This long weekend will totally immerse you in another time and another place. Vibrant, defiant Madrid resisted France for over two years. Throughout that time many of the wars bitterest battles raged in the suburbs, parks, University campus, poor villages and high arid plains in and around the capital. Within 2 miles of the old city Anarchist and Trade Union militias backed by Russian tanks and aircraft fought to hold back France's Spanish Foreign Legion, Moroccan cavalry and troops sent by Hitler and Mussolini to hone their tactics and develop the weapons soon to find a wider infamy.

Perhaps most remarkable of all, 40,000 volunteers from all over the world arrived -- armed with little more than a hatred of Fascism -- to form the International Brigades and suffer 75% casualties to try to save the Spanish Republic. They ranged from literary figures such as Orwell, and Hemingway to ex IRA men who found themselves in combat against fellow Irishmen of O'Duffy's fiercely Catholic Fascist Blueshirts. Similarly German exiles fought the Panzers of the Condor Legion and the left wing Italian Garibaldi battalion threw back Mussolini's Blackshirts.

This complex, kaleidoscopic struggle that claimed the lives of 150,000 combatant and 250,000 non-combatants is brought to life by John Cotterill, giving clear insights into what happened between 1936 and 1939 in the shattered apartment blocks, dusty villages and high Sierras around Madrid. The concentration of all the sites to be visited within 20 miles of Madrid makes this an ideal long weekend battlefield tour destination.

THE TOUR

Day 1: Fly from London to Madrid. Transfer to hotel for 3 nights stay. Welcome drink and briefing.

Day 2: Tour of the following Civil war scenes The epic siege of the Alcazar of Toledo, the repulse of the first Nationalist attack in the University Quarter and the baptism of fire of the British Battalion of the International Brigade on the River Jarama.

Day 3: Sunday morning at leisure to visit the Rastro (perhaps the largest flea marketin the world) and Madrid's famous open air book and coin / medal markets. Then the tour moves from 1936 into 1937 with the desperate battles of the Republican and International defenders of the city in the villages of Brunete and Boadilla. Visit to the impressive Spanish Army Museum behind the Prado.

Day 4: In the morning we will visit France's immense " Valley of the Fallen " whichcontains the largest cross in the world and his tomb in the huge underground basilica. We will also visit the nearby Palace - Monastery of the Escorial. Afternoon return flight to London.

COSTS

The price of; £ 499 includes scheduled flights from UK to Madrid, comfortable accommodation in the city centre with breakfast, all minibus and metro transport, admission fees, a full Spanish Civil War briefing pack and, of course, completely guided tours of all battlefields and other sites visited.

Those who wish to may book the same tour, exclusive of flights, for £ 299 and make their own way to Madrid. "Tours With Experts" is a fully bonded company.

The details for my May Madrid battlefield tour have now firmed up. It departs on May 18 and returns 21 May 2001. The cost is £ 499 including a scheduled London - Madrid flight or £ 299 if one provides ones own flight. I am leading the tour for a company called "Tours with Experts" so it is ATOL bonded.

Anyone wishing more details of John's trip should write to him at
37 OXENDENE, WARMINSTER, WILTSHIRE, BA12 0DZ, UK
Email: John.Cotterill@btinternet.com