Italy During the First World War

Italy During the First World War

Battles in the Mountains and Clouds

Military History and Battlefield Tours

18th - 23rd September 2024
(6 Days)

Expert Historian : Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Tour price: £2,650

click here to book

Italy During the First World War

Battles in the Mountains and Clouds

Military History and Battlefield Tours

Your Holiday Essentials

18th - 23rd September 2024
(6 Days)

3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Prices:

Standard price: £2,120

Incl. travel from UK: £2,650
Room sole occupancy supplement: £175
Non-refundable deposit: £225

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Introduction

Set amongst some spectacular mountain scenery, these infrequently visited battlefields have changed little over the years. Marvel at many of the precarious and exposed positions occupied by both sides and visit many of the ingenious caverns 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 Grenadier’s Path hewn out of and into the sides of Monte Cengio (although there is a nearby café 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.

Background

Whilst the Italians prevaricated over whether to join the Entente powers in their struggle against the Central Powers, the Austro-Hungarians set about fortifying 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 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 Rommel earned his spurs). This resulted, in late 1917, in the arrival of five British and six French divisions around Asiago to bolster the realigned Italian positions. This small force was to play a disproportional role in repelling the last Austro-Hungarian thrust on the Piave in June 1918 and spearheaded the pursuit during the final battle of Vittorio Veneto, assisting the Italians in their ‘land grab’ before the end of the war.

This tour is immediately preceded by our 'Doughboys turn the tide' tour and the two tours can be taken as a 10-day/9-night package. Contact us for further details.

Highlights

  • With expert historian and author Maj Gordon Corrigan MBE
  • Gaze down on the Isonzo Valley from the San Michelle Heights
  • Visit trenches and bunkers carved out of the mountainside
  • Walk the astounding Grenadier’s Mule track carved into the edge of Monte Cengio
  • Enjoy magnificent breath-taking Alpine scenery
  • Examine the battles of the Isonzo
  • Visit the excellent museum of the battle of Caporetto in Kobarid
  • Explore the trenches and tunnels of the Italian defence line
  • Ascend the Asiago Plateau
  • Walk along the San Sisto Ridge to explore trenches, dressing stations and bunkers

What's Included

  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • 3 & 4 Star Hotels
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • Tour information booklet
  • Access to the Cultural Experience app
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • The company of like-minded travelers

"A wonderful tour, great chemistry between Gordon and tour manager. They provided unique knowledge of both culture and historical knowledge"

Itinerary

Day 1 - Gorizia

Fly London to Venice. Drive to Gorizia in the Isonzo Valley and check-in to our hotel for one night. Welcome drinks and evening lecture on ‘Italy and the First World War’. (D)

Day 2 - Isonzo

We examine the battles of the Isonzo and from the commanding heights of Monte San Michele we gain magnificent views over the river valley and right down to the Adriatic. We explore the remains of many of the trenches and tunnels that riddle the position and visit the museum. We descend the heights to take lunch in the heart of the 3rd Army battlefield park at Redipuglia before crossing the border into Slovenia and travelling northwards to Kobarid (Caporetto) where we check in to our hotel for two nights. (B,D)

Day 3 - Caporetto

After visiting the excellent Museum of the Battle in Kobarid, we follow the path of Oberleutnant Erwin Rommel, commanding a company of mountain troops, on his way to winning the Pour le Merite in the Battle of Caporetto. In the afternoon we visit the trenches and tunnels of the Italian defence line, which are still remarkably well preserved. (B,D)

Day 4 - Asiago

We take the morning to drive to the Asiago area, and in particular Monte Cengio, which was held to the last man by the Sardinian Grenadiers in June 1916. From here we gain superb views of the Astico Valley, on a good day as far as Venice. The more agile will have the opportunity to walk (level 3) a section of the stunning Grenadier mule track, exploring its numerous gun positions, caverns and magnificent viewpoints. Thence to our hotel in Asiago where we check-in for two nights. (B,D)

Day 5 - Asiago

Today we ascend the Asiago Plateau to which the Austrians' believed the British were ‘clinging by their fingertips’. We will visit Tattenham Corner, walk along the San Sisto Ridge to explore trenches, dressing stations and bunkers and visit Granezza cemetery where we find the grave of Edward Brittain, MC, brother of Vera Brittain. This afternoon we drive to the former Austro-Hungarian border fortress perched upon Monte Belvedere to enjoy outstanding views and its numerous period exhibitions and displays. (B,D)

Day 6 - The Piave

After examining the Battle of Nervessa, the Austrians last throw of the dice, which was largely thwarted by the newly formed RAF, we follow the British to the crossing of the River Piave in the final advance of the war in Italy. Thence to Venice and our return flight to London. (B)

Recommended Reading List

Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Gordon Corrigan was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1962 and was an officer of the permanent cadre of the Sixth Gurkha Rifles and then the Royal Gurkha Rifles before leaving the army in 1998. He served mainly in the Far East but also in Cyprus, Berlin, Belize and N Ireland. His last posting was as Commanding Officer of the Gurkha Centre, training recruits for the Brigade of Gurkhas and running courses for the Brigade. He is now a professional historian. He is the author of Sepoys in the Trenches, The Indian Corps on the Western Front 1914 – 1915, (Spellmount, 1999); Wellington, A Military Life, (Hambledon & London, 2001); Mud, Blood and Poppycock: Britain and the First World War (Cassell & Co, 2003); Loos 1915, The Unwanted Battle (Spellmount, 2006); Blood, Sweat and Arrogance – And The Myths of Churchill’s War (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2006); The Second World War – A Military History (Atlantic Books 2010); A Great and Glorious Adventure – A Military History of the Hundred Years War (Atlantic Books 2013) and Waterloo – A New History of the Battle and its Armies (Atlantic Books 2014) as well as numerous eBooks. His television appearances include The Gurkhas, Napoleon’s Waterloo and Battlefield Detectives, and so far he has presented five series on various aspects of military history. He has conducted military history study tours in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Holland, Spain, Portugal, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia and is a regular lecturer on expedition ships with and Silver Sea and on rail journeys in Europe and Central Asia with GW Travel. He has lectured in the United States and Canada and is an honorary research fellow of the Universities of Birmingham and Kent, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Member of the British Commission for Military History, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He is married to an Anglo-Saxon and medieval historian and his interests include horses, long lunches and the Times crossword, not necessarily in that order.

Visit his website here for lectures on Military History.

Photo Gallery

  • Italian Line Of Defence
  • Italian Trenches
  • Asiago Plateau
  • Barenthal Cemetery

Your Holiday Essentials

18th - 23rd September 2024
(6 Days)

3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Prices:

Standard price: £2,120

Incl. travel from UK: £2,650
Room sole occupancy supplement: £175
Non-refundable deposit: £225

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Review

View our Italy in WW1 Tour Gallery 2017 tour gallery here

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