Wellington in Spain
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11 - 18 October 2008 |
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| Once the French had retreated from the Lines of Torres Vedras, Wellington´s campaign in Portugal was over. Now Wellington had to drive Napoleon´s armies from Spain. On this tour of Wellington in Spain, we first step back two years to examine the battle of Talavera, west of Madrid (after which Arthur Wellesley had become Viscount Wellington). We then follow Wellington, England´s greatest general, from the Spanish frontier, through the battles and sieges of 1811 and 1812. In the north, the siege of the classic star fort of Almeida, the hard fought action through the village of Fuentes de Onoro and the famous Siege of Cuidad Rodrigo.
Then to the southern section of the frontier where the walled city and castle of Badajoz fell to the British in April 1812 and the battle of Albuera where ‘the Diehards’ won their name.
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We move on to the wonderful year of 1812 as far as the Battle of Salamanca, that brilliant battle of manoeuvre that proved to be the turning point of the Peninsular War. As we travel we will have time to look at some of the less well known places, the bridges at Alcantara and over the Coa, Wellington’s Headquarters at Freinada and the German Legion at Garcia Hernandez.
Led by military historian and author Major Gordon Corrigan, we will examine the ground, the tactics, the weapons and the men on both sides who created what Napoleon himself called his ‘Spanish Ulcer’. |
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
(Saturday): We begin with Titan's VIP Home Departure Service™ to the airport. Fly London - Madrid. Transfer to Talavera for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day 2 |
The battle of Talavera. Lunch break in Talavera. Travel to Ciudad Rodrigo for a 2 night stay. Dinner in the hotel. |
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| Day 3 |
The border fortress town of Almeida, including our lunch break. The battle of Fuentes de Onoro. Dinner in our hotel. |
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| Day 4 |
The siege of Ciudad Rodrigo. Lunch break in the town and we then travel south to Badajoz. Check into our central hotel for 2 nights. Dinner in the hotel. |
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| Day 5 |
The Battle of Albuera and the Siege of Badajoz. Picnic lunch. Own dinner arrangements. |
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| Day 6 |
Travel north to Salamanca. A group lunch, then free time in this beautiful old university city. Choose one of the many restaurants around the square for dinner. |
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| Day 7 |
The Arapiles and the Battle of Salamanca. Picnic lunch. Dinner at the hotel. |
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| Day 8 |
The action at Garcia Hernandez. To Madrid with a lunch break at the Escorial. Fly Madrid - London. On arrival at London airport Titan staff will greet you and transfer you to your Titan transport for the return journey to your front door.
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