b'FINLAND 1939 Scan hereDICTATOR Scan here for the fullMUSSOLINI & ITALIAN FASCISM for the full THE WINTER WAR itinerary itinerary18 September 2024 Historical Background For dates refer to Historical Background8 days When Stalin signed the Soviet Non-Aggression Pact with Hitlers Naziwebsite Benito Mussolini invented Fascism in 1919 in the chaos that followed Expert Historian: Germany in August 1939, Eastern Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania were8 days WW1. Soon after, he and his blackshirted followers marched on Rome annexed within the Soviet sphere of influence. Finland realized she would beExpert Historian: (1922) and he was in power as Italys dictator, or Duce. At first, the regime Col Bob Kershaw was admired by manyincluding Churchillfor its achievements and next and prepared. At the end of November five Soviet armies invaded FinlandProfessor John Foot dynamism. But, as Mussolini fell under Hitlers sinister power, and his Activity Level: 2 from north to south. Temperatures dropped to as low as -40 as road-bound Soviet mechanized troops were sliced up into isolated motto segments byActivity Level: 2 aggressive attempts to build a new Roman Empire floundered, he led the Finnish ski-borne detachments. These attacked like a white death from thecountry to defeat and disaster in WW2 and his own life ended as violently This tour follows the fortunes of the 9thfir forests on either side of the roads and, aided by the cold, hunger and fear,as his career had begun.Soviet Army attempting to cut Finland in twothe Finns harried the Russian columns to extinction. David won this particularThis tour tells the complete story of Benito at its narrowest point in time for Stalins 60thGoliath contest and the Russian 44th, 163rd and 54th Divisions virtuallyMussolini and Italian Fascism from its violent birthday. Our expert will explain the natureceased to exist. Although they would lose the subsequent war of attrition,beginnings to its ignominious end. Beginning of this amazing victory against seeminglythe Suomussalmi and Kuhmo victories were an iconic morale as well as ain Rome, where Il Duce held power for two insurmountable odds. Both he and localphysical uplift for the Finns. tumultuous decades, we visit his private guides help to explore numerous off-roadhomes, his grandiose official residences and conflict areas where Finnish ski troopsexplore his home town, Predappio, including cut and blocked these roads, and showhis birthplace and the family burial vault. evidence of old and renovated bunkers andDuring this tour we see all the significant trench networks where both sides dug in,sites of Fascisms rise and fallthe Duces and explain what it is like to fight and live insumptuous office and private air-raid shelter; sub-zero conditions. All this is conductedthe Palace from where Mussolini spoke to amid the stunning scenery of the land of theadoring crowds; the regimes modernist midnight sun, where little has changed inarchitecture in Romes EUR quarter; the over 75 years. You will appreciate the myriadmountaintop hotel from where Mussolini of lakes and fast running rivers which aidedwas rescued by crack German airborne the Finnish defence. This is wild Taiga landtroops; and the scenes of his final downfall with much evidence of reindeer, elk andand death among the gorgeous lakes of other wildlife. northern Italy and Milan. Fascism, despite the wartime suffering it brought to Italy, still has its adherents today, and this tour explores and explains both Mussolini the man and the dark creed he created.Day 1 Roman Holiday: fly to Rome or make your own arrangements to join the tour at the hotel. Introductory talk. Hotel in Rome2 nights (D)Day 2 Fascist City: Palazzo Venezia, EUR quarter, Villa Torlonia. (B,D)Day 3 Mountain Rescue: Foro Italico stadium, Ardeantine caves (SS massacre site), Hotel Campo Imperatore. Overnight in a mountain hotel. (B,D)Day 1 Fly from Londonor make your own arrangements to join the tour at Day 4 Duces Hometown: Predappio - Casa Natale, Family Crypt. Hotel in Forli the hotel in Helsinki, Suomussalmi (two nights). (D) area1 night. (B,D)Day 2 Battle of Suomussalmi: Ruhtinansalmi, Palovaara, Suomussalmi, Day 5 To The Lakes: Predappio, Carpena, Verona, Lake Garda. Hotel in Lake Garda Lake Kiantajrvi. (B,L,D) area2 nights. (B,D)Day 3 . Battle of Raate Road: Raate, Kuhmo (two nights). (B,L,D) Day 6 . Salo: Salo museum; villa and boathouse used by Mussolini; VittorialeDay 4 Battle of Kuhmo: Kesseli-Kalkanen. (B,L,D) degli Italiani incl. museum, mausoleum and theatre. (B,D)ESSENTIALS Day 5 Kuhmo, Helsinki (three nights). (B,D) ESSENTIALS Day 7 Como:Lake Como, Dongo, Partisan museum, visit the spot where 3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 6 . Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. (B) Mussolini and Claretta Petacci were executed. Hotel near Lake Como drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 7 Helsinki: full day exploring Helsinki. (B,D) 4-star hotels, meals as indicated,1 night. (B,D)drinks with dinner, all entranceDay 8 . Milan & Home: Piazza San Sepolcro, Piazzale Loreto (where Mussolinis tour manager and expert historianDay 8 . Helsinki: Pannssarimuseo. Leave tour/flight to London or perhaps fees, tour manager and expertcorpse was displayed). Fly Milan to London or extend your stay in Italy. (B)throughout, all internal travel, extend your stay in Finland. (B) historian throughout, all internal optional travel from UK. travel, optional travel from UK.50 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 51'