On this eight-day tour we escape the main roads to discover the Portugal known so well to the men of Wellington’s Army during the years 1808 – 1811. As well as visiting the magnificent battlefields, we will see one of the beaches on which Wellington landed his army in August 1808 amidst the treacherous rolling surf; explore the forts and signal redoubts along the Lines of Torres Vedras; wander around the historic centre of Lisbon; sample port wine in one of the many port houses in Porto besides the banks of the mighty River Douro; walk the walls of the pretty medieval town of Obidos the site of the first action of the Peninsular War; stay in a former palace in Lousa and marvel at the stunning Portuguese countryside as we travel over its mountain ranges and through its river valleys and national parks. All set amidst the background of wonderful local and international cuisine and great Portuguese hospitality.

Three times the French invaded Portugal between 1807 and 1811 and each time the nation’s saviour was a professional mongrel army led by Arthur Wellesley the future Duke of Wellington. The first invasion by General Junot ended following the battle of Vimeiro in August 1808; the second by Marshal Soult ended abruptly following Wellington’s audacious operation to recapture the city of Porto in broad daylight, forcing Soult’s force into a harrowing retreat over the mountains in north Portugal; while the third invasion by Marshal Massena came to an equally dramatic end in front of the Lines of Torres Vedras necessitating, the following year, Marshal Ney to conduct a series of rear-guard actions for the French to escape.

Day 1 - Opening Shots
Fly London to Lisbon or join tour at Lisbon airport. Drive to Óbidos for a short exploration of this rustic Moorish town with its crenelated walls. Thence to our hotel situated just outside the town where we check-in for one night. Introductory talk and drinks before dinner. (D)

Day 2 - Roliça and Vimeiro
We visit the house near Brilos used by Rifleman Benjamin Harris, whose Recollections were a rare account of the war by a foot soldier, before exploring the battlefield of Roliça. Moving from Delaborde’s first position to Lake’s Gully, we then look out from atop the Columbeira Heights. Thence to Paimogo and Maceira Bay where British reinforcements came ashore amidst the rolling surf prior to the battle of Vimeiro. At Vimeiro itself we enjoy a great view of the battlefield before retracing the first phase of the battle in the village. After visiting the museum, we head out to Ventosa to look at the French flanking attacks. Continue to the lovely spa town of Curia where we check in to our hotel for two nights. (B,D)

Day 3 - Porto
We examine Wellesley’s audacious crossing of the Douro and the recapture of Porto, and the events preceding it. At Vila Nova, on the south bank of the Douro, we stand at the N. Senhora do Pilar Monastery, from where Wellesley commanded the operation and established his artillery, before crossing the mighty Douro River and visiting the Seminary. After lunch we visit one of Porto’s fine port lodges to enjoy a tour and sample their wares. (B,D)

Day 4 - Bussaco
We drive to the formidable ridge on which the battle of Bussaco was fought. We visit Massena’s headquarters, Wellington’s command post, Craufurd’s rock, the Bussaco convent, the battle monument and the military museum. We complete our day viewing the site of the Allied Army’s crossing of the Mondego at Penacova. Check-in to our Lousã hotel for one night. (B,D)

Day 5 – Masséna’s Retreat
We drive south to pick up the first of a series of rear-guard actions fought by Ney’s corps to buy time for Masséna’s army to escape in 1811. We will see the actions at Pombal, Redinha, Condeixa-a-Nova, Fonte Coberta and Foz de Arouce, where the French 39th Regiment lost a coveted eagle. Overnight at the Hotel Dolce Campo Real, in Torres Vedras, close to Lisbon. (B,D)

Day 6 – The Lines of Torres Vedras
This day is devoted to visiting the Lines of Torres Vedras from end to end. Starting with the magnificent view of the Lines from Mount Socorro we explore the forts in the First and Second Lines; the great redoubt of Sobral and the restored fort of São Vicente; Wellington’s headquarters at Pero Negro; Beresford’s headquarters at Casal Cochim; the forts around Bucelas; and finally visit Colonel Fletcher’s monument at Alhandra. Check-in to our Lisbon hotel for two nights. (B,D)

Day 7 – Lisbon
We spend a full day in Lisbon and its environs, with visits to the atmospheric castle at Belém, guarding the entrance to the Tagus estuary, the impressive military museum with its large model of the Lines and an astonishing collection of artillery, and a visit to the dominating Castelo de São Jorge. (B,D)

Day 8 - Home

In the morning we visit the magnificent Palácio de Queluz from where Prince Regent João and his family fled to Brazil to escape the arrival of Napoleon’s forces in 1807. Fly Lisbon – London (or extend stay in Portugal). (B)