This tour is based around the anniversary celebrations of the battle of Albuera, the bloodiest battle of the Peninsular War. We also visit the site of the three sieges of Badajoz. Detailed guided visits of these two battles will be sandwiched between two annual ceremonies. One is the remembrance ceremony at the British Cemetery in the garrison town of Elvas. The British Cemetery in Elvas is the only one in the Iberian Peninsular where battle casualties are buried. There we will join British, Portuguese and Spanish dignitaries in a short but moving ceremony and afterwards at lunch, we will have the opportunity to get to know them. The other ceremony is the anniversary of the battle of Albuera, which the people of the village celebrate as only the Spanish can. There is a formal ceremony followed by lunch with the Alcalde (mayor) and his many guests. Later there are re-enactments, theatrical pieces, period markets and more. Over 50% of the population take part. Accommodation throughout will be in the 4 star Hotel São João de Deus in Elvas, which was the military hospital. It is located on the walls of this historic city and has been most tastefully restored. Whilst in Elvas, we will visit the fortifications, which are one of the finest examples still in existence. Developed during the 17th Century, these fortifications strengthened the Mediaeval walls with a system of bastions and ravelins that enclose the whole town. The massive Fort de Graça was not built until 1760 and was originally known as the Fort de Lippe after the German Commander in Chief of the Portuguese Army. At the battlefield site of Albuera, we visit the very site on that ‘Fatal hill’ where some British battalions lost up to 75% of their men. At Badajoz we visit the two main breaches that caused Wellington to weep on seeing the carnage the morning after forty continuous assaults had failed to take either of them at a cost of over 2,000 British lives in less than two hours. | ![]() | Departure Dates and Prices
13 – 17 May, 2009 (4 days and 5 nights)
Price: varies depending on the number of participants
Example: Euros 865 per person, 6 participants
Single room supplement: Euros 185
Included: B & B, lunch, accident insurance & guide.
Not included: Flights, Dinners, Lost luggage insurance.
Guides
Clive Gilbert and Major Nick Hallidie
Clothing
Hat, plus clothes and shoes for off-track walking
Distances
Driving: Approx. 650 km Walking: Approx. 1 km
| | | Day 1, Tuesday, May 12.
Arrival in Lisbon. Check in at the Hotel Sana Malhoa for 1 night. Rest of the day free.
Day 2, Wednesday, May 13.
We drive to Elvas and book into the São Joaõ de Deus hotel. Our tour starts with a walk of the ramparts. As these walls are exactly the same as they were 200 years ago, we can appreciate the feats of the troops at the siege of Badajoz, where much has changed. In the afternoon we visit Wellington’s headquarters at the Convento de São João and Gramicha.
Day 3, Thursday, May 14.
In the morning we visit the military museum at the Fort of Santa Lucia. We then participate in the 12 noon ceremony at the British Cemetery, followed by a gala lunch. During the afternoon we visit a private estate where the chapel is reputed to have housed the magazine for the siege of Badajoz.
Day 4, Friday, May 15.
We drive just across the border into Spain, to visit Badajoz and study the three sieges. We look across at the Forte San Cristobal, and visit the remains of the fort of Picurina, the tow main breaches and the castle where the escalade took place. We then move on to Albuera for a full battlefield tour culminating at the view point of ‘The fatal hill’, where so many died.
Day 5, Saturday, May 16.
This day is dedicated to the ceremonies in Albuera, which include parades and skirmishes by Napoleonic re-enacters from several countries. We are invited to participate in the lunch hosted by the Mayor (Alcalde). The village comes alive with theatricals, dances and period markets and the ‘fiesta’ prolongs into the night.
Day 6, Sunday, May 17.
Return to Lisbon in time for return flights. | ![]() |  | ![]() | Recommended Reading- That Fateful Hill, Mark Thompson,
- Badajoz 1812, Ian Fletcher
- Wellington’s Peninsular War, Julian Paget
- Sharpe’s Company, by Bernard Cornwall
| ![]() | | |