Waterloo 203rd Anniversary A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields
Nothing except a battle lost can be half as melancholy as a battle won Quatre Bras, Ligny, Genappe, Bierges & Waterloo The greatest military leaders of the Napoleonic era joined in an epic and final struggle. Poor calculation, miscommunication, mishap, great fortune, heroic deeds and tragic failures, outlandish fashion and biblical weather. The battlefields of Waterloo frame history in such a concentrated way that few campaigns have ever, before or since, meant so much to so many, and impacted future events quite so significantly. Yet around this most famous of battles so many myths have arisen over the years, myths that have been repeated over two centuries without full and proper enquiry, that bear little relation to reality. Join two of the greatest Waterloo experts of their time who will transform your understanding of the battlefield, the characters who fought there and the accepted version of events peddled even amongst best-sellers to this day. Our tour is carefully crafted to ensure you a warm welcome, visiting both well known and forgotten points of the battlefields, all the major attractions and the hidden places. We'll unlock the secrets of what really happened, entertaining you with the first-hand accounts of those who were there. Each day includes scene-setting strategic handouts, maps and images. At each key battlefield position we'll recap the strategic situation, the knowledge and intent of the leaders, the elapse of time, the weather conditions and the impact of terrain.
We'll examine the tactical decisions, the character and experiences of the men (and a few women) who were there; some well known, some forgotten, others yet to be published, from senior officers to lowly rankers across all nations. Date Friday 15th June to Tuesday 19th June 2018 Duration Five days / Four Nights All-Inclusive* We start and end in Waterloo, Belgium staying in 4* central accommodation, with all meals, tours, transport and entrance fees covered. Options Pre-Tour day 14th Dunkirk (WW2) Post-Tour half-day extension 19th Ramilies (Marlborough) Extend your stay with additional hotel nights before or after the tour. and/or join our Copenhagen Tour on 23rd June. * You will simply be responsible for any room service, mini bar, extra drinks you order and any non-itinerary additional purchases you make. We'll look at how history has told the stories, how they have become embellished, distorted, misunderstood and abused. We'll tell how accepted history has been overturned by fresh examination and re-interpretation of the records, with a wider understanding of the role of all nations in the epic struggle. We'll also include 'end-of-day' wrap-ups to review the major features of each day. We'll guide you around the best bits of the museums and memorials, looking at the evolution of the battlefields whilst referencing other eras of history for a full understanding of these beautiful locations in the 'cockpit of Europe'. We'll ensure that any particular regimental or ancestor interests of yours are covered in depth to add real meaning to your experiences. Whilst on tour we'll enjoy hearty breakfasts, light lunches and great dinners with wine to ensure your pleasure and comfort, plus time to relax, not forgetting the beer tasting! We are confident that, other than our full campaign tour, this is the most comprehensive and original Waterloo tour you can join. Our proposed walk of the battlefield scheduled for the 18th June does rely on fairly good weather and requires good walking boots and wet weather clothing. If the weather forecast is particularly unfavourable for that day we may decide to move it to one of the other days. The walk is around 3 miles in total during the day. We are also offering a pre-tour day covering Dunkirk (WW2), and a post-tour half-day visit to nearby Ramilies (Marlborough) and invite your interest. Why not also consider joining our 23rd June tour visiting Copenhagen?
Our Battles 15th June 1815 Napoleon crosses the Belgian border in his last great gamble of the 100 days. 16th June 1815 Napoleon forces the Prussians at Ligny, Wellington desperately holds Quatre Bras. 17th June 1815 Blücher s Prussians fall back, but concentrate, chased by Marshal Grouchy. Wellington retreats through Genappe to group his forces before Waterloo. 18th June 1815 Wellington defends his ridge and farmhouses against massed French attacks, whilst the Prussians arrive from Wavre on Napoleon s flank. The Imperial Guard is beaten and the French flee. 19th June 1815 Grouchy sustains his fight above Wavre & Bierges before the bad news arrives.
The 1815 Battlefield Experience The latest interpretations and knowledge presented with confidence and aplomb. Stunning and varied landscapes, all the museums, dramatic re-interpretations of received wisdom, you ll witness them all. We visit points and walk to places forgotten by the march of history, yet which have a major tale to tell in the Waterloo experience. We leave no stone unturned to bring you the most comprehensive and unique Waterloo Battlefield Tour available. Our standards of comfort, in choice of accommodation and premium transport reflect our desire to deliver the very best quality experience. Our all-inclusive* approach also means you can truly focus on enjoying your trip.
Our Waterloo Hotel The Historic Martin s Grand 4-Star Newly refurbished rooms in the hotel The 4 Star Martin's Grand is merely a cannon shot, hop, skip and jump from the battlefield of Waterloo. Built in 1836 by the Raffinerie Nationale de Sucre Indigène et Exotique (National Refinery for Indigenous and Exotic Sugar) to cultivate sugar beet and to make sugar, it still displays the beautiful brick vaulting in its restaurant La Sucrerie. The best location to start and end each day's journey, with spacious and comfortable rooms.
Day by Day Itinerary YOUR TOUR STARTS & FINISHES IN WATERLOO BELGIUM easy to reach from nearby Brussels via Eurostar of flights - ask us for details A truly inspirational tour, with extensive tactical insight and unique research bringing people, history & landscapes to life. 14th June: Optional Tour of Dunkirk (WW2) en-route to Waterloo. 15th June PM: Meet & Greet, Battlefield & Fun Gather at our Waterloo hotel 2.30pm, tour introduction, visit Lion Mound, Panorama & Memorial museum. Interactive event on the myths and realities of Waterloo. Dinner at our hotel in La Sucrerie. 16th June: Plans, Invasion & Events! 203rd Anniversary of the Battle of Quatre Bras from the Dutch/Belgian, British, German and French perspectives - farmhouses, memorials and the Roman Road. Lunch at medieval farmhouse Indrani Lodge, Loupoigne. The retreat via Genappe. Napoleon's last HQ at Le Caillou. Wellington s HQ Museum & Royal Chapel. 17th June: The Prussian Campaign Journey to Brye (Blücher's HQ), St Amand, Fleurus (Napoleon's HQ), Tombe de Ligny, Sombreffe, Blucher's presbytery, the cemetery and the Tongrinne flank. Ligny Ferme d'en Haut and Ligny museum. The Prussian retreat and recovery at Mellery, and Bierges, the Prussian advance to Waterloo, walking part of the Vieux Chemin, Chapelle St Robert, Ferme de la Kelle, Schwerin monument, Bois de Paris, the Prussian Monument and Plancenoit.
18th June: Walking Waterloo 203rd Anniversary Belle Alliance, walking the French line to Papelotte, Smohain, up to Ziethen's crossroads, D'Erlon's attack, British Heavy Cavalry charges, Inniskillings, La Haye Sainte. Journey to the Wounded Eagle. On to approach Hougoumont from the French and Allied sides, discuss the close-run fighting there and the latest archaeological finds. On up to Mercer's ridge for the massed French cavalry charges and the repulse of Napoleon s Imperial Guard. Journey to Mont St Jean, brewery visit and tasting, and the new Medical Museum. 19th June: Aftermath, Any Questions & Farewell What the future held for the Waterloo leaders and combatants. Questions & Answers to fill any remaining gaps, then we head home, or join the extra halfday tour to Ramillies. 19th June: Optional Extra half-day Tour of Ramillies (Marlborough). Your train journey or flights are not included in our tour, and should be booked to suit your own convenience and preferences. We are happy to help.
Your Guides Your Guides Bio, Gareth Glover The most prolific author on the Napoleonic Era, Gareth is at the very forefront of discovering and re-interpreting the memoirs of soldiers who marched and fought across the landscapes we travel. To date Gareth has published 66 books and memoirs on the Napoleonic Wars and those who fought in it. His recent works include Waterloo in 100 Objects, The Forgotten War Against Napoleon; Conflict in the Mediterranean 1793-1815, and The American Sharpe. Gareth's career has ranged from a Commissioned Officer of the Royal Navy, to managing one of the country's finest food halls. Gareth is a Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society and a Director & Founder of Campaigns & Culture Ltd. Bio, Robert Pocock The acknowledged authority on the life of Cavalié Mercer, the most famous junior officer at Waterloo and author of the finest first-hand account of any military campaign. Robert's extensive original research casts an exceptional light on accepted history. On tour we'll share much of Robert's re-interpretation of received wisdoms, which will surprise and amaze! His appreciation of the impact of wider eras ranges from Marlborough to WW2, bringing a fresh dynamic to Waterloo s role in history. We ll share his reassessment of the march of the Prussians, and the often missed left flank of Ligny. His study of the evolution of the battlefields is reflected in many articles for the Waterloo Association. Robert is a Director & Founder of Campaigns & Culture Ltd.
Your Journey Rewards for Early-Birds, Loyalty Discounts, Families & Groups All-Inclusive* Normal Tour Price 1,995 per person sharing a double / twin room Currently 1,695 with special discount of 300 per person. Don t delay! Single occupancy supplement 295 If you ve miss this offer, you can still secure a 200 per person discount by booking two or more of our 2018 tours, or by booking as a family or group of 4 or more on this tour. We also offer discounts of 100 per person for a family or group of 3. The highest discount only applies. We ll automatically apply the highest available discount rate to your booking.
A few of our other treats Cultural as much as Historical Myth & Reality Hear it from the author! Gareth s interactive response to all of your questions. Lunch in a 14th Century farmhouse The magnificent private Indrani Lodge, Loupoigne, through which soldiers of many nations passed on 17th June 1815. Beer Tasting Adjacent to the superb new medical museum, we tour the brewery and sample their produce, Beer of the Brave! The forgotten routes See and walk the paths trodden in 1815
Fitness Guide Reasonable Belgium is often mistakenly thought to be flat like Holland, but the Belgian countryside can be more variable with some modestly challenging hills. As we will often be walking along a variety of paths and dirt tracks which can vary from firm, dusty or slippery depending on the weather, sensible walking shoes or boots (preferably waterproof) are thoroughly recommended. At other times, when touring museums and ancient buildings, cobbled or uneven surfaces are the norm and sensible shoes are again recommended. Expect to walk reasonable distances of a few miles each day.
Please book online, contact us through the website or call us on +44 (0)1805 43 1066 We look forward to welcoming our Guests on Tour Campaigns & Culture Ltd 2017/8