An essential part of obtaining a fuller understanding of the Napoleonic Wars must be a visit to the battlefields and other locations relevant to the era. A holiday tour can combine the pleasure of a holiday, with other enthusiasts and the study of dramatic events against a picturesque background.

There are currently two organisations running eight different continental touring holidays following the routes of famous Napoleonic Campaigns, visiting the battlefields and sites of interest on the way. All the tours feature evening talks on the historical events to be examined, visits to local museums, a comprehensive folder of maps and information, city tours and visits to the battlefields, which are all included in the cost.

Grapeshot Tours

Characterised by a relaxed pace and informal atmosphere, but coupled with meticulous attention to detail and the comfort of the guest. The tour starts with a free champagne reception and this sets the tone for the rest of the holiday. Transport is by luxury coach with on board facilities and free drinks. The meals, wine and hotel accommodation (some with swimming pool) are of an exceptionally high standard, as are the evening talks by the extremely knowledgeable Napoleonic Association lecturer Mike Hannon.

The intention is to provide a relaxing holiday with a theme, both for those deeply interested in the Napoleonic Wars, or for those who just wish to have a coach tour and enjoy the scenery. Travel insurance, breakfast and most meals are included in the cost and where possible, guests can use the airport of their choice.

Eagles on the Danube. 9 Days.

A tour from Munich to Vienna in the footsteps of the Grande Armee along the Danube, with a theme of Napoleon's 1805 Austerlitz and 1809 Danube Campaigns. Places visited include Munich (2 days), Landshut, Ratisbon, Passau, Linz (small family hotel with panoramic views over the Danube and countryside), Eckmuhl (fabulous picnic and battlefield re-enactment by the local Napoleonic Society), Durnstein, and Vienna (4 days), which serves as the base for optional visits to the major battlefields of Aspern Essling, Wagram and Austerlitz. There is free time at Munich and Vienna and the visits to the Schoenbrun and Nymphenburg Palaces are particularly interesting. This is a very high quality restful tour, which caters successfully to a wide variety of tastes.

Eagles on the Adige. 12 Days.

A tour from Milan to Venice, visiting Marengo, Pavia, Lodi, Elba, Pisa, Verona, Castiglione, Solferino, Borghetto and Mantua on the way. The theme on this tour is Napoleon's campaigns in Italy 1797 and 1800, and his exile in Elba after the First Abdication. It features two days in Elba and an exploration of Venice, in some of the most beautiful and exciting surroundings in Europe by the famous writer and broadcaster John Julius Norwich. It is to be reviewed fully in another issue of Napoleon Notes and Queries.

Eagles of the Hundred Days.

The theme of this tour is Napoleon's triumphant return from Elba and subsequent events, culminating in the Battles of Quatre Bras, Ligiry and Waterloo. The tour will start in Nice, follow Napoleon's route to Fontainebleu (3 days) where guests can explore Paris and Versailles. Thereafter the tour will spend 3 days in Brussels concentrating on the 1815 Campaign. This tour is to be reviewed fully in a subsequent issue of Napoleonic Notes and Queries.

Major and Mrs. Holt's Battlefield Tours

Holt's tours are the leading organisation running battlefield study tours in Europe. Characterised by an informal atmosphere, experienced and approachable guides, good standard of food and accommodation throughout, transport is by luxury coach, with on board local guide. Cost includes evening meals and some lunches, all with wine. Hotel accommodation at favourable rates can be arranged the night before the flight, for those with a long way to travel to Heathrow. The tours cover a lot of ground and the battles are studied in some detail. In particular, Holt's tour kit of maps and information gives a remarkably clear explanation of the battles.

Peninsular 1 8 Days.

A battlefield study from Oporto, to Lisbon via Coimbra, Obidos, Busaco, Mondego Bay, Rolica and Vimiero, covering Wellington's Campaigns in Portugal. The subject was exceptionally well covered by the experienced Napoleonic historian and author Julia Page, as was Portugese history and culture by the local guide. The study day on the Lines of Tores Vedras was enjoyable and particularly well done. The pace of the tour was fast at times, but with free time to visit and shop in Oporto, Coimbra and Lisbon.

Peninsula 2 8 Days.

A battlefield study tour from Lisbon to Madrid, via Almeida, Badajoz, Elvas, Cuidad Rodrigo (the hotel is actually on the ramparts, giving panoramic views over the Citadel), Albuerra, Fuentes de Onoro, Salamanca, Talavera (picnic lunch), Bridge at Alcantara, River Coa, Wellington's HQ at Frienada, Alba de Tormes, Garcia Hernandez, The Escorial and Toledo. Free time for shopping and sight seeing at Madrid, Salamanca and Toledo. As can be seen from the long list of famous Peninsular Battlefields, this is the classic Peninsular War tour and is an absolute MUST for anyone interested in acquiring a detailed knowledge of the British Army and the Peninsular Wars. Again, the campaigns in Spain were well covered by Julia Page and in particular, the explanations of Salamanca, Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajoz were exceptionally good.

Peninsular 1 and 2 are run one after another. They may be combined for a slight reduction in price, which also gives a free weekend in Lisbon, waiting for the Peninsular 2 tour to arrive in Lisbon from the UK.

Peninsular 3 8 Days, 23-30 April 1993

Covers Wellington's Pyrenees campaign from Madrid to Toulouse, via Burgos, Vitoria, Pamplona, Sorauren, Mava, Roncesvelles, Wellington's HQ at Lesaca, Vera, San Sebastian, Bayonne, Nive, Nivelle, Bayonne, and Orthez. Lecturer on this tour will be the pre eminent Napoleonic historian David Chandler. This tour is to be reviewed fidly in a subsequent issue of Napoleonic Notes and Queries.

Borodino 8 Days, Ist-8th September 1992.

A tour from Moscow (Kremlin Tour, Citv Tour, visiting sites from 1812, Russian Army Museum), visiting Smolensk (Tour of sites relevant to 1812), via Katyn (Folk Museum) and Borodino (Picnic lunch, 1812 Museum in Kutusov's old HQ and the re- enactment of the Battle). The tour will be accompanied by David Chandler.

Napoleon vs Wellington 1815

3 Days, 19-21 June, 14-16 August and 25-27 September 1993.

Tour of the 1815 campaign, visiting the Waterloo ad Quatre Bras Battlefields, with time off for sightseeing and shopping in Brussels. Lectures will be by Colonel Desmet, retired lecturer at the Ecole Militaire.

Kent versus Napoleon Tour

3 Days, 10-12September 1993.

A study of how the people of Kent rallied in both the civil and military aspects to meet the threat of invasion. Lectured by Julia Page, the tour studies Martello i.wers, The Royal Military Canal, Coxheath camp, Chatham, Dover Castle (Napoleonic prisoners' tunnels), Deal, the massive Fort Arnhurst and of course, Walmer Castle where Wellington died.

If you would like further details contact: Grapeshot Tours, Lindenhof, Weyhill, Andover, Hants., SP1 18HX. Tel. 0264 773711.

I notice that the tour Drums in the Wilderness (Holt's Tours) also includes a look at some of the events of the AngloAmerica War of 1812 in Canada and the USA (12 days). You can contact this company at 15 Market Street, Sandwich, Kent CTI 3 9DA. Tel. 0304 612248.

As part of his research for a forthcoming Partizan Press Uniform Guide on the Portugese Army, John Grehen has visited some military museums in Portugal.

More Dusty Archive

Dusty Archive Introduction
Napoleonic Holiday Tours
Museums Militaire: Busaco, Lisbon, Obidos
Orders of Battle
Book: Wellington in the Peninsula