue to the Parador of Cangas de Onis, a former monastery and our base for the first two nights. Introductory talk and dinner.

day 2 - Oviedo. This morning we travel out to Oviedo, the medieval capital of Asturias, where within its San Salvador Cathedral we find the Camera Santa and its “holy chest” of relics, opened in the presence of the Cid and containing two war crosses and its Holy Shroud, the Sabana Santa. The cathedral also houses the “refugee” relics of Santa Eulalia and the Pantheon of early Asturian kings.

We visit the pre-Romanesque church of San Julian de los Prados with its well-preserved wall paintings and the Naranco Hill complex, another pre-Romanesque church adjacent to a royal audience hall. We return to Cangas de Onis and visit the tomb of Favila, the 2nd King of the Asturias who was killed by a bear!

day 3 - Leon. We move on to Leon, via Sta Cristina de Lena where we find a fine example of a Cid period church. In Leon itself we explore the Basilica of San Isidore, the French gothic style Santa Maria Cathedral and the city’s museum. Check-in to the magnificent 16th century Parador, the Hostel de San Marcos for one night.

day 4 – Sahagun. We drive to the uniquely styled San Miguel de la Escalada church, built by refugees from Moorish Spain, Mansilla de las Mulas with its fine mediaeval walls alongside the river, the tomb of Alfonso VI and brick-built Mudejar churches in Sahagun and Palencia, where the Cid was married and which boasts an ostentatious cathedral housing a crypt and a museum. Continue to Burgos and check-in to our contemporary hotel for the next two nights.

day 5 – Burgos. This morning we explore Burgos, in particular the Santa Maria cathedral, which houses the tomb of El Cid, Santa Gadea where he forced Alfonso VI to swear his oath and Sta Maria de las Huelgas where Edward I was married, which now houses a fine collection of medieval textiles. After lunch we visit San Pedro de Cardena monastery, Cid’s initial burial place, Bivar where he was born, Mecerreyes with its wonderful statue and Covarrubias where

"Awesome is a word easily banded about but it fits my experience,

inspired & at times totally flabbergasted by the history."

The statue of El Cid in Burgos


Early Periods

El Cid and thE REConquista thE MooRs VanquishEd FRoM noRthERn sPain

Fernan Gonzalez, the founder of Castille, is buried.

day 6 – Soria and Burgo de Osma. To San Millan de Cogolla and the outstanding UNESCO listed Yuso Monastery. Thence to the excellent Clavijo castle and ruined monastery, the site of a mythical battle in which Santiago appeared. We end our day at the ruined cloister of San Juan de Duero in Soria before travelling to Burgo de Osma, with its fine medieval streets and walls and check-in to the Renaissance-era former university, our hotel for the last two nights.

day 7 - Calatanzor. We head to Calatanazor a medieval village complete with castle and rock-cut graves, where the great Moorish warlord Almansur was fatally wounded in battle. We then explore a number of castles and churches that came under the influence of the Cid: the spectacularly sited Gormaz, Berlanga, Carecena, likely site where the poem of the Cid was written and the church of San Baudelio with its palm roof.

day 8 - Buitrago and home. We explore the fine Moorish walls of Buitrago dating from the period of the Cid and the 14th century Mendoza castle. Thence to Madrid and our flight home.The Moorish walls of Buitrago

Oviedo Cathedral


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Hadrian's wall THE rOMans and THEir arMY in THE nOrTH OF EnGland

Hadrian’s Wall is the most important site in Roman Britain, with forts, civilian settlements and temples as well as fortifications. A World Heritage listed site, it is the largest surviving monument to the Roman army, stretching for 80 Roman miles from the Tyne to the Cumbrian coast. In a series of visits and walks in the company of renowned Roman historian, Dr Andy Fear of Manchester University, we examine the role and organisation of the largest professional army until the modern era, placing it in context as we visit the altars and tombstones of its soldiers and their families and explore the remains and reconstructions of fortifications, houses and barrack blocks. Walks will follow marked national paths, at times over challenging terrain, but nothing that a person of average fitness could not achieve. However to maintain momentum, those not up to the required fitness standard will be asked to travel by coach and meet the walking group at the far end. Notwithstanding, everybody will enjoy this hospitable tour set amongst the dramatic scenery of Northern England.

15 – 18 July 20184 days

with dr Andy FearActivity Level 2/3

ESSENTIALS3 star hotel, buffet breakfast, light lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £1045Single supplement: £95Deposit: £100

Recognising that the Roman Empire could not expand indefinitely, Emperor Hadrian determined to consolidate his frontiers and the resultant wall reflects that change of policy. Whilst this is the story of the frontier of an empire and the threats it faced, it is also the story of both the flourishing and decline of Rome's British province and the experience of the locals living on either side of the barrier. Occupied for two and half centuries, the Wall was heavily garrisoned, yet much about it is a mystery. Mentioned a handful of times in ancient literature, the changing design and function of Hadrian's Wall has to be deduced from excavation and many puzzles remain for us to discuss and unravel as we travel along it.

day 1 – Vindolanda. Assemble at Newcastle Central rail-station at midday or meet at our Hexham hotel at 1pm where we will enjoy a light sandwich lunch. Visit to Vindolanda which formed part of the putative Stanegate frontier, commonly regarded as the predecessor of Hadrian’s Wall. This iconic site and its excellent museums provide great stimulus for discussions about the wall and its developments. Check-in to our hotel for three nights.

day 2 – The preserved Wall. Today we enjoy walks along two of the most beautiful and best preserved sections of the wall. Starting at Gilsland we visit the best internally preserved mile-castle on the wall with its in-situ internal staircase. We then enjoy a 2½ km walk along the wall to Birdoswald Fort, where we see clear evidence of the broad/narrow wall transition, a good section of the ditch preserved by a farm track, the Willowford Roman bridge abutment, sections of turf wall and visit the small museum and internal buildings. After our picnic lunch our coach takes us to Housesteads from where we will walk the 4½ km to Steel Rigg via Mile-castles

37, 38 and 39 (Sycamore Gap) where our coach will be waiting for us.

day 3 – Towns and Forts. Our day starts at Carrawburgh Mithraeum dedicated to the Persian sun god much venerated by Roman soldiers, thence to Limestone Corner, where the ditch was abandoned, the cavalry fort at Chesters, with its impressive bathhouse, and the depot fort at Corbridge. We enjoy a light pub-lunch before returning to explore Hexham, especially its Abbey which houses a number of Roman artefacts.

day 4 – points East. With brief stops at the Benwell Vallum crossing and the temple of Antenociticus en route, we will visit the remarkable reconstructed gate houses, wall sections, viewing towers and visitor centres at South Shields and Wallsend. Thence to the centre of Newcastle for lunch and a visit to the dedicated Hadrian’s Wall exhibition within the Museum of the North. Drop off at Newcastle Central station at 15:30 and our Hexham hotel at 16:30.

The statue of Alfred the Great in Wantage, his birthpace

" An excellent tour which was well researched. The Cultural

Experience provides a brilliant service and go out of their way to

ensure that no one is left out. I am so glad that I have discovered

this company."

Hadrian’s Wall


Early Periods

The WARs 0F The ROsesThe bATTles in The sOuTh

This is the first of two Wars of the Roses tours; which will allow you the opportunity to explore the period in great detail, visiting all the major battlefields, historic buildings from the time and hear the stories of the numerous characters who played their part. Together, these two tours will provide the ‘Ultimate Wars of the Roses Experience’ shedding light on this fascinating period and dispelling some of the myths cast by popular literature.

This southern part of the tour sees us stay in some historic towns and hotels whilst journeying through the English countryside at the height of summer resulting in an all-round pleasant trip. We will also see the final resting place of Richard III, whose body was miraculously found in a Leicester car park in 2012 to much public attention.

9 – 14 July 20186 days

with dr John SadlerActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


Thanks to Shakespeare, the Wars of the Roses became one of the most defining periods in English history. Lasting for 30 years (1455 – 1485), it split the country in two and the crown passed between five different monarchs from the houses of York and Lancaster, with the latter eventually winning through and Henry Tudor establishing a new royal dynasty. The Wars have captured the imagination of the English for centuries, from Shakespeare’s historical plays such as Henry VI and Richard III, recently superbly dramatised in the BBC's 'Hollow Crown' series, to the stark comparisons in George RR Martin's fantasy series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, popularised by HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’.

Amongst the battlefields visited on this leg of the tour are St Albans, where two battles took place, the first in 1455 which traditionally signals the start of the wars. Tewkesbury (1471), which saw many leading Lancastrians killed or imprisoned and, finally, at Bosworth we will explore the decisive battle of the Wars where Richard III was slain bringing Yorkist rule and the Wars of the Roses to an end.

day 1 – London. Meet at our London hotel and head to the Tower of London where Henry VI was held prisoner before his death and also where the sons of Edward IV, known infamously as ‘The Princes in the Tower’ were held before their mysterious disappearance. We visit Westminster Abbey, the site of coronation for all English monarchs since 1066, and the burial site of Henry VII. Overnight in London.

day 2 – Barnet and St Albans. Barnet in 1471, a decisive Yorkist victory helping to secure the throne for Edward IV. At St Albans we’ll explore two battles that took place in the town itself, both decisive. And finally at Northampton (1460), to hear of a brief but important battle that saw the first use of artillery in England. Check-in to our hotel near Northampton.

"I was looking forward to my tour, but it exceeded all

expectations. John Sadler and the tour manager were both

superb."

day 3 – Tewkesbury. At Edgecote Moor we see Warwick ‘The Kingmaker’s’ force defeat a Yorkist army. Then the decisive Yorkist victory at Tewkesbury was one of the most crucial of the Wars and signalled the end of Henry VI's reign, with many leading Lancastrians including the Prince of Wales and Henry’s wife Margaret of Anjou, killed or imprisoned. We also visit the abbey where many of the dead from the battle are buried. Check into our Gloucester hotel for two nights.

day 4 – mortimer’s Cross, Ludlow and Blore Heath. At Mortimer’s Cross (1461), a Lancastrian force led by Owen Tudor (Henry VII’s grandfather) came up against a much stronger Yorkist army and were routed. We move onto Ludlow Castle which Richard, the Duke of York, inherited in 1425, becoming an important symbol of Yorkist authority. Finally at Blore Heath (1459), we hear how the Yorkist’s managed to defeat a far greater Lancastrian force in one of the first major battles of the wars.

day 5 – Warwick and Kenilworth Castle. Today we visit two of the country’s grandest and historically most important castles. At Warwick Castle we see where the Kingmaker imprisoned Edward IV before his death at Barnet. Then Kenilworth Castle, which became a Lancastrian base of operations throughout the conflict, and has played an important role throughout English history. Check-in to our Leicester hotel.

day 6 – Bosworth. At Leicester Cathedral where we will see the new resting place of Richard III, before we move onto the decisive battle of the war, Bosworth. It was here in 1485, Henry Tudor’s Lancastrian army brought an end to the Yorkists' rule by slaying Richard III. His marriage to Elizabeth of York (the daughter of Edward IV) in 1486, united the two houses and the Wars of the Roses came to a timely end. Return to London and disperse.


17th

& 1

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The eNGLISh CIVIL WAR: eDGehILL TO NeWBURY 1642-43

In this, our opening English Civil War tour, leading historian Nick Lipscombe explores the conflict during its early years from 1642-1643. During an exciting 6 days we will examine the road to war, the struggle to arm and the advantage enjoyed by the Royalists in the early encounters. Visits include the first skirmish of the war near Worcester, the key battle of Edgehill, the struggle for Bristol (England’s second city) culminating in the first battle at Newbury fought in September 1643.

We will visit some well preserved and accessible battlefields, set amongst the picturesque rolling countryside of the Cotswolds and its environs, and we have arranged for a number of historic houses to open their doors to us. Nick’s consummate knowledge combined with great hotels and historic cities and towns will result in a fascinating cultural tour through the heart of England.

3 - 8 July 20186 days

with Col nick LipscombeActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


The English Civil Wars are part of a living political tradition which continue to rage on paper and debate nearly four centuries after the internecine bloodletting. There were, in fact, three English Civil Wars from 1642-1660, which emerged from conflict in Scotland and Ireland, as well as constitutional struggles between Crown and Parliament, emergent ideals of liberty and reform and a struggle of Protestantism over Catholicism.

Churchill, in his History of the English Speaking Peoples, wrote of the English Civil War that ‘underlying the apparently clear cut constitutional issue was a religious and class conflict’. Suggesting that one of the main drivers was based on class and material considerations is both misleading and unhelpful; yet this vision of the wars as David rising up against Goliath pervades. This was simply not the case. In the English Civil War brother fought against brother, and father against son and nothing has imprinted itself so deeply on the nation’s memory as the national civil struggle of the mid seventeenth-century.

day 1 – Assemble and Old Basing House. Arrive at our Donnington hotel midday (Newbury 1 hour approx. by rail from London). Sandwich lunch and introductory talk. Thence to the ruins of Basing House, a former royalist stronghold that came under siege on three separate occasions.

day 2 – Battle of Edgehill & Broughton Castle. Travel to the battlefield of Edgehill (1642) which was the first major engagement between the two armies. The Royalists came out on top in a closely fought battle with Prince Rupert, the Kings’ nephew, proving himself as a brash, but talented cavalry commander. This afternoon we visit Broughton Castle, a hotbed of the Parliamentary movement that was besieged by Royalists following the battle of Edgehill. Check-in to our Ettington hotel for one night.

day 3 – powick Bridge and Worcester. This morning we head out to the picturesque Cotswold village of Chipping Campden and at its church hear about the role religion played in the war. The Skirmish at Powick

Bridge near Worcester actually took place a month before Edgehill and saw Prince Rupert rout the Parliamentary cavalry. Although insignificant in comparison to the later battles, it showed the Parliamentarians that although they were better equipped, they lacked the training, leadership and loyalty of the Royalist force. Check-in to our Worcester hotel before we explore Fort Royal, the Cathedral and the Commandery dedicated Civil War museum that was used as the royalist headquarters during the Battle of Worcester 1651.

day 4 – Royalist Supremacy. Today we focus on two Royalist successes during 1643. Firstly at the battle of Ripple Field the Royalist cavalry once again routed a Parliamentary force who suffered heavy losses. Thence to the delightful Chavenage House in Tetbury which served as the base for the Roundhead siege of nearby Beverstone Castle in 1644. Finally we visit the field of Lansdown, a long battle which ended with a Roundhead withdrawal that a much depleted Cavalier army was not strong enough to pursue. Check-in to our hotel in historic Bath.

day 5 – Roundway down and donnington. This morning we visit the battlefield of Roundway Down. Seen as ‘the greatest cavalry victory of the War’, a Royalist force under Lord Wilmot relieved a Roundhead siege of Devizes. After a lunch break in Marlborough we arrive at Aldbourne Chase, an action that allowed the Royalist army to position themselves between London and the Parliamentarians prior to Newbury. Finally we visit Donnington Castle, taken by the Royalists after first battle of Newbury, where they were quick to build formidable earthworks that can still be seen today. Return to our Donnington hotel for our last night.

day 6 – First Battle of newbury. Here we see our first Parliamentarian victory of the tour. At a time when another defeat would have been critical, the Earl of Essex outmanoeuvred the king’s army and opened up the road to London, signalling a turning point in the whole war. Return to our Donnington hotel and disperse around 13:00.

" Nick is knowledgeable, approachable, and really knows

how to bring the battlefield to life."

Civil war re-enactment


17th &

18th Century

FREDERICK THE GREAT THE BATTLES IN BOHEMIA

This is the second in our trilogy of Frederick the Great tours, and follows the famous leader’s fortunes throughout Bohemia against the Austrian Empire. From our bases in the traditional Bohemian town of Hradec Kralove and the magnificent capital city of Prague, we travel through rolling countryside and enjoy wonderful Czech hospitality to round off the whole experience. These battlefields may be amongst Europe’s less well-known, however they remain, in the best part, undisturbed allowing for the perfect overview and demonstration of Frederick the Great’s tactical acumen.


with maj-Gen John ‘dZ’ drewienkiewiczActivity Level 2



This tour encompasses battlefields from two different wars; The War of Austrian Succession (otherwise known as the First Silesian War) and the Seven Years War. However, both involved the army of the Austrian Empire defending itself against Frederick the Great’s invading Prussian military machine. Frederick’s successes in Silesia continued and by the mid-1750’s he’d startled most of the major European powers into a coalition to halt his advances further. His invasion of Bohemia in 1757 came mighty close to occupying Prague, but he was eventually pushed back into Silesia and Prussia itself. Throughout the tour we will study examples of why Frederick the Great is considered one of history’s most influential military thinkers and tacticians, but also learn of some of his defeats where sheer numbers or rare strategic misjudgements cost him heavy losses and ultimately success.

day 1 – Arrival. Fly London to Prague and transfer to our hotel in the historic and charming town of Hradec Kralove for 3 nights.

day 2 – Battle of Chotusice. We drive south and after stopping at the traditional towns of Pardubice and Nove Dvory we explore the battlefield of Chotusice. Fought in 1742 as part of the War of Austrian Succession, it was the only battle started by the Austrians during the war as they tried to retake Prague. Frederick was initially unprepared with his forces scattered. However, he ended up snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and the Treaty of Breslau quickly followed.

day 3 – Battle of Soor. Frederick once again proved his and his army’s military superiority at Soor. The Austrian army outnumbered him significantly, but their surprise attack failed and the Prussians gained the upper hand in what became a comfortable victory. At the Josephstadt fortress we can see a fine example of the measures taken by the

Austrians to protect themselves against further Prussian aggression.

day 4 – prague. We check-out of our hotel and head towards Prague, along the way we see a preserved Austrian battery position which was in use from the Silesian Wars through to the Austro-Prussian War, which happens to be adjacent to the Museum. Once in Prague we take a tour of the attractive, vibrant and historically rich capital, before checking-in to our hotel for 4 nights.

day 5 – Battle of Lobositz. We drive north from Prague to study the battlefield of Lobositz. This was the first land battle of the 7 years’ war fought in October 1756 when Frederick was trying to push further into Bohemia, but was halted and forced back into Saxony for the winter. We stop in at another 18th century fortress town , that of Theresienstadt, which became notorious in the Second World War.

day 6 – Battle of prague. Frederick attempted to take the capital in May 1757 and after splitting the Austrian army in two with the ‘Prague Manoeuver’ threw them back into the city. However, his own army had been severely weakened resulting in his decision to siege the city rather than attempt to storm it outright.

day 7 – Battle of Kolin. Our final battle of this tour is an Austrian victory, just over a month after Prague. The Austrian relief army defeated the Prussians very heavily, in what was Frederick's most significant reverse to date, and the Prussians lost nearly 14,000 men. Frederick reeled back from Bohemia to Silesia to lick his wounds. But he would be back, as will be demonstrated in our next tour, Frederick in Prussia and Saxony.

day 8 – Home. After a morning visit to the Prague military museum we catch our afternoon flight to London.

" This was our first battlefield tour we have been on and it

exceeded all of our expectations. John really is an expert

in his field. "

Austrian-Prussian Cuirassiers


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Rebels and Redcoats the ameRican WaR of independence in the noRth

This superb 12 day tour will immerse you in 18th century colonial America during its struggle for independence. Starting in historic Boston, the cradle of the revolution and home to the Freedom Trail, we travel through magnificent Eastern USA countryside to explore the pivotal battlefields and important sites of the war, many of which have been painstakingly and wonderfully restored. We will visit places that resonate throughout history: Lexington, Saratoga, Valley Forge, West Point, Philadelphia, Yorktown and Mount Vernon whilst at Jamestown and Williamsburg we explore America’s colonial past. Throughout we will be staying at full service hotels and dining at a wealth of local restaurants, and all this in the company of expert native historian Stuart Dempsey.

6 – 17 June 201812 days

With Stuart dempsey &

Tour manager Fred HawthorneActivity Level 2



Opposition to London’s insensitive colonial policies on taxation and governance was provoked into outright rebellion when British soldiers attempted to disarm Massachusetts patriots in April 1775. British forces enjoyed initial tactical successes around Boston, but strategically these were not enough to prevent the city’s encirclement by the newly formed Continental Army under George Washington and seaborne evacuation followed in spring of 1776. For the next 18 months the revolt hung in the balance with substantial British reinforcements taking Philadelphia and New York, but an ill-conceived and poorly managed advance from Canada ended in abject failure with the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga in October 1777. The result was the abandonment of Philadelphia and the entry of a revengeful France into the conflict providing much needed naval support, military training and equipment to the patriots. Despite a relatively successful campaign in Georgia and the Carolinas, Lord Cornwallis was forced to march northwards to Virginia where the anticipated extraction by the Royal Navy was foiled by a larger French fleet, the consequence of which was the surrender of the main British Army at Yorktown in October 1781 and the ensuing independence of the United States of America.

day 1 – Arrival. Fly to Boston and drive to Salem, MA, home to the infamous 17th century witch trials and our base for two nights. Welcome dinner.

day 2 – Boston. We take an orientation tour of Revolutionary Boston following its ‘Freedom Trail’ encompassing, amongst others, Boston Common, the Old South Meeting House (home to the Boston Tea Party), the Old State House, the site of the so called ‘Boston Massacre’ and Old North Church which ‘ignited’ the Revolution.

This afternoon we examine the siege of Boston visiting the Bunker Hill museum and monument on Breed’s Hill as well as Dorchester Heights, where Washington sited his heavy guns forcing the British to abandon the city thus bringing the siege to a close.

day 3 – Lexington & Concord. Travel out to Lexington and Concord where a poorly executed British search and destroy expedition provoked the first shots of the war to be fired. We will explore the Buckman Tavern, Visitors' Center and Battle Green at Lexington, whilst at Concorde we explore the Minuteman Visitor Center, follow the battle road trail and view the Old North Bridge where “the shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. Continue to Albany, the state capital of New York and our base for the night.

day 4 – Saratoga. We visit one of the pivotal battle areas of the war – Saratoga. A highly complicated British plan to split the colonies resulted in a series of actions and the surrender of a large army directly resulting in the French recognition of American independence. The site of these actions is now preserved in a National Park. Continue to West Point where we spend the night.

day 5 – West point and monmouth. We take a short tour of West Point, home to the United States Military Academy, and explore its revolutionary past in which it was so nearly betrayed by Benedict Arnold. We visit Fort Montgomery, seized by the British in 1777, and Stony Point, the scene of a successful night attack by the Continental army. Thence to Monmouth, site of perhaps the largest battle of the war. Continue to Valley Forge area which, like George Washington, we use as our base for the next three nights.

day 6 – philadelphia. One of the largest cities in the British Empire in the 18th century and as the Continental capital, a natural military

"We really appreciated the amount of preparation Fred had

undertaken both before and during the tour. Excellent."

The death of General Warren Battle of Bunker Hill


17th &

18th Century

Rebels and Redcoats the ameRican WaR of independence in the noRth

target. Today we will visit key Revolutionary sites contained in Independence National Park and preserved colonial sections in the heart of the modern city. Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed in the summer of 1776 and the famous Liberty Bell one of the cherished symbols of American independence are both key components of this park. We will also look at the occupation of this city by the forces of General William Howe.

day 7 – Trenton and princeton. Today we will visit several of the sites of key events of the war, Trenton, NJ scene of a surprise winter attack on a force of the King's Hessians on Boxing Day 1776, and Valley Forge where the American forces spent a brutal winter in 1777/1778 from which it emerged as a modern professional army.

day 8 – Brandywine Creek and Fort mcHenry. The opportunity to corner Lord Cornwallis's army in the south led to a rapid concentration of American and French forces in Virginia. We will follow the route of the march, first visiting the site of the significant British victory at Brandywine Creek, which paved their entry into the city of Philadelphia. This afternoon we drop into Fort McHenry, the scene of a valiant defence during the War of 1812 that inspired the words of the ‘Star-spangled Banner’. Continue to Colonial Williamsburg where we spend the last three nights of our tour.

day 9 – Williamsburg. We spend a full day back in the 18th century in Williamsburg, Virginia, the former colonial capital of America where independence was first declared. Here, working re-enactors demonstrate a diversity of artisan and historic skills in a wealth of lovingly restored and recreated establishments. We visit the

courthouse, merchants houses, a foundry, the Governor’s house, the magazine, the military camp and a whole lot more to provide you with a thorough understanding of life in Revolutionary America.

day 10 – Jamestown & Yorktown. This morning we will visit the preserved site of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in the New World, with its extant and restored buildings, re-enactors, archaeological digs and museums. Thence to Yorktown where Cornwallis found himself abandoned and surrounded by the concentration of enemy troops coupled with the timely arrival of a French fleet. Following a short siege his surrender brought to an

end military action in the war. We spend the whole afternoon exploring the siege lines, batteries, redoubts, battlefield, the visitor centre and the surrender ground.

day 11 – mt Vernon & departure. This morning we visit George Washington’s home at Mont Vernon. We find time to explore the 18th century plantation: the mansion and outbuildings, the gardens and grounds, the museum and his tomb. Thence to Dulles airport, Washington, for our return flights to London

day 12 - Arrive London.

Saratoga

The Liberty Bell


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wellington in india the master learns his trade

Arthur Wellesley, (later Duke of Wellington), arrived in India as a colonel, and left eight years later as a major general. His campaigns in Central and Southern India took place in areas where tourists do not generally go.

Our Guide is ex-Gurkha Officer and acclaimed historian, author and TV Personality, Gordon Corrigan. The tour is for the more adventurous traveller who is happy with some longer journeys by road and air – so a certain amount of stamina and fitness will be required. In return, we can offer a very special tour which takes in spectacular fortresses, un-spoiled local villages and a way of life that has changed little since Wellesley’s time. Although well off the standard tourist trail, we will be staying in the best available hotels.

16 - 25 november 201810 days

with maj Gordon CorriganActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, internal flights, 3, 4 & 5 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour Price: £2995Single supplement: £499Deposit: £300Price without flights: £2495

“It was the most interesting, entertaining and well organised

tour I have been on. Led by Gordon, who is someone I hold

in high regard and spent in great company. Ideal!"

The 28 year old Colonel Arthur Wellesley left England in command of the 33rd Foot and arrived in India in 1797. He swiftly established his innate ability and campaigned in the Mysore and Mahratta Wars, returning to England as a major general eight years later. It was in India that he learned how to deal with difficult allies, how to successfully campaign in a fourth-world country where terrain and climate conspired against him, and how to supply troops where no established logistics existed. He was the first commander to maintain an army in the field in the wet season, and he established a bullock stud farm to provide transport for rations. In an age when intelligence gathering was regarded as rather bad form, he established a network of informants who kept him aware of the enemy’s movements. All these lessons would be invaluable in his later campaigns in Portugal and Spain.

day 1 – depart London for Bangalore

day 2 – Arrive Bangalore. Early morning

arrival at our hotel in Bangalore for one night. The rest of the morning and afternoon is free to relax and recuperate. In the evening join your guide for dinner and an introductory lecture.

day 3 - Seringapatam. We drive to look at the attack on the ‘tope’, the first and only time that Wellesley panicked and almost ended his career, and the fortress at Seringapatam, which the British stormed in May 1799, before moving on to our hotel in Mysore.

day 4 - mysore. Today we continue with the battle of Seringapatam and see where the Tippoo Sultan was killed. We visit his Palace, grave and the British cemetery established by Wellesley after the battle. Time permitting we will take a tour of colonial Mysore before returning to Bangalore for our late flight to Pune. Check-in to an airport hotel for the night.

day 5 - Ahmednagar Fort. An early start sees us drive to Ahmednagar, where we visit

The Storming of Seringapatam


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wellington in india the master learns his trade

the 400 year-old Vauban-style fort - one of the strongest in India. Gandhi and Nehru were interned here in WW2 and the fort still has an Indian Army Garrison. We will see where Campbell scaled the town wall and examine Wellesley’s siege and capture of the city and fort during the Second Mahratta War in August 1803. Visit the wonderful Ellora Caves in the afternoon – a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Continue onto Aurangabad and check-in to our hotel for one night.

day 6 - Assaye. We drive to the battlefield of Assaye, where Wellington decisively defeated the Mahrattas in September 1803 in a battle which Wellington described years later as his hardest ever fight. We will tour the battlefield from Peepulgaon, cross the River Kaitna (by modern bridge rather than the historic ford) and follow in Wellesley’s footsteps as he advanced on Assaye itself. We then check-in to our hotel in Akola.

day 7 - Argaum. At Aragum we see where, in

November 1803, Wellesley again defeated a Mahratta army. Thence to Chikaldara and up to our hilltop station hotel via the stunning viewpoint at Mozari Point and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 8 – Gawilghur Fortress. One of the most spectacular battlefields anywhere, the breach created in December 1803 by the East India Company’s artillery in the wall of this double fort, perched on a six hundred foot cliff, is still there. We will walk up to the breach, tour the inner fort and view the great cannon that still remain there. This is a challenging day’s walk – but all the more rewarding for it. After a great day out we return to our hotel.

day 9 - nagpur. After yesterday’s exertions, we spend a relaxing day motoring thorough some awe-inspiring scenery on the way to Nagpur from where we catch our internal flight to Bangalore where we spend the night.

day 10 – Return. Fly Bangalore to London

Vivantii by Taj Hotel, Auranagbad

The Storming of Seringapatam

Gawilghur Fortress

Mysore Palace


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NapoleoN iN italy the Road to Rivoli

The varied terrain of Northern Italy, and the military challenges that it presented, provide a magnificent backdrop for this wonderful tour: the confused fighting amidst the wooded, mountainous terrain between the Riviera and Turin; the challenges and manoeuvre opportunities provided by the flat land of the Po valley and its numerous watercourses; the exploitation of the bridges at Piacenza and Lodi; the beautiful fortress city of Mantua which endured numerous sieges; the mighty Alps reflected beautifully on the shimmering surface of the stunning Lake Garda, witness to at least three battles in 1796. We will find ourselves in fascinating historic towns and cities along the way: Milan, Verona, Mantua and Genoa, enjoy some great hotels and appetising Italian cuisine. And all this under the guidance of Dr Martin Boycott-Brown, author of ‘The Road to Rivoli’, the definitive study of Napoleon’s first campaign.

12 – 19 October 20188 days

with dr martin Boycott-BrownActivity Level 2



"The Cultural Experience have made it possible for us to visit many battlefields. They are all

well run, enlightening, with good guides and good companions."

In 1796, France's army in Italy was under-fed, under-equipped and unpaid. It’s fair to say it was also low on morale. It was this army that Napoleon picked up by the scruff of its neck and turned into the effective fighting force that would defeat successive Austrian armies and conquer northern Italy. It was to be the beginning of a long road to glory for Napoleon and France, and indeed, many have said that this, his first campaign in command, was his most brilliant. Nevertheless it only created a peace that was to last for two years and the year 1800 saw Napoleon once again fighting in Italy winning a dramatic victory at Marengo on the 14th June, where he secured France’s dominance of Austria in both central Europe and Italy. It was also here that he began to collect the team of supporting personnel that would accompany him through his career, including half of his future marshals. Indeed it was his exploits in Italy that became inextricably intertwined with the Napoleonic Legend: the little corporal aiming the guns at Lodi; the Republican general crossing the bridge at Arcola, flag in hand; the First Consul crossing the Alps on a white stallion; the timely arrival of Desaix at Marengo.

day 1 - Genoa. Fly London to Milan. Drive to Genoa, where Massena’s small starving

army was besieged for 2 months in 1800, and check in to our hotel for two nights.

day 2 - April 1876. Montenotte, Napoleon's first victory in high command, is our first stop followed by the battles of Millesimo, Dego, and Mondovi, which effectively took Piedmont out of the war. These Ligurian coast battles demonstrated Napoleon's first use of the strategy of the central position, the same strategy that he was to adopt in his last campaign at Waterloo, some 19 years later.

day 3 - Lodi and the crossing of the po. Today we follow Napoleon and his Passage of the Po and the resultant battle of Lodi, whose bridge was stormed by Napoleon on May 10th 1796 earning him his title ‘the little corporal’. Here we see a fine example of Napoleon's use of his favoured strategy of the 'manoeuvre sur les derrieres.' Check in to our hotel in Verona and our base for the next 3 nights.

day 4 - mantua and the banks of Lake Garda. Explore Mantua in the heart of the Po valley and the focus of the many Austrian thrusts into northern Italy during this campaign. This magnificent town is surrounded by three lakes and was virtually impregnable. We walk around the steadfast walls and wander through the old town. After


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NapoleoN iN italy the Road to Rivoli

lunch we visit the battlefields of Lonato and Castiglione, where the French desperately fought off the Austrian attempts to relieve the great fortress.

day 5 - Arcola and Verona. This morning we examine Napoleon's 3-day victory at Arcola, the decisive battle fought amidst the marshy banks of the River Adige. This afternoon you are free to wander round the beautiful city of Verona.

day 6 - Rivoli and pavia. The French victory at Rivoli on January 14th-15th 1797 provides us with our battlefield study today. This battle effectively ended the Austrians' attempts to relieve Mantua and ensured French dominance of the Po Valley. We drive to Pavia and check into our hotel for the last two nights of the tour.

day 7 - marengo. Today we visit the scene of one of Napoleon's greatest victories, Marengo. With his forces strung out, Napoleon was surprised by the Austrians, who in turn, believing that they had defeated the French, formed an order of march, only to be attacked by Desaix and routed.

day 8 - Home. Drive to Milan for our return flight home.

Verona

The Battle of Lodi Lake Garda


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escape from elba THe eND of GlorY

This diverse and fascinating tour traces the exploits of Napoleon following the nadir of his abdication in April 1814, when he was exiled to the beautiful Italian island of Elba, to the short-lived zenith of his return to France in March 1815 prior to the disaster (for him) that was Waterloo. Whilst Elba is a lovely island, in two days you will understand why the Emperor felt vulnerable, bored and restless and sought to abandon it. His official and summer residences are magnificently positioned and lovingly preserved, but miniscule compared with the luxurious palaces with which he had become accustomed.

Then, in a round about way (returning to Rome to fly to Nice), we arrive at Golfe Juan where the soon to be outlawed General Bonaparte landed with his tiny army. From there we trace his footsteps along the eponymous Route Napoleon to Grenoble, enjoying breath-taking mountain scenery and travelling through picturesque villages where he made celebrated rests.

21– 28 April 2018 8 days

with dr munro priceActivity Level 2



“A brilliantly guided tour in a great setting. This was our first tour with you and it exceeded

our expectations in every respect."

After fighting the brilliant yet unrealistic campaign of France during the winter of 1814 with his motley force of boys, pensioners and exhausted veterans Napoleon with much reluctance was coerced into abdication and thence banished to the small Mediterranean island of Elba. Once there he set about improving that island’s economic outlook with gusto. But Napoleon found the restrictions of the small island too great for his restless ambition. Regularly receiving reports from France as to the unpopularity of the Bourbon regime that had replaced him, he determined upon the last great gamble of his career. Slipping away under the cover of darkness and evading the Royal Navy, he landed at Golfe Juan on 2 March 1815 and immediately commenced his march on Paris to regain his place at the head of the French Empire and prepare for what was to be his final campaign – Waterloo.

day 1 - Exiled. Fly to Rome from where we drive to Piombino to catch the ferry to Portoferraio, the capital of Elba. Check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 2. Exile. Today we visit the simple but atmospheric Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s home for much of his time on the island as well as his summer residence at Villa di San Martino. We will also explore the Stella and Falcone forts.

day 3 - Escape. We take the return ferry to the mainland (1 hour) and drive to Rome to catch our flight to Nice and thence to Antibes where we spend the next two nights.

day 4 – Antibes, Golfe Juan and Cannes. Visit Fort Carré (or Gabelle), where it is said

that Napoleon was imprisoned in 1794. Thence to the beach at Golfe Juan where Napoleon came ashore after his escape. At Cannes we see the site where he set up camp on his first night ashore besides the church of Notre Dame de Bon Voyage.

day 5 - Route napoleon. In slightly quicker time we follow Napoleon’s famous march to Paris following his route through the mountains to Grenoble visiting many of his overnight stops and enjoying in-situ anecdotes at Grasse, Saint Vallier, Seranon, Castellane, Barreme, Digne and finally Malijai, where we spend the night nearby.

day 6 – Route napoleon. We explore the superbly sited fortress of Sisteron which Napoleon feared had the potential to terminate his venture. We take the opportunity to explore the lovely Alpine town of Gap, the population of which accompanied Napoleon on his march. Thence to Corps and Ponthaut Bridge on the outskirts of La Mure to discuss the half-hearted attempt to prevent his progress. Continue to Grenoble where we check-in to our hotel for the last two nights

day 7 – The Encounter. We visit La Prairie de la Recontre where Napoleon memorably confronted and converted the 5th Line Regiment to his cause. We stop for lunch at Vizille and visit the Musée de la Revolution Francaise which commemorates where the French Revolution actually started. Continue to Brie where the errant Colonel La Bedoyere re-joined his beloved master.

day 8 - Home. Drive to Lyon for our return flight to London.

Napoleon’s return from Elba


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We spend a fascinating long weekend exploring the whole battlefield, which has changed little over the years, and intermingling with the numerous participants preparing for the spectacular anniversary re-enactment that will be taking place near the actual battlefield. Highlights of the tour will be a lunch spent in the Post House where we will take the opportunity to sample the house delicacy, the `Santon Cannonball’. Napoleon devised his strategy here with his Marshals some days before the battle and slept here the night after. We will also have dinner in Austerlitz Chateau, where the Emperors Francis II and Alexander I spent the night before the battle. Based out of our four-star hotel in Brno, we will also be able to enjoy its magical Christmas Market and sample a Gluhwein or two.

The battle of Austerlitz fought on the 2nd of December 1805 saw Napoleon decisively defeat the combined armies of Russia and Austria bringing the Third Coalition to its knees in front of an astonished Europe. Fighting on a field of his own choosing, Napoleon used the rolling countryside to conceal his troops waiting to spring their master's trap. By ostensibly showing his weakness by surrendering the high ground, the over confident Allied army was drawn forward exposing its flanks and rear to counter attack by Marshal Soult. However, despite the apparent gullibility of the Allied commanders, the tenacity of the Russian soldiers ensured that Napoleon’s victory was harder won than he might have expected.

day 1 - Schongraben. Fly London to Vienna. En-route to our hotel in Brno, we will visit Schongraben, the scene of Bagration’s valiant rear-guard action immortalised in War and Peace. Check-in to our hotel for three nights. Talk on ‘Background to the 1805 Campaign’.

day 2 - The battle of Austerlitz. This morning we examine the northern sector: Soult's headquarters at Slapanitz, Napoleon’s headquarters upon the Zuran, Caferelli's attacks on Blazovitz, the great cavalry battles between Murat and Liechtenstein and the reinforced Santon Hill. Lunch is taken at the Post House. This afternoon we look at the central and southern sectors: the Memorial of Peace and museum on the Pratzen Heights, Przbyswki's and Langeron's attacks on Sokolnitz Castle, Pheasantry and granary, Tellnitz, the route of the divisions of Vandamme and Saint Hillaire as they launched their attacks on the Pratzen Heights, the Stare Vinohrady ending our day above the Satchan lakes. Supper will be taken in the kitchens at Austerlitz Chateau.

day 3 - The 213th anniversary re-enactment of the battle. Past events have involved thousands of participants and are usually well attended, creating an almost carnival atmosphere with hot chocolate and mulled wine in abundance (essential at this time of year!). Subject to availability, we will enjoy VIP hospitality and view the battle from raised seating. In Slavkov (the Czech name for Austerlitz) we will see the Allied marching troops being reviewed by their respective emperors and enjoy the traditional winter street fair. We will have time to explore the armies’ camps, and who knows, even catch a glimpse of Napoleon himself. After returning to our hotel we spend our last evening at an atmospheric city restaurant.

day 4 - Home. We visit Spaleny Mill, where Emperors Napoleon and Francis met 2 days later to discuss terms. We continue to Vienna and visit its famous military museum before taking our return flight to London.

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


“This tour delivered beyond expectations. The VIP treatment

was brilliant – a memorable tour“

Austerlitz: NApoleoN’s MAsterpiece the ANNiversAry tour

30 november – 3 december 20184 days

with Alan RooneyActivity Level 2

Rapp presents the Russian Standards to Napoleon


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NAPOLEON IN RUSSIA ThE 1812 cAmPAIgN

This imaginative tour will immerse you in traditional Russia: from its smaller provincial towns and vast countryside landscape to its mighty capital, you will discover the diversities of this enigmatic country. Your journey will highlight the vast distances that Napoleon and his weary army had to traverse to finally reach Moscow, then just turn around and retrace their steps. Staying in Moscow means you can see the evolution of Russia’s modern history for yourselves, from its imperial glamour, to its Soviet severity and modern day incarnation. Immerse yourself in a country and culture that few have had the opportunity to visit, as well as stand on some of the well-preserved battlefields that helped shape the nation you visit today.


with Alan Rooney Activity Level 2

In June 1812, Napoleon crossed the River Niemen into Russia with nearly 400,000 men in the hope of destroying the Russian Army in a lightning campaign. Instead he found an obstinate enemy steadily falling back and drawing him into their vast limitless country. After the bloody stalemate of Borodino, Napoleon occupied Moscow to no avail and in October deluded himself that he could withdraw into winter quarters beyond Smolensk. Instead the French experienced one of the most disastrous retreats ever endured by an army. The bitter cold, starvation and the relentless pursuit and harassment by the Russians resulted in fewer than 10,000 men re-crossing the Niemen some six months later. Between them both sides lost over half a million men, or one man every five minutes! However these figures pale when compared to the casualties incurred during the fighting from 1941 – 1943 and, although this tour is predominantly focused on the campaign of 1812, we cannot avoid weaving the story of the Great Patriotic War into our tour.

day 1 – Fly to moscow. Check-in to our hotel for two nights. Introductory talk.

day 2 – moscow. We enjoy a guided tour of the Kremlin fortress complex including the armoury chamber, the treasury, captured French artillery and cathedral square. There will be time to wander around Red Square and perhaps visit St Basil’s Cathedral.

day 3 – Viazma. Depart Moscow and drive to Smolensk. En-route we will consider sites associated with both the French advance to and retreat from Moscow such as Miloradovich’s manoeuvre at Viazma and Tsarevo, Barclay de Tolly’s final defensive position and from where Kutusov took over command. Check-in to our hotel for three nights.

day 4 – Smolensk & Krasnoi. We take a walking tour of Smolensk gaining great views from its citadel, admire its 17th century walls, visit the stunning cathedral and, from its esplanade, relate the events of August 1812. This afternoon we drive out towards the Belorussian border to traverse the field of Krasnoi where, in November 1812,

Napoleon drove off the Russian advance guard and Marshal Ney sacrificed his corps in a desperate rear-guard action.

day 5 – Katyn & Valutino. This morning we switch our attentions to WW2 and the city’s Great Patriotic War museum followed by a visit to the emotional memorial complex in Katyn Forest where the Russian NKVD executed around 22,000 Polish officers in 1941. Thence to the battlefield of Valutino/Lubino to discuss the final failed opportunity for the French to bring the Russians to account.

day 6 – Borodino. An early start allows us to spend all day at Borodino on its 205th anniversary visiting, amongst others, its fascinating museum, the Utitza Mound, the Bagration fleches and the Shevadino and Raevsky redoubts. Continue to Moscow and check-in to our hotel for four nights.

day 7 – moscow 1812. From ‘Sparrow Heights’ we, like Napoleon, enjoy a superb vista of Moscow. On the aptly named Kutusovsky Prospect we visit the wonderful 360° panorama of Borodino with its museum. This afternoon we visit the fascinating State Historical Museum with its dedicated displays on the war of 1812.

day 8 – Winkovo & malajaroslavets. Visit Kutusov’s preserved army camp at Winkovo with its own museum and monument, and trace the Russian surprise attack on Murat. At Malojaroslavets we enjoy the dedicated battle museum, its diorama and monument and, from the mound below the monastery, we gain a superb view of the French advance and subsequent positions.

day 9 – Re-enactment. Nobody puts on a re-enactment like the Russians. Beside the banks of the Kolocha river we will enjoy thousands of splendidly uniformed re-enactors encouraged by their Muscovite supporters. Particularly splendid will the Preobrazhansky Guard who nearly always turn up in numbers to demonstrate manoeuvres in line, column and square.

day 10 – Fly Home. A late start from our hotel to catch our mid-afternoon return flight.

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 3 and 4 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees, expert guide throughout.


“Outstanding preparation and deep knowledge separates

The Cultural Experience from other tour companies.”


napoleonic

RetReat to coRunna MooRe’s last caMpaign in noRtheRn spain

The Battle of Borodino, 1812

This tour encompasses all the major actions fought by Sir John Moore’s army: Sahagún; Benavente; Astorga; Cacabelos; Lugo and the last battle; that at Corunna. In passing we visit Medina de Rio Seco, the site of the calamitous Spanish defeat in 1808, and the important naval port of Ferrol, scene of an abortive attack by the nascent 95th Rifles in 1800. We travel through the spectacular Galician mountains snaking along deep valleys, crossing ancient bridges and visiting remote villages, often coinciding with the dramatic pilgrim route of the Camino de Santiago. There will be plenty of opportunity to explore the golden-tinged medieval city of Santiago de Compostela with its beautiful cathedral, captivating squares and fine mix of Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. We’ll enjoy some lovely hotels such as the five-star Hesperia Finisterre in Corunna and the four-star paradores at Tordesillas and Benavente.

16 – 21 may 2018 6 days




“We enjoyed this trip immensely, Nick's talks and anecdotes were

superb - we look forward to travelling with you again.“

Sir John Moore assumed command of the British Army in October 1808 and led it across Portugal and Spain to link up with his Spanish allies to commence a campaign against his better wishes. At much the same time Napoleon arrived in the Peninsula at the head of 125,000 battle hardened veterans. Having restored his brother to the Spanish throne, Napoleon turned his attention to destroy Moore’s army which he dubbed the ‘troublesome British leopard’. With his lines of communication compromised, Moore was forced to retreat in the dead of winter over the inhospitable Galician mountains, his army fighting tenacious rear-guard actions to facilitate their escape to Corunna where they turned to face the French. It is a harrowing yet heroic story of a retreat in often freezing conditions where hunger, tiredness and inadequate clothing were as much an enemy to Moore’s men as their French pursuers in their desperate race to the coast and the succour of waiting Royal Navy transport.

day 1 - Fly London to madrid. Drive to Tordesillas for one night. Welcome drinks and introductory talk.

day 2 – Shagun. At Medina Del Rio Seco we discuss the calamitous Spanish defeat in 1808 before travelling to Sahagun, where Lord Paget's cavalry won a famous victory over their French counterparts. Travelling to Benavente via Mayorga, we stop at the bridge at Castrogonzalo, held by Craufurd's Light Brigade during the retreat. Check in to our parador, a renaissance castle, for one night.

day 3 – The Retreat. Today we consider the successful British cavalry action at Benavente which took place under the very eyes of Napoleon himself. At Astorga we pick up the retreat route proper, passing through Bembibre, sacked by the British troops, and thence to Cacabelos, where Rifleman Tom Plunkett shot dead the French General, Colbert. Continue to Nogales to see the

probable place where the military chest was discarded down the mountainside and consider the rear-guard action fought nearby at Constantino. At Lugo, we examine the only place prior to Corunna that Moore offered battle. Continue to Corunna and check in to our hotel for three nights.

day 4 – Corunna. The whole of today is given over to a study of the battle of Corunna itself. We see the battlefield from the French heights, visit the village of Elvina, Moore's centre, and Monte Mero, his left flank. We finish our day in the gardens of San Carlos, to pay our respects at Sir John Moore's tomb.

day 5 – Ferrol. We visit the important Spanish naval port of Ferrol and the two forts astride the estuary, the scene of the British naval and land operation in 1800. This afternoon we return to Corunna to visit the military museum and the Roman Lighthouse known as the Tower of Hercules.

day 6 - Santiago de Compostela. Drive to Santiago de Compostela, the focal point of the Catholic pilgrim route, to visit the ancient cathedral of Santiago and enjoy a guided tour of this wonderful city which was sacked by the French during the war. Catch an evening flight from Corunna to London.

The Battle of Corunna

Corunna


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Wellington in portugal the French invasions thWarted

On this eight-day tour, led by the award winning Peninsular War and Napoleonic historian Nick Lipscombe, we escape the main roads to discover the Portugal known so well to the men of Wellington’s Army during the years 1808– 1811. As well as visiting the magnificent battlefields, we will see one of the beaches on which Wellington landed his army in August 1808 amidst the treacherous rolling surf; explore the forts and signal redoubts along the Lines of Torres Vedras; wander around the historic centre of Lisbon; sample port wine in one of the many port houses in Porto besides the banks of the mighty River Douro; walk the walls of the pretty medieval town of Obidos the site of the first action of the Peninsular War; stay in a former palace in Lousa and marvel at the stunning Portuguese countryside as we travel over its mountain ranges and through its river valleys and national parks. All set amidst the background of wonderful local and international cuisine and great Portuguese hospitality.



1–8 June 20188 days


Three times the French invaded Portugal between 1807 and 1811 and each time the nation’s saviour was a professional mongrel army led by Arthur Wellesley the future Duke of Wellington. The first invasion by General Junot ended following the battle of Vimeiro in August 1808; the second by Marshal Soult ended abruptly following Wellington’s audacious operation to recapture the city of Porto in broad daylight, forcing Soult’s force into a harrowing retreat over the mountains in north Portugal; while the third invasion by Marshal Massena came to an equally dramatic end in front of the Lines of Torres Vedras necessitating, the following year, Marshal Ney to conduct a series of rearguard actions for the French to escape.

day 1 - Opening Shots. Fly London to Lisbon. Check-in to our hotel in Obidos for one night. From Wellington’s observation tower we discuss the opening shots of the campaign.

day 2 - Roliça and Vimeiro. We explore the battlefield of Roliça and visit Lake’s monument. Thence to Maceira Bay, where British reinforcements came ashore prior to the battle of Vimeiro, our next stop. From the visitor centre we get a great view of the battlefield; we visit Junot’s headquarters before travelling out to Ventosa to look at the French flanking attacks. Check-in to our hotel in Curia for two nights.

day 3 - porto. We examine Wellesley’s audacious crossing of the Douro and the recapture of Porto, and the events preceding it. En route from our hotel, we stop at Ovar to consider Hill’s attempt to outflank Soult’s forward screen by way of an ambitious amphibious operation. At Vila Nova, on the south bank of the Douro, we stand at the monastery from where Wellesley commanded the operation and established

The seminary at Porto, the target for Wellington’s crossing of the Duoro.

his artillery. We then cross the mighty Douro river and visit the seminary buildings. We end the day at one of Porto’s fine port lodges to enjoy a tour and sample their wares.

day 4 - Bussaco. We drive to the formidable ridge on which the battle of Bussaco was fought. We visit the battle monument, Massena’s headquarters, Wellington’s command post, the military museum and Craufurd’s rock. Check-in to our Lousa hotel, a former 18th century baroque palace (where both Ney and Wellington are purported to have stayed), for two nights.

day 5 – massena’s Retreat. We drive south to pick up the first of a series of rearguard actions fought by Ney’s corps to buy time for Massena’s army to escape in 1811. We will see the actions at Pombal, Redinha and Foz de Arouce, where the French 39 Regiment lost a coveted eagle.

day 6 – The Lines of Torres Vedras. We drive back towards Lisbon and pick up the Lines of Torres Vedras that encircle the city. We explore the forts in the First and Second Lines; the great redoubt of Sobral and the restored fort of San Vicente; Wellington’s headquarters at Pero Negro; Beresford’s headquarters at Casal Cochim; and finally visit Colonel Fletcher’s monument at Alhandra. Check-in to our Lisbon hotel for two nights.

day 7 – Lisbon. We spend a full day in Lisbon and its environs including the atmospheric castle at Belem guarding the entrance to the Tagus estuary, the impressive military museum with its large model of the Lines and an astonishing collection of artillery, before finishing at the dominating Castello de Sao Jorge.

day 8 - Home. Fly Lisbon – London.

Anyone interested in this period of European history would

surely enjoy this tour – historic events, countryside, wildlife,

lovely old towns and wonderful accommodation – a very happy blend. Nick’s knowledge is truly

impressive.”


napoleonic

Wellington over the Pyrenees the invasion of france

This tour, a natural progression from our popular ‘Wellington in Spain’, is led by Nick Lipscombe, author of ‘Wellington Invades France’. Our route roughly follows the Great North Road from Madrid towards the great French border fortress of Bayonne and thence eastwards to Toulouse. En route we traverse sierras and great rivers, once formidable barriers for the armies of both sides and none so much as the dominating mountains of the western Pyrenees from the top of which, we will gain stunning views over much of the campaign area. We will travel along the often violent coast of the Bay of Biscay and visit the harbour havens so crucial to the resupply of Wellington’s army. And once in France we will enjoy its rich lush countryside which reminded many of the soldiers of their homes in Britain.



You may wish to combine this tour with our Wellington in Spain tour. please see details on page 36.



After achieving the decisive victory over the French at Salamanca in July 1812, Wellington liberated Madrid but then over-extended his army at Burgos and was forced into a harrowing retreat. The following year, determined not to make the same mistake, he drove three French armies back and defeated them in the epic encounter at Vitoria. The French withdrew and fought with their backs to Pyrenees trying to prevent the unthinkable – the invasion of France. Wellington captured San Sebastian and fought a series of battles in the Pyrenees before judging the time right to commence the invasion. After two more battles at the end of 1813, at Nivelle and the Nive, Soult was pushed eastwards towards Toulouse where the last encounter of the war was fought in April 1814.

day 1- Burgos. Fly London to Madrid, drive to Burgos and visit the castle to discuss the siege, Wellington’s only major setback in the Peninsula. Check-in to our four star hotel.

day 2 - Vitoria. We spend the day studying the battle of Vitoria from the Heights of Puebla, the knoll at Ariñez, Wellington’s viewpoint at Villodas, the bridge at Trespuentes and the final battles in and around the city itself. Continue to Pamplona and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 3 - The Battle of the pyrenees. We climb the ridge at Maya desperately held by the 92nd, stop for lunch in the picturesque town of St. Jean Pied de Port from where the French launched their attacks and visit the pass at Roncesvalles.

day 4 - Sorauren & San Sebastian. We visit the site of Wellington’s repulse of Soult at Sorauren, the old port of Pasajes where the siege train and supplies had to be landed and the site of the two sieges of San Sebastian, where we check-in to our hotel for one night.

day 5 - San marcial and the Bidassoa. We look at Soult’s attempt to succour San Sebastian and the resulting Battle at San Marcial and the crossing of the Bidassoa including Cadoux’s bridge at Vera and the

French strongpoints on Bayonet Ridge above. Continue to Biarritz and check-in to our hotel for three nights.

day 6 - The nivelle. Today we review the operation to recapture the redoubt at Santa Barbara, then take the mountain train to the top of the Grand Rhune to discuss the capture of the Petite Rhune and the Signals Redoubt before seeing the Bridge at Amotz.

day 7 - The nive/St pierre. We take the coast road to Bidart and Barrouillet, thence to discuss the curious action around the church at Arcangues, the pontoon bridge at Villafranque, Horlopo, and take in the magnificent view from the Croix de Mouguerre. Thence to Bayonne and the extraordinary bridging operation over the Adour and the subsequent sortie and battle.

day 8 - Orthez & Tarbes. Explore the last pitched battle of the war at Orthez followed by the sharp action at Tarbes where we will also visit the fine hussar museum. Continue to Toulouse and check-in to our hotel for the final night.

day 9 - Toulouse & Home. Finally to Toulouse, the scene of the last battle of the war. Fly Toulouse – London.

The Battle of the Pyrenees

“Nick was knowledgeable, informative and patient

throughout and brought the battlefields and sieges fully to life.

An interesting, very enjoyable and hassle free tour in an area

unblemished by tourism.”


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wellington in spain the classic peninsular war tour

This eight-day tour, one of a series of ‘classic‘ Peninsular War tours, is led by award winning Peninsular War historian Nick Lipscombe. It visits some of the most beautiful and historic parts of central Spain and Wellington’s most notable battles and sieges during the period 1809 – 1812. We begin with a drive down the Tagus Valley to Talavera and on down to Badajoz and Albuera in the agricultural centre of Estremadura. Then to the fortified town of Elvas, Portugal, a UNESCO world heritage site steeped in history, before heading north again via the atmospheric Roman bridge at Alcántara and onto the 14th Century Parador at Ciudad Rodrigo. Back across to Portugal and the perfectly preserved fortified town of Almeida and the hardly-changed village of Fuentes de Oñoro. Finally we visit Salamanca, a beautiful and culturally rich city with the best preserved Peninsular War battlefield. You will stay at great hotels and have every opportunity to witness and enjoy Spanish hospitality and culture in these varied regions of western Spain.

13 - 20 September 2017 &

12 - 19 September 20188 days


ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, and all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour Price: £ 2475Single supplement: £285Deposit: £250Price without flights: £2375

You may wish to combine the 2017 tour with our Wellington in the pyrenees tour. please see details on page 35.

After his initial successes in twice driving out the French from Portugal, Wellington advanced towards Madrid to fight his first battle in Spain at Talavera in July 1809. Uncomfortable with the support that he received from his Spanish Allies, 1810 saw him recuperating in the rugged countryside along the Portuguese border fighting a series of small actions, particularly around Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo, where the Light Division founded its legendary reputation. After defeating a third invasion of Portugal, he strengthened his position on the border with the twin sieges and bloody storming of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz before making his second advance on Madrid which resulted in the classic encounter battle of Salamanca.

day 1 – Fly from London to madrid. Travel to Toledo and check-in to our hotel. Welcome drinks and introductory talk.

day 2 – Talavera. Walk the battlefield of Talavera and thence to the bridge at Almaraz,

and Fort Napoleon to retrace the steps of General Hill’s raid of May 1812. Check-in to our 16th century convent Parador situated in the heart of the exquisite conquistador town of Trujillo.

day 3 – Albuera and Badajoz. At Albuera Marshal Beresford secured a narrow victory over Marshal Soult in what was the bloodiest battle of the entire war. Thence to the fortress town of Badajoz, captured at such tremendous cost, where we will see the site of the breaches, stormed by the Light and 4th divisions and the castle, scaled by Picton’s Fighting (3rd) Division. Cross over the border into Portugal, and check-in to our 4 star historic hotel built into the walls of this magnificently fortified town of Elvas.

day 4 – Elvas & Alcantara. Before leaving Elvas we pay our respects at the British Peninsular War Cemetery on the bastion walls. Then head north via the spectacular

The Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo


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Roman bridge at Alcantara. Continue to Ciudad Rodrigo and check-in to our 14th century castle Parador for two nights.

day 5 – Almeida, the Coa and Fuentes de Onoro. On the River Coa we see where ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd so nearly lost his celebrated Light Division and whilst walking through the beautiful walled town of Almeida we see the remains of the castle which was destroyed in a cataclysmic explosion during the siege of 1810. Thence to the village of Fuentes de Oñoro to explore the field of the battle that raged for three days in early May 1811.

day 6 – Ciudad Rodrigo. From our parador we walk along the city walls to the cathedral. We walk-up the Greater Teson where the heavy siege guns were sited and inspect

the Great Breach assaulted by Picton’s 3rd Division, and the Lesser Breach, attacked by the Light Division. Continue to Salamanca.

day 7 – Salamanca. Travel to the wonderful battlefield of Salamanca, one of Wellington’s finest victories. We climb the hill above Miranda de Azan and the Greater Arapile from where superb panoramas of the battlefield can be gained. There will be ample opportunity to continue exploration of the magnificent city later in the day.

day 8 – Avila. To Madrid, via the spectacular walled town of Avila, for our return flight to London.

“Anyone interested in this period of European history would surely enjoy this tour – historic events,

Spanish countryside, wildlife, lovely old towns and wonderful accommodation – a very happy blend. Nick’s knowledge is truly

impressive”.

The Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo

Enjoying a magnificent view

Salamanca, Plaza Mayor


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a near run thing the classic waterloo anniversary tour

Our ever popular Classic Waterloo Anniversary tour covers the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras and especially Waterloo itself – and takes place over the annual anniversary weekend when there will likely be re-enactors dressed in period uniform on the battlefields. We will be staying in historic Waterloo town, home to Wellington’s Headquarters.

Your tour guide will be General Ashley Truluck, Chairman of the Society of Army Historical Research and Managing Consultant at The Cultural Experience – who has made a particular study of Wellington and lived near Waterloo for several years. He will be joined by colleague Tim Clayton, author of the best-selling book ‘Waterloo – Four Days That Changed the World’ – and between them they will supply a ‘Brains & Brawn’ presentation of the campaign (we’ll leave you to work out who is which!).

15 – 18 June 20184 days

with Tim Clayton & maj-Gen Ashley Truluck

Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn Standard Premier Eurostar, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guides throughout.

Tour Price: £1245Single supplement: £145Deposit: £125Price without train: £1095

“Ashley’s guided walks and visits were amusing and informative – he brought the battles to life – I enjoyed the tour immensely”.

The Waterloo Campaign in June 1815 ensured relative peace in Western Europe for the next fifty years. It was the first time that the two greatest commanders of the era, Napoleon and Wellington, met each other in battle and it was to be the last campaign for both of them. It was also the last campaign for grand old Marshal Blucher whose Prussian Army, having been trounced at Ligny, nevertheless arrived in the nick of time to tip the scales in the Allies’ favour as Wellington’s ‘infamous army’, already tested at Quatre Bras, hung on grimly to the ridge at Waterloo.

day 1 – Brussels. We travel by Eurostar arriving in Brussels in time to visit the spectacular Grand Place, with its awesome gold-painted Guildhalls and Town Hall, and drive via the Rue Royal to see where Wellington was based and the Royal Park where his troops assembled. Then on to Waterloo town to visit the building where he planned the battle and wrote his famous Waterloo despatch. Check-in to our comfortable Waterloo hotel, our base for the tour.

day 2 - Ligny & Quatre Bras. At Ligny we see where Napoleon’s right wing clashed with the Prussians on 16 June 1815. We view Napoleon’s windmill at Fleurus, walk through the hotly-contested village of Ligny and travel up to Blucher’s command post on the Prussian ridge to get a wonderful panorama of the battlefield and discuss how he managed to slip Napoleon’s trap and retreat to Wavre. After a light lunch we stand on the crossroads at Quatre Bras where Wellington halted the advance of the left wing of Napoleon’s army and then follow his skilful withdrawal to the defensive position at Waterloo.

day 3 – Waterloo. Today we spend the whole day on the battlefield of Waterloo, starting at Hougoumont – key to Wellington’s critical right flank. Then to the centre of the Allied ridge to see where Napoleon’s

infantry columns were seen off by the British cavalry counter-attack and walk down to the fortified farmhouse of La Haye Sainte to hear the story of its heroic, but doomed, defence. After lunch we see where French cavalry attacks were brought to a halt by Wellington’s resolute infantry squares. In picturesque Plancenoit village we see where the Prussians fell on Napoleon’s right flank. Finally, we walk the route of the advance of the Imperial Guard and its defeat by Wellington’s elite Guards and Light Troops. An epic day!

day 4 – The museums. We complete our anniversary weekend with a visit to the new Waterloo Visitor Centre which includes the Lion Mound viewing platform, the Waterloo Panorama, and the excellent Museum and Audio Visual display. Return to Brussels for our return Eurostar journey to London.

xxxThe Battle of Waterloo


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Walking Waterloo tHe CaMpaign on foot

Waterloo is a fascinating but complex battlefield and the key to understanding it is ‘reading’ the ground from a soldier’s perspective. Wellington’s eye for the lie of the land; his ability to draw his opponent onto ground of his own choosing; and then use it to gain observation, conceal his own troops, and to achieve surprise was key to his success.

Ashley Truluck – former army General and currently Chairman of the Society of Army Historical Research (SAHR) - has spent a lifetime studying Wellington’s command style and tactics; he lived for 3 years near Waterloo and knows the battlefield intimately; and he is a keen walker. What better host to guide you ‘off piste’ away from the busy tourist centres and main roads onto the ground itself – and so understand what it was really like to command and fight on the battlefields of Ligny, Quatre Bras and especially Waterloo?

These will be a series of country walks rather than a route march! We cover no more than about 5 or 6 miles a day, with stops for lunch and beverages, - so nothing that any reasonably fit weekend walker couldn’t cope with easily. You will still get to visit the excellent visitor centres, but in addition this tour offers fresh air and a fresh perspective - and a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the rolling Belgian countryside in the convivial company of fellow walkers.

29 September – 2 October 2017 &

5-8 October 20184 days

with maj-Gen Ashley TruluckActivity Level 3

ESSENTIALSReturn Standard Premier Eurostar, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, one lunch, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guides throughout.


This tour follows the same historical story as our classic Waterloo tour opposite, but concentrates on walking the ground rather than standing at road-side viewpoints. The tour is equally suitable as an introduction to the Waterloo campaign and as a follow-up for those who have already seen the standard viewpoints and want to explore further. Ashley will adapt his itinerary to match the experience and interests of the group members accordingly.

day 1 – Brussels & Waterloo Town. Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Brussels in time for a stroll into and around the magnificent Grand Place and Royal Park where the story of the Waterloo campaign begins. On to Waterloo town to visit Wellington’s headquarters opposite our comfortable hotel in the centre of the town and our base for the tour. Welcoming drinks

and evening talk before dinner.

day 2 – Ligny & Quatre Bras. We walk from the French positions and follow their attack route across fields into the riverside village of Ligny to get a feel for its tenacious defence by Prussian troops. Then up through cornfields for a panoramic view from the site of Blucher’s windmill – where he and Wellington met prior to the battle. We take lunch at Pierpont farmhouse (now a golf club) where the concurrent battle of Quatre Bras opened. After viewing the battlefield from the strategic crossroads which give the battle its name, we walk out to Cherry Wood on the British left flank and thence cross the very centre of the battlefield, discussing the highlights as we go. We end our day by driving the route of Wellington’s skilful withdrawal through Genappe to Waterloo where we will take dinner in a local restaurant.

day 3 – Waterloo. After surveying the battlefield from Napoleon’s command post at La Belle Alliance, we start our walk from the excellent new Hougoumont visitor centre, walking the length of the Allied Ridge discussing the French infantry and cavalry attacks as we go. After lunch near La Haye Sainte we push on to the British left flank and – weather permitting - around to see where the Prussians fell on Napoleon’s flank at Plancenoit where we stop for refreshment in the picturesque village square. Dinner tonight will be in a friendly bistro on the battlefield itself.

day 4 – Finale. We return to the battlefield to walk the route of the Imperial Guard’s famous final attack to the very site where they clashed with Wellington’s elite Guards and Light troops. The story of the battle will unfold as we go along. Thence to the excellent new Waterloo Visitor Centre on the battlefield where we will also enjoy our lunch stop. Then back to Brussels to catch our Eurostar train getting us back to London by early evening.

Re-enactors


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THE INDIAN MUTINY THE brITIsH rAj gETs A wAkE-Up cAll

This is an opportunity to see and walk the ground of one of the most critical periods in the history of India and of the British Empire – the rising of 1857. The Cultural Experience has obtained entry to sites that tourist rarely see, we shall inspect inspiring Moghul architecture with its palaces and gardens while examining the key aspects of the uprising. We shall stay in some of the best 5-star hotels in India: the colonial Oberoi Maidens Hotel in Delhi, the Oberoi Trident in Agra with its landscaped gardens and water fountains, the medieval Taj Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior, the modern Landmark hotel in Kanpur and the Taj Gomti Nagar (the former Taj Residency) in Lucknow. To facilitate our travel around the edge of Delhi we stay at contemporary Radisson hotels and even the simple and ornate 3-star Amar Mahal in Orchha is a hidden gem, ensuring comfort and style throughout. Of course we will sample delicious Indian food and experience the colour and the flavour of the rich and varied Indian culture, from the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, a memorial to a Moghul Emperor’s love for his dead wife, and the stillness of the memorial to the British women and children murdered and thrown down the well in Cawnpore.

The tour is led by military historian, author and TV presenter Gordon Corrigan. He had a distinguished career as an officer in the Gurkhas. As such he served most of his career in the Far East and is an established expert on matters Indian and Nepalese.

4 - 15 november 2017&

3 – 14 november 201812 days


ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, internal flights, 3, 4 & 5 star hotels, all meals inc. 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


In 1857 sixty two well-trained infantry battalions and eight cavalry regiments of the Bengal Army mutinied and turned on their British officers in a frenzy of religious fervour – sparked off by the fact that new cartridges issued to the troops (the ends of which they had to bite off to charge their weapons) were believed to be greased with fat from cows and pigs – forbidden to Hindu and Muslim soldiers. Soon the mutinous soldiers were joined by disaffected elements of the civilian population – retrospectively venerated as early nationalists. For a time British power in India – the jewel in the British Empire crown - hung by a thread. With so much at stake on both sides, it was a near run thing, with bravery and treachery in equal measure, and larger-than-life characters on each side - but in the end the rising was defeated, largely by loyal Indian and Gurkha troops under the leadership of their British Officers.

day 1 - depart London.

day 2 – delhi – meerut. Arrive Delhi after midnight (local time) and check-in to the conveniently-located Radisson hotel to get a late night’s sleep. After a welcome lie-in and an orientation lecture: ‘1857 the Background’, we set off late morning for Meerut arriving in time to orientate ourselves in this attractive former garrison and site of the British cantonment where the Mutiny first broke out. Check-in to our modern 5-star hotel for one night.

day 3 – meerut. We continue our exploration of Meerut by visiting the parade ground where the refusal to accept the cartridges sparked off the mutiny; St John’s Church, where evensong was in progress when violence broke out;

the Commandant’s house, where British officers took shelter from the mutineers in the latrines; the cemetery, where some of the British victims are buried and the Memorial Park built after independence to glorify the mutineers – an interesting dichotomy which we will explore during the tour. Depart mid-afternoon for the drive down to Agra where we check-in to our luxurious hotel for 2 nights

day 4 – Agra. We spend a relaxing day in Agra, one of the great fortified palace complexes of Rajahstan, where we visit the unmissable Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After lunch we pick up the story of the mutiny at Agra’s beautiful Red Fort with its marbled halls and formal gardens and which, in 1857, was a refuge for more than 5000 Europeans and their Indian servants.

day 5 – Gwalior. We travel on to Gwalior, seat of the Scindia Mahrattas and tour the stunning fortress, captured by the rebels in 1858, and visit the site of the skirmish at Kotah ke Serai where the Rani of Jhansi was eventually killed. Check-in to our palatial (literally!) hotel for one night.

day 6 – Jhansi. On to beautiful Jhansi to see its impressive fort and learn more about the extraordinary career of Lakshmibai, the 29 year old widowed Rani of Jhansi – whose Palace still survives – and who may or may not have been responsible for the infamous massacre of the British garrison and their families. Check-in to our ornate hotel at riverside Orchha just outside the city.

day 7 – Kanpur (Cawnpore). Drive to Kanpur where we examine the siege of General Wheeler’s makeshift mud entrenchment

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The Queens Bays at the Relief of Lucknow


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Queens Bays at relief of Lucknow

and pay a melancholy visit to the memorial church with its mutiny memorials. We follow the poignant route of the Garrison’s survivors down to the Sati Chaur Ghat and see the Bibighar Well where the corpses of the butchered women and children were dumped. Check-in to our hotel for one night.

day 8 – Kanpur/Lucknow. Continue our exploration of fascinating Kanpur in the morning and then drive on to Lucknow, once the richest city in India, later that day. Check-in to our sumptuous hotel that evening for 2 nights.

day 9 – Lucknow. Although slightly marred now by modern industrial development, there is still ample evidence of Lucknow’s former Mogul splendour and of the Munity for us to explore, including the Kaisarbagh (or King’s Palace); the Secunderbagh Gardens where more than 2000 rebels perished when the British stormed it in 1857; and the famous British Residency compound where the besieged garrison held out until relieved in 1858 – an epic which became a symbol of British courage and endurance. The effects of the siege are still visible and the place has great atmosphere.

day 10 – delhi from the British perspective. We take the morning flight to Delhi and after an early lunch we start our tour by discussing how the capital reacted to the outbreak of the mutiny. We visit the powder magazine blown up by the guard rather than allow its capture; the telegraph office from whence news of the mutiny was communicated to the Punjab; St James’s Church built by the colourful Colonel James Skinner (who founded Skinner’s Horse, the famous Indian Cavalry Regiment) and looted by the rebels; Delhi Ridge from where the British conducted the siege operation to recover the city from the mutineers; the Kashmir Gate, through which British and Gurkhas troops stormed the city and the grave of that extraordinary Victorian, Brigadier General John Nicholson, killed in the storming of the city. Check-in to the magnificent colonial Oberoi Maidens hotel for our final 2 nights.

day 11 – delhi from the rebel perspective. This morning we complete the story by looking at the siege from the rebel’s perspective: we visit Delhi’s magnificent Red Fort, headquarters of the rebels during the Mutiny, and the tomb of Humayan, the son of Babur and the second Moghul emperor, where Major William Hodson arrested the sons of Bahadur Shah, the figurehead of the rising. There will be an opportunity to view the magnificent Lutyens architecture of New Delhi and/or do some sightseeing later in the afternoon before a leisurely final meal together that evening.

day 12 - Take the morning flight to London

At Meerut

“The tour more than met our expectations and the quality

& approachability of the guide was exceptional.”


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This tour is set amidst picturesque American countryside which, at this time of year, will be resplendent in early autumn colours: the scenic Shenandoah Valley, the stunning Skyline Drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains, the mighty James River and a wealth of National Parks. We explore historic American towns and cities such as Fredericksburg, Richmond, Lexington, Harper’s Ferry and of course, Gettysburg and visit the major eastern civil war engagements en-route. We walk over superbly preserved battlefields, often situated within their own national parkland, enjoy inspiring presentations not only from your expert guide, Fred Hawthorne, but from selected park rangers and visit a wealth of museums, historic buildings and interpretation centres. We are based out of full-service hotels where we can indulge in a drink in the bar, whilst in the evenings we experience a plethora of restaurants, including several historic taverns, in which we enjoy a varied cuisine.


&21 September – 4 October 2018

14 dayswith Fred Hawthorne

Activity Level 2

During the American Civil War more Americans lost their lives than during the whole of WW1 and WW2 combined. An estimated 750,000 – some 2% of the population – died of battle wounds or disease. For four years, battles raged across the continent, but rarely was the fighting fiercer than in the Eastern Theater where six of the ten bloodiest battles of the war were fought. Encouraged by early victories, the Confederate forces held off subsequent Federal advances around Richmond until they felt confident enough to take the war into the North, where their advances were checked at Antietam in 1862 and Gettysburg in 1863. After achieving their ‘high water mark’, Southern forces were engaged in a fight against the inevitable which was to finally end at a small court house in Appomattox in April 1865.

day 1 – Arrival. Fly London to Washington-Dulles. Check-in to our Manassas hotel for one night. Drinks reception and tour briefing.

day 2 - The two Battles of manassas. View the excellent 1st Manassas orientation film and the illuminated battlefield map prior to exploring the battlefield, its monuments and historic buildings such as Stone and Henry House. After lunch we visit 2nd Manassas battlefield including the interpretive centre at Brawner Farm, ‘Deep Cut’ and the ‘Dogan House’. Thence to Fredericksburg where we check-in to our hotel for the next two nights.

day 3 - Fredericksburg & Chancellorsville. Gain an overview of the battle of Fredericksburg from the lovely Chatham Plantation and enjoy its great views over the

town before descending to the battlefield at Prospect Hill. Walk along the ‘sunken road’ and view the original section of the ‘stone wall’ against which waves of Federal troops were thrown. This afternoon we visit the Chancellorsville museum and interpretative centre and walk the battlefield to include Hazel Grove, the Lee-Jackson last bivouac and the Clearing.

day 4 - The Overland Campaign. Receive a brief on the Battle of the Wilderness from the ‘Shelter’ and Saunder’s Field with interpretive stops at Widow Tapp Farm and the Brock Road intersection, the Higgerson and Chewning clearings and the spot where Longstreet was wounded. Following in the footsteps of the Union army to Spotsylvania we visit Todd’s Tavern, Laurel Hill, the Mule Shoe Salient, the ‘Bloody Angle’ and the court-house and jail. On our southward journey we see where ‘Stonewall’ Jackson spent his last hours and visit the J.E.B Stuart memorial. We end the day at Cold Harbor with its extensive earthworks including the Confederate entrenchments and the Connecticut heavy artillery line. Check-in to our Richmond-area hotel for four nights.

day 5 – The peninsula Campaign. We visit locations associated with the first Battle of the Ironclad Warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (Merrimac) and the superbly preserved Fort Monroe National Monument from where McClellan launched his campaign and where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was later imprisoned. At the Mariner’s Museum at Newport News is the USS Monitor Centre where we see how

“Fred Hawthorne was superb and went the extra mile all of the time – best tour guide we’ve ever had. We saw and experienced so

much thanks to him”.


2017 Tour Price: £4495Single supplement: £625Deposit: £350Price without flights: £3745---------------------------------------------------2018 Tour Price: £4495Single supplement: £675Deposit: £350Price without flights: £3745


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the historic ironclad is being preserved. En-route to our march to Richmond we stop at Yorktown, the Warwick Line, Dam #1, and Williamsburg.

day 6 - Richmond and its Battles. Starting at the James River Falls from where we gain a classic view of Richmond, we drive along the city’s scenic Monument Avenue to the Civil War museum at the old Tredegar Iron Works and the Richmond National Park Visitor Centre. Thence to the Museum of the Confederacy and its ‘White House’. This afternoon we explore the Seven Days Campaign with visits or drive pasts to Chickahominy Heights, Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, Grapevine Bridge, Trent House Headquarters, Savages Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale and Malvern Hill.

day 7 - Siege of petersburg. At City Point we walk out to Grant’s headquarters and the ‘Dictator’ siege mortar, see the eastern front restored fortifications, and visit Fort Stedman, the famous Crater and, if open, the Blandford Church with its memorial stained glass windows. Our day ends at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War soldier, one of the finest museums of its kind.

day 8 - Retreat to Appomattox. At the remote Five Forks museum we handle some of the wonderful collection of reproduction weaponry and munitions and explore the battlefield. Like Lee, we then travel west to Sailor’s Creek State Park to explore the battlefield, museum and the Hillsman House. This afternoon is spent at Appomattox museum and battlefield park where we view

the surrender movie, explore the village, visit the McLean House and the ‘Surrender Triangle’ where the laying down of arms took place. Continue to Lynchburg, Virginia for an overnight stay.

day 9 - Lexington and the Shenandoah Valley. Drive to Lexington via the Blue Ridge Mountains and the James Valley (both in early autumn colours), where we visit the Lee Chapel and family tomb and visit the grounds of the Virginia Military Institute to view the old barracks, the commandants house and cadet chapel and museum. We continue along the magnificent Shenandoah Valley to New Market with its VMI ‘Hall of Valor’ and ‘Field of lost shoes’. Weather permitting, we’ll return to the Blue Ridge Mountains and take the famous ‘Skyline Drive’ and admire the wonderful vistas from selected ‘overlook’ stops - we may even be rewarded with a glorious sunset. Thence to Winchester for one night.

day 10- Winchester and Harpers Ferry. We start at Middletown with an introduction to the battle of Cedar Creek and then return to Winchester to visit Stonewall Jackson’s headquarters which contains many of his personal possessions. This afternoon we visit Harpers Ferry, situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and explore this historic town, perhaps climbing up to Jefferson Rock. Continue to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and check-in for three nights.

day 11 - The maryland Campaign of 1862 and Antietam. At Monocacy we visit the battlefield museum and discuss the lost

Special Orders 191 and then drive through the South Mountain passes stopping at Crampton’s Gap and ‘War Correspondent’s Arch’ to Sharpsburg, Maryland. At the Pry House Farm we gain an appreciation of the Battle of Antietam from the Union perspective and at the Visitors’ Centre we watch the orientation film. We follow the Union approach to the Sunken Lane: amongst our many stops here will be Dunker Church, Miller’s and Otto’s Cornfield, the Sunken Lane and Burnside’s Bridge.

day 12 – Gettysburg. The greatest battle of the American Civil War and for many, the single most important event of that war. We devote our last full day exploring this site. We will tour many of the great sites associated with the battle: Oak Hill, Cemetery Hill, Little Round Top, and the famous Bloody Angle. A highlight of all our classic Eastern Civil War tours is the opportunity to walk the route of the climactic attack: Pickett’s Charge. In the afternoon we will visit the brilliantly restored Cyclorama of Gettysburg set within one of the finest military museums in the world. Our farewell dinner will be at a historic Gettysburg Tavern.

day 13 - Final Thoughts. We visit the Shriver House a museum in the 19th-century home of a Civil War soldier's family, exploring the civilian experience of the war. Thence to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where we pay our respects on this final stop of our tour. We then depart for Washington and our evening flights.


Detail from the Gettysburg Cyclorama


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14 – 26 April 201813 days

with Fred HawthorneActivity Level 2

On this ‘highlights tour’ we will visit many of the important battle sites of the four year campaign for the Mississippi River Valley: Fort Donelson where the little known Union General U.S. Grant began the rise which would lead to his command of all Federal armies within a few short years; the blood bath at Shiloh; the campaign and siege of the crucial river city of Vicksburg. We will also examine the battles in Kentucky and Tennessee and the opportunities lost by Bragg and Hood. We revel in the splendid glory of America’s ‘Deep South’ as we travel from Kentucky through Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. The battlefields may not be as well-known as those of the Eastern Theater, but they are just as well preserved and set in stunning and varying landscapes that offer a superb platform from which to interpret the fighting. We’ll also stay in some of America’s most historical and culturally rich towns including; Nashville, a hotbed of country music and New Orleans, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the USA. Throughout the tour we will be staying in comfortable, well located full-service hotels and enjoy a wide variety of traditional and American cuisine in a host of restaurants.

“The holiday was excellent. We did everything we wanted to. Lovely, small group of people

& what Fred doesn’t know about the Civil War isn’t worth

knowing. ”.

Whilst the American Civil War seemed to ebb and flow in the east during the years 1862 – 1864, in the west it took the form of a gradual, systematic Federal march southwards in order to open the symbolic, but nevertheless important, Mississippi River from the Union heartland to the Gulf of Mexico, thus splitting the Confederacy in half. Today some historians argue the real victory of the northern states came from these three years of battles in the mid-west. It was during these lesser known Western Theatre battles that many of the great commanders built their reputations; Grant, Forrest, Sherman, Johnston, and Thomas.

day 1 - Arrive. Fly London to Louisville, Kentucky via Dallas Fort Worth, arriving in the evening. Check-in to our airport hotel for the night.

day 2 – perryville. Drive out to Perryville, where Braxton Bragg failed to wrestle control of Kentucky from the Union forces. We explore the battlefield park and its small interpretive centre. Thence to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace national park with its memorial, symbolic cabin and museum. Continue to Bowling Green, KY, where we spend the night.

day 3 – dover. To keep the tour balanced we visit the Jefferson Davis Birthplace state park with its monument and museum to the confederate president. Thence to Dover, TN, past the submerged site of Fort Henry to the Fort Donelson National Park. Here, in February, 1862 General Ulysses S. Grant gained national attention when he issued his famed “unconditional surrender” note. Explore the preserved Confederate fortification and stand

in its water battery overlooking the Tennessee River where one can still imagine the Union gunboats steaming against the fort’s heavy guns. A stop will be made at the park’s small Visitor Center as well as the Dover Hotel – site of the garrison’s surrender to Federal forces. Continue to Nashville, our base for the next three nights.

day 4 - nashville. Nashville was the first southern capital to be occupied by Federal forces during the war and was a point of contention throughout. This morning we will tour the Stones River National Battlefield near Murfreesboro where General Braxton Bragg’s strategic campaign of 1862 came to a close. This afternoon we visit Fort Negley and sites associated with the Battle of Nashville.

day 5 - Franklin. This morning we visit Franklin where the remnants of the once-proud Confederate Army of Tennessee was nearly destroyed in a bloody battle in late fall 1864. Though not maintained as a National Park, local preservationists have done a remarkable job of interpreting the site and we will find a number of buildings, fortifications and monuments. Return to Nashville for a free afternoon to explore the country music capital of the world.

day 6 – Shiloh. An early start to travel to Shiloh, one of the most brutal battles of the American Civil War where thousands were killed and wounded including the southern Army Commander, General Albert Sydney Johnston, one of the highest ranking officers to be killed in action during the war. We devote the entire day to touring this wonderfully preserved site. Following a stop

Battle of Stones River


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at the Visitor Centre to view the orientation film we head out to see famous sites such as the Hornet’s Nest, Pittsburg Landing, the final defense line and the National Cemetery. Continue to Corinth for the night.

day 7 – Corinth. Our day starts at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Centre, which recounts the battles of 1862 & 1864, before we head across the state of Mississippi via the historic and scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, an early American trail. En-route we will stop at Civil War sites at Brices Cross Roads and Tupelo, the latter also the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Along the Trace are a number of scenic stops including a cypress swamp, characteristic of some areas of the Deep South. Check-in to our Vicksburg hotel for two nights.

day 8 – Vicksburg. We spend the day exploring the wonderful Vicksburg National Military Park which tells the story of this 1863 campaign and subsequent 47 day siege, one of the crucial turning points of the American Civil War. We will visit many of the forts and redoubts along both the Federal siege lines and the Confederate defense lines. We will also visit the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. This ship was sunk by an ‘infernal machine’ in 1863 and discovered and raised a century later.

day 9 – natchez. Continuing south we will visit another Confederate stronghold of Port Hudson State Historic site and the wonderful old southern town of Natchez, Mississippi. We will spend the night in the capital city of Baton Rouge where we will take a brief tour of its Civil War legacy.

day 10 – new Orleans. Drive to New Orleans, the largest city in the Civil War south, where we take a guided tour including its famous French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 11 - Beauvoir. This morning we visit Biloxi, Mississippi to tour the retirement home of the Confederacy’s only President, Jefferson Davis at Beauvoir. This afternoon we visit the Civil War Museum at Confederate Memorial Hall. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore the wonderful city of New Orleans.

day 12 – Return. After a late check-out we visit Chalmette Plantation, the location of the last battle fought between the UK and the US. Return flight to London or why not extend your stay?

day 13 - Arrive London

NEW ORLEANS Why not extend your stay in the USA: either fly out earlier or add a few more days in New Orleans where you might visit the very impressive National World War 2 Museum, take a swamp tour of Louisiana’s wild wetlands with its bayous and alligators, explore the historical residential Garden District with its beautiful houses or spend more time in the city to soak up its cultural atmosphere, visit its cathedral and its wealth of museums.

Ask our office for details.

Fort Donelson

Mississippi Cypress Swamp


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A wonderful 15 day tour which visits some of the most iconic and beautiful Southern cities and countryside in the states of Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. We trace the hard-marched routes of the soldiers of both sides through some uncompromising yet striking country; the battlefields around Chattanooga; the stunning Appalachian Mountains; the beautiful antebellum cities of Savannah and Charleston on the eastern seaboard. Make no mistake, these campaigns involved long marches and consequently we cover a lot of ground during the tour. Whilst this was a campaign of manoeuvre, we will still enjoy some superbly preserved battlefields with their interpretation centres, films, museums and historic buildings. We will hear from specialist park rangers whose stories will compliment those of our excellent guide, Fred Hawthorne. We will see some unusual aspects of the Civil War: the first submarine to sink a ship, fortresses with their extant siege damage, famous locomotives and prisoner of war camps. We’ll stay at great American full service hotels and end each day at a different restaurant where we’ll enjoy some great American food and hospitality.

19 march - 2 April 201915 days

with Fred HawthorneActivity Level 2



The last great victory for the Confederate Army was on the bloody battlefield of Chickamauga on 19 – 20 September 1863. But despite this success, their ensuing siege of Chattanooga was finally broken by the unified and reinforced Federal forces in the west under the overall command of Ulysses S. Grant. Subsequently made responsible for all Union forces, as part of his grand pincer strategy, Grant dispatched an army group under Sherman to pursue the Confederate army to Atlanta which fell at the end of August 1864. Abandoning his line of communications Sherman commenced his famous march to the sea which culminated in the fall of Savannah in December. He then turned on Johnson’s recently unified Confederate command and pursued it through the Carolinas finally accepting their surrender at Durham Station on 26 April 1865.

day 1 – Arrival. Fly London to Chattanooga, Tennessee and check-in to our hotel for three nights. Welcome dinner and introductory talk.

day 2 – Battle Of Chickamauga. A full day exploring Chickamauga, the great battle of the Western Theater. Much of our time is spent in the field but we find time to visit its orientation film, museum and historic buildings, all set amidst this wonderfully preserved National Military Park, the first and largest in America.

day 3 – Battles around Chattanooga. We gain an appreciation of the Union assault and capture of Missionary Ridge from Orchard Knob Reservation; pay our respects at the National Cemetery; drive or take the tram to the top of Lookout Mountain, view the electric

map, admire the magnificent views over Chattanooga and its surrounding mountains at Point Park and explore Craven Plateau; climb down to Bragg and Longstreet’s fantastic observation Point at Sunset Rock.

day 4 – The Campaign for Atlanta. In the path of Sherman’s pursuit of Johnson we visit some lesser preserved sites such as Tunnel Hill, the site of the great locomotive chase, the rugged terrain of Rocky Face Ridge, the railroad depot of Ringgold and the Southern Museum of Civil War in ‘Big Shanty’ (Kennesaw) with its famous exhibit - the ‘General’ locomotive. Check-in to our Atlanta/Cumberland hotel for four nights.

day 5 – The Battles on Atlanta’s doorsteps. At New Hope Church and Pickett's Mill we explore the last stages of Joe Johnson's defensive retreat before Sherman's force. The last major mountain obstacle is well preserved at Kennesaw Mountain National Park. We obtain great views of the surrounding area and visit its interpretation centre. At Pigeon Hill there are magnificently preserved Confederate breastworks whilst at Cheatham's Hill we visit the earthworks, tunnels and stand upon the glacis like slope.

day 6 – Atlanta History Centre and Stone mountain. We take a break from battlefields today to visit the famous recently restored and relocated Atlanta Cyclorama at the fabulous Atlanta History Centre, where we can see the ‘Texas’ Locomotive, the Tully Smith Plantation House and the superb museum and gallery which contains some of the finest memorabilia of the era. This afternoon we travel to Stone Mountain with

“Fred’s knowledge of the subject is exceptional, as is his ability to impart it. In addition his

organisational skills and social interaction cannot be faulted.”

EARLY BOOKInG

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its huge carvings of southern heroes Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. A cable-car ride up to the top of the monolith will provide magnificent views of hundreds of miles of Georgia countryside.

day 7 – margaret mitchell and martin Luther King Jr. We start the day at the apartment where Margaret Mitchell commenced her famous novel ‘Gone with the Wind’, today a museum dedicated to the influence of both the novel and the film. Whist the remainder the Atlanta battlefields are victims of modern development, we enjoy a series of vignettes at the remaining markers found at Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church and at Oakland Cemetery we find the Lion of Atlanta and the spot used by Hood for observation of the battle of July 22. Finally we pay our respects to one of the great leaders of the civil rights movement at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site with its visitor centre, monument, home and tomb.

day 8 – Andersonville and Ocmulgee. We leave Atlanta behind and visit the Confederate Cemetery at Jonesboro, the final battle for Atlanta. Thence to the infamous and haunting Andersonville Prisoner of War camp with its museum and National Cemetery. Just outside Macon we visit the Native Indian site of Ocmulgee, which possibly pre-dates Stonehenge, and explore its Earth Lodge and Great Temple, the oldest extant buildings in North America. Check-in to our hotel in Macon for one night.

day 9 – march to the Sea. As we follow Sherman’s right wing to Savannah we visit the site of the small action at Griswoldville

and then visit Milledgeville, the old Georgian capital. We explore the defences, shelters and museum at Fort McAlister. Check-in to our hotel in the heart of Savannah for two nights.

day 10 – Civil War Savannah. We take a walk through Civil War Savannah, the perfect southern city with its Spanish moss covered trees and lovely residential squares. This afternoon we visit lovely Tybee island and explore Fort Pulaski, complete with extant civil war damage, casements, revetments and moat.

day 11 – Savannah. A late morning departure to allow time for a quiet walk along the Savanah waterfront before we drive through the low country of South Carolina, stopping en-route at a typical Southern Plantation, to Charleston where we check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 12 – Charleston - the Cradle of the Confederacy. We take a morning walk amidst this wonderful antebellum city, in particular along the ‘Battery’, Charleston’s landmark defensive seawall and promenade with its grand houses. We take a boat trip to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began and this afternoon we visit the conservation site of H L Hunley, the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy vessel and possibly the most fantastic artefact from the war.

day 13 – march Through The Carolinas. We regain Sherman’s route through the Carolinas to Bentonville, North Carolina, the last major battle of the war. Set amidst cotton fields we explore the battlefield, its museum and the Harper House hospital. Thence to Raleigh for our final night of the tour.

day 14 – Surrender. At the Bennett Place we visit the cabin where Generals Johnson and Sherman met to negotiate the surrender of the Confederate army. Continue to Charlotte for return flights to London.


Lookout Mountain

Jonesboro Confederate Cemetary


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This fascinating study of the Anglo-Zulu War takes us to ground that has hardly changed since the memorable events of the period, all set amongst spectacular scenery still populated by Zulu tribes and an abundance of wildlife. As well as visiting the battle sites of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift and others that have gone down in British military folklore, we will be discussing the men, armies and tactics of both sides, their problems, successes and failures. We will be in the very capable hands of Ian Knight whose book Zulu Rising received great critical acclaim and adds to his body of meticulously researched books on the war and on Zulu culture.

But this is much more than ‘just’ a battlefield tour: Ian has been visiting South Africa for more than 30 years and knows the ground and its people well. We will be staying in comfortable lodges and hotels, and have ample opportunity to observe the local people and customs as well as participating in a game drive featuring many of Africa’s best loved animals such as the elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, leopard and antelope.

After many years we believe we now have the definitive Zulu War tour nicely balanced with cultural experience – led by an expert who is both an enthusiastic guide and very good company.

7 - 20 march 201814 days

with Ian Knight Activity Level 2/3

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 3 & 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guides throughout.


First annexed by Britain in the Napoleonic Wars, the Cape of Good Hope was in a vital position on the route to the Far East. Although South Africa never rivalled India in importance within the Empire, the battles between Queen Victoria's red-coated battalions and the lightly armed Zulu forces have remained vibrant in the memory of both adversaries as few other imperial events have done.

In 1879, with Britain at the height of her imperial power, Lord Chelmsford's three columns marched into Zululand on a punitive expedition to teach the Zulu King Cetshwayo a lesson. Two equally professional armies with totally different fighting traditions and weapons met and fought with startling results. At Isandlwana the Zulus inflicted the most humiliating defeat of the Victorian era on the over-confident British battalions. Yet hours later the small number of determined and well-led defenders at Rorke's Drift drove off repeated Zulu attacks and captured the public’s admiration. In the end the rifle inevitably triumphed over the spear. It is a story of arrogance and determination, traditions and innovations, but above all amazing individual bravery on both sides. The old Zulu nation was destroyed – but at the cost of a significant dent to British military prestige.

EXTENSION IDEASExplore the Wineland towns from Cape Town.Tour the Garden Route.Track the Big Five in Kruger National Park.

day 1 - depart. Overnight flight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg.

day 2 – durban. Internal flight to Durban. The Southern column: Visit Fort Pearson, on a bluff above the Thukela River, and the Ultimatum tree nearby. Overnight in Prince’s Grant on the Indian Ocean Coast.

day 3 – The Battlefields of Gingindlovu and nyezane. Drive up to the site of the old mission station at Eshowe, converted to a fort by the men of Pearson's column, stopping at the battlefields along the way. Lunch at Fort Nongqayi. Overnight at Shakaland with Zulu dancing after dinner.

day 4 - Shakaland. We drive deep into Zulu country to visit King Cetshwayo's grave. After lunch at Shakaland we are introduced to the culture and customs of the Zulu people and stay a second night.

day 5 - ulundi, the final battle of the Zulu War. We visit the battlefield and royal homestead at Ondini. Picnic lunch before moving on to Ithala Game Reserve, where we stay for 4 nights.

day 6 - ntombe Spruit. We walk around this little-known action where a convoy of the 80th regiment was wiped out in March 1879. River permitting, we wade across the stream Isandlwhana today


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and explore both sides. Then, on our way back to Ithala, we pick up the story of Col. Wood’s column to hear about the confusion and tragedy on Hlobane mountain.

day 7 – Hlobane mountain. If you are fit enough and the weather permits we will walk up the slopes of Hlobane mountain and explore as much of the flat-topped summit as we can (n.b. this is potentially a stiff walk and the tracks are deteriorating). For the less adventurous there are pleasant walks around the camp and time to relax. A game drive in the afternoon amid spectacular views.

day 8 - Khambula. We explore the battlefield of Khambula and contrast the success there with the shambles of Hlobane.

day 9 –Blood River & prince Imperial. Travel by way of the Voortrekker Blood River battlefield to the memorial which commemorates the spot where France’s Prince Imperial was killed. On to Isandlwana/Rorkes Drift area for a 4 night stay at our wonderfully sited lodge.

days 10 & 11 – Battle of Isandlwana. During these two days we hear the full story of the battle of Isandlwana, including the Ngwebeni Valley and the spur where the Zulu commander controlled his regiments' attacks. There is time to visit the outpost line and the memorial to the artillery; Black's Koppie, Younghusband's knoll and Durnford's Donga. We drive out to the hills where Lord Chelsmford took half his force to look for the Zulu army. For those of you who are fit we will walk as much of the Fugitives’ Trail as is practicable, although we are dependent upon the state of the river – we will in any case tell the story from the heights overlooking Fugitives’ Drift where we visit the memorial to Coghill and Melvill.

day 12 - Rorke’s drift. A full day at Rorke's Drift and there is much to see. Down at the Buffalo River crossing, and at the mission station the great story will be enthrallingly told by Ian as the great climax to the dramatic events of 1879.

day 13 – Johannesburg. Return to Johannesburg with lunch en-route. Overnight return flight to London.

day 14 – Arrive. Early morning arrival at London Heathrow.

Isandlwhana today

“ The Zulu War tour was a truly enriching experience.

Ian Knight is a gifted storyteller and a thoroughly knowledgeable scholar."


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Custer & the IndIan wars the lIttle bIg horn annIversary, re-enaCtment and yellowstone

This tour explores the magnificent 'Big Sky' country of Montana and the Black Hills of Dakota - the evocative landscape of the 'Old West'. At the end of the Civil War European settlers expanded into this and the Native American inhabitants chose to fight back. The Sioux nation inflicted a series of unexpected reverses on the United States Army, culminating in the massacre of Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment at Little Bighorn in 1876. We follow the course of these battles whilst exploring the natural wonders of the Black Hills including the majestic Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. We will end in the Yellowstone National Park, where the scenery is truly magnificent and simply unmissable when visiting this part of the United States. A highlight of the tour will be the splendid re-enactment of Little Bighorn which takes place on the banks of the very river.

Your guide will be Bob Kershaw, author of ‘Red Sabbath’, a definitive history of Custer’s ill-fated campaign, and who knows the ground intimately and will dispel a number of Custer myths and examine how the native Americans were able to check the vastly superior US Army in the West after a hard fought Civil War.

18 – 27 June 201810 days

with Col Bob KershawActivity Level 2



The years following the Civil War up to the end of the century saw a resumption of the ’white man’s’ expansion into the American West, unsettling the Native Americans who were not prepared to let their hunting grounds and way of life be destroyed: they proved to be particularly worthy foes. In 1867 the Sioux wiped out an entire company of US Cavalry in the Fetterman Massacre and fought the iconic Wagon-Box action against overwhelming odds the following year. In 1871 the discovery of gold in the Black Hills accelerated the clash of cultures so that when the US Army attempted to force Indian 'roamers' onto government reservations, war ensued. The campaign was a debacle, Crook's column was worsted at the Rosebud on 17th June 1876 and nine days later Custer's 7th Cavalry command was massacred at Little Bighorn.

day 1 - Fly Out. Fly London to Rapid City, South Dakota. Transfer to Custer and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 2 - The Black Hills. We drive through the Custer State Park and the Black Hills, sacred to the Sioux Nation, and follow the trail of Custer’s expedition. Here we will see the Mount Rushmore national monument with its massive carvings of four American presidents and the Crazy Horse Monument.

day 3 – Buffalo. We take a long, scenic drive to Buffalo. On arrival we investigate the grim site of the Fetterman Massacre and the incredible Wagon Box Fight. We move onto Sheridan, where we check into our hotel for four nights.

day 4 – Rosebud. Explore the remote battlefield of the Rosebud, where Crook's Column was worsted by the same Sioux who "Bob Kershaw’s expertise in

both the subject matter and in the running of the tour shone through – brilliant all round."


The Victorian Era

Custer & the IndIan wars the lIttle bIg horn annIversary, re-enaCtment and yellowstone

overcame Custer at the Little Bighorn.

day 5 - Little Bighorn. A full day devoted to exploring Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, including the Reno-Benteen fight, the museum and the National Cemetery. Like most battlefields in the US, Little Big Horn has been beautifully preserved, allowing a clear picture to be drawn of how the action unfolded from both perspectives.

day 6 - Re-enactment. Experience the authentic re-enactment of the battle on its Anniversary, where 7th Cavalry troopers fight Indian braves near the actual battlefield site. We will see Native American riders riding bareback portraying warriors of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Crow tribes along with Cavalry riders crashing across the Little Bighorn River just as they did on that fateful day.

day 7 – Cody. Today we immerse ourselves in the Wild West Lifestyle! Drive to Cody through the awe-inspiring Bighorn Mountains. We’ll visit the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West and the Old Trail Town, a reconstructed Wild West Village which includes original cabins used

by Old West outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Check-in to our Cody hotel for two nights.

day 8 – Yellowstone. Spend a full day touring the southern area of the Yellowstone National Park. We will see some of the most awe inspiring natural scenery in North America and witness sites such as the Old Faithful geyser, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake.

day 9/10– Home. Return overnight flight from Cody to London via Minneapolis.

Indian Wards re-enactment

Mount Rushmore


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thE FRANCO-AUStRIAN WAR thE BlOOdy BAttlES OF MAgENtA ANd SOlFERINO

During this six day tour to northern Italy we will visit five battlefields that were pivotal in the struggle for Italian Independence; the allied victories in 1859 at Montebello, Palestro, Magenta and Solferino and the reality check at Custoza in 1866. We will be based in the colourful Lombardy city of Magenta and Peschiera which provides us with a fine example of a Quadrilateral fortress, perched on the banks of the incredibly beautiful Lake Garda. Throughout our travels we will truly grasp how the breath-taking mountainous terrain and rivers influenced the strategy and planning of both sides.


with maj-Gen John ‘dZ’ drewienkiewicz

Activity Level 2



After nearly 20 years of ‘enlightened’ French hegemony, the Congress of Vienna saw Northern Italy once more placed under oppressive Austro-Hungarian control as demonstrated by the ensuing development of the ‘Quadrilateral Fortress’ system. But the sparks of nationalism could not be extinguished and as Sardinia (Piedmont) grew in strength she provided leadership for the drive for Italian independence and unification. Encouraged by the ‘five day’ Milan revolt on 22 March 1848 she declared war on the Habsburg Empire only to be defeated at Custoza and Novara. But by ceding Nice and Savoy to France, Sardinia bought the support of Napoleon III and, thus encouraged, once again engineered war in April 1859. The bloody and unimaginative battles of Magenta and Solferino followed which consolidated Piedmont’s dominance of Lombardy. When, in June 1866, Prussia struck against Austria, the recently declared Kingdom of Italy once again took the offensive but was defeated at the second battle of Custoza.

day 1 - Fly London – milan. Check in to our hotel in Magenta for two nights.

day 2 - montebello and palestro. Travelling via the strategic Stradella Gap we visit Montebello where, on 20 May 1859, a French division supported by Sardinian cavalry ‘bumped’ into a much larger Austrian force. Thence to Palestro where the Austrians attempted to check the Sardinian advance on Milan.

day 3 - magenta and peschiera. We explore the battlefield of Magenta, fought on 4 June 1859, the result of which allowed the Allies to enter Milan triumphant. Here we also visit its museum, ossuary and many monuments. Drive eastwards to Peschiera, one of the Quadrilateral Fortresses. Walk the impressive ramparts and explore the fortress. Check into our hotel for three nights.

day 4 - Solferino. A full day exploring

“Did the tour meet my expectations? I would say, unquestionably exceeded.

Thank You"

Solferino, the decisive battle of the 1859 campaign, where Franz Josef was persuaded to offer battle west of the Mincio River. From atop of both the Spy of Italy and the San Martino tower we gain a wonderful panorama of the battlefield which has changed little over the years. We visit the Red Cross monument, the battlefield museums, the chapel and ossuary. We end the day by crossing the Mincio to review the area to the east, where Franz Josef might arguably have fared better.

day 5 - Custoza. We spend the day retracing Custoza, situated in the heart of the Quadrilateral and where on 24 June 1866, the vastly outnumbered Austrians inflicted serious defeat on the Italians.

day 6 - milan. Visit the Risorgimento Museum which tells the story of the Italian struggle for independence from its early days right up to WW1. Transfer to Milan airport for our return flight to London.

Battle of Magenta

San Martino Tower


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WALKING THE YPRES SALIENTTHE FIVE BATTLES FROM THE RACE TO THE SEA TO THE ADVANCE TO VICTORY

This tour explores all five battles of Ypres in great detail, covering the ground of stoic defences, brave counter attacks and the first deadly use of poisonous gas on a battlefield. To walk the battlegrounds around Ypres allows the scarred landscape to reveal its stories of heroism and horror, enabling us to gain a deeper insight into the geography of war. Following the mostly gentle terrain, the walker's eye becomes attuned to the importance of ridges and folds in the landscape. We will be based in Ypres itself, where the vast majority of the town was destroyed beyond all recognition by German artillery and bombing, but was lovingly rebuilt to its Gothic and Flemish splendour after the war. It has since become a place of pilgrimage for descendants of the men and women of the First World War and is guaranteed to prove a moving experience.


with Simon JonesActivity Level 3

ESSENTIALSReturn Standard Premier Eurostar, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


Ypres and its surrounding salient became a major focus point of the war during the Race to the Sea in 1914, where it was briefly occupied by the Germans, only to be quickly won back and held thereafter by the Allies. Sometimes referred to as ‘Wipers’ by the Tommies, it became the beating heart of the Allied frontline throughout the First World War. The scene of no less than five crucial battles and at least four more major actions, the Ypres Salient gives us names that have lived long in the memory including Polygon Wood, Messines Ridge and Passchendaele. The important role played by the Ypres battlefield throughout the war enables a deep insight to be gained into the development of tactics, logistics, strategy and technology.

day 1 – Ypres. Depart London St Pancras for Lille on Eurostar, drive to Ypres and check-in to our central hotel. This afternoon we walk the town of Ypres itself to hear of its remarkable survival: 'Little Toc H', the ramparts dressing station and cemetery, and the casemates which concealed headquarters and the printing press of the 'Wipers Times' (1.5 miles).

day 2 – First and Second Ypres. This morning we follow the First Battle of Ypres during the autumn of 1914 and the desperate last push by the Germans following the 'Race to the Sea'. Starting at Black Watch Corner, named after the men who stoically defended the position with heavy losses, we follow the Worcesters' epic counter attack from Polygon Wood to Gheluvelt on 31st October 1914 (2 miles). After lunch we turn our focus to the Second Battle in the spring of 1915, with the first gas attack at Langemarck on 22nd April from the German cemetery into the village (1 mile) followed by the heroic stand by the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on Bellewaarde Ridge on 8th May (1.6 miles). This evening we attend the moving Last Post

“This very interesting World War One walking tour,

led by Simon Jones, gave us all a sobering insight in to

what actually happened on the battlefields."

ceremony at the Menin Gate.

day 3 – Third and Fourth Ypres. The Third Battle of Ypres, more commonly known as Passchendaele, was one of the bloodiest of the war. We start with the successful Australian attack at Broodseinde on 4th October 1917, following the advance up the ridge and the fighting for the ground around Tyne Cot Cemetery that bogged down the Canadians as they struggled to take Passchendaele (3 miles). In the afternoon we walk Fourth Ypres, with a short but steep ascent to follow the route of the German Alpine Corps in the dramatic capture of Mont Kemmel during the Kaiser's Offensive in April 1918 (1.4 miles).

day 4 – Fifth Ypres. The final battle of Ypres made up part of the 'Hundred Days' which would eventually lead to Allied victory on the Western Front. We focus in particular on the capture of the village of Ledeghem by the 9th Scottish Division in October 1918, where many massive concrete bunkers remain. The cemetery here contains the graves of British soldiers from 1914 and 1918 taking us full circle in the five battles (2.8 miles). Return to Lille for Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Australian troops on the Ypres Salient

Polygon Wood


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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION A PEOPLE’S TRAgEdy

St Petersburg, Russia’s most opulent city, home to the Tsars and the much maligned Imperial elite, was destined to become the epicentre for a revolutionary movement and would eventually take on the name of its leader becoming Leningrad. St Petersburg’s former glories have made it a magnificent place to visit, populated by grand palaces which exhibit examples of architecture from a plethora of cultural periods and its historical centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Moscow, the centre of Russia’s political power, also played its part in the revolution, with the Kremlin forever becoming the imposing symbol of the regime and also the resting place of Lenin himself. Visiting Russia’s two cities, you won’t just see where the Russian revolution eventually exploded, but also immerse yourself in one of the most unique and fascinating cultures in the world. All this will be experienced with Orlando Figes, history professor, award winning author and arguably the world’s leading authority on modern Russian history, his book ‘A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924’ is the ‘go to’ resource on the subject.

12 - 20 September 2017 &

18 – 26 September 2018 (2 day optional extension)

9 days with prof Orlando Figes

Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 1st class train, 4 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


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Tour Extension: £845

Single Supplement: £95

Deposit: £100

You may wish to combine this tour with our Eastern Front tour. please see details on page 66.

Today the term ‘revolution’ is used very loosely, making it hard for us to really understand the scale and impact of the Russian Revolution. It was, without doubt, one of the most important events in world history, changing the political landscape for the rest of the twentieth century and giving birth to regimes that would eventually have a third of the world’s population living under them. What happened in 1917 went on to completely reconstruct an empire covering a sixth of the globe and its legacy went on to shape politics, economics, society and culture worldwide. This tour offers you the opportunity to explore this tumultuous period in great detail.

day 1 – Arrival. Fly London to Moscow arriving in the afternoon to check-in to our hotel and receive an introductory talk before welcome drinks and dinner.

day 2 – moscow. Explore the Kremlin, the imposing and impressive home of the Russian government past and present. It was chosen by Lenin as his residence in 1918, located in the famous Red Square which is also the home of the revolutionary leader’s mausoleum. Thence to one of the most beautiful sites in Moscow, the Novodevichy Convent, a regular feature in the novels of Tolstoy. At the Khdynka Field we see where the coronation of

Nicholas II turned into tragedy, as promises of gifts led the masses to stampede resulting in over a thousand deaths. Many believed it was a bad omen for the new Tsar. They were right.

day 3 – St petersburg. Before departing the capital for St Petersburg we pay a visit to the Moscow Historical Museum and take a journey through the history of this fascinating country. Experience the vastness and beauty of the Russian countryside aboard the Sapsan express train to St Petersburg and arrive in the early evening to check-in to our hotel for six nights.

day 4 – The Winter palace. We spend a full day at the Winter Palace, the official residence of the Russian monarchy. This would have been an obvious target for the Bolsheviks and it was stormed in 1917, an event which became the symbolic image of the revolution. The month-long looting of the palace’s wine cellar gave birth to what is known as ‘the greatest hangover in history’. The Palace now makes up part of the colossal Hermitage Museum, which holds the largest collection of paintings in the world.

day 5 – 1917 on the streets. Visit Yusupov Palace which boasts one of the best preserved interiors of the imperial age and is well known for the assassination of the ‘mystic monk’

SOLd OuT

The Russian Revolution, 1917


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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION A PEOPLE’S TRAgEdy

Rasputin. We walk along Nevsky Prospekt, St Petersburg’s main thoroughfare, where the marches and demonstrations started on Women’s Day 1917. These uprisings over the simple demand for bread gathered momentum and the revolution quickly became an unstoppable force. At the Field of Mars we see where the ‘honoured dead’ of the revolution were buried and memorialised. The famous Kazan Cathedral and the Russian Museum near the Mikhailovsky Palace give us an insight into Russian religion and art before the day ends at the stunning Church of the Spilled Blood on the site where Alexander II was fatally wounded by anarchists in 1881.

day 6 – Imperial Families. Today we drive out to the Tsarskoe Selo where we spend the entire day at this wonderful complex of Romanov summer palaces. Subject to its refurbishment being complete (scheduled Summer 2018), at the Alexander Palace we experience another beautiful residence, initially preserved by the Bolsheviks as a demonstration to the masses of how the Tsars once lived, but today it’s devoted to commemorating the lives of the last Romanovs. The magnificent and opulent Catherine Palace with its elaborately decorated blue-and-white facades featuring gilded atlantes, caryatids and pilasters is the jewel in Tsarkoe’s crown. Its interior is no less spectacular.

day 7 – politics. Start the day at the Peter &

PETER THE GREAT: 2-DAy EXTENSION (with local guides)

day 10 Explore a number of landmarks associated with the city’s founder starting with the great man’s likeness at the impressive and imposing Bronze Horseman statue, mounted on the largest stone ever moved by human beings. The Cabin of Peter the Great was the Tsar’s first ‘palace’ when he was building St Petersburg. The Summer Garden, another of Peter’s constructions, is one of the most romantic and evocative places in St Petersburg. St Michael’s Castle, a royal Palace built for Emperor Paul I, unusual for the fact that it has different architectural design on each side.

day 11 - The peterhof palace. often referred to as the Russian Versailles and laid out on the orders of Peter the Great himself, is arguably the grandest of all of St Petersburg’s Palaces. Catch our return flight to London.

Paul Fortress, a prison for political prisoners that became known as the ‘Russian Bastille’. A one-time home to Trotsky, Dostoevsky, Tito and the Decembrists, it was taken over by the Bolsheviks in 1917 and used as a prison for their political enemies. View the revolution exhibition at the Museum of Political History, based in the former Bolshevik HQ where Lenin made his historic speech from the balcony. We end our day aboard the Aurora battleship from where the blank shot was fired that signalled the start of the revolution.

day 8 – October 1918. Kronstadt Naval base has become one of the symbolic features of the October Revolution. First the sailors joined the February riots, executing their officers and siding with the Bolsheviks, before turning against them in a twelve day rebellion and battle in 1921.

day 9 – Return. We end our tour by enjoying specially arranged visits to the Tauride Palace, where the ill-fated Provisional Government was based before the Petrograd Soviet took it over, and the Smolny Palace where Lenin chose to set up his government and his home until the civil war forced him to move to the safety of Moscow. Fly St Petersburg to London.

“First class trip with excellent travel arrangements,

accommodation and guides.”

The Winter Palace


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THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN DAMN THE DArDANELLEs: THIs wILL bE Our GrAvE

During this six-day tour to Turkey we will visit and examine the main aspects of the Gallipoli campaign: the naval assault, the problems of landing against defended beaches at Cape Helles, the command, control and communication issues, the miracle that was ANZAC, the Turkish perspective, the conditions at Gallipoli, the Suvla Bay fiasco and discuss whether it was all worthwhile. All this is set against the exotic backdrop of Turkish history, culture, scenic beauty and cuisine - all of which we will have ample opportunity to explore. There are further opportunities to soak up the culture with our optional two-day extension to Istanbul with a guided tour of this beguiling and bustling city at the cross-roads of Europe and Asia.

ISTANbUL 2 DAy EXTENSION (Local guides, Bed & Breakfast only).

day 6 - Istanbul. Drive to Istanbul and our centrally located hotel for two nights. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

day 7 - Sultanahment. A full day guided exploration of the imperial quarter of Istanbul including the extraordinary Haghia Sophia, the imperial Topkapi Palace, the graceful Blue Mosque and the enchanting Grand Bazaar.

day 8 - Home. A morning visit to the Turkish Military museum before a return flight from Istanbul to London.

30 April - 5 may 2018 6 days

(2 day optional extension) with dr Bruce Cherry

Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £1795


Deposit: £175


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Tour price with extension: £2075


Deposit: £200


Gallipoli was the scene of one of the great Allied failures of the First World War. In attempting to take Turkey out of the war, the assault on the Dardanelles ended in disastrous failure following a campaign that lasted from April 1915 to January 1916. The campaign saw some thirteen British and Empire divisions involved in a struggle against twenty Turkish divisions, with a total cost of 500,000 casualties.

day 1 - Arrival. A mid-morning flight from London sees us arrive in Istanbul late afternoon. We take the long journey towards the peninsula stopping en route for dinner before reaching our Cannakale hotel, our base for the duration of the tour.

day 2 - naval and Amphibious Operations. This morning, following a detailed examination of the Turkish coastal defences from Kilitbahir to the hugely impressive national Turkish memorial, we visit the French-held sector before moving on to the 25th April landing beaches – S, V, W, X and Y Beaches; each with its own poignant story, including the ill-fated SS Clyde landings at V Beach, and the “six VCs before breakfast” won at W beach by the Lancashire Fusiliers. We’ll also spend some quiet time at the Helles Memorial for the Missing. Returning to Çanakkale for dinner in a harbour-side restaurant.

day 3 – AnZAC. Following a fairly early start, we follow the coast road before turning off to ANZAC. The day’s highlights include the museum at Gaba Tepe and Anzac Cove; a climb up to Plugge’s Plateau, scene of fierce fighting, with its overview of ANZAC Cove, and key features such as Razor Back and Shrapnel Valley; Lone Pine Ridge, where seven VCs were won; and tour one of the many front-line ANZAC positions, such as Johnstone’s Jolly and Quinn’s Post. We visit the important sites of the August offensive such Sari Bair, Walker’s Ridge, the Gurkhas battle for Hill ‘Q’ and the Nek, the site of the ill-fated attack of the Australian Light Horse, immortalised in the film ‘Gallipoli’. At the end of our full day

we cross the Dardenelles back to our hotel in Çanakkale and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

day 4 – Helles peninsula. We will walk a section of Gully Ravine, perhaps the most atmospheric yet least visited part of the battlefield. Our day will also see us studying the battles around the ‘Vineyard’. We’ll shift our focus to the Turkish perspective visiting some amazing memorials and the small village of Bigali where we find a museum dedicated to Ataturk. Returning to Çanakkale, we complete our day with a visit to the extraordinary naval museum and the Turkish gun positions at Ephez. This is followed again by dinner on the quayside.

day 5 – Suvla Bay. Drive to beautiful Suvla Bay and examine the landings of August 6th 1915 at Nibrunesi Point and the baptism of fire for the Kitchener battalions such as the 6th Green Howards and the King’s Sandringham Company. Depending on weather conditions, we will take a short but telling walk to Lala Baba, or along a stretch of Kiretch Tepe; follow the failed attempt to break out at Hill 10, Chocolate Hill and Green Hill and the subsequent struggle for Scimitar Hill and Hill 60. We’ll also visit a small private museum at the village of Büyükanafarta. Finally we shall examine one of the most successful phases of the operation, the evacuation at Suvla Bay. Return to hotel and a farewell dinner on the harbour-side.

day 6 – Home. Drive to Istanbul to catch our flight to London.

ANZAC Cove

“Bruce Cherry is an exceptional guide & tries to personalise the tour for everyone. I also

appreciated the excellent hotels and food on the tour."

Gallipoli Yeomanry


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SALONIKA WAr IN the BIrdcAge

This tour visits the battlefields of one of the least visited and much overlooked campaigns of the First World War. Based in the quiet and untouched area of northern Greece and just over the border in Macedonia, the early spring will make for a pleasant, rustic and fascinating tour. The battlefields on the Salonika front are some of the best preserved of the First World War and offer a great insight into the conditions the men on both sides withstood. We will be staying in comfortable hotels in Thessaloniki and almost on the battlefields themselves, offering the chance to sit on the terrace with a cold drink in the evening reflecting on the day’s explorations.

The tour will be guided by Alan Wakefield author of Under the Devil's Eye: Britain's Forgotten Army at Salonika 1915-1918. He also holds the post of Chairman of the Salonika Campaign Society and is a member of the British Commission for Military History making him an almost unrivalled authority on this particular campaign.

23 – 28 April 20186 days

with Alan WakefieldActivity Level 2/3



The Salonika (or Macedonian) front was established in 1915 by the allies as an attempt to protect Serbia against a combined German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian attack. Due to the late arrival of the mixed Allied army and the sudden political upheaval in Greece, which resulted in it becoming neutral, they failed to stop the fall of Serbia. A stable frontline was established near what is now the Greek/Macedonian border, which saw various actions until a big Allied advance in the September of 1918 led to collapse of Bulgaria and Serbia’s liberation. The Salonika front is characterised by its huge mix of nationalities and armies that took part in the actions and also the terrible conditions endured by the soldiers. Weather extremes and disease were rife on the front line, the biggest problem being malaria which inflicted many more casualties than the fighting itself. Amongst the British forces alone there were around 160,000 admissions to hospital due to malaria over three years, which is almost equal to the fighting force.

day 1 – Thessaloniki. Fly London to Thessaloniki and arrive mid-afternoon. Explore the port which is over 2,000 years old and the White Tower which has become the symbol of the city before heading to Lembet Road cemetery, the resting place of over 1,600 Commonwealth servicemen as well as burials of French, Serbian, Italian and Bulgarian troops. Check-in to our hotel for one night.

day 2- Struma Valley. We start by visiting surviving elements of the infamous Birdcage defence line, named after the sheer quantity of barbed wire used. In the Struma Valley we hear of the fierce fighting of the XVI Corps against the Bulgarian advance before visiting Struma Cemetery. This afternoon we move onto the British artillery position at Triada and cover the actions at Tumbitza Farm and Prosenik before ending the day at the imposing Bulgarian hilltop positions near Paleokastro. Check-in to our hotel near Serres

for one night.

day 3 – doiran. We cross the border into Macedonia and head for the Doiran battlefield, where the major British actions on this front took place. We walk the British frontline positions on La Tortue (Tortoise Hill) before taking a relaxing boat ride on Lake Doiran itself. Check-in to our lakeside hotel for three nights.

day 4 – doiran. Our exploration of the Doiran battlefield continues, taking in the varying terrain (Level 3) which played a key role in the story of the actions there. Features here include, Grand Couronne with Devil’s Eye Bunker, The Hilt, Hill 340 and the Petit Couronne.

day 5 – Kosturino. On the battlefield of Kosturino we learn of the first British action of the Salonika campaign. It was here that a much depleted 10th Irish Division struggled against the invading Bulgarian Army and we will have a chance to pay our respects at their divisional memorial.

day 6 – Return. We cross the border back into Greece and visit the British Doiran Memorial and cemetery, as well as the Greek military cemetery. Return to Thessaloniki for our afternoon flight to London.

“This was my first trip with The Cultural Experience and

I was very impressed. Our tour manager and guide

were extremely helpful and knowledgeable”

Birdcage Defence line

Serres


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LAWRENCE OF ARABIA JORdAN ANd thE ARAB REvOLt

This tour has it all! It has a fascinating subject in the shape of Thomas Edward Lawrence - a 26 year old postgraduate researcher at Oxford, sent to Arabia in 1916 to work in the nascent Arab bureau as an observer and liaison point to Prince Faisal - and the rest, as they say, is history. This tour takes us to a seemingly un-ending series of dramatic and exotic locations. And all this in the company of one of the leading experts in the subject who, in the course of a fascinating week will not only follow the fortunes of Lawrence of Arabia but also introduce us to the desert and the dramatic Wadi Rum, the incomparable rock hewn city of Petra, the Dead Sea and the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Crusader Castle at Kerak and the wonderfully preserved Roman remains at Jerash. History, architecture, archaeology - all in one tour - a truly exciting cultural experience!

11 - 18 march 20198 days

with Eamonn GearonActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £2395


Deposit: £225


Initially dismissed by critics as a sideshow, the Arab Revolt was one of the most successful campaigns of the First World War. Conceived and plotted by the Arab Bureau, a branch of British Military Intelligence, from their rooms in Cairo’s Savoy Hotel, Lawrence and his colleagues brought the idea of a Bedouin uprising to life. Between 1916 and 1918, the Arab Revolt wrought havoc and destruction upon Ottoman-Turkish forces, from the deserts of Arabia to the gates of Damascus. Subsequently called “the first modern intelligence war,” the Arab Revolt is the perfect example of what we might today call asymmetric warfare. Using guerrilla tactics and superior knowledge of geography and tribal alliances, the irregular Bedouin forces, supported by Lawrence, secured numerous dramatic victories – and kept tens of thousands of enemy troops running in circles trying to find them – until their eventual, triumphant entry into Damascus.

day 1 – depart. Fly London to Amman, and check-in to our hotel for two nights

day 2 – Amman. A full day exploring Jordan’s capital including its Roman Theatre, Odeon and the Archaeological Museum with its examples of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

day 3 - Kerak. Transfer to Aqaba, stopping to view the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth where you might choose to float on the Sea’s famous healing waters. After lunch we visit the dominating Crusader castle at Kerak which most impressed Lawrence, the architecture undergraduate prior to WW1. On to Aqaba for two nights.

day 4 – Aqaba and Wadi Rum. Visit the archaeological and Arab Revolt museums in Aqaba and explore the battle site, also known as Aqaba Castle. Then on to Wadi Rum, the multi-coloured gorge that Lawrence and the Arab troops operated from throughout 1917 and from where they launched their attack

" We felt it a privilege to benefit from Eamonn’s knowledge,

experience and scholarship."

EXTENSION IDEASLuxuriate at a Dead Sea Spa ResortFly to Dubai for a short breakGo bird watching at the Azraq Wetlands Reserve

EARLY BOOKInG

FOR 2019

Lawrence of Arabia


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Overnight Petra

day 6 - Azraq, and the Hijaz Railway. It was at Azrak with its castle that Lawrence based his operations for much of the Arab revolt. During our travels we will also pass the Hijaz Railway with its abandoned stations, track and rolling stock still extant after 100 years. Check back into our Amman hotel for two nights.

day 7 – Jerash We explore the magnificently situated Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world. Free time in Amman.

day 8 – depart. Fly Amman to London.

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA JORdAN ANd thE ARAB REvOLt

on Aqaba. The wadi was widely used by David Lean for the epic 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia, with sites including Lawrence Springs and Lawrence House.

day 5 - petra. A full day to explore the wonders of Petra, the incomparable capital of the Nabatean Empire, known throughout the ancient world for the wonders of its architecture and innovative means of moving water across the city. Lawrence visited Petra before and during the war and was captivated by the beauty of the rock-hewn Treasury, the Royal Tombs, Qsar al-Binty and the Temple of the Winged Lion, all of which we will visit.

Wadi Rum

Petra

Eamonn Gearon


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The Doughboys Turn The TiDe The AmericAn expeDiTionAry Force in The FirsT WorlD WAr

The involvement of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), more affectionately known as Doughboys, is much overlooked and forgotten (especially in Britain) but during this tour we will explore the ground and hear the stories of their crucial and sometimes heroic contribution to the final victory. Travelling mainly in the Meuse-Argonne area which played a key part throughout the war, especially for the AEF, we will experience the deep valleys, thick forests and strong fortified positions that had to be overcome in those final months and weeks. We will be based in the medieval, Champagne city of Reims, and Verdun, the latter historically one of the most strategically important fortified towns in France. In both we immerse ourselves into a rich culture of history and cuisine, a crucial ingredient of this exceptional tour.


with dr Bruce CherryActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn Standard Premier Eurostar, train fares, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


The Americans were eventually drawn into the First World War in mid-1917 after the Germans' inauguration of unrestricted submarine warfare and the debacle of the Zimmermann telegram. At first American troops were almost ‘drip-fed’ onto the frontline to shore up weakened positons, but by the war’s end there were 1.4 million US troops on the western front. Led by Major-General John Pershing, hero of the Spanish-American War, the AEF became a key player in the Hundred Days that broke the back of the German defence and ultimately bought the war to an end. Their heaviest involvement came in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, fought over much of the ground associated with the 1916 battle of Verdun. The American role in the final victory gave their President, Woodrow Wilson, a seat at the peace settlement where he would implement his 14 Points and found The League of Nations.

day 1 – Belleau Wood. Take the early Eurostar to Paris and travel east to visit the Great War Museum at Meaux with its superb collection of US memorabilia. Thence to the Château Thierry American memorial; the preserved battlefield of Belleau Wood to learn about the contribution of Theodore Roosevelt's sons and follow in the footsteps of the US Marines. We end the day at the German military cemetery at Belleau, the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and the Belleau Wood memorial. Check-in to our Reims hotel for one night.

day 2 – The Lost Battalion. We’ll continue studying the AEF contribution during The Second Battle of the Marne then proceed to the Argonne where we’ll be introduced to the predominantly African-American Buffalo

Soldiers (92nd Infantry Division) & Harlem Hellfighters (369th Infantry Regiment) and follow the famous Lost Battalion into the Argonne forests. Check-in to our Verdun hotel for three nights.

day 3 – meuse-Argonne Offensive. This morning we will concentrate on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive opening attack, with the savage fighting for the Heights including the almost legendary actions of Sgt. York, who stormed German machine gun nests and took 132 German prisoners almost single handed, earning him the Medal of Honour. This afternoon we examine the capture of the Meuse Heights and the attack of 1 November, signalling the final push towards Sedan. Other sites to be visited will include Montfaucon and Pennsylvania Division memorials and Romagne Cemetery, the final resting place of over 14,000 Americans.

day 4 – St mihiel Salient. Today we concentrate on the St Mihiel salient and the First Army and Second Army Offensives in September 1918. Our story will include The Yankee Division, America’s first tank attack led by George Patton (then a Lieutenant Colonel), and the AEF’s first experience of limited trench warfare. We will also visit the Montsec Memorial located on a former German stronghold and the US St Mihiel Cemetery.

day 5 – Verdun. Before we take our leave of the region we will take the opportunity to visit a few key features of the 1916 Verdun battlefield; Fort Douaumont the largest of the Verdun forts, the ruined village of Fleury and French National Ossuary before taking the TGV from Meuse back to Paris and on to London.

"Thank you so much for the fantastic tour - we came home buzzing with the excitement

of it all!"


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This centenary tour takes in some of the major actions of 1918, a year that saw the balance of the war swing from a German success to an overall Allied victory. The peaceful countryside and farmland of the Western Front is unrecognisable from 100 years ago, but it still bears the scars that shed light on what happened there. Covering a major proportion of the front, we can see how technology, tactics and attitudes had developed since four years before, visiting preserved trenches, local museums and of course cemeteries. We’ll be introduced to each of the major events of the year, visiting iconic battlefields such as Villiers Bretonneux, the Saint Quentin Canal, Le Quesnoy, Mons and, fittingly, the site of the November armistice signing at Compiegne. This tour will be of particular interest to those with Australian, New Zealand and Canadian interests, and of course those from the British Isles.

The tour is based in Amiens, which played a significant role throughout the war but especially in 1918. Situated on the Somme river, the city boasts an impressive gothic cathedral and narrow shopping streets providing a perfect base.

29 July – 1 August 20184 days

with dr Bruce CherryActivity Level 2



1918 was a busy year on the Western Front. The first half of the year saw both British and French Armies on the back foot, close to collapse and reeling from what were to be the last German offensives before the entry of the USA into the war. The year finished for the British Army with what has been called ‘The Last Hundred Days’: the remarkable but costly breakout from Amiens; the breaking of the supposedly impregnable Hindenburg Line; and, with the final shots ringing out in Mons, 4 years of carnage coming to an end within a few hundred yards of where the first shots had been fired.

day 1 – Kaiserschlacht and the Lys. Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Lille. We will look at one particular battlefield in the Artois that fell in this German advance but was recaptured as part of the September 1918 operations known as the “Advance in Flanders”. Our route follows the chaotic Spring retreat of the 4th Army through Arras and the Somme to Amiens. We’ll detour to the little-visited town of Doullens and see the remarkably preserved Marie room where Haig agreed to come under Foch’s command. Check-in to our hotel in Amiens for the duration of the tour.

day 2 – The Hundred days Offensive. Having successfully stopped the Germans outside Amiens, the great fight back started on July 4th with the astounding victory executed by man-of-the-hour Monash and his Australians at Le Hamel, with a little help from the newly arrived Americans. One month later the Germans were to face their ‘blackest day’ on August 8th with the start of The Battle of Amiens. This defining battle can claim to have seen the birth of modern warfare: artillery, infantry, tanks and the air force combining to force a German retreat. Actions explored

1918 Centenary tour KaISerSCHLaCt to aDVanCe to VICtory

through the pretty Somme Valley will include Villers Bretonneaux, Cappy, Bray-Sur-Somme, Peronne and the Mont St Quentin.

day 3 - Advance to Victory. Following the hard fighting of August and early September, the British and Dominion armies found themselves astride the reputedly impregnable Hindenburg Line. We follow that advance visiting the sites of Heudicourt (12 September 1918) and Epéhy (18 September 1918) before looking at the Battle of Canal du Nord (27 September - 1 October 1918) on the outskirts of Cambrai. A highlight is the bridge at Riqueval and the nearby canal tunnel entrance, location of one of the British Army’s finest feats of arms in the breaking of the Hindenburg Line during the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal. We spend time looking at preserved Hindenburg Line sites around Saint Quentin before driving via the Chemin des Dames to Compiegne and the site of the Armistice signing.

day 4 – The Final Shots. On our final full day we cross the 1916 Somme battlefield to Bapaume, a town that tells a story of both the Spring retreat and the last desperate days of German defensive action. Heading towards Mons, and ironically following the original line of the 1914 retreat, we look at the Second Battle of the Sambre (4 November 1918), part of the final European Allied offensives of World War I, and the capture of Le Quesnoy by the New Zealanders. We will also visit Wilfred Owen's grave at Ors. Finally we arrive in Mons, where a plaque marks the final shot of the war, and we visit Saint-Symphorien CWGC where the graves of both the first and last British soldier to die present us with the final irony of this ‘war to end all wars’. Return to London by Eurostar.

"Bruce Cherry is a very good tour guide, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Friendly co-tour

members made for an excellent atmosphere."

9th Scottish Division 1918


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ITALY durIng THE FIrST WOrLd WAr THE CAMPAIgnS In THE dOLOMITES

Set amongst some spectacular mountain scenery, these infrequently visited battlefields have changed little over the years. You will marvel at many of the precarious and exposed positions occupied by both sides and visit many of the ingenious caverns and tunnels that were built for warmth and protection during the severe winters. The contrast with the topography of the Western Front is remarkable: from rain and wind swept trenches built in chalk and mud, imagine trenches hewn out of rock to protect against snow, ice and avalanche. Today the area over which these battles were fought straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia and we shall enjoy some of the best hospitality and cuisine that both these countries have to offer.



ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London Gatwick, 4-star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, and all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


Whilst the Italians prevaricated over whether to join the Entente powers in their struggle against the Central powers, the Austro-Hungarians set about fortifying their Alpine borders. When Italy finally decided to take up arms, the only really practical terrain to take the fight to the enemy was along the River Isonzo, where she made as many as 11 major attempts to drive through the Ljubljana Gap until they were finally thwarted by the spectacular Austrian counter-offensive at Caporetto (where a young German Officer called Erwin Rommel earned his spurs). This resulted, in late 1917, of the arrival of five British and six French divisions around Asiago to bolster the realigned Italian positions. This small force was to play a disproportional role in repelling the last Austro-Hungarian thrust on the Piave in June 1918 and spearheaded the pursuit during the final battle of Vittorio Veneto, assisting the Italians in their ‘land grab’ before the end of the war.

day 1 - palmanova. Fly London to Venice. Drive to the perfect Vaubanesqe town of Palmanova and check-in to our hotel for one night. Welcome drinks and evening lecture ‘Italy and the First World War’.

day 2 - Isonzo. We examine the battles of the Isonzo and from the commanding heights of Monte San Michele we gain magnificent views over the river valley and right down to the Adriatic. We explore the remains of many of the trenches and tunnels that riddle the position and visit the museum. We descend the heights to take lunch at the café situated in the heart of the 3rd Army battlefield park at Redipuglia before crossing the border in to Slovenia and travelling northwards to Kobarid where we check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 3 - Caporetto. After visiting the excellent museum of the battle in Kobarid, we follow

" A wonderful tour, great chemistry between Gordon and tour manager. They provided

unique knowledge of both culture and historical knowledge."

the path of oberleutnant Erwin Rommel, commanding a company of mountain troops, on his way to winning the Pour le Merite in the Battle of Caporetto. In the afternoon we visit the trenches and tunnels of the Italian defence line, which are still remarkably well preserved.

day 4 - Asiago. Moving to the sector taken up by the British and French after the disaster of Caporetto, we travel through some spectacular scenery through Treviso to the Asiago Plateau arriving mid-afternoon and check in to our hotel for two nights.

day 5 - Asiago. Today we examine the British in the north: trench raids, battles and visit cemeteries in the area, including the grave of Edward Brittain, brother of Vera BrittaIn.

day 6 - The piave. After examining the Battle of Nervessa, the Italian's last throw of the dice and largely thwarted by the newly formed RAF, we follow the British to the crossing of the River Piave in the final advance of the war in Italy. Thence to Venice and our return flight to London.

EXTENSION IDEASContinue your tour with a stay in Venice and take in all it has to offer.Or relax on the shores of Lake GardaOr we can organise a break to any beautiful Italian city of your choice.

Kobarid

The Battle of Caporetto


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Medics and Padres Tales of The non-fighTing heroes

Less of a battlefield tour but more of a behind the lines exploration, this tour focuses on the heroic and often untold stories of those men and women who dedicated themselves to helping and saving the fighting men of the Great War. Numerous Medics and Padres won the highest military honours for gallantry including the Victoria and Military Cross, and we’ll hear about a number of these acts of heroism throughout the tour. Based in Ypres, which became a major hub behind the front line for the British and Commonwealth forces throughout the war, you can get a feel of life away from the trenches and the incredible work that was done there to ensure the wounded and shell shocked were treated and returned home safely.

2 – 5 August 2018 4 days

with Simon JonesActivity Level 2



Because of its industrial nature, the number of casualties in the First World War was on a scale never seen before. However, if you were wounded your chances of survival were high: that is if you could be evacuated into the casualty system quickly – from regimental aid post to advanced dressing station, to casualty clearing station, to base hospital, hospital ship and then on to England. The stories of those men and women who were involved in these processes have received more attention in recent years but they still come under the umbrella of ‘unsung heroes’. Some of the names that we come across on this tour such as ‘Woodbine Willie’, John McCrae and Vera Brittain, have become well known but we also pay tribute to the countless doctors, nurses, VAD’s, stretcher bearers, orderlies and padres who provided treatment, care and comfort to the men on the front-line.

day 1 - depart London St pancras for Lille by Eurostar. This afternoon we learn of the Women of Pervyse who ran a dressing station immediately behind the front line until they were gassed in 1918. At Essex Farm we visit the place where Dr. John McCrea wrote his famous poem In Flanders Fields in 1915, and the dressing station bunkers constructed in 1917 for the Battle of Passchendaele to discuss how casualties were evacuated and treated during the Battle. Check-in to our hotel in Ypres for three nights and attend the Menin Gate ceremony.

day 2 - The Ypres Salient: front line bravery of RmOs and padres. We tell the story of Dr. Noel Chavasse the only man to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice during 1914-1918, and Rev. Harold Ackroyd VC, visiting his grave at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery. We will also hear of the heroics of Fr. Willie Doyle MC, commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Rev. Noel Mellish VC , Studdert Kennedy MC ('Woodbine Willie'), and Rev. Theodore Bailey Hardy VC. An evening walking tour of Ypres will include Little Toc H, Ramparts Dressing

" I would recommend The Cultural Experience to

anyone with a whiff of interest in this, or other military subjects,

and I will most certainly be using them again."

Station and the Wipers Times.

day 3 - Casualty evacuation and life behind the lines. The Hop Store Casualty Clearing Station at Vlamertinghe and the work of Rev. Charles Doudney. The work of Casualty Clearing Stations during the Passchendaele offensive at Brandhoek and Lijssenthoek Cemeteries, the graves of Noel Chavasse, Nurse Nellie Spindler (killed by shell-fire), and Charles Doudney. This afternoon we visit the famous soldiers’ hostel Talbot House (‘Toc H’) in Poperinghe run by the legendary Tubby Clayton and preserved almost unchanged.

day 4 - The French coast. Drive to Wimereux to explore the cliff top sites of hospitals where Alexander Fleming worked on streptococcus infections, and the British Cemetery for the graves of John McCrea and other medical staff. To Étaples for the inspiring British Cemetery and the site of the hospital where Vera Brittain worked as a VAD Nurse. Our last stop is at Le Touquet to see the site of the Duchess of Westminster's hospital, then, as now, a casino. Return to London St Pancras by Eurostar.

Noel Chavasse

Tyne Cot Cemetery

Brandhoek Cemetery


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operation mercury the battle for crete 1941

14 – 20 October 20187 days with

Col Bob KershawActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


EXTENSION IDEASEnjoy a few extra days in Crete soaking up some winter sun.Explore Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum, housing the major exhibits of Minoan Crete.Spend a few days hiking in Crete’s mountains and gorges.

Operation Mercury was the first and only time in history that a strategic objective has been taken by airborne forces alone. Despite being forewarned by 'Ultra' Luftwaffe intelligence decrypts that an attack was pending, General Freyberg's Commonwealth mix of British, Australian and New Zealand forces, recently evacuated from Greece, was overrun by Hitler's elite Fallschirmjaeger (Parachute) regiments.

This tour charts and examines how successive waves of German parachute, glider and air-landed mountain troops managed to seize the island, vastly outnumbered and in the face of crippling losses. Our guide Colonel Robert Kershaw is an experienced former Parachute Regiment officer, who has also served with German airborne forces. He wrote Sky Men the history of airborne forces and has extensively walked the ground.

day 1 - Travel to Crete. Fly London-Chania and check- in to our hotel for five nights.

day 2 - maleme Airfield, prison Valley and Galatas. We drive to Maleme and visit the German Assault Regiment gliding and parachute landing areas around the Tavronitis Bridge and the RAF Memorial. After climbing up Point 107, the vital high ground, we examine the costly German glider and

Operation Mercury is the fascinating story of a high risk operation fought across a stunning Mediterranean landscape. Crete has to be one of the most beautiful Greek islands, and some would argue that there is no other place like it. To the modern mind it is known primarily as a beach holiday destination, however the landscape is wonderfully varied. From beaches and bays, to green coastal plains, imposing mountains and gorges, sleepy hillside villages to bustling, vibrant towns. Not to mention the warm, friendly, hospitable locals, a rich ancient and modern history and culture.

All to be enjoyed as we follow the landings and hard fought actions along the dramatic coast lines, the towns of Chania, Rethymnon and Iraklion, the White Mountains and down to the crystal clear waters of Sfakia.

We are staying at two superb hotels in Chania and Heraklion, with time available in the evenings to soak up the delightful atmosphere of tavernas and family restaurants.

German parachute landings over Souda Bay

Rethhymnon


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operation mercury the battle for crete 1941

parachute landings and the subsequent air landings under fire by the Mountain Troops to take the airfield, before visiting the German cemetery. The landings and attacks in Prison Valley and Galatas by the German Gruppe Mitte and the Commonwealth defence is covered from the Oassi Cretan Memorial, Lake Agia and Cemetery Hill. We visit the Allikanou Citizen Memorial to 108 villagers executed during German reprisals, as well as Galatas village, memorial and museum.

day 3 - Chania and Souda Bay. The fighting around Chania and Souda Bay is covered with visits to the German Assault Regiment Memorial, 42nd Street and the Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery. At the Venizelos Memorial we discuss General Freyberg's command on the island against the German General Student, based in Athens. The afternoon is free to explore Chania or relax at your hotel.

day 4 - The Allied Retreat and Evacuation. We drive the Allied retreat over the White

“This company sets out to provide first-class battlefield

tours with expert guides – it does just that! ”

Mountains to Chora Sfakia via the withdrawal route through Megali Horofia, Apterra Stilos, Neo Horia, Vrysses and Askifou. There is an optional walk through the Imbrou Gorge to the memorial which marks the evacuation point (weather permitting).

day 5 –The battle for Rethymnon. We check out of our hotel and travel to Rethymnon via Frangokastello and the monastery of Prevalli. Near Stavromenos we discuss the 19 Australian Brigade fight to repel the landings from German Gruppe Mitte. Afterwards we drive on to Heraklion and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 6 –The battle for Heraklion. We visit the Historical Museum of Crete and explore the fighting around the Heraklion area. During the afternoon we will visit the Minoan Palace at Knossos and explore some of old Heraklion.

day 7 – Return. Fly Heraklion to London.

The Venetian waterfront of Chania

Group on Tavronitis Bridge

The Battle for Crete


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RUSSIA 1941-1943 THE CLASSIC EASTERN FRONT TOUR

The battle for Moscow during the autumn and winter of 1941-2 was the first time a German Army was checked and then repelled during the Second World War. A second German summer offensive in 1942, another seemingly irresistible Blitzkrieg across the southern Soviet Steppe ran out of momentum when it engaged in a costly battle of attrition at Stalingrad. Yet another Soviet surprise winter counter offensive surrounded and overwhelmed Paulus Sixth Army, the strongest Army in the German Wehrmacht, and threatened to cut off an entire army group in the Caucasus. The German summer offensive at Kursk in 1943 was the final gamble, involving 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and two million men the highest concentration of men and material achieved up to this point in the history of warfare. It achieved a fleeting tactical success but the strategic initiative was irretrievably lost. The tour explores how near the Germans got to Moscow in 1941, why Blitzkrieg failed at Stalingrad in 1942 and examines many of the myths surrounding the huge tank battle at Prokohorovka in 1943.

day 1 - Arrive. Fly London-Moscow and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 2 - The defence of moscow. We travel out to the battlefield of Borodino to explore and compare the battles of 1812 and 1941. We then follow the German advance on Moscow through Istra and Chimki, its closest point, just short of the Moscow ring road.

day 3 - Stalingrad the Attack. Fly Moscow-

Volgograd, landing at the former Luftwaffe airbase at Gumrak. We begin the tour of the Stalingrad city area from the Mamayev Kurgan heights, with its impressive memorial complex to overview the German assault. We visit the still preserved Grain Elevator, the Volga River crossings and Pavlov's House. Check-in to our hotel at Volgograd for three nights.

day 4 - Stalingrad The defence. We visit the Panoramic Museum and Grudinin Mill to discuss street fighting and the final encirclement from von Paulus's final HQ at the Univermag department store. We drive to the western outskirts of the city, the edge of the Steppe, to see the Soldier's Field and the German entry points into the city.

day 5 - Victory in Stalingrad. Today we view the victory parade in Volgograd (May tour only) followed a boat trip on the Volga to view the defence from the Soviet perspective. We travel to the north of the city to view the factory district, where the last German troops held out and Lyudnikov's Island.

day 6 - moscow. After our return flight to Moscow we visit the Great Patriotic War Museum displaying much of the epic art and equipment of the war and more besides, before catching the overnight train to Kursk.

day 7 - northern shoulder Kursk Salient. Today we drive north from Kursk to view Model's Ninth Army assault of Ponyri, 'the 'Stalingrad' of Kursk, visiting the railway station, the focus of the fighting and the

5 - 14 may 2018 with Col Bob Kershaw

& 8 - 17 September 2018

with dr matthias Strohn10 days

Activity Level 1 / 2

A great opportunity to explore traditional Russia and sample its history, traditions, architecture and landscapes. Our ten day tour covers the three decisive turning points of the Great Patriotic War (as it’s known in Russia): the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk. We begin outside Moscow at Borodino, the site of Napoleon's victory in 1812 and coincidentally the same defence line held in 1941. Preserved trench lines and bunkers are visible here as are ruined buildings at Stalingrad (now Volgograd). At Kursk we peruse fascinating local museums, tank scrapes and restored trench complexes en route. Traditional Russian single story wooden houses and iconic Orthodox churches form the backdrop to our journey, which involve considerable travel with internal flights to Volgograd and comfortable overnight 1st class (two-berth) sleeper train to Kursk, other nights are spent in four star hotels or equivalent. During our May tour we will also witness a magnificent Victory Day parade right outside of our hotel.

" A well organised and comprehensive tour with an excellent historian & great

itinerary."

ESSENTIALSReturn flights from London, internal flights, 1st class train travel, 3 & 4 star hotels, all meals with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour Price: £3795Single Supplement: £310Solo train occupancy: £220Deposit: £350Price without flights: £3545

You may wish to combine our September tour with our Russian Revolution tour. please see details on page 54.


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RUSSIA 1941-1943 THE CLASSIC EASTERN FRONT TOUR

superb local museum. Moving to the Teplov Heights monument we view the furthest extent of Model's advance and visit the defending Soviet general Rokossovky's bunker headquarters. Check-in to our hotel for one night.

day 8 - Southern Advance to prokhorovka. We drive the southern part of the salient following the 'death ride' of the Fourth Panzer Army to Prokhorovka, the site of the largest tank battle of the war. We follow the fortunes of the SS Adolf Hitler Battle Group, visiting

preserved trenches and gun emplacements en route. Catch the overnight train from Kursk back to Moscow.

day 9 – Kubinka and T34 tank ride. We visit the magnificent tank Museum at Kubinka. Exactly what we will see will depend on the result of its present re-organisation, but previously it has exhibited every tank and self-propelled gun type employed on the eastern front and many more. These include the massive howitzer that bombarded Sevastopol and Warsaw and the 'Maus' Mark VIII Panzer,

the biggest tank produced during the war. Our tour finale sees us enjoy a ride inside and atop an original T34 tank to appreciate the physical reality of tank warfare on the Eastern Front. Check-in to our Moscow hotel for our last night.

day 10 - moscow and Home. This morning we tour the iconic sites of Moscow’s Red Square, such as the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s mausoleum. Afternoon return flight to London.

Our 2016 group enjoy a ride in a T34Our 2017 tour before their tank ride

German Mk IV tank in Stalingrad


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D-Day LanDings & Paris Breaching the atLantic WaLL

26 – 30 June 20185 days

with dr Simon Trew

Activity Level 2


Tour price: £1495Single supplement: £165Deposit: £150Price without train: £1345

D-day and the advance on Paris signalled the beginning of the end of the Second World War. The 6 June and the days that followed it have given birth to some of the most heroic stories from the war, which have inspired authors and film makers ever since. It took the allied forces around three months after landing in Normandy to liberate Paris, which was famously spared total destruction by von Choltitz after the Nazi commander of the city refused Hitler’s order to raze it to the ground. .

day 1 - Outward travel. Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris and thence to Caen by coach. Check-in to our hotel for 4 nights.

day 2 - The British Sector. To Pegasus Bridge, the site of the British glider-borne assault, followed by the fight for the Merville Battery. Continue to La Riviere and Gold Beach to follow the exploits of 69th Infantry Brigade and learn how the only D-Day VC was won.

What was it like to parachute in the night skies above Normandy or land by glider directly onto Pegasus Bridge at Ranville at midnight? Find out what it was like for Colonel Rudder's Rangers to scale the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, or wade ashore with American soldiers struggling through the surf at Omaha alongside renowned war photographer Robert Capa? At the surviving German coastal battery position at Longues Sur Mer, hear how terrified German gunners duelled with fearsome battleships from the Atlantic Wall. Fighting for Paris may have been brief, but it was brutal. How was the German Panther tank, photographed burning at the Place de la Concorde, actually knocked out? What happened at the German Headquarters of the Commandant of Paris in the streets by the Hotel Meurice around the corner? This is the story of D-Day to Paris described through the eyes of the British, American and German soldiers who fought these desperate battles. This fascinating tour is led by military historian Dr Simon Trew of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst who combines his academia with the practical experience of guiding British Army officers around Normandy.

day 3 – The British and American Sectors. We visit the site of the US airborne landing at Ste Mere Eglise and the La Fiere causeway, scene of a desperate four-day struggle to establish control over a critical crossing of the River Merderet. After a brief stop at Utah Beach we visit Port-en-Bessin captured by 47 RM Commando and the German battery with its extant guns at Longues sur Mer. We end our day in Bayeux.

day 4 - The American Sector. We visit the German battery at Pointe Du Hoc, an area preserved as it was in 1944. Then on to several sites at Omaha Beach before ending our day at the American National Cemetery and memorial at St Laurent.

day 5 - Liberation of paris. Drive to the French capital and discuss its Liberation, visit scenes of intense fighting and many iconic city sites. Return to London on Eurostar.

Landing at Juno Beach

“Well organised, clearly experienced and willing to go above and beyond to ensure a

positive experience."


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“Probably the most informative tour I have been on, thank you to

all involved.”

Battle of the Bulge the aRDeNNeS offeNSIVe 1944-45

5 - 9 december 20185 days

with dr peter Schrijvers Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALSReturn Standard Premier Eurostar, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 1 picnic lunch, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.

Tour price: £1445Single supplement: £145Deposit: £150Price without train: £1295

In the summer of 1944, the Allied momentum appeared unstoppable as troops broke out of Normandy, captured Paris, and raced through Belgium. In early autumn, however, the advance lost steam when logistical lines snapped and Operation Market Garden failed. Allied troops prepared for a hard slog at the Siegfried Line. Meanwhile, Hitler, under pressure on two fronts, decided on a last gamble in the west. On 16 December 1944, he launched a major counteroffensive through the Ardennes, a forested area thinly held by exhausted American veterans and green troops. Hitler wanted to capture the crucial logistical hub of Antwerp and tear apart the seam between American and British forces. The Führer hoped that, combined, this would make the Western Front collapse, thus dramatically changing the course of the war at a time when all seemed lost for Nazi Germany.

day 1 – The ultimate price. Eurostar from London to Brussels and train to Liège. We drive to the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery on the northern shoulder of the Bulge to discuss the main German effort there and how American forces managed to block it. Check-in to our hotel near Malmedy for two nights.

day 2 – The Waffen SS unleashed. We follow the trajectory of the Sixth Panzer Army’s Waffen SS spearheads, discuss the massacre of American POWs at Baugnez, and analyse the destruction of Kampfgruppe Peiper at Stoumont and La Gleize. Return to our hotel in Malmedy.

day 3 – Into the Breach. We reconnoitre

Based on his internationally acclaimed books on the Battle of the Bulge, Belgian academic historian Peter Schrijvers brings to life the decisions of commanders under extreme pressure and the experiences of soldiers and civilians in desperate circumstances. How did American infantrymen halt Waffen SS armour at Elsenborn Ridge? Why did Kampfgruppe Peiper turn Baugnez into a killing field for POWs? What were the consequences of the fall of St. Vith and how did American and British troops halt the German tide? Why did the airborne Band of Brothers prevail in Bastogne and what happened to the civilians in this cauldron?

While looking for answers, we will reflect also on the cost of Hitler’s last gamble at American, British, and German cemeteries. And we will conclude with a close look at the traces of war in the Bastogne War Museum.

the massive gap that opened up when von Manteuffel’s Fifth Panzer Army surrounded the 106th Infantry Division and captured St. Vith. Picnic lunch. We take a closer look at how American troops threw up dams in places like Parker’s Crossroads and British troops joined the fight to push in the Bulge’s nose. Check-in to our hotel in Bastogne for two nights.

day 4 – Those Who Hold Bastogne. We start the day at the Mardasson Memorial to sketch the outline of the siege and visit sites like the iconic Band of Brothers’ Bois Jacques to explain why the Germans failed to capture this crucial Belgian crossroads. After lunch, we walk the streets of Bastogne and then drive southward to Assenois to learn more about how Patton’s Third Army finally came to the rescue.

day 5 – Retracing the Bulge. We visit the Bastogne War Museum and retrace our steps through the Ardennes with a look at unique artefacts, rare photographs, and vivid dioramas that detail the campaign from mid-December 1944 to the elimination of the Bulge by late January 1945. After lunch, we drive to Liège and take the train to Brussels and the Eurostar to London.

Dragon’s teeth Ardennes


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HOLOCAUST LANDSCAPES THE gEOgrAPHy Of THE HOLOCAUST

12 - 18 September 20187 days

with prof Tim ColeActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London, 4 star hotels, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


You may wish to combine this tour with our September Holocaust tour. please see details on page 72.

This tour takes us through three great central European capital cities, all of which had significant Jewish populations before the Second World War. As we journey from Prague, through Vienna and on to Budapest, we will discover something of the varied experiences of Jews and other victims of Nazi Germany in this region. We will explore a number of different former Jewish ghettos such as: the ‘model’ ghetto in Terezin and the multiple ghettos in Budapest; the site of euthanasia killings at the castle in Hartheim; and the former slave labour camp of Mauthausen. As we travel we will hear stories of resistance and revenge at Lidice; rescue and murder in the International ghetto of Budapest; and uncover some of the less familiar Holocaust landscapes that are found in this fascinating region. Guided by leading Holocaust historian Prof Tim Cole of Bristol University, this tour provides new insights in to the horrors suffered in Central Europe at the hands of the Nazis, and leans heavily on the content of his book Holocaust Landscapes’ The tour takes in some of the countries

occupied by Nazi Germany: Austria annexed into the Reich in 1938; Czechoslovakia occupied in 1939; and Hungary which was not overrun until the spring of 1944. In the aftermath of occupation, the country’s Jews were subjected to different anti-Jewish measures including forced emigration, forced labour, concentration and deportation. Occupation also brought non-Jewish neighbours into the story with reactions ranging from collaboration through to resistance. Although the main death camps were sited in German-occupied Poland, there are important sites of Holocaust history and memory that lie along the route of our tour through the heart of what was, during the second world war, German-occupied Central Europe.day 1 - prague. Fly London to Prague. In the afternoon tour the fascinating Jewish Quarter including the Pinkas Synagogue a touching memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, the Old Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Museum. Hitler wished for the Jewish quarter in Prague to be preserved as a ’museum of an extinct race’. Check in to our Prague hotel for two nights. day 2 – Theresienstadt and Ledice.

This morning we drive out to the town of Terezin, or to give it its name of the time Theresienstadt. Used as a Labour Camp that was presented as a "model Jewish settlement" for propaganda purposes and even visited by the Red Cross, the reality was much bleaker. At the Lidice Memorial we see where the Nazi regime wiped an entire village off the map, killing or imprisoning the population in the process. The massacre was carried out in response to the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. day 3 - Hartheim and Linz. Drive to the Hartheim Euthanasia Centre near Linz in Austria. The castle was one of the main centres for the Nazi’s euthanasia programme, or Action T4. This afternoon take a walking tour of Linz, which Hitler considered to be his home town and our base for the night.day 4 - mathausen. Today we visit Mathausen Concentration Camp. The camp functioned from 1938 and was the last to be liberated by the Allies. It was infamous for its ‘extermination through labour’ and acquired the nickname Knochenmühle, meaning the bone grinder or bone mill. Drive to Vienna and check-in to our hotel for two nights. day 5 - Vienna. This morning we take a tour of the grand and beautiful imperial city

“Probably the most informative and interesting holiday I have

been on. Thank you so much to all involved”


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HOLOCAUST LANDSCAPES THE gEOgrAPHy Of THE HOLOCAUST

of Vienna with special focus on its Jewish history including the Judenplatz memorial and museum and the Stadttemple (a pre-war Synagogue). The afternoon is your own to further explore the city, take part in some retail therapy or relax with a coffee and some patisserie. This evening we enjoy a special visit to the Freud Museum where the father of psychoanalysis lived and practiced before he was forced to flee to London.day 6 - Budapest. Journey by rail into Hungary and its capital Budapest. Hungary didn’t start deporting its Jews until 1944 when most of Hungary’s Jews were deported to Auschwitz in only two months. The exception was the capital, where Jews remained living in a series of ghettos through to their liberation in 1945, the remains of which we will visit. Today we tour Budapest, visiting the site of the Pest Ghetto, the Dohany Synagogue (Europe’s Largest) and some of the Yellow Star Houses -buildings that were designated as compulsory residences for the Jews of Budapest in the summer of 1944. Check-in to our hotel for final two nights of the tour. day 7 – Budapest. Continue exploring the Hungarian Holocaust story at the modern and interactive Holocaust Memorial Centre. At the site of the former International Ghetto we’ll learn about the heroics of Raoul Wallenberg and how he saved thousands of Jewish lives. We will also visit the small but poignant Shoes on the Danube Memorial, to honour the many Jews who were shot by the Arrow Cross into the river in 1944-45. We then take our evening flight back to London.

Dohany synagogue

Shoe Memorial on the Danube

Hartheim Castle

Theresienstadt


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the holocaust poland & the death camps

5 - 11 September 2018 with dr Simone Gigliotti

&11 – 17 October 2018

with dr Waitman Beorn 7 days

Activity Level 2


Tour price: £2095Single supplement: £235Deposit: £200Price without flights: £1895You may wish to combine this tour with our Holocaust Landscapes tour. please see details on page 70.

EXTENSION IDEASStay in a peaceful lodge in the Tatra Mountains for hiking.Remain in Warsaw and explore its historic Old Town.

In this seven-day tour to Poland we visit the sites of the former ghettos in Warsaw, Lublin and Krakow alongside four of the concentration and death camps – Treblinka, Majdanek, Belzec and Auschwitz-Birkenau - that played such a significant role in this genocide. We look at the struggle of both the Jews and the Poles against their oppressors, visiting the scenes of the Ghetto Uprising in 1943 and the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. You will see the shift from complete physical destruction of ghetto and camp to the actual remnants due to the rapid advance of the Soviets. However the tour is not limited to the serious and emotive history of the Holocaust, with its clear message for future generations, we also enjoy expert guided tours of the historic cities of Warsaw and Krakow. We sample much of the local culture and visit the world famous salt mine at Wieliczka. Each evening we will dine in a different local restaurant to enjoy a wealth of diverse local cuisine.

“All in all an incredibly enriching and moving experience”

Some six million Poles died during the Second World War, half of whom were Jews murdered in the forests in the east of the country or the death camps set up after the German occupation of their country. By far the largest of these was Auschwitz-Birkenau which was the site of over one million deaths, mainly Jews brought here from all over Europe. The smaller, purpose built 'killing' camp of Treblinka where Warsaw’s Jews were taken, was said by its commandant SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Franz Stangl to be able to murder over 1,000 people per hour at its peak. With the positioning of the Majdanek camp on the outskirts of Lublin, the Germans made no effort to disguise the killings, its gas chambers and crematorium being plainly visible to passers-by. The overarching narrative of the tour is about the shift from Polish Jews to European Jews and the evolution of policy from concentration camps to death camps. day 1 - Fly London to Warsaw. Check-in to our hotel for two nights. Introductory talk.day 2 - Warsaw. Guided tour around Warsaw including the Warsaw Rising monument, '44 Rising Museum, Nozyk Synagogue, and the Jewish Cemetery. We walk the 'memorial route to the struggle & martyrdom of the Jews' in the site of the former ghetto.

day 3 -Treblinka & Lublin. Visit the death camp of Treblinka before driving to Lublin, with its castle/prison which served as a Nazi processing centre. Check-in to our hotel for one night.day 4 - Belzec & majdanek. Visit the concentration camp of Majdanek, where the barracks, guard towers, the only remaining gas chamber that is completely intact and long lines of (formerly) electrified double barbed wire remain just as they were over seventy years ago. Thence to Belzec, the precise location of which was not identified until the 1990s. Check-in to our hotel in Zamosc for one night.day 5 - Krakow. This morning we drive to Krakow – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – where we take a change of pace and emphasis with a guided tour of the Old Town with its wonderful architecture and busy street life. Check-in to our hotel for three nights.day 6 - Auschwitz and Birkenau. We travel out to the concentration and death camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. To enter the camp of Auschwitz, one passes under the infamous inscription 'Arbeit Macht Frei' mounted upon its main gate, before visiting the exhibitions in the surviving prison blocks. In the afternoon we visit Birkenau, also known


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the holocaust poland & the death camps

as Auschwitz II, the purpose-built camp that had hundreds of barracks and 4 massive gas chambers and functioned as the epicentre of the Holocaust during 1943 and 1944.day 7 - Krakow and Kazimierz. Before World War Two, some 70,000 Jews lived in Krakow, mostly in the suburb of Kazimierz. We explore this tiny area including the Old Synagogue Museum and there will be an opportunity for an optional unaccompanied visit to Oscar Schindler’s Factory. This afternoon we visit the awesome 700 year old salt mine at Wieliczka, its labyrinth of 300km of tunnels revealing chapels, underground lakes and a museum. After an early dinner, we take a late night flight from Krakow to London.

Auschwitz

Wieliczka salt mine

Majdanek

Lublin


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The holy land in Turmoil a miliTary hisTory Tour of israel


with Cliff ChurginActivity Level 2/3

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London, train fares, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


This incredible ten-day journey will include visits to battlefields familiar to both Bible and history. We will discuss a gamut of military technologies from ancient to modern and terrain from desert to mountains and forests. The tour will be guided by Cliff Churgin, author of “Battlefields” a history of warfare, contributor to Ancient Warfare Magazine and expert on Israeli history. Throughout the tour Cliff will provide a series of illuminating talks and lectures on Israeli military history from Biblical times right up to the modern day.

Since the dawn of civilization the small strip of land, ultimately known as The Holy Land, has served as a land bridge joining many of the world’s great empires. In the Iron and Bronze Ages, Egyptian, Babylonian and Assyrian armies marched through here fighting for control of cities such as Megiddo and Jaffa. Meanwhile the Israelites struggled against the Midianites, Philistines and others in battles led by men such as Gideon, Barak and King David. Later came the Romans whose war against the Jews was to leave behind some of the best preserved siege works in the world at Masada. As Europe emerged from the Dark Ages, Crusaders arrived erecting castles like Belvoir and fighting battles such as that at the Horns of Hattin against their Muslim foes. In modern times the Holy Land once more became a focus of warfare – at The Battle of Beer Sheba Australians mounted what many consider the last successful cavalry charge in history and at the Vale of Tears in the Golan Heights a handful of Israeli tanks made a desperate stand against a massive Syrian force. We can even see military history unfolding before us as Israel faces Hamas and Hezbollah in a model of modern asymmetrical warfare. day 1 – depart. Fly London – Tel Aviv. Check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 2 – Old Jaffa. Visit Pharaoh Thutmose III’s Egyptian palace. At the Etzel Museum we discuss the battle for Jaffa in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948 and then on to the Israel Defence Forces History Museum for its fantastic collection of weapons. Thence to the Palmach Museum dedicated to the underground fighters of pre-state Israel.day 3. The Western Coast. Visit Apollonia (Arsuf) where Richard the Lionheart fought Saladin to a standstill, then travel to Caesarea, a Roman and Crusader stronghold. We visit the Haifa Naval Museum. Thence to Acre, the final Crusader capital to walk its walls and check-in to our hotel for one night.day 4 -The Jezreel Valley. A biblical day in which we visit: Megido, where some believe the biblical final battle of Armageddon will take place; Mt. Saul where the first king of Israel died fighting the Philistines; Ein Harod where Gideon met the Midianites (and where 3,000 years later Orde Wingate trained commandoes to quell an Arab uprising) and Mt. Tabor where Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and his chariots. Check-in to our hotel in Beit Shean for one night and enjoy a sound and light show.day 5 – The Galilee. Visit the Crusader castle of Belvoir, Arbel, where Jewish rebels fought Herod, and the Horns of Hattin where

“Great locations, stunning scenery, outstanding storytelling, efficient tour management and good company made the tour a

memorable one.”

Jerusalem


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The holy land in Turmoil a miliTary hisTory Tour of israel

Saladin broke the Crusaders. Overnight in Upper Galilee.day 6 – The Golan. Travel to Tel Faher, a key battle during the Six Day War. See where a handful of Israeli tanks held up a Syrian assault column at Oz 77 during the famous Battle of the Vale of Tears in 1973. Thence to ancient Gamla mercilessly taken from the Jews by the Romans in the 67 AD (this is an optional walk). Check-in to our Jerusalem hotel for 5 nights.day 7 – Jerusalem. An orientation of Jerusalem from Ammunition Hill, site of the Israeli paratroopers’ most famous battle of the 1967 war. Walk the ramparts of the Old City that have been assaulted by Assyrian, Crusader and Israeli alike. End with a walk down from the Mount of Olives to the Western Wall to see the Friday night prayer service. day 8 – The dead Sea. Visit Masada, site of the famous siege that ended the Great Jewish Rebellion against Rome, walk through a 2,000 year old Roman siege camp then take a relaxing swim and lunch at the Ein Gedi spa.day 9 - The South. Visit Yad Mordechai where a small group of fighters held off the Egyptian army during the 1948 War. Continue in the footsteps of the Egyptian army to

Gesher Ad Halom, their farthest northward advance in 1948. At Tel Lachish see the ruins of what was the second largest city in Judea and site of the largest Assyrian siege ramp in existence. Our final visit is to Latrun, the site of several key battles during the 1948 war and which today houses a spectacular international collection of tanks.day 10 - The South. Visit Beersheba where General Allenby’s forces broke through the Ottoman lines in 1917, the Israeli Air Force

JerusalemDome of the Rock

Jaffa

Museum, the remains of Tel Sheva, biblical home of Abraham and the Australian Light Horse Memorial. End the day at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the holocaust. day 11 - Jerusalem Hills and departure. Visit Tel Azeikah, overlooking the Ela Valley, where David and Goliath are believed to have fought each other. Back to Tel Aviv for our return flight to London.


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THE INVASIONS OF BELARUSNAPOLEON 1812 AND HITLER 1941-44

10 – 17 August 20188 days

with Alan Rooney & Col Bob Kershaw

Activity Level 2

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London Gatwick, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, all lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


This unique tour provides a rare opportunity to explore this remote and enigmatic country. Belarus offers one of the last travel adventures remaining in Europe. We visit some of the lesser known parts of the country: the castles at Mir and Kosava, the Brest-Litovsk fortress, the atrocity and commemorative monument at Khatyn and the cultural east of the country where the rarely visited cities of Polotsk and Vitebsk can be found. And pivotal to all this touring is the modern and lively capital city of Minsk. There will be considerable coach travel involved as we travel back and forth across the width of Belarus (some 1000 miles in total). Accommodation throughout is the best available, classified as either three or four star by local authorities.

The common perception is that Belarus represents the last bastion of the old style Soviet era - certainly the austere architecture of Minsk, its capital, would reinforce that view. Positioned between Poland and Russia, the country has seen its fair share of invading forces, none more so than in 1812 and 1941, when it was part of greater Russia. During Napoleon’s invasion of 1812, the French received their first check of the campaign in a cavalry skirmish outside the castle of Mir in July; in August and October their Bavarian allies experienced mixed fortune against Wittgenstein’s army; and at the Berezina in November, Napoleon demonstrated a last flash of genius and luck as the remains of his army escaped the clutches of the three encircling Russian armies. Some 130 years later, Belarus once again suffered the ravages of the invader, both German and Russian: in 1939 the 19th Century fortress Brest (then part of Poland) held out for four days before surrendering to Guderian’s XIX Panzer Corps, who promptly handed over the fortress to their Russian allies; almost two years later in 1941, a tiny force of Russians found themselves besieged in that same fortress as Operation Barbarossa was unleashed, an offensive which drove through the heart of modern Belarus enslaving its population until liberated by the equally devastating counter-offensive of

Operation Bagration in 1944.

day 1 - Fly London to minsk. Check-in to our hotel for one night. Welcome drinks and introductory talk.

day 2 – Kosava & Kobryn. We visit Kosava with its small museum dedicated to Polish military engineer, freedom fighter and hero of the American Revolution, Tadeusz Kosciuszko. At Kobryn we visit the historical museum and discuss the small action between the Saxons and Russians in July 1812. We also visit the home and museum of Russian general and national hero, Alexander Suvorov. Continue to Brest-Litovsk and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

day 3 - Brest Fortress. The Fortress built in the mid-19th century has been left just as it was at the end of the war, in particular the bullet riddled Khomsky Gate, the scars from the German assault on 21 June 1941; today the whole complex can be explored on foot and it houses an excellent 1941 defence museum. Time permitting we will also visit the wonderful railway museum with its Soviet era steam locomotives.

day 4 – Gorodeczna, Stolovitchi & mir. We visit the battlefield and poignant chapel at Gorodeczna where Austrian General

“The Cultural Experience never let you down. Outstanding

preparation and deep knowledge sets you apart from the

competition. Small groups and excellent guides.”.

77U S A ( T o l l - f r e e ) 1-877-381-2914 E m a i l [email protected] 77

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THE INVASIONS OF BELARUSNAPOLEON 1812 AND HITLER 1941-44

Schwartzenberg’s victory shored up Napoleon’s southern flank in August 1812. Switching to 1941, we trace the footsteps of the advancing German Army. In particular we examine the Gross Deutschland Division’s hard fought action to contain the southern end of the huge Minsk pocket at Stolovitchi. Thence to the cavalry skirmish of July 1812 at Mir and the superbly restored castle. Check-in to our Minsk hotel for two nights.

day 5 - minsk City. Take a city tour of Minsk including Lee Harvey Oswald’s apartment

building, the Island of Tears, the Monument to the Fallen Jews, the Great Patriotic War Museum and Victory Square. Some free time in and around Independence Avenue.

day 6 - Khatyn memorial. To the controversial Khatyn Memorial, which now commemorates some 3 million Belarussians killed during the war and discuss the brutal operations conducted by the SS Dirlewanger brigade. En-route to Polotsk we explore a preserved bunker complex which held up the Germans for some time before they took that

Crossing the Berezina

Looking over the Berezina

Operation Barbarossa

city. At Polotsk, we discuss the two battlefields of 1812, visit the regional museum, the Red Bridge and the battle monument. Continue to Vitebsk, the Belarussian city of culture, for one night.

day 7 - Berezina River. A brief exploration of central Vitebsk before we drive south to examine the operations of the German Panzergruppe 3 as they continued their advance towards Smolensk in 1941. At Studianka, besides the banks of the Berezina River, we discuss Napoleon’s epic escape in 1812 over Baron Eble’s pontoon bridges, explore the northern banks that saw so much carnage and visit the dedicated museum in Borisov. Continue to Minsk and check-in to our hotel for the last night.

day 8 - Return. Drive to the airport via the Mound of Glory which commemorates the liberation of Minsk in 1944. Return flight to London.

V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815

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Kaliningrad: russia’s forgotten exclave a military history of Konigsberg and east Prussia


with Alan RooneyActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, lunches, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


Today Kaliningrad, a city that is still recovering from the ravages and scars from 70 years ago, is gradually re-discovering its past with great efforts being made to restore and open up hitherto abandoned remains of its rich and varied history. Certainly its infrastructure will have benefitted from investments as a result of the World Cup to be held in June 2018. The region still has plenty of echoes of its Teutonic past that the former regime found it impossible to erase. The original German places names are no longer whispered, indeed many of the Russian population embrace that past as their own. Our centrally located hotel is close to the banks of the River Pregel and within easy walking distance of Kneiphof Island, where Kant lays guardian to his seven bridges conundrum. Perhaps you will be the one to solve it?

Königsberg, the former capital of Prussia, home to the Teutonic Knights and the great philosopher Immanuel Kant, is today known by its Russian name, Kaliningrad and is now the capital of the isolated exclave of the same name. Due to its proximity to Russia, the former East Prussia has frequently been the scene of conflict between the two nations. During the Seven Years War, a smaller Prussian army was defeated at Gross Jagesdorf in 1757, whilst fifty years later the region played host to the armies of Napoleon and Tsar Alexander at the great battles of Eylau and Friedland followed by the treaty of Tilsit signed on a raft moored on the River Neiman which sealed the fate of Europe in 1807. At the outbreak of the First World War, against specific orders to the contrary, General Prittwitz took the fight to the Russians but was defeated at Gumbinnen in August 1914 and then abandoned Prussia as far as the Vistula. Flattened by the RAF in 1944 and besieged for almost three months in 1945, when Königsberg’s defenders finally surrendered they found themselves some 500 kilometres behind the front line. Of great strategic importance, the region was ethnically cleansed of its German inhabitants after WW2.

day 1 - depart. Fly London Luton to Gdansk. Drive to Kaliningrad by coach crossing the Russian border at Manonowo. Check-in to our hotel for five nights.

day 2 – Eylau and Friedland 1807. At Eylau Napoleon received the first real check of his career. We travel to the Polish border where we examine this winter battlefield from the French and Russian perspectives; we see where Augereau’s division was destroyed and Murat led his massed cavalry charge, visit the small museum, churchyard and battlefield monuments. Continue to the unspoilt

battlefield of Friedland where from the top of the church tower we will gain great views of the surrounding countryside and understand the importance played by the River Alle and its tributary to one of Napoleon’s finest victories. Other than a couple of monuments there is very little evidence that a battle of such importance was ever fought here!

day 3 – Koenigsberg 1945. We visit the command bunker where German General Lasch surrendered to the Russians, the Friedland Gate museum and the impressive model used by the Red Army to plan its assault on the city. It is surprising how much of the 19th century fortifications remain and we will visit many of the strong points which held out against great odds such as Fort Frederich-Wilhelm III and Fort Stein.

day 4 – Kaliningrad and pillau. We spend the morning exploring modern Kaliningrad including a visit to the outstanding and restored Dom Cathedral before following the route of many of the German evacuees to the Baltic seaport of Pillau, so bitterly fought over during the closing days of the war and where we view its impressive Swedish citadel, authorities allowing.

day 5 – Gumbinnen 1914 and Tilsit 1807. This morning we visit the battlefield monument at Gross Jagersdorf en-route to Gusav to discuss the battle of Gimbinnen and visit the new memorial complex recently erected by the Russians to commemorate their part in the foiling of the Schliefen plan. Thence to Tilsit and the banks of the River Nieman where today stands the Queen Lousia Bridge and an EU funded museum.

day 6 – Home. Return to Gdansk for our return flights to London Luton.

"Every tour I have been on with The Cultural Experience has

been brilliantly organised and all guides have amazing knowledge"

Marbot, Liseete and 14th Ligne at Eylau


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THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR THE BATTLES foR MAdRId


with Col Ray WilkinsonActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


This five-day tour explores many of the key events in Spain of late 1936 and mid 1937. You will come away with a better understanding of what happened in those heady days and, perhaps more importantly, be enriched by what you have seen and heard. We will be based in the beautiful city of Madrid with its wonderful museums, parks and art deco architecture. We also take in the dramatic mountains north of the city, the amazing El Escorial Palace and the magnificent medieval city of Toledo.Colonel Ray Wilkinson, who leads the tour, has been fascinated by the exploits of the International Brigade and the characters who served within, for many years and knows the ground and the local community intimately, which allows us access to some rarely visited sites.

"Ray’s combination of enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject was perfect - a great

privilege for us all."

The Spanish Civil War led to the deaths of half a million people, and over 30 years of a dictatorship under Franco, the social and political impact of which is still being felt in Spain today. The conflict was used by some countries as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Second World War. Commentators have gone so far as to say the Second World War started in 1936 not 1939.

Most western governments (apart from Italy, Germany, and Russia) adopted a non-interventionist policy towards the conflict. In spite of that some 40,000 individuals from around 50 countries volunteered to fight in Spain on the Republican side, and 1,500 foreign nationals, mainly from Britain, Ireland, and Portugal, volunteered to fight for the Nationalists (alongside the large contingents from Nazi Germany and Italy). Amongst their ranks were left wing writers such as George Orwell and John Cornford, Winston Churchill’s anti-fascist nephews Giles and Esmond Romilly, and passionate anti-communists like Peter Kemp. Why did they feel so passionately that they left their homelands, many miles away, to go and fight in a foreign land?

day 1 – north of madrid. Fly London to Madrid. On arrival, travel to the imposing historical residence (El Escorial) of the King of Spain built at the instigation of King Philip II, in 1563. Afterwards visit the Valle de los Caidos (the Valley of the Fallen) built by General Francisco Franco to commemorate the dead of both sides, before checking-in to our hotel in Madrid.

day 2 – Brunete. Travel to the site of one of the biggest battles on Spanish soil where the

British Battalion fought, as part of the 80,000 strong Republican army, attempting to relieve the pressure on Madrid in July 1937. After lunch in the rebuilt town of Brunete return to Madrid and visit the Reina Sofia Museum of modern art in which Picasso’s famous painting, Guernica, is exhibited.

day 3 – Toledo. Tour the famed Alcazar in Toledo, the well-preserved site of the famous siege and now symbol of Spanish nationalism, where Colonel Jose Moscardo Ituarte and his Nationalist Guarda Civil held out against vastly superior numbers of Republican militia despite the capture and subsequent shooting of his son. Visit the Spanish Army Museum and explore the town. Afterwards return to Madrid to view Nationalist positions on the Casa de Campo from which they launched their main assault on the City.

day 4 – Jarama. Visit the memorial to the International Brigades at Jarama and walk the ground that the British Battalion, under Captain Tom Wintringham, (and the Lincoln Battalion – their US counterparts), fought over for three dreadful days in February 1937. Take in the privately owned museum of the Battle of Jarama at Morata de Tajuna. Return to Madrid to visit the Temple of Debod, one of the few examples of ancient Egyptian architecture outside of Egypt and the only one in Spain.

day 5 – university & Return. We visit Ciudad Universitaria (where much of the hard fighting during November 1936 took place) and the Parque del Oeste (Western Park). Late afternoon flight home.


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FORTRESS MALTA FROM ThE KnighTS OF ST JOhn TO WORLd WAR TWO


with maj-Gen Ashley TruluckActivity Level 2

ESSENTIALS

Return flights from London Gatwick, 5 star hotel, buffet breakfast, 3 course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout.


This is a wonderfully varied and scenic tour of Malta – a tiny island with a warm welcome and proud military heritage including probably the greatest concentration of military fortifications in Europe. The Second World War siege will be our main focus but we also examine the indelible marks that other cultures and events have left behind: the unspoilt ancient walled city of Mdina, the renaissance architecture of the Knights of St John, the brief occupation by Napoleon and the extant Victorian fortifications. We will enjoy coastal drives and boat trips, visit superb palaces and fortresses, see underground shelters and secret command posts, and many other places of interest on this wonderful and friendly Mediterranean island. Throughout we will be based in a delightful five-star hotel situated within easy walking distance of the centre of historic Valetta with its heritage sites and excellent restaurants.

" Ashley’s thorough homework and handouts were a huge

component of the tour’s success. Thank you."

Malta has stood at the strategic crossroads of the Mediterranean for centuries, its history shaped by successive incomers: ancient Phoenicians, Romans and Arabians, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British. It was the scene of two of the most cataclysmic sieges in military history: the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights of St John held out against vastly superior Ottoman forces; and the Second World War siege of 1940-43 when British and Maltese forces and civilians together held out against the might of Mussolini and Hitler making a significant contribution to the success of the land campaign in North Africa, naval operations in the Mediterranean and, indeed, the outcome of the Second World War itself. There are striking similarities between the two sieges; the spirit of The Knights’ earlier struggle inspired their 20th Century successors to fight on against seemingly impossible odds.

day 1 - Fly to malta. We land at Luqa airport – the famous RAF Bomber Command airfield of WW2 – and check-in to our elegant hotel and our base throughout the tour. We walk through the main city gate into the city centre for tea and orientation. Welcome drinks, introductory talk and meal in the hotel that evening.

day 2 – The Great Siege. Drive to the furthest tip of Valetta to visit St Elmo's Fort, the scene of the epic defence of Valetta by the Knights of St John. Subject to local scheduling, enjoy the colourful ‘In-Guardia’ parade followed by a visit to the National War Museum. We walk up into the city for a light lunch, to visit the Grand Masters' Palace and take a guided tour

EXTENSION IDEASTake the ferry to Gozo for a relaxing stay in similar 5* luxury or remain on Malta to soak up the autumnal weather for a few more days.

through Valetta’s golden streets back to our hotel.

day 3 – From the Knights to the Victorians. We drive along the scenic north coast via eponymous St Paul’s Bay, where the saint was shipwrecked – and the scene of many historic events since. We visit the Knights’ lookout at the Red Tower high up on Marfa Ridge with splendid views out to Gozo island. Thence via the 19th century defences of Victoria Lines to Fort Rinella, to see demonstrations of Victorian soldiering, weapon firing and horse-riding.

day 4 - The Land/Air defences. Today we conclude our tour of the land defences and then start the story of the air defence of Malta by visiting the beautiful domed church in Mosta and learning about the ‘Mosta Miracle’ before travelling on to the evocative hill-top old barracks and hospital at Imtafa. We tour the exquisite ancient town of Mdina where we take lunch. This afternoon we move to Ta’qali with its excellent air museum - epicentre of the Air Battle and ‘the most bombed airfield of WW2. Thence a drive along the dramatic Dingli cliffs to discuss their contribution.

day 5 - The maritime War & The Home Front. This morning we take a relaxing boat trip around Valetta’s magnificent harbours to see the site of the submarine base, discuss the Italian navy raid, the fight to save aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and the heroic Santa Maria Convoy. Disembarking at Birgu wharf for lunch, we spend the afternoon at the Malta at War Museum with its original underground tunnels telling the story of how the civilian population survived the siege.


Cross Periods

day 6 - Command & Control. A short walk from our hotel we find the Lascaris War Rooms, restored to give a fascinating glimpse of how the command bunker operated during the Battle for Malta and as the operational HQ for the Invasion of Italy. We see the Noon Day Gun fired, which is our signal to take an early lunch, check-out of our hotel and drive to the airport for our return flight to London.

FORTRESS MALTA FROM ThE KnighTS OF ST JOhn TO WORLd WAR TWO

Ohio tanker coming in to Valetta August 1942

The Red Tower

Lascaris War Rooms

The Noon Day Gun


S E p T E m B E R 2 0 1 7

napoleon in Russia 2 - 11 Sep | Alan Rooney Page 32

The Russian Revolution 12 - 20 Sep | Orlando Figes Page 54

Wellington in Spain13 - 20 Sep | Nick Lipscombe Page 36

Wellington over the pyrenees 20 - 26 Sep | Nick Lipscombe Page 35

The Golden Journey to Samarkand 22 Sep - 3 Oct | Paul Wordsworth Page 14

Walking Waterloo 29 Sep - 2 Oct | Ashley Truluck Page 39

American Civil War: Eastern Theater30 Sep - 12 Oct | Fred Hawthorne Page 42

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7

Italy 1944: Cassino & Anzio21 - 25 Oct | Gordon Corrigan

The Archaeological delights of the Bay of naples 26 Oct -1 Nov | Amanda Pavlick Page 10

n O V E m B E R 2 0 1 7

The Indian mutiny4 - 15 Nov | Gordon Corrigan Page 40

m A R C H 2 0 1 8

The Zulu War 7 - 20 Mar | Ian Knight Page 48

The Archaeological delights of the Bay of naples 13 - 19 Mar | Tony O’Connor Page 10

SOLd OuT

A p R I L 2 0 1 8

The Roman Empire's Western Extremity 2 - 9 Apr| Andy Fear Page 16

American Civil War: Western Theater13 - 25 Apr | Fred Hawthorne Page 44

Escape from Elba 21- 28 Apr | Munro Price Page 30

Salonika 23 - 28 Apr | Alan Wakefield Page 57

The Gallipoli Campaign 30 Apr - 5 May | Bruce Cherry Page 56

m A Y 2 0 1 8

Russia 1941-19435 - 14 May | Bob Kershaw Page 66

Retreat to Corunna 16 - 21 May | Nick Lipscombe Page 33

The Foundations of modern Western Civilisation 29 May - 5 Jun | Rita Roussos Page 12

J u n E 2 0 1 8

Wellington in portugal 1 - 8 Jun | Nick Lipscombe Page 34

Rebels and Redcoats 6 - 17 Jun | Stuart Dempsey & Fred Hawthorne Page 24

A near Run Thing 15- 18 Jun | Tim Clayton & Ashley Truluck Page 38

Custer & The Indian Wars 18 - 27 Jun | Bob Kershaw Page 50

d-day Landings & paris 26 - 30 Jun | Dr Simon Trew Page 68

J u L Y 2 0 1 8

The English Civil War 3 - 8 Jul | Nick Lipscombe Page 22

The Wars of the Roses 9 - 14 Jul | John Sadler Page 21

Hadrian's Wall 15 - 18 Jul | Andy Fear Page 20

1918 Centenary Tour 29 Jul - 1 Aug | Bruce Cherry Page 61

A u G u S T 2 0 1 8

medics and padres 2 - 5 Aug | Simon Jones Page 63

The Invasions of Belarus 10 - 17 Aug | Bob Kershaw & Alan Rooney Page 76

S E p T E m B E R 2 0 1 8

Kaliningrad: Russia’s Forgotten Exclave 2 - 7 Sep | Alan Rooney Page 78

El Cid and the Reconquista 5 - 12 Sep | Andy Fear Page 18

The Holocaust5 - 11 Sep | Simone Gigliotti Page 72

Russia 1941-19438 - 17 Sep | Dr Matthias Strohn Page 66

Italy during the First World War11 - 16 Sep | Maj Gordon Corrigan Page 62

Wellington in Spain12 - 19 Sep | Nick Lipscombe Page 36

17th and 18th Century Victorian Era

Napoleonic PeriodEarly Periods First World War

Second World War

Cross Periods

Our tours cover the following eras - and sometimes feature a mixture!

TOURS by DATE

SOLd OuT

SOLd OuT


Holocaust Landscapes12 - 18 Sep | Tim Cole Page 70

The Russian Revolution 18 - 26 Sep | Orlando Figes Page 54

The Spanish Civil War 18 - 22 Sep | Ray Wilkinson Page 79

Frederick the Great 19 - 26 Sep | John Drewienkiewicz Page 23

American Civil War: Eastern Theater21 Sep - 4 Oct | Fred Hawthorne Page 42

The Golden Journey to Samarkand 28 Sep - 9 Oct | Paul Wordsworth Page 14

Walking the Ypres Salient 28 Sep- 1 Oct | Simon Jones Page 53

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

The doughboys Turn the Tide 3 - 7 Oct | Bruce Cherry Page 60

Walking Waterloo 5 - 8 Oct | Ashley Truluck Page 39

The Holocaust11 - 17 Oct | Dr Waitmann Beorn Page 72

napoleon in Italy 12 - 19 Oct | Dr Martin Boycott-Brown Page 28

Operation mercury 14 - 20 Oct | Bob Kershaw Page 64

The Franco-Austrian War 20 - 25 Oct | John Drewienkiewicz Page 52

The Archaeological delights of the Bay of naples 23 - 29 Oct | Amanda Pavlick Page 10

n O V E m B E R 2 0 1 8

The Indian ‘mutiny’3 - 14 Nov | Gordon Corrigan Page 40

Fortress malta3 - 8 Nov | Ashley Truluck Page 80

Wellington in India 16 - 25 Nov | Gordon Corrigan Page 26

The Holy Land in Turmoil 17 - 27 Nov | Cliff Churgin Page 74

Austerlitz: napoleon's masterpiece 30 Nov - 3 Dec | Alan Rooney Page 31

d E C E m B E R 2 0 1 8

Battle of the Bulge 5 - 9 Dec | Dr Peter Schrijvers Page 69

m A R C H 2 0 1 9

Lawrence of Arabia 11 - 18 Mar | Eamonn Gearon Page 58

American Civil War: Through the Southern Heartland19 Mar - 2 Apr | Fred Hawthorne Page 46

Can’t find what you’re looking for? We may have run your ideal tour previously. Check our website or give us a ring on 0345 475 1815.

Our 2017 Campaigns of Marlborough tour group


Besides scheduled expert led tours, The Cultural Experience operates tailor made or bespoke tours for many different types of groups. Such groups range from army units (such as The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps), school and university alumni, churches, local authorities and friends and family groups.

Our professional reputation, travel expertise and worldwide network of travel contacts and resources means that any destination is possible and coupled with our inherent appreciation of military history and history per se we can prepare an itinerary that is suited perfectly to your requirements. You can specify your own tour content, duration, departure date, the type and quality of hotel, your meal requirements, style of transport and the level of expertise required from your guide.

TAILOR-MADE TOURS

There are a whole host of reasons why you might wish to use The Cultural Experience for your tailor-made tour, but here are just a few:

• Our network of worldwide tried and trusted travel experts and tour guides understand the ethos and needs of historical and battlefield tours.

• We have access to a fantastic range of expert guides including academics, armed forces (serving and retired), historians, local and international specialists.

• Not only do we know the historical sites and battlefields intimately, but we are familiar with all the requisite tour logistics thus avoiding poor quality or badly situated hotels, unrealistic itineraries and rapacious, or worse, unreliable local operators and coach companies.

• We can supply a complete or partial package, the elements of which can include flights, ferries, rail, car hire, coaches, hotels, restaurants, picnics, visa support, translators, tour managers and of course expert guides.

• We are ATOL licensed and members of the Travel Trust Association so you can rest assured that you and your fellow travellers’ money will be totally secure and that your holiday will be guaranteed to run.

• We can organise as much of the tour administration that you require: tour promotional literature, process bookings and take all forms of payment (including credit and debit cards).

If you are thinking of a bespoke tour to anywhere in the world, call us on 0345 475 1815 or 1-877-381-2914 from the USA (toll-free)

or email [email protected]

Rolica - 36 sqn 1 RSME on Delaborde's 2nd position

Newcastle High tour of Andalucía

For more information visit www.tceschooltrips.co.uk

For more information visit www.battlefieldstudies.co.uk

bOOkING FORMTOUR INFORMATION

LEAD PARTICIPANT Please ensure all details are exactly as shown in passport

Tour Title:

I wish to book places and I enclose a non-refundable deposit of per person being a total amount of £ £

YMDDeparture Date: YMD Y Y/ /

pLEASE COmpLETE THE REVERSE OF THIS FORm

Please see Important Information on inside back cover for all payment terms. Please make all cheques payable to ‘The Cultural Experience’’

Card Number:

M M Y Y This is the last 3 digits of the number on the signature strip of your card, except for Amex where it is the 4 digits on the right hand side of the card.

Copy this form or call us on 0345 475 1815 if you would like to book multiple tours, add extra nights or upgrade your flights. Additional forms available on our website.

(Including intl code)

Expiry Date: Security Code:

I confirm the name and address of the credit/debit card holder are as for the lead participant above.

Name as it appears on the payment card:

Signature Print Name:

I wish to pay by: Visa Mastercard American Express Debit Card Bank TransferCheque

BOOKING REF:

TOUR CODE:

OFFICE uSE OnLY

Where did you hear about The Cultural Experience?

Please note that the full balance will be required if booking less than 70 days before the departure date of the tour

PAyMENT INFORMATION

Number:

passport details Nationality:

YMD YMD Y Y/ /Date of Expiry:

YMD YMD Y Y/ /Date of Birth:

Further Information (Anything you think we should know, such as special dietary requirements)

Address: Single Room Twin Room Double Room

Male: Female:Known as:

Telephone:

Post/Zip Code: Country:

Email Mobile:

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Travel/Trip Insurance details

next of Kin details

Provider: Policy No: 24 hr Contact Tel No:

Name Contact No: Relationship:

Please see relevant passage in our Important Information for full details on insurance requirements

This section is optional.

bOOkING AUTHORISATION

I have read, understood and agree to accept the booking conditions on behalf of myself and others included on this form.

/ / YMD YMD Y YDate:Signature

Please tick if:• you would like a quote for upgraded travel• you wish to travel ‘land only’ and exclude our flight arrangements.

bOOkING FORMBOOKING REF:

Please ensure details for all participants are exactly as shown in passport

Please return form to: THE CuLTuRAL ExpERIEnCE, 8 BARnACK BuSInESS pARK, BLAKEY ROAd, SALISBuRY, Sp1 2Lp

OFFICE uSE OnLY

2ND PARTICIPANT

passport details

Room:


next of Kin details (optional)

YMD YMD Y Y

YMD YMD Y YDate of Birth:

Address:

Single Twin Double

Male Female

Known as:

Post/Zip Code:

Country:

Telephone:

Mobile

Email

First Name:

Provider:

Nationality:

Name:

Policy No.

Passport Number

Relationship:

24 hr Tel No.

Date of Expiry:

Contact Tel:

Surname:

Title:



3RD PARTICIPANT

passport details

Room:



YMD YMD Y Y


Address:

Single Twin Double

Male Female

Known as:

Post/Zip Code:

Country:

Telephone:

Mobile

Email

Provider:

Nationality:

Name:

Policy No.

Passport Number

Relationship:

24 hr Tel No.

Date of Expiry:

Contact Tel:

4TH PARTICIPANT

passport details

Room:



YMD YMD Y Y


Address:

Single Twin Double

Male Female

Known as:

Post/Zip Code:

Country:

Telephone:

Mobile

Email

Provider:

Nationality:

Name:

Policy No.

Passport Number

Relationship:

24 hr Tel No.

Date of Expiry:

Contact Tel:





First Name: First Name:

Surname: Surname:

Title: Title:

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONbOOkING PROCEDURE

1) Telephone us free on 0345 475 1815 or (from outside the United Kingdom) +44 1722 340699 or 1-877-381-2914 (from the USA, toll-free) to discuss any tour, enquire about availability or reserve and pay for your holiday. Please ensure that you have your passport handy and that you have familiarised yourself with our booking conditions printed below.

2) Or fill out the booking form opposite for all members of your party, select your preferred form of payment for your non-refundable deposit and send it to us.

3) If you are booking your tour less than 10 weeks prior to departure then the full payment must be made with your booking.

4) We will acknowledge your booking within 10 days of its receipt by way of a confirmation invoice, Travel Trust Association financial guarantee certificate, and if applicable, an ATOL certificate.

bOOkING CONDITIONS

Please read these booking conditions carefully, as along with our Privacy Policy, they form the basis of the contract between you and Midas Tours Limited trading as The Cultural Experience (TCE). An expanded version of these booking conditions is available on our website www.theculturalexperience.com

bOOkING & PAyMENT

All bookings must be secured by payment of the requisite non-refundable deposit or the full price of the tour if booking less than 10 weeks prior to departure.

Payment can be made by credit card, debit card, cheque, (payable to ‘The Cultural Experience’), international money order in Sterling (GBP), or bank transfer (in Sterling GBP only) net of all bank charges (bank details available upon request). For bank transfers originating from bank accounts outside the United Kingdom an additional fee of £10 is payable. Until 31st December 2017 all credit card payments will incur a 2% charge. From 1st January 2018 there will be no charge levied against payments made by personal UK and EU registered debit and cards. All other cards including UK commercial payment cards, American Express and Diners International will incur a 2.5% processing fee.-

Upon receipt of your payment, we will issue a booking confirmation invoice, Travel Trust insurance certificate and, if applicable, an ATOL certificate. At this point, a binding contract will exist between you and TCE. Please let us know within 10 days of its issue if any of these documents contain any errors, paying particular attention to ensure correct spelling of passenger name.

The balance of the price is payable not less than 70 days prior to the departure date. If the balance has not been paid by 56 days prior to departure, we may cancel the booking and levy the cancellation charges set out below.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION

The Cultural Experience takes your financial protection very seriously. The air holidays in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is T10153. The Cultural Experience is also a member of the Travel Trust Association (No. U6964) ensuring that we more than meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992. This provides security for money paid by you in the event of our insolvency.

Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed in this brochure. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate.

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

Where our travel products do not fall under the jurisdiction of the ATOL scheme, we provide financial protection by virtue of our membership of The Travel Trust Association (TTA), which exists in order to protect you, the customer, with 100 per cent financial protection. Every penny that you pay to us is protected by the Travel Trust Association. We deposit your money into a designated trust account which is supervised by an appointed trustee who is either a banker, chartered or certified accountant or a solicitor. Both the Cultural Experience and the TTA trustee are required to authorise payments from the trust account. The TTA guarantees your financial protection up to a maximum of £11,000 per passenger. So, for example, if each member of your party paid £4000 for their place on one of our tours, the TTA guarantees it will reimburse the loss of the £4000 to each person, should it not be available to you from the Trust Account. The terms of this guarantee can be found on the TTA website, www.traveltrust.co.uk/guarantee.

FITNESS TO TRAVEL

All tours involve a fair amount of walking often over uneven cobbled streets, hillsides or steps. Participants on all tours should be able to walk or stand for at least sixty minutes without aid or requiring a rest. We operate an Activity Level Guide by which you can measure your ability to join the tour (see page 4). If you have any concerns in this regard, please contact us so that we can advise you further. We will refuse to carry anyone who has failed to notify us of any disability requiring assistance during the period from booking the tour to its departure. Subsequent to the tour’s departure anyone who in The Cultural Experience’s opinion proves to be unfit to travel or cannot meet the criteria contained in our activity level guide may have their holiday terminated and we will impose any applicable cancellation charges. In certain cases we may ask for a confirmation letter from your GP certifying that you meet the activity level criteria prior to accepting you on a tour. You must be able to carry your own luggage as porterage is not provided. This is a particularly important consideration when travelling by rail where we recommend a suitcase with wheels.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

To participate in any of our tours you must ensure that you have adequate holiday insurance to cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation, loss of luggage, travel delay plus loss of personal items and cash. We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party be adequately insured for cancellation and curtailment up to the cost of the holiday for each participant as soon as you book your holiday. In any event you must let us have details of your insurance policy at least four weeks prior to departure.

PASSPORTS & VISAS

For many countries, the passport needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of return. The cost of visas is not included in the price of each tour. Approximately eight weeks prior to your departure we will mail you the requisite supporting documentation for your visa application together with the relevant embassy contact details and the name of a visa handling company. Some countries allow you to purchase your visa on entry. Of the countries we plan to visit in this programme presently Belarus, Turkey, Russia, India, and Uzbekistan require visas to be obtained in advance. The USA requires advance ESTA authorisation.

Whilst we will provide up to date information and supporting documentation as required, general information concerning passport, visa and health requirements will vary between nationalities and are subject to change. You are responsible for checking current requirements before departure, the application process ensuring you comply with all requirements, and taking all relevant documents on your holiday. TCE will not be liable for any failure by the Client to discharge these responsibilities and the Client will have to reimburse TCE for any costs they incur as a result of such failure on the part of the Client.

IF yOU CHANGE OR CANCEL

If you or any other member of your party has to cancel your confirmed booking, the following charges apply dependent upon the period of notice that you give:

Cancellation period before departure

Charge as a proportion of total invoiced cost

71 days or more Deposit only

70 days to 49 days 50%






Your cancellation takes effect from the date we receive your written confirmation. The balance of the cost of your arrangements is due not less than 70 days prior to scheduled departure. If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges above will become payable. If you are forced to return home early, or choose to do so where you have no reasonable cause for complaint, we cannot refund the cost of any services you have not used or be liable for any associated costs you may incur.

If you wish to change any part of your booking arrangements after our confirmation invoice has been issued, we will do our absolute best to assist, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your requested change. Where we can meet a request, all changes will be subject to payment of an administration fee of £50 per person per change as well as any applicable rate changes or extra costs incurred as well as any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. These costs typically increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made so you should contact us as soon as possible. Where we are unable to assist you and you do not wish to proceed with the original booking, we will treat this as a cancellation by you.

If you are prevented from travelling it may be possible to transfer your booking to another suitable person provided that written notice is given and subject to an administration fee.

IF WE CHANGE OR CANCEL THE TOUR

It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your travel arrangements, but we do plan the arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. Occasionally, we may have to amend the prices of unsold tours or correct errors in the prices of confirmed tours.

Up to 14 days before departure, TCE reserves the right to cancel a tour if it receives low bookings. Low booking is where an insufficient number of people have booked a tour to make its operation possible in the advertised form. We will make every effort to modify tours to allow them to continue with low bookings. From the time Clients have agreed such modifications, a 100% cancellation charge will apply. As we quote prices both with and without flights or Eurostar, if you choose to book your own travel you are advised to check that the tour will run prior to doing so.

If we have to make a major change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of: i) accepting the changed arrangements, ii) having a refund of all monies paid; or iii) accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). As we quote prices both with and without flights or Eurostar, if you choose to book your own travel you are advised to check that the tour will run prior to doing so.

FORCE MAJEURE

Except where expressly stated elsewhere in these booking conditions we cannot accept liability where the performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense as a result of force majeure. Force Majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond TCE’s control, the consequences of which neither TCE nor their suppliers could avoid, including but not limited to war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, adverse weather conditions or the threat of any of these.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Special requests should be indicated on the booking forms or requested in writing. We will try to arrange special requests to be met, but we cannot guarantee that they will be fulfilled. Adding requests after booking may incur an amendment charge. We do not accept bookings that are dependent upon any special request being met.

COMPLAINTS

We make every effort to ensure that your tour arrangements run smoothly and that you are satisfied with every aspect of your holiday. If you do have a problem during your tour, please inform your Tour Guide immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If your complaint is not resolved locally, please contact our office on +44 1722 340699. If the problem still cannot be resolved and you wish to complain further, you must send formal written notice of your complaint to us within 28 days of the end of your stay. Ensuring that your written complaint gives all relevant information and is concise and to the point will assist us to quickly identify your concerns and speed up our response to you. Any complaints arising out of, or in connection with this contract that cannot be resolved by following the above procedure can be referred in writing to the Travel Trust Association, 2 Crown Square, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6HR. The TTA can then offer you an Arbitration Service, administered and managed independently from both the TTA and The Cultural Experience.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Unless they specifically request otherwise, clients accept that they may be photographed during the course of their holiday and that TCE may use such photographs for promotional purposes.

JURISDICTION Your booking is with Midas Tours Limited trading as ‘The Cultural Experience’ (TCE). In these conditions “TCE” shall mean Midas Tours Limited (trading as The Cultural Experience and registered in England and Wales, company number 05819354), The Cultural Experience at 8 Barnack Business Park, Blakey Road, Salisbury, United Kingdom. (Tel 0345 475 1815 or +44 1722 340699). The “Client” shall mean the signatory on the booking form and everyone named in the booking or added subsequently. The

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The Cultural Experience 8 Barnack Business ParkBlakey RoadSalisburySP1 2LPUnited Kingdom

UK: 0345 475 1815International: +44 1722 340699USA (Toll-free): 1-877-381-2914

[email protected]

@CultExp /historicaltours

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2017 & 2018 Tours - The Cultural Experience

Documents

Transcript of 2017 & 2018 Tours - The Cultural Experience