A Voice from St Helena

A Voice from St Helena

Napoleon in Exile

General History Tours

A Voice from St Helena

Napoleon in Exile

General History Tours

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Tour Introduction

The remote island of St Helena lies in the South Atlantic, some 1200 miles off the coast of Africa: the perfect place to imprison the once escaped and troublesome deposed Emperor of the French. The last six years of the life and the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte are the theme of this tour as we visit Longwood, his last residence, and his other island haunts complimented by a series of lectures on subjects such as his exile, the controversy surrounding his death, the politics of his retinue, the attitude of his captors, the influence of his memoires, the creation of the Napoleonic Legend and his legacy to name but a few.

The island can only be reached by the once-a-week flight from South Africa, requiring a relaxing stay of a minimum of 7 nights during which we can enjoy its other riches. The countryside consists of amazing contrasts, the terrain ranging from wind-eroded desert with multi-coloured ridges and valleys, to flax and verdant tree covered hillsides, soft pasture, lush vegetation-filled valleys and larger areas of prickly pear covered scrub. The surrounding coastline is magnificent with 1000 feet high cliffs dropping, sometimes sheer, to rocks against which the Atlantic rollers pound. Early military fortifications abound, there are many interesting walks offering a chance to see the rare endemic flora and fauna and in the past few years scuba diving has become one of the islands attractions with equipment readily available for hire.

Background

When Napoleon surrendered to HMS Bellerophon after the battle of Waterloo, he was anticipating retirement in leafy England. Nothing could be further from the truth. After idling in Plymouth harbour for two weeks, he was transferred to HMS Northumberland for the long journey to the South Atlantic and exile on the island of St Helena. The last 6 years of his life would be spent in virtual solitude with only the company of a small retinue to keep him stimulated. He spent his time dictating his memoirs, fabricating what was to become the Napoleonic Legend and playing a game of ‘cat and mouse’ with the island’s governor, Sir Hudson-Lowe, who refused to acknowledge his former imperial status. He died on the island at Longwood House on 5 May 1821. Controversy surrounds the cause of his actual death, although most agree that it was a cancer of one sort or another. When it came to his burial, he was interred in a nameless tomb, where he was to lay until his body was repatriated to Paris in 1840.

Highlights

  • 7 days on the remote island of St Helena
  • Longwood, Napoleon’s last residence
  • St Helena, birthplace of the Napoleonic legend
  • A relaxing holiday with a Napoleonic theme
  • Visit all the major island sites
  • Guided tour of Johannesburg

What's Included

  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Internal flight(s)
  • 4 Star Hotel
  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • Tour information booklet
  • The company of like-minded travelers
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • 6 Lunches

Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight flight
From London to Johannesburg (11 hours)

Day 2 – Johannesburg
Arrive from London mid-morning and join tour. Enjoy a visit to the South African Museum of Military History and check-in to our Johannesburg airport hotel for one night. Introductory talk and welcome drinks before dinner.

Day 3 - To St Helena
Fly Johannesburg to St Helena (6 hours) arriving lunchtime. Transfer to the four-star Mantis hotel, our base throughout our stay in St Helena. The remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from your travels.

Day 4 - Orientation
Tour of the island capital Jamestown discussing Napoleon’s first day on the island and visiting Porteous’ House where he spent his first night. This afternoon we visit 18th Century Plantation House, the Governor’s residence.

Day 5 - The Briars and Longwood
We visit the former homes of Napoleon. Firstly, The Briars, the Balcombe family home, the garden of which contained the pavilion where Napoleon spent the first few months of his stay on the island. Later we explore the rooms of Longwood House where he spent the remainder of his life. There is also a museum which focuses on Napoleon’s life in exile. The remains of his tomb are still here and today the house is still much as it was in the early 19th Century.

Day 6 - Island Tour
In the company of our local guide, we embark on a tour of the entire island visiting, amongst others, the coffee plantation, the island distillery, the beautiful yet misnamed cove known as Sandy Bay, and enjoy a scenic picnic on top of the daunting cliffs that gaze out to the South Atlantic.

Day 7 – At Leisure
The day is yours: you might enjoy a round of golf at the world’s most remote course; hire scuba equipment and dive or snorkel in the island’s crystal-clear waters; don your walking shoes and hike one of the island’s many marked trails; or perhaps just relax in Jamestown itself. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense today.

Day 8 - East India Company Fortifications
Prior to the Suez Canal, the island was an important victualling stop en-route to India and so its defence was paramount to British trade, and this is reflected in the vast array of military architecture, some of which we will find off the beaten track, so walking shoes will essential today (level 2)

Day 9 - Exploration
During the Boer War the island was used as a prisoner of war camp and by 1901 more than 4500 Boers were held here. We will visit the site of the camp and cemetery where so many of those who died in captivity are buried. This afternoon we will take a boat trip in search of dolphins, turtles, and other sea-life.

Day 10 - Diana’s Peak
We take walk through the island nature reserve to its highest point to gain magnificent views over the island and discover the island’s endemic plants and wildlife (level 2)

Day 11 – Final visit to Longwood
Prior to catching our return flight to Johannesburg, we will take one last visit to Longwood House for final photographs and memories. Overnight in Johannesburg.

Day 12 – Johannesburg 
Our tour ends this morning unless you are travelling back to London in which case, we enjoy a sight-seeing tour of Johannesburg prior to our overnight return flight to London.

Day 13 - Home
Arrive London

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