On this fascinating and bespoke six-day tour, devised and led by the award-winning historian James Holland, you'll not only visit some of the best-preserved battlefields of the Italian campaign, but also pass through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Tuscany and Emilia Romagna regions.
This unique tour will follow the advance of the Allies from the Trasimeno Line all the way to the infamous Gothic Line and beyond. You'll have a greater understanding of the battles in the rolling Tuscan hills, the urban fighting for Florence, and the bloody and attritional campaign in the Apennines. The tour will also cover the Partisan War and a visit to the site of the largest civilian massacre in Western Europe during the entire Second World War.
This tour is brand new and the benefit of travelling in a small group means James and the tour leaders can be spontaneous and tailor the itinerary whilst on tour. The itinerary below is a guide and subject to change. The tour involves a lot of walking, often on uneven ground, a good level of fitness and mobility are required to get the most out of this tour.
James Holland is an award-winning historian, writer and broadcaster. He has written numerous history books, including Brothers in Arms, which tells the story of the Sherwood Rangers from D-Day to VE Day, and co-hosts the hugely successful podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk, with Al Murray.
Mike served in the British Army for more than thirty years. As an Army Air Corps Soldier, and later in his career as an Officer, he served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has maintained a lifelong interest in military history, working as a Battlefield Guide, an author, and recently as a TV Historian. Mike has published Glider Pilots at Arnhem, Glider Pilots in Sicily, and Bomb Group - a history of the 381st Bomb Group USAAF. Mike is also co-author of Ops Normal, the two volume official Operational History of the Army Air Corps.
FLIGHT TIMES -
British Airways
04th April - LHR - FLR 08.10 - 11.30
09th April BLQ - LHR 16.40 - 18.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT - £479
Please note this information is indicative and subject to change.
* PRICE LAND ONLY, EXCLUDING FLIGHTS. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £479. Deposit 30%. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).
* FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICING. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £479. Deposit 30%. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).
Fly from London to Florence. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for your two-night stay. Enjoy a drinks reception at the hotel.
After breakfast today, you'll study the main Eighth Army attack on the Trasimeno Line. Here the ten-day battle can be looked at from both Allied and German perspectives. In Castiglione del Lago, visit the old airfield, where ruined buildings destroyed by the Germans as they retreated can still be seen. Churchill and Alexander both flew from here, and it was also the wartime base of the 244 Fighter Wing.
After a picnic lunch and a look at the ridge of advance in Cetona, visit La Foce. The former home of Iris Origo, author of War in the Val d'Orcia, became a focal point for those taking refuge from the civil and wider war being fought around them. Travel to Montepulciano, the town where the Origos took their party of evacuees as described in her book. Take a look at the former 3rd Coldstream Guards Headquarters, and the San Biagio Church.
After breakfast today, you'll study the Battle for Florence. Your first visit, Sant'Anna in Camprena, was the setting for the film The English Patient. From near Gracciano, learn about the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards who fought through Tuscany during the summer of 1944. Visit the Foiano Della Chiana Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and the grave of Albert Sessford. II.O.7.
This afternoon, your visits will include Chioccio, where Allies were held up during advance to Florence and Impruneta, where 6th South African Armoured Division (including Guards Brigade) fought a fierce battle. Continue on to Florence, for a ground brief at Piazzale Michelangelo and drive to the south bank of the city to visit Via dei Serragli, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine and Brunelleschi's last great church, Santo Stefano.
Overnight stay in Florence.
After breakfast today, you'll study the Battle of Monte Altuzzo. Travel to Villa Campestri for a ground brief and check in ahead of your overnight stay. Your tour today will mostly be on foot, as you see some of the best preserved Second World War battlefields in Italy and a look at the surviving trenches, weapons pits and machine-gun nests on this site of one of the bloodiest battles for the Gothic Line. You'll visit the Museo Gotica Toscana, the valley Below Monte Altuzzo, the Memorial and Monte Altuzzo.
This afternoon, in Castiglione dei Pepoli, see the South African and Guards cemetery before returning to Villa Campestri.
After breakfast today, you'll travel to three mountains in the Bolognese Apennines, of great historical importance. First, at Monte Vigese, you'll examine the fighting along the ridge between the 6th South African Division and the 16th Waffen SS Division. Later this morning, visit Monte Stanco, stand in the village where the assault of the 6th South African Armoured Division took place.
This afternoon, you'll travel to Monte Sole, where you'll first visit Ca'Dotto, home of the Stella Rossa HQ and scene of major fighting on 29 September 1944. In San Martino, you'll see the ruins of the village and church and at Casaglia Church and Cemetery, you'll hear the story of the massacre which took place here. Later, climb to the summit of Monte Sole (a stiff 30-minute walk).
Transfer to Bologna for a visit to the Partisan Memorial in Piazza Maggiore and a tour of the Church of San Stefano, a famous complex of four medieval churches. Bologna is famous for its medieval porticos and is nicknamed 'La Grassa' because of its fabulous food.
Overnight in Bologna.
After breakfast today, enjoy some free time to explore Bologna before transferring to the airport for your return flight to London.
* FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICING. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £479. Deposit 30%. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).
* PRICE LAND ONLY, EXCLUDING FLIGHTS. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £479. Deposit 30%. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Tripsmiths Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).