44 V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815 XXX! XXX Napoleonic THE PENINSULAR WAR IN SOUTHERN SPAIN THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACy ON LAND AND SEA This tour takes us to some of the most elegant and historic locations in all Spain including Seville, Cordoba and especially Cadiz - Spain’s most cosmopolitan city in the Napoleonic period, her main naval base, and the destination of treasure ships inbound from the Americas. We will be travelling through the scenic Andalusian countryside in late Spring when it looks at its best. It’s a landscape that has been settled by Romans, Christians and Moors – and the region’s architecture reflects this rich heritage. This is a tour equally suitable for military enthusiasts and those wishing to sample the sites and culture of Southern Spain. Your guide will be Napoleonic Wars expert Tim Clayton, the award-winning and bestselling author of Trafalgar – The Men, The Battle, The Storm; Tars - The Men who Made Britain Rule the Waves; and Waterloo – Four Days that Changed Europe’s Destiny. – Four Days that Changed Europe’s Destiny. – Four Days that Changed Europe’s Destiny 30 April – 6 May 2019 30 April – 6 May 2019 30 April – 6 May 2019 7 days 7 days 7 days 7 days with Tim Clayton with Tim Clayton with Tim Clayton with Tim Clayton plus optional extension in plus optional extension in plus optional extension in plus optional extension in plus optional extension in plus optional extension in Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar Activity Level 2 ESSENTIALS Return flights from London, four-star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3 course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout. Tour Price: £2395 Single supplement: £360 Deposit: £225 Price without flights: £2270 Contact us for extension price. "The Cultural Experience have made it possible for us to visit many battlefields. They are all well run, enlightening, with good guides and good companions." Cadiz, Spain’s principal naval port, was blockaded by Nelson in 1797–8 and again in 1805 when it was the backdrop for Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar. In the storm that followed the battle, many defeated Spanish and French ships were wrecked on the coast between there and Gibraltar – into which limped HMS Victory with Nelson’s body on board. When the Spanish subsequently rebelled against French occupation in 1808, a Spanish army intercepted and defeated a French army en route to Cadiz, at Bailen (the first time a Napoleonic army had been defeated anywhere in Europe). At the same time, the Spanish seized the French naval squadron at Cadiz and Great Britain came to their support, in what became known as the Peninsular War. Cadiz henceforth became the capital of independent Spain, a symbol of resistance against the French, and a vital base for the Royal Navy supporting Wellington’s allied armies operating across Spain. The subsequent siege of Cadiz tied down three corps of French troops. Cadiz’s survival was thus vital to the Allied effort in Iberia and this gives us an opportunity to explore this fascinating historical city and look at some of the nearby British battlefields, including Graham’sspectacularvictoryatBarossain1811. Day 1 – Jaen. Fly London – Malaga and drive over the Sierra Nevada mountains to the historic city of Jaen where French general Sebastiani defeated a Spanish force during the invasion of Andalusia in January 1810. Check into our hotel for one night. Day 2 – Bailen & Cordoba. This morning we driveontothebattlefieldofBailentoseehow the Spanish army won its unprecedented victory over the French in July 1808. We visit the museum which marks the Spanish frontline and celebrate the Spanish victory with a drink at the Casa da Postas in Andujar where French General Dupont surrendered. On to Cordoba, sacked by the French before the battle of Bailen, where we check into our hotel for one night, explore this beautiful city and visit the famous Mesquita. Day 3 – S eville. We drive to Seville, taking the opportunity of discussing the British cavalry actions at Villagarcia and Usagre that took place in the dusty plains north of our route. Seville was the headquarters of Spain’s Supreme Junta from 1808 to 1810. After the city was captured by the French in 1810 the Junta moved to Cadiz and Seville became the headquarters of Marshal Soult’s French army of occupation – we will visit the Hospital de la Caridad and discuss the origins of Soult’s fine art collection – ‘liberated’ from Spanish churches. Finally, we see the site of Sir John Downie’s charge across the bridge of boats which precipitated the liberation of the city in 1812. We stay in Seville overnight and there will be an opportunity to explore the cultural aspects of Seville for those who wish to do so. Day 4 – C adiz allied to France 1797/1805. Today we explore the crumbling glory that is the old city of Cadiz – our base for the