b'ITALY DURING THEFIRST WORLD WAR Scan here for the full itineraryBATTLES IN THE MOUNTAINS AND CLOUDS1621 September 2026 Historical Background6 days Whilst the Italians prevaricated over whether to join the Entente powers in Expert Historian: their struggle against the Central Powers, the Austro-Hungarians set about Major Gordon Corriganfortifying their Alpine borders. When Italy finally decided to take up arms, the only really practical terrain to take the fight to the enemy was along the River Activity Level: 2 Isonzo, where she made as many as 11 major attempts to drive through the Ljubljana Gap until they were finally thwarted by the spectacular Austrian counter-offensive at Caporetto (where a young German Officer called Erwin Set amongst some spectacular mountainRommel earned his spurs). This resulted, in late 1917, in the arrival of five scenery, these infrequently visitedBritish and six French divisions around Asiago to bolster the realigned Italian battlefields have changed little over thepositions. This small force was to play a disproportional role in repelling the years. Marvel at many of the precarious andlast Austro-Hungarian thrust on the Piave in June 1918 and spearheaded the exposed positions occupied by both sidespursuit during the final battle of Vittorio Veneto, assisting the Italians in their and visit many of the ingenious cavernsland grab before the end of the war.and tunnels that were built for warmth and protection during the severe winters. A sure highlight will be the short, but breath-taking walk along the Grenadiers Path hewn out of and into the sides of Monte Cengio (although there is a nearby caf with fantastic views for the faint-hearted). The contrast with the topography of the Western Front is remarkable; from rain and wind-swept trenches built in chalk and mud, imagine trenches carved out of rock to protect against snow, ice and avalanche. Today the area over which these battles were fought straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia, which we will explore thoroughly.Day 1Fly London to Venice or join tour at Venice airport Drive to Gorizia hotel for 1 night Welcome drinks and evening lecture (D)Day 2 Isonzo Monte San Michele, Redipuglia, Kobarid Hotel in Kobarid 2 nights (B,D)Day 3 Caporetto Battle Museum in Kobarid, route of Erwin Rommel, trenches and tunnels of the Italian defence line (B,D)Day 4 Asiago Monte Cengio, optional Grenadier track walk, Asiago Hotel inAsiago2 nights) (B,D)Day 5 Asiago Asiago Plateau, Tattenham Corner, San Sisto Ridge walk, Granezza cemetery, Edward Brittains grave, Monte Belvedere (B,D)Day 6Buchenwald, Wannsee Hotel in Berlin2 nights (B,D)ESSENTIALS Day 7Berlin: tour on foot and U-Bahn: Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Fhrer3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,bunker, Holocaust memorial, Topography of Terror Museum (B, D)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 8The Piave Battle of Nervessa, British crossing of the River Piave Drivetour manager and expert historianto Venice for flight home to London or extend stay in the region (B)throughout, all internal travel,optional travel from UK.52 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 56205926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 52 22/08/2025 13:35'