Peninsular War Tours

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Wellesley and his Allied Army as they fight the French of Napoleon Bonaparte's Empire across Portugal and Spain. Visit the major battlefields and see the real war behind the Richard Sharpe novels.

Peninsular War Tours

In The Footsteps® of Sir Arthur Wellesley's Army in Portugal and Spain

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Wellesley and his allies as they clash with armies of the Emperor Napoleon across the length and breadth of Portugal and Spain.

Join one of our team of battlefield historians on a tour of the Peninsular War battlefields, follow the battles and see how they developed.

Our 8-days tour following in the footsteps of Wellington's Allied Army in Portugal and Spain

This eight-day tour begins when we meet you on your arrival at Porto Airport at  at approximately 13:00 hrs.

Day One: Pick-up from Porto Airport, Crossing the Douro, and Capture of Porto

From Porto Airport, we head into the city to book into your tour hotel.

We then head out on foot to the Douro River and explore the area where Sir Arthur Wellesley’s Anglo-Portuguese Army successfully crossed the river in one of the riskiest actions of the Peninsula War. It was here that Wellesley attacked Maréchal d'Empire Jean-de-Dieu Soult, who had looted the city and was preparing a withdrawal. Our tour includes visiting Ponte Luís I, which stands on the site of the bridge of boats, and the former Bishop's Seminary in the Largo do Padre Baltazar Guedes.

You are free to enjoy your evening exploring the city's attractions and restaurants.

Day Two: Bussaco, The Action on the Côa, and Almeida

We depart from your Porto hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to the Serra do Bussaco where we examine Sir Arthur Wellesley’s highly successful holding battle fought on 27 September 1810 against Maréchal d'Empire André Masséna’s invading French army.

We then continue westwards to the valley of the Côa River, where Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese had clashed with Masséna’s invading French army on 24 July 1810.

After examining the Action of the Côa, we head into the beautiful citadel-town of Almeida, which witnessed one of the largest explosions of the age where huge blocks of its ancient castle were thrown hundreds of feet into the air. Here we walk the battlements, exploring its narrow cobbled streets and visit the excellent museum.

We continue to Ciudad-Rodrigo to check-in to your next hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Three: Fuentes de Oñoro, and Ciudad Rodrigo

We depart your Ciudad-Rodrigo hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to Fuentes de Oñoro where we explore the battlefield.

We return to Ciudad-Rodrigo to spend the afternoon walking and exploring the sites of the siege.

We return to your Ciudad-Rodrigo hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Four: Alcántara Bridge, and Badajoz

We check out of your Ciudad-Rodrigo hotel and drive to Alcántara. The bridge at Alcántara, also known as Trajan's Bridge, was built over the Tagus River between 104 and 106 AD by an order of the Roman emperor Trajan in AD98. Here we explore the action that took place when a division led by Marshal Claude Perrin Victor attacked a Portuguese detachment under Colonel William Mayne on 14 May 1809.

From the bridge at Alcántara, we continue south to Badajoz where we spend the afternoon walking and exploring the sites of the siege.

We continue to Elvas to check-in to your next hotel, where you can enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Five: La Albuera

We depart from your Elvas hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to La Albuera where we explore the battlefield of the Battle of Albuera fought by Marshal William Carr Beresford's Portuguese and their Spanish allies against Maréchal Soult's French army on 16 May 1811.

In the afternoon, we take the opportunity to visit the excellent La Albuera museum before returning to Elvas to visit the Peninsular War cemetery and nearby Memorial Chapel.

We return to your Elvas hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Six: Talavera

We check-out of your Elvas hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to Talavera de la Reina where we explore the battlefield of the Battle of Talavera fought by Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese and their Spanish allies, against King Joseph Bonaparte's French army on 27 and 28 January 1809.

We continue to Salamanca to check-in to your next hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Seven: Salamanca

We depart from your Salamanca hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive out to the battlefield to spend the day exploring the ground over which the Battle of Salamanca was fought. It was here that Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese and their Spanish allies came face-to-face with Maréchal d'Empire Auguste de Marmont's French army in the vicinity of the Arapiles on 22 July 1812.

We return to your Salamanca hotel, where you are free to enjoy your evening exploring the town's attractions and restaurants.

Day Eight: Return and drop-off at Porto Airport

We check-out and depart your Salamanca hotel at 09:00 hrs and drive to Porto Airport where we drop you off for your return flight at approximately 13:00 hrs.

Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.

From £1,620.00 GBP* per person

* This price is based upon:

  • Pick-up and drop-off at Porto Airport
  • Six people touring
  • Travel in a dedicated tour vehicle driven by our expert battlefield historian
  • Two people sharing a twin room.

Costs may vary from those shown above due to the availability and selection of hotels, and other associated cost variations at the time of booking.

A supplement of £300.00 GBP applies where single occupancy is required.

An additional supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated costs.

A deposit of 30% or £200.00 per person, whichever is the greater, is payable on booking.

Booking indicates your acceptance of our Standard Terms and Conditions.

In The Footsteps Tours Limited activities are bound by the Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations 2018 and all monies paid to us are held in a Travel Trust Association holding account. Our tours are ATOL protected where a flight is included within your package and covered by the TTA's Standalone Safe Seat Plan Guarantee if your packages does not include a flight.

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Address


In The Footsteps Tours Limited
5 Abbotts Close
Greytree
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 7GQ
United Kingdom

Registered Number:  15460642

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