b'NAPOLEON IN ITALY Scan here for the full THE RISE OF GENERAL BONAPARTE itinerary1320 May 2026 Historical Background8 days When Napoleon took command of the Army of Italy in March 1796, he Expert Historian: inherited a force that was underfed, ill-equipped, unpaid, and demoralised. Col John H. GillYet it was this battered army that he transformed into a formidable fighting machine, capable of outmanoeuvring and defeating one Austrian force Activity Level: 2 after another. In a matter of days, he crushed the Piedmontese, forcing them out of the war and opening a path through the Po Valley. A key victory at Lodi followed, compelling the Austrians to abandon Milan and The varied terrain of Northern Italy, and thethe line of the River Adda. Napoleon then laid siege to Mantua, drawing military challenges that it presented, providerepeated Austrian attempts to relieve it. Over the summer and into winter, a magnificent backdrop for this wonderfulfour successive Austrian relief armies were dispatchedeach decisively tour: the confused fighting amidst thedefeated at Castiglione, Bassano, Arcole, and finally Rivoli. These victories wooded, mountainous terrain betweensecured French control (or liberation) of northern Italy. This, Napoleons the Riviera and Turin; the challenges andfirst campaign as commander, is often hailed as his most brilliant. It also manoeuvre opportunities provided by themarked the beginning of the loyal circle that would follow him throughout flat land of the Po valley and its numeroushis rise, many of whom would become his future marshals. Iconic watercourses; the exploitation of the bridgesmoments like the Little Corporal directing the cannons at Lodi or the at Piacenza and Lodi; the beautiful fortressRepublican general crossing the bridge at Arcole became instrumental to city of Mantua which endured numerousthe Napoleonic legend.sieges; the mighty Alps reflected beautifully on the shimmering surface of the stunning Lake Garda, witness to at least three battles in 1796. We will find ourselves in fascinating historic towns and cities along the way: Turin, Milan, Verona and Mantua, and enjoy some great hotels and appetizing Italian cuisine.Day 1Turin Flight from London Heathrow to Milan Linate Drive to Turin fortwo nights (D)Day 2 Opening Battles, April 1796 Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego (B,D)Day 3 The Po & Lodi, May 1796 Lodi and the Po manuvre sur les derrires Verona for five nights (B,D)Day 4 1st Austrian Offensive, August 1796 Lonato, Castiglione, Peschieraand Mantua (B,D) Day 5 2nd Austrian Offensive, September 1796 Rovereto, Trento, Primolano,ESSENTIALS and Bassano (B,D)4-star hotel, meals as indicated,Day 63rd Austrian Offensive, November 1796 Caldiero, Arcole and Mantua (B,D)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 74th Austrian Offensive, January 1797 Rivoli (B,D)tour manager and expert historianDay 8Milan & Departure Transfer to Milan, Museum of the Risorgimento,throughout, all internal travel, optionalreturn flight from Milan Linate to London Heathrow (B)travel from UK.36 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 56205926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 36 22/08/2025 13:35'