In the footsteps of Wellington's Allied Army in the Peninsular War
5 – 12 April 2027
8-day, 7-night Tour
Follow in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Wellesley and his Portuguese and Spanish allies as they fight the invading armies of Napoleon Bonaparte’s First French Empire across the Iberian Peninsula.
On this expert-led In The Footsteps® Peninsular War Tour, you visit some of the major battlefields and locations associated with the Napoleonic era and get to hear about the real war behind the Richard Sharpe novels.
Our battlefield historian will recount the stories of the British, Portuguese and Spanish soldiers who stood in the way of the French Napoleonic Forces as they tried to seize control of Portugal and Spain for Napoleon’s older brother Joseph.
This eight-day tour begins when we meet you on your arrival at Porto Airport at approximately 13:00.
From Porto Airport, we head into the city to book into our first tour hotel.
We then head out on foot to the Douro River and explore the area where Sir Arthur Wellesley’s Anglo-Portuguese Army successfully crossed the river in one of the riskiest actions of the Peninsula War. It was here that Wellesley attacked Maréchal d'Empire Jean-de-Dieu Soult, who had looted the city and was preparing a withdrawal. Our tour includes visiting Ponte Luís I, which stands on the site of the bridge of boats, and the former Bishop's Seminary in the Largo do Padre Baltazar Guedes.
You are free to enjoy your evening exploring the city's attractions and restaurants.
We check out of our Porto hotel at 09:00 and drive to the Serra do Bussaco, where we examine Sir Arthur Wellesley’s highly successful holding battle fought on 27 September 1810 against Maréchal d'Empire André Masséna’s invading French army.
We then continue westwards to the valley of the Côa River, where Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese had clashed with Masséna’s invading French army on 24 July 1810.
After examining the Action of the Côa, we head into the beautiful citadel town of Almeida, which witnessed one of the largest explosions of the age, where huge blocks of its ancient castle were thrown hundreds of feet into the air. Here we walk the battlements, explore its narrow cobbled streets and visit the excellent museum.
We continue to Ciudad Rodrigo to book into our second tour hotel. In the evening, you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.
We depart our hotel at 09:00 and drive to Fuentes de Oñoro, where we explore the battlefield. After lunch, we return to Ciudad Rodrigo to spend the afternoon walking and exploring the 1812 siege.
We return to our Ciudad Rodrigo hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.
We check out of our hotel in Ciudad Rodrigo at 09:00 and drive to Alcántara. The bridge at Alcántara, also known as Trajan's Bridge, was built over the Tagus River between 104 and 106 AD by an order of the Roman emperor Trajan in AD98. Here, we explore the action that took place when a division led by Marshal Claude Perrin Victor attacked a Portuguese detachment under Colonel William Mayne on 14 May 1809.
From Alcántara, we continue south to Badajoz, where we spend the afternoon walking and exploring the 1812 siege.
Our walking tour complete, we check into our third hotel. In the evening, you are free to explore the town's attractions and restaurants.
We depart from our Bajoz hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to La Albuera, where we explore the battlefield of the Battle of Albuera fought by Marshal William Carr Beresford's Portuguese and their Spanish allies against Maréchal Soult's French army on 16 May 1811.
In the afternoon, we take the opportunity to visit the excellent La Albuera museum before heading into Elvas to visit the Peninsular War cemetery and nearby Memorial Chapel.
We return to our Badajoz hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.
We check out of our Badajoz hotel at 09:00 and drive to Talavera de la Reina, where we explore the battlefield of the Battle of Talavera fought by Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese and their Spanish allies, against King Joseph Bonaparte's French army on 27 and 28 July 1809.
We continue to Salamanca, where we book into our fourth tour hotel. In the evening, you are free to explore the town's attractions and restaurants.
We depart from our Salamanca hotel at 09:00 and drive out to the battlefield to spend the day exploring the ground over which the Battle of Salamanca was fought. It was here that Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese and their Spanish allies came face-to-face with Maréchal d'Empire Auguste de Marmont's French army in the vicinity of the Arapiles on 22 July 1812.
We return to your Salamanca hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.
We check out of our Salamanca hotel at 09:00 and drive to Porto Airport, where we drop you off for your return flight at approximately 13:00 hrs.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.
You will travel in a vehicle hired specifically for your tour. This will be equipped with air conditioning, seat belts, and plenty of luggage space.
The cost of your 8-day, 7-night Peninsular War Tour, following in the footsteps of Wellington's Allied Army, is £2,450.00 GBP per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
A supplement of £280.00 GBP applies where single occupancy is required.
A deposit of 30% is required to secure your booking.
We will ask you to fill in a booking form, and once we have received your completed form, we will send you a secure link to pay your deposit.
The final balance will be due 8 weeks before your departure date.
Payments can be made by credit, debit card or bank transfer, and we will send you a link to make that payment.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Standard Terms and Conditions.
To book our our 8-day, 7-night Peninsular War tour, please complete this form
In The Footsteps Tours Limited have 20 years’ experience in designing and providing top quality tours to destinations across the United Kingdom and Europe. Our award-winning service is second to none and our team of historians and guides are recognised for their excellence. On an In The Footsteps® tour you can be sure that your enjoyment and satisfaction are guaranteed.
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