About our Tours
Peninsular War Battlefield Tours organise battlefield tours of the Peninsular War in Spain. We arrange all the aspects of a battlefield tour so you can relax, enjoy your experience and appreciate the sights, without hassle or worry.
WHAT WE DO
Peninsular War Battlefield Tours make all hotel and flight reservations. We confirm your booking and issue detailed joining instructions, including names and addresses of all the hotels we will be staying at. We will meet you at the airport and organise all transport while on tour in Spain. We are available to give advice, if required - such as the likely weather to expect, what to wear, what to bring, or any other questions you may have before leaving for the tour. In short, Peninsular War Battlefield Tours make all arrangements so you can enjoy your tour to the full, without the worry or inconvenience of having to organise anything.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Unless otherwise stated, all Peninsular War Battlefield Tours include accommodation (in local family run hotels), continental breakfast, three-course evening meal (with wine), return airfare, transport in Spain and the services of a guide and tour manager. Prices are based on two people sharing a room.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Not included are personal expenses, such as bar bills, drinks, telephone calls, souvenirs or lunches, which are normally taken in a local bar or restaurant, depending on time and location.
WILL I NEED MUCH SPENDING MONEY ?
As you can see from the above, all Peninsular War Battlefield Tours are half board, so guests need only pay for their lunch, and for personal expenses , such as bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs shopping, etc. How much cash you need will, of course, depend on individual intensions.
HOW LARGE ARE THE GROUPS ?
Our tours never have more than six people in each group. We at Peninsular War Battlefield Tours have learnt by experience, that a small number of people gives each person more room to circulate when visiting sites of interest, making it easier for them to view what there is to see. This increases the enjoyment and allows a greater exchange of ideas and information between your guide and other members of the group. Tours for larger groups can be organised on request.
OUR TOURS
Our tours are aimed at the knowledgable enthusiast, as well as the newcomer to the peninsular war, who wants to know the ‘why’ as well as the ‘what’. Our tours take a little more time than other tour operators, as we look at the battles and campaigns in more detail, giving an authoritative, informative and enjoyable tour. For example, at each battlefield we visit more view points than is usual on other tours, and show all the perspectives of the participants of the battle. We take time to access parts of the battlefield more difficult for larger groups to get to. We also visit locations of the campaign around a battle, for example the Salamanca Campaign. This gives a greater understanding of the reasons why the battle on the 22nd July was fought. Our tours also look at other smaller actions of the Peninsular War, such as General Hill’s two raids into Extremadura; one of which had a lasting effect on French ability to manoeuvre and combine forces during the final stages of the war. Our smaller group sizes (often no larger than six people) gives each person more room to circulate when visiting sites of interest. This makes it easier for visitors to view what there is to see, and therefore increases the enjoyment.
DO YOU NEED TO BE AN ENTHUSIAST ?
No, is the short answer. We welcome both enthusiasts and newcomers to the Peninsular War, on our tours. How can we cater for both levels of interest ? This is due to the fact that our groups are small and our Tours have more time than other tours, to follow the course of the battle or action we are looking at. This gives us time to explain aspects of the battle, and how the army operated, which help newcomers understand the events that took place at the location we are visiting. The extra time spent touring also helps the enthusiast by allowing a detailed exploration of the battlefield, in association with the events at the location, which gives form to the reading of texts, and any research.
Your guide, Malcolm Jones, has an extensive knowledge of the Peninsular War and the British Army of the nineteen century, and he is happy to share that knowledge. Also during the tour we highlight the social side of campaigning with the British Army in Spain, – camp living conditions, food, health and welfare – all of which had a great effect on soldier's health and morale. It is a fact that bad living conditions and poor hygiene caused more deaths in Wellington's army than the military actions themselves. In the past, we have found that enthusiast and non-enthusiast alike, have found this aspect of campaigning enjoyable and of great interest. Secondly, our Battlefield Tours cover areas of Spain not often visited by foreign tourists, and these places have a history and beauty of their own, especially during the Spring and Autumn seasons. A little time is taken to enjoy some of these sights, such as the beautiful and historic cities of Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Trujillo, giving everyone an opportunity to experience a flavour of the cultural heritage of Spain. There is no “typical” battlefield tourist, and our guests are of all ages and from many different backgrounds. A “disinterested” partner, or travelling companion, will find much to enjoy on one of our tours. Our primary aim is to give you an enjoyable experience.
WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE ?
Peninsular War Battlefield Tours use local, family run hotels. Most of these hotels have their own bar and restaurant facilities. For the few that do not, there are suitable bars and a restaurant close by, where dinner is taken. All rooms have en suite toilet and bathroom, television and air-conditioning.
WHAT ARE THE EVENING DISCUSSIONS ?
The evening discussions are very informal affairs and are totally optional. They are usually held in a quiet area of the bar or hotel, over a drink before dinner. The discussions give an opportunity to outline the following days itinerary and answer any questions members may have about what they have seen during that days tour. Some time is usually given over to discussing a social aspect of the Peninsular Army, such as food, rations, women, medical care, etc. These discussions give anyone, who wishes, the option to become better acquainted with Wellington's army, and the Peninsular campaign in general.
HOW LONG ARE THE DAYS ?
We at Peninsular War Battlefield Tours run very relaxed and informal days. As the groups are small we are able to go with customer wishes to some degree – staying longer at one site; spending less at another; or returning to our hotel a little later. Our day is also dependent on the Spanish day, with consideration to the heat. Generally we are out by 9 a.m. and stop for lunch around 2 or 3 p.m., depending on our plan and location. We aim to be back in our hotel by 4 or 5 p.m. We often meet for an informal discussion, if guests so desire, most evenings around 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 or 8.30 p.m.
INSURANCE
It is a requirement of Peninsular War Battlefield Tours that all clients must have adequate travel insurance to cover such things as medical treatment, repatriation if ill, loss of property or cancellation charges. Proof of such insurance, covering the period of the tour, must be sent with the final payment two calendar months before departure of the tour. It is the Client’s responsibility to arrange such insurance cover, and failure to produce evidence of a valid and adequate insurance policy will result in them being refused travel.
CAN I MAKE MY OWN WAY TO SPAIN ?
Yes you can. For those clients who want to make their own way to Spain, or incorporate one of our tours into a visit of their own, can join the tour at the airport or at the hotel on the first night. A refund for the flight portion of the tour can be arranged. However, for those clients who take this option, it is their responsibility to ensure they are at the agreed place, at the agreed time. Tours will not be delayed if clients fail to turn-up at the place and time agreed. Anyone interested in more information, or in discussing this option, can contact us by e-mail or telephone.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Our company is registered in Spain (NIF: X6259291-W) and as such your payment is protected by law, until the tour has taken place.
On Line. Booking a tour can be done online, using our Booking Form. Just complete the form, sign it (or indicate your acceptance of the booking conditions) and send the deposit of £ 100 per person, per tour, using the secure PayPal payment system on the payment page. By Post. You can book the tour by post, if you wish. Just print off the form, complete the information, sign it and send it to us, at the address below. Your deposit should be made using the secure PayPal payment system on the Payment Page. If you have any problems, please contact us by e-mail or telephone.
If you are booking within two calendar months of departure, full payment is required with your booking.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BOOKED A TOUR ?
After booking a tour, you will receive a confirmation and a receipt for your booking. Two calendar months before departure of the tour, you will receive an invoice for the payment of the final balance, which needs to be paid within 14 days. Failure to pay invoices on time, may be treated as a cancellation by the Client (see Booking Conditions). Once this payment for the balance has been received, receipt, joining instructions and tickets will be sent to you giving you details of flight departures, tour timings, and hotel information.
PAYMENT
Payment of deposits and final balances can be made by UK cheque, or through the secure PayPal payment facility on the Payment Page. If you have any problems, please contact us by e-mail or telephone.
ADDRESS
You can contact us at the following address:
Peninsular War Battlefield Tours
San Martin El Viejo
Plasenzuela 10271
Cáceres
Spain.
Telephone: (0034) 927 313 809
E-mail: enquiries@penwar.com
(Company Registration NIF: X6259291-W)
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