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At War with Wellington - The Peninsular War by Air

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Overview

On this fascinating battlefield tour we see the battlefields in Spain made famous by the ‘Richard Sharpe’ books and TV series. We examine the Peninsular War battles, such as Salamanca, Talavera and Badajoz. Walk the ground where British Redcoats fought the soldiers of Napoleon.

Accommodation

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

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Madrid where you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel.

Day 2 Talavera 1809

Location: Talavera 1809

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

Day 3 Badajoz 1812

Location: Badajoz 1812

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

Day 4 'Bloody' Albuera 1811

Location: 'Bloody' Albuera 1811

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

Day 5 Ciudad Rodrigo 1812

Location: Ciudad Rodrigo 1812

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

Day 6 Salamanca 1812

Location: Salamanca 1812

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

Day 7 Vitoria 1813

Location: Vitoria 1813

Leaving Salamanca we study further events surrounding Wellington’s retreat from Burgos including the engagement at Venta del Pozo. Later we see how he masterfully outflanked the French and brought them to battle winning the decisive victory at Vitoria. We drive to Pamplona where you will learn how the French fortress commander reluctantly surrendered to the Spanish. We stay at Pamplona for one night.

Day 8 Bidassoa River 1813 and the Siege of San Sebastián 1813

Location: Bidassoa River 1813 and the Siege of San Sebastián 1813

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

Day 9 Battle of St. Pierre 1813

Location: Battle of St. Pierre 1813

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

Day 10 Taking of Toulouse

Location: Taking of Toulouse

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

Day 11 Fontainebleau

Location: Fontainebleau

Today we travel to the Palace of Fontainebleau where your guide will explain the political circumstances surrounding both the 1807 and 1814 Treaties of Fontainebleau (entrance fee extra – approx. 11 Euro). Then to Paris area for an overnight stay.

Day 12

Return home. You will return by coach to either your original departure airport* or one of our local joining points.

Dates

You will have the option to book your own flights independently with the operator.

Touring with Leger Holidays

Boasting over 35 years’ experience and an interesting and varied selection of planned itineraries, Leger Holidays has become the leading provider of escorted touring holidays across the UK, Europe and beyond. In addition to being able to take you to the most incredible destinations throughout the world, this award-winning company provides an excellent choice of experiences and great-value escorted tours to ensure you get the very most out of your holiday. With Ledger Holidays, you can relax in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of from the moment you book.

When it comes to selecting the perfect escorted holiday destination, Ledger Holidays spoils you for choice. Want to visit one of the best destinations in Europe this year? No problem. Ledger Holidays can take you to France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Poland, Russia, Croatia or even Switzerland. If you want to go further afield and discover a breathtaking bucket list destination, you can visit India, Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Canada or the USA. But if you prefer the idea of a staying closer to home, Ledger Holidays has you covered with a range of fantastic touring holidays in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Then there’s the wide array of exciting experiences and to choose from. No matter which destination you pick, you can join fully escorted tours with trained drivers, expert local guides and highly experienced crews. Ledger Holidays offers more than 180 tours and excursions, which means you never have to waste precious time planning and organising your trips and experiences. Simply select the escorted tours that excite you the most, then sit back, relax and let Ledger Holidays take care of the rest. Enjoy a thrilling weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, go on a grand alpine adventure in Austria or explore the Baltic capitals and highlights of Scandinavia. Alternatively, discover the jewels of Croatia, see the very best of Jersey or tour the must-see sites in Israel’s old city of Jerusalem – your options are endless.

If you want to book a specific kind of escorted touring holiday, Ledger Holidays offers a huge variety of holiday and tour types, such as battlefield tours, motorsport weekend breaks, winter wonderland holidays, Grand Explorer tours, walking holidays and even short breaks to some of the world’s most famous Christmas markets. Ledger Holidays also offers Luxuria Signature Collection holidays, which combine state-of-the-are coach travel with some of Europe’s most unique luxury hotels in the most spectacular locations.

As a family-run company, Ledger Holidays is committed to providing amazing value for money and an impressive collection of ABTA and ATOL protected escorted holidays for families, groups, couples and solo travellers. From coach tours, holidays by air and train experiences to resort-based tours, relaxing river cruises and festive holidays, Ledger Holidays has something to suit each budget and every type of traveller.