At War with Wellington – The Peninsular War


About the tour: At War with Wellington – The Peninsular War


Tour Introduction

On this tour, we spend time exploring the fascinating battlefields in Spain. As we walk the ground where the British Redcoats fought the soldiers of Napoleon during the Peninsular War. We take an in-depth look at some of the most influential battles fought in Salamanca, Talavera and Badajoz. Visit the battlefield of Albura and ‘Fatal Hill’, see the battlefield of Fuentes de Onoro, study the bloody Storming of San Sebastian and see the spectacular palace of Fontainebleau, as we travel to France where our tour comes to an end.

Tour Includes


  • 13 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 10 evening meals
  • Specialist Historical Guide
  • Convenient local joining points
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

Day 2

To the Bordeaux area for an overnight stay.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Continue into Spain and to the outskirts of Madrid for an overnight stay.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Talavera 1809

This morning we visit Wellesley’s (Wellington) advanced Talavera ‘outposts’ along the banks of the Rio Alberche hearing the story surrounding the fortified Casa de Salinas. Touring the battlefield we then visit the memorial sited on the slopes of the Cerro de Medellin Hill and study the landscape on which the principal fighting occurred. We stay for two nights in Badajoz.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Key Visits

  • Casa de Salinas

Day 5 - Badajoz 1812

Badajoz, a fortified ‘gateway’ town to Spain fell to Allied troops in one of the bloodiest sieges of the campaign on 6th April 1812. We view the ‘breaches’ where the main fighting occurred. On the ramparts we study how the French and German garrison resolutely resisted the Allied operations for many days. Later, we ascend to the exterior of Fort San Cristobal and view Badajoz from the opposite bank of the River Guadiana.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Badajoz

Defences of Badajoz (2)

Key Visits

  • Defences of Badajoz

Day 6 - 'Bloody' Albuera 1811

A hard fought victory for the Allies commanded by General Beresford, ‘Bloody’ Albuera was one of the most sanguine battles of the campaign. Today, we see the ‘Fatal Hill’ where the principal fighting occurred. Wellington, surveying the aftermath, observed the corpses ‘literally lying dead in their ranks as they stood’. After visiting the monuments in the nearby town we drive to Guarda for an overnight stay.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Key Visits

  • Albuera

Day 7 - Ciudad Rodrigo 1812

This morning we visit the Battlefield of Fuentes de Onoro, both one of Wellington’s closest run and finest victories. After lunch, we will walk the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo 1812. Walking the ramparts, our journey will end at the castle.

Continue to Salamanca for a two-night stay.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Ciudad Rodrigo

Ciudad Rodrigo (2)

Key Visits

  • Fuentes de Onoro
  • Ciudad Rodrigo

Day 8 - Salamanca 1812

A few days after the Battle of Salamanca the French General Foy, writing of Wellington’s skill, said ‘it brings up Lord Wellington’s reputation almost level to that of Marlborough’. Today, we leisurely travel across the battlefield and beyond seeing and hearing why.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

salamanca

Salamanca (2)

Key Visits

  • Salamanca
  • Battle of Salamanca

Day 9 - Vitoria 1813

Leaving Salamanca, we study the events surrounding Wellington’s 1812 retreat from Burgos. We view the engagements at Valladolid and Venta del Poza, and the battle at Vitoria in 1813. At Pamplona, where we stay for one night, you discover learn how the fortress commander reluctantly surrendered to the Spanish.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Pamplona

Pamplona (2)

Key Visits

  • Pamplona

Day 10 - Bidassoa River 1813 and the Siege of San Sebastián 1813

Today we will stand on the bridge where Wellington wrote a despatch prior to defeating Marshal Soult at the battle of Sorauren, ending any attempt to relieve the besieged French garrison at Pamplona. After examining the Allied defence at the Maya Pass we study the Storming of San Sebastián, the battle of the Bidassoa River 1813 and preview the battle of the Nivelle. We then drive to the Biarritz area for two nights.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

San Sebastian

San Sebastián (3)

Key Visits

  • Biarritz
  • San Sebastián
  • Battlefield of Sorauren

Day 11 - Battle of St. Pierre 1813

Today we over-view the landscape encompassing both the Battles of the Nivelle and the Nive. After lunch in Bayonne we reveal how General ‘Daddy’ Hill held his nerve and won the action at St. Pierre. Here we visit Marshal Soult’s Memorial. Afterwards, we study the French Sortie from Bayonne and visit the Citadel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Bayonne

Bayonne (2)

Key Visits

  • Bayonne
  • Battle of St. Pierre

Day 12 - Taking of Toulouse

This morning, we view the landscape of the Battle of Orthez 1814 and hear how both Wellington and Foy were wounded. After lunch, we drive to Toulouse. Here we study how Wellington wrested the city from the French on 12th April 1814 only to hear that Napoleon had recently abdicated. We stay overnight in the Limoges area.

Included meals: Breakfast

Toulouse

Toulouse (2)

Key Visits

  • Battle of Orthez
  • Toulouse

Day 13 - Palace of Fontainebleau

Today we travel to the Palace of Fontainebleau where your guides will explain the political circumstances surrounding both the 1807 and 1814 Treaties of Fontainebleau (entrance fee extra – approx. 13 Euro). Then to Paris area for an overnight stay.

Included meals: Breakfast

Palace of Fontainebleau

Palace of Fontainebleau (2)

Key Visits

  • Palace of Fontainebleau

Day 14

Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast



 

Specialist Battlefield Guides

All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.

Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.

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Hotel

Throughout the tour you will stay in 3 or 4-star, city-style hotels.

Travel Options

All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.
In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.
alcohol can only be taken on board our vehicles at the discretion of your driver.

When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.

Travel Extras

With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...

Join coach at Interchange

Join your tour coach at the interchange.

On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.

Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.

Door-to-Door service

On Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).

If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.

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