b'WELLINGTON OVER Scan here THE PYRENEES for the full itineraryTHE INVASION OF FRANCE2129 April 2027 Historical Background9 days After achieving the decisive victory over the French at Salamanca in July Expert Historian: 1812, Wellington liberated Madrid but then over-extended his army at Burgos TBCand was forced into a harrowing retreat. The following year, determined not to make the same mistake, he drove three French armies back and Activity Level: 2 defeated them in the epic encounter at Vitoria. The French withdrew and fought with their backs to the Pyrenees trying to prevent the unthinkablethe invasion of France. Wellington captured San Sebastian and fought a This tour is a natural progression from ourseries of battles in the Pyrenees before judging the time right to commence popular Wellington in Spain tour. Movingthe invasion. After two more battles at the end of 1813, at Nivelle and the from Pamplona to San Sebastian then BiarritzNive, Soult was pushed eastwards via Orthez and Tarbes towards Toulouse we trace the course of the final stages of thewhere the last encounter of the war was fought in April 1814.war in the Peninsular including the battles of Vitoria, Sorauren and Orthez, the last pitched battle of the war, and the great French border fortress of Bayonne. En route we traverse sierras and great rivers, once formidable barriers for the armies of both sides and none so much as the dominating mountains of the western Pyrenees from the top of which, we will gain stunning views over much of the campaign area. Well travel along the often violent coast of the Bay of Biscay and visit the harbour havens so crucial to the resupply of Wellingtons army. And once in France we will discover its rich lush countryside which reminded many of the soldiers of their homes in Britain.Day 1Fly London Gatwick to Bilbao or meet at Arrivals Hall of Bilbao AirportTo Pamplona for 3 nights (D)Day 2 Vitoria (B,D)Day 3 Maya, St Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles (B,D)Day 4 Sorauren, Pasaia, San Sebastian for 1 night (B,D)Day 5 San Marcial, The Bidassoa, Vera, Bayonet Ridge Bayonne forESSENTIALS 4 nights (B,L,D)4-star hotel, meals as indicated,Day 6The Nivelle: Santa Barbara, La Rhune, Amotz Dinner at own expense (B)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 7The Nive, St Pierre, Bayonne (B,D)tour manager and expert historianDay 8Orthez, Tarbes (B,L,D)throughout, all internal travel, optionalDay 9Farewells at Bilbao Airport Fly Bilbao to London Gatwick (B)travel from UK.40 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 40 22/08/2025 13:35'