39 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1-877-381-2914 E m a i l info@theculturalexperience.com Napoleonic Walking Waterloo THE CAMpaign on foot Waterloo is a fascinating but complex battlefield and the key to understanding it is ‘reading’ the ground from a soldier’s perspective. Wellington’s eye for the lie of the land; his ability to draw his opponent onto ground of his own choosing; and then use it to gain observation, conceal his own troops, and to achieve surprise was key to his success. Ashley Truluck – former army General and currently Chairman of the Society of Army Historical Research (SAHR) - has spent a lifetime studying Wellington’s command style and tactics; he lived for 3 years near Waterloo and knows the battlefield intimately; and he is a keen walker. What better host to guide you ‘off piste’ away from the busy tourist centres and main roads onto the ground itself – and so understand what it was really like to command and fight on the battlefields of Ligny,QuatreBrasandespeciallyWaterloo? These will be a series of country walks rather than a route march! We cover no more than about 5 or 6 miles a day, with stops for lunch and beverages, - so nothing that any reasonably fit weekend walker couldn’t cope with easily. You will still get to visit the excellent visitor centres, but in addition this tour offers fresh air and a fresh perspective - and a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the rolling Belgian countryside in the convivial company of fellow walkers. 29 September – 2 October 2017 & 5-8 October 2018 4 days with Maj-Gen Ashley Truluck Activity Level 3 Essentials Return Standard Premier Eurostar, 4 star hotel, buffet breakfast, one lunch, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guides throughout. Tour Price: £1245 Single supplement: £145 Deposit: £125 Price without train: £1095 This tour follows the same historical story as our classic Waterloo tour opposite, but concentrates on walking the ground rather than standing at road-side viewpoints. The tour is equally suitable as an introduction to the Waterloo campaign and as a follow- up for those who have already seen the standard viewpoints and want to explore further. Ashley will adapt his itinerary to match the experience and interests of the group members accordingly. Day 1 – Brussels & Waterloo Town. Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Brussels in time for a stroll into and around the magnificent Grand Place and Royal Park where the story of the Waterloo campaign begins. On to Waterloo town to visit Wellington’s headquarters opposite our comfortable hotel in the centre of the town and our base for the tour. Welcoming drinks and evening talk before dinner. Day 2 – Ligny & Quatre Bras. We walk from the French positions and follow their attack route across fields into the riverside village of Ligny to get a feel for its tenacious defence by Prussian troops. Then up through cornfields for a panoramic view from the site of Blucher’s windmill – where he and Wellington met prior to the battle. We take lunch at Pierpont farmhouse (now a golf club) where the concurrent battle of Quatre Bras opened. After viewing the battlefield from the strategic crossroads which give the battle its name, we walk out to Cherry Wood on the British left flank and thence cross the very centre of the battlefield, discussing the highlightsaswego.Weendourdaybydriving the route of Wellington’s skilful withdrawal through Genappe to Waterloo where we will take dinner in a local restaurant. Day 3 – Waterloo. After surveying the battlefield from Napoleon’s command post at La Belle Alliance, we start our walk from the excellent new Hougoumont visitor centre, walking the length of the Allied Ridge discussing the French infantry and cavalry attacks as we go. After lunch near La Haye Sainte we push on to the British left flank and – weather permitting - around to see where the Prussians fell on Napoleon’s flank at Plancenoit where we stop for refreshment in the picturesque village square. Dinner tonight will be in a friendly bistro on the battlefield itself. Day 4 – Finale. We return to the battlefield to walk the route of the Imperial Guard’s famous final attack to the very site where they clashed with Wellington’s elite Guards and Light troops. The story of the battle will unfold as we go along. Thence to the excellent new Waterloo Visitor Centre on the battlefield where we will also enjoy our lunch stop. Then back to Brussels to catch our Eurostar train getting us back to London by early evening. Re-enactors