b'THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGNHistorical BackgroundFollowing the abdication of Napoleon in April 1814 and his subsequent exile to the island of Elba, the great powers met in Vienna to consider new boundaries and spheres of influence for the new world order, but it quickly became apparent that rivalries and mistrust would make any such agreement difficult. Meanwhile the restored French monarchy, recently returned from exile, having learnt nothing and forgotten nothing, failed to win the hearts of their countrymen. Sitting on his little Mediterranean island, fearing for his own future, Napoleon deemed that France was ready for his reappearance, so with European powers distracted in negotiation, on 2 March 1815 he landed on the south coast of France to commence what would become known as The Hundred Days, a campaign which would end ignobly for him on a Belgian field on 18 June later that year. Waterloo was the first and only time that the two greatest commanders of the era, Napoleon and Wellington, would meet each other in battle andA NEAR RUN THING THE WATERLOO ANNIVERSARY TOURit would be the last campaign for both of them. It would also be the last campaign for grand old Marshal Blucher whose Prussian Army, having been trounced at Ligny, nevertheless arrived in the nick of time to tip the2730 June 2025 This four-day tour enjoys travel by Eurostar from London to Brussels where scales in the Allies favour as Wellingtons infamous army, already testedwe catch a glimpse of that city as Wellington and men would have known 4 days it. But our base for the tour is in the village of Waterloo itself, from where at Quatre Bras, hung on grimly to the ridge at Waterloo.Expert Historian: we will explore the three major battles of the campaign: Ligny, Quatre Bras The 210th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo will be commemoratedand Waterloo. We anticipate the re-enactment taking place on the Saturday with staging of the first major reenactment since its bicentenary 10 yearsTBC evening when we will obtain grandstand seats from where you will be able ago. Thus, we have designed two anniversary tours around the event,Activity Level: 2 to enjoy the magnificent spectacle.which, curiously, the Belgian authorities have scheduled for the weekend of 28/29 June 2025! We will also operate our usual Walking Waterloo tourDay 1 Train from London and/or start tour at Brussels. Grand Place,in October.Town Hall. Waterloo Town (three nights). (D)Day 2 Ligny, Quatre Bras. (B,D)Day 3 Waterloo battlefield, reenactment camps,evening reenactment. (B) WATERLOO CAMPAIGN REENACTMENT Day 4 La Garde Recule! Brussels, leave tour/train to London. (B)24 June1 July 2025 This is the ultimate campaign tour which will visit all the major battlefields andWALKING WATERLOO8 days actions of the campaign. You will visit the battlefields of Quatre Bras, Ligny, Wavre and Waterloo and trace the route of the Allied armies. Enjoy the reenactments Expert Historian: of the battle and events which are scheduled for the weekend. Throughout1013 October 2025 Waterloo is a fascinating but subtle battlefield. Wellingtons eye for terrain and talent for drawing his opponent onto ground of his own choosing Col Andrew Fieldthe eight days the tour will be based out of central Brussels with its wealth of4 days allowed him to observe enemy dispositions and approach routes whilst historic architectural interest and excellent restaurants. Travel from London is by Activity Level: 2 comfortable Eurostar train. Expert Historian: concealing his own troops thus achieving tactical surprise which was key to Maj-Gen Ashley Truluckhis success. Under the guidance of our expert guide you will gain that same Day 1 Eurostar London St Pancras to Brussels. Hestrud. Beamount, Lobbes and Thuin.insight. As its title suggests, this is a walking tour graded Activity Level 3, i.e. Activity Level: 3 one involving a higher level of fitness and stamina than our standard tours. Rue Royale/Parc de Bruxelles. Central Brussels Hotel 7 nights. (L,D) We will be going well away from the standard tourist centres on walks of up Day 2 Ligny and Quatre Bras. (B,L,D) to 6 or 7 miles over rough tracks in the beautiful Belgian countryside. Please Day 3 Genappe, Le Caillou, Mont St Jean, Wellingtons Waterloo headquarters, St Josephsatisfy yourself that you are up to it physically and come with suitable church, Waterloo crypt. (B,L,D) walking shoes, waterproof clothes and a daypackas once we are off the Day 4 Waterloo battlefield tour: defence of Hougoumont, DErlons opening attacks,beaten track we will have little access to the coach.Allied cavalry charge, La Haye Sainte, French cavalry attacks and infantry squares, Plancenoit, final attack of Imperial Guard. (B,L,D) Day 1 Train from London and/or start tour at Brussels. Grand Place,Day 5/6 Reenactment weekend. Order of events for today and tomorrow to be confirmedTown Hall. Waterloo Town (three nights). (D)but will include: the major reenactments, parades, special exhibitions, markets,Day 2 Ligny, Quatre Bras. (B,D)reenactor camps, battlefield museum, the Lion Mound and 360 Panorama. LunchDay 3 Waterloo battlefield. (B,D) and dinner under your own arrangements. (B) Day 4 La Garde Recule! Brussels, leave tour/train to London. (B)Day 7 Wavre, Rixensart Woods, Bois de Paris. Free afternoonin Brussels. (B,D)Day 8 . Royal Military Museum. Eurostar Brussels to London St Pancras. (B)ESSENTIALS 4-star hotel, meals as indicated, drinks with dinner, all entrance fees, tour manager and expert historian throughout, all internal travel, optional travel from UK.38 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 39'