Enlightenment History Tours
The 17th and 18th Centuries were an era of change, colonialisation, discovery and war. From Frederick the Great & the English Civil War to the bloody scramble for North America, experience the sites, witness the evidence and unearth the stories behind some of the periods most striking moments in the company of kindred spirits, our expert guide and dedicated tour manager.
As much as possible, we try to coincide our tours with the anniversaries of the events concerned, engaging with the topical debates of past and present and tying in with re-enactments and publications on the topic.
All of our forthcoming Scheduled Enlightenment Tours are listed below.
The English Civil WarsStarts 17th August 2027 (8 days)
This eight-day tour of England takes us to the scenes of all the major battles: Edgehill, Marston Moor and Naseby; the King’s capital of Oxford; the wonderful cities of York and Worcester; key fortresses and houses; and the sites of many other the key battles and sieges.View Tour Details
Jacobites & BraveheartsStarts 19th September 2028 (8 days)
Scotland’s relationship with England has been turbulent since Roman times but never more so than at the turn of the 12th Century and during the mid-18th century when English and British hegemony were seriously challenged. Visit the sites where this fickle relationship has been so dramatically tested.View Tour DetailsEnlightenment Tours - Future Planning
We intend to run all of the following tours in the near future. Final dates and prices are yet to be confirmed. Register your interest and we will contact you as soon as these tours become available.
Frederick the GreatThis wide-ranging tour of the battles and sieges of the War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years War in Europe takes us to some of the most evocative locations in the life of Frederick the Great and what we consider the best battlefield sites in the development of this consummate military genius.
Travelling through beautiful rolling countryside we experience warm central European hospitality and visit some less well-known, little-disturbed battlefields and fortresses to provide an almost perfect platform from which to demonstrate Frederick the Great’s tactical and strategical genius.View Tour Details
His Britannic Majesty’s Army in GermanyExplore the British involvement in Prussia and Hanover during the Seven Years War including the battles of Hastenbeck, Minden, Warburg, Korbach, Wilhelmstahl, Vellinghausen, Kloster Camp and Krefeld. We’ll also discuss the 1 BR Corps Defensive Area during the Cold War.View Tour Details
Imperial Vienna at ChristmasUnashamedly beautiful Vienna has everything you would want for the perfect seasonal break: an incomparably rich history, opulent architecture, engaging museums, vibrant Christmas markets and a people who celebrate with vivacity and style. Join us for a convivial and cultured Christmas in the heart of EuropE.View Tour Details
Kaliningrad: Russia’s forgotten exclaveKönigsberg, the former capital of Prussia, home to the Teutonic Knights and the great philosopher Immanuel Kant, is today known by its Russian name, Kaliningrad.View Tour Details
Marlborough - The First ChurchillIt is no secret that Winston Churchill drew huge inspiration from his ancestor John Churchill, later the Duke of Marlborough, who is generally regarded as England’s finest commander and one of history’s great captains.View Tour Details
Natasha's DanceThis tour takes us on a wondrous journey through Russia’s rich cultural history, visiting the homes, palaces, estates and museums of the country’s greatest writers, poets and artists. The title of the tour comes from the eponymous book written by your expert historian, Orlando Figes.View Tour Details
Revolution! The American War of IndependenceOpposition to London’s insensitive colonial policies on taxation and governance provoked outright rebellion when British soldiers attempted to disarm Massachusetts patriots in April 1775. The colonies soon erupted and war eventually drove Britain from her American possessions.View Tour Details
The English Civil WarsThis eight-day tour of England takes us to the scenes of all the major battles: Edgehill, Marston Moor and Naseby; the King’s capital of Oxford; the wonderful cities of York and Worcester; key fortresses and houses; and the sites of many other the key battles and sieges.View Tour Details
The French and Indian WarsWhen King George II granted tracts of land to the Ohio Company in 1749 it brought the British in to direct conflict with the French who were intent on maintaining their hegemony in the Ohio Valley.View Tour Details
The Monmouth RebellionOn this tour we follow the desperate gamble of the illegitimate son of Charles II from his landing at Lyme Regis to the last pitched battle on English soil at Sedgemoor including the skirmishes at Bridport, Axminster, Keynsham and Philips Norton.View Tour DetailsOur tours are accompanied by a guide with expert credentials and an animated and engaging approach to the subject, as well as a dedicated tour manager who will handle all of the organisational headaches that come with travel. This leaves you free to enjoy your tour and your guide free to show you the aspects of history that can only be truly appreciated by being in the actual places where it happened. We stay in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, sampling the local cuisine and culture in comfort and luxury.