The Battle Of Waterloo

This exciting tour which starts in London before heading to Belgium tells the story of two gigantic characters in British and French history – the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte. The battle on Sunday 18 June 1815 was the decisive engagement of the Waterloo campaign which saw Wellington return a hero and Napoleon abdicate four days later. It was, acccording to Wellington, "the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life.” Explore the history of both key protagonists in the company of acclaimed and entertaining historian, Julian Humphrys.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Apsley House and Eurostar to Brussels.
We meet this morning at Number One, London, Apsley House at Hyde Park Corner, the London home of the first Duke of Wellington, whose glittering interior has changed very little since the Battle of Waterloo. Bags will be stored on board our coach during the visit which will then transfer us to St Pancras for afternoon Eurostar to Brussels. Transfer to hotel for three-night stay with welcome drink, lecture from Julian, “The Scum of the earth: Wellington's Army” and dinner with wine at the hotel.

Day 2: Wellington Museum, Mont St Jean Farm and guided tour of Brussels.
A morning that looks at the battle from the English perspective as we visit the Wellington Museum in Waterloo and Mont St Jean Farm, which acted as the British field hospital. An afternoon guided tour will show you the highlights of our host city and EU capital, Brussels. Second lecture this evening, “Emperor in exile: Napoleon on St Helena,” and dinner with wine at the hotel.

Day 3: Hougoumont Farm, Lion’s Mound, Panorama, 1815 Memorial, Eglise Sainte Catherine and Napoleon’s Last Headquarters.
A full day exploring the history of the battle, visiting key sites, viewpoints and memorials, all brought vividly to life by your knowledgeable, enthusiastic and entertaining host, Julian Humphrys. Napoleon’s last HQ at the Ferme de Caillou, where he spent the night of the 17^th June 1815, houses a series of artefacts including his camp bed and funeral mask. Evening free in Brussels.

Day 4: Free time before return Eurostar to St Pancras.
A free day to explore Belgium’s under-rated capital city before transferring to the station for the Eurostar to St Pancras.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion 

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers. 

INCLUDED

• Visit to Apsley House, “No.1 London”
• Coach transfer from Apsley House to St Pancras
• Return standard class Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels
• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Marivaux Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome drink and dinner with wine at the hotel
• Second dinner with wine at the hotel
• Two lectures
• Transfers, tours and entrance fees as detailed
• Julian Humphrys and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement
• Holiday insurance 
• Standard Premier/1st Class upgrade on Eurostar/local train. On the Eurostar this constitutes upgraded seating and light meal with complimentary drink   
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

PLEASE NOTE: As with most trains, passengers are responsible for carrying baggage onto and off the train. Baggage can be stored on overhead shelves or at the entrance to the carriages.Trollies are available at St Pancras and Lille, but bags do need to be carried on to the platform.

Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery service called thebaggageman, where your suitcase can be picked up from your home before departure and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore removing the worry about carrying your cases onto and off the trains. Please click here for more information and we have arranged a 10% discount exclusive to Travel Editions clients off the thebaggageman service. Tel: 01844 264890

HOTEL

Marivaux Hotel, Brussels

Located 500 metres from the historic Grand Place on elegant Boulevard Adolphe Max, the four-star Marivaux is converted from an old cinema and is the perfect base for this tour. Facilities include lounge, restaurant “Meatme, ” small gym and very comfortable cinema-themed rooms with all modern amenities.

Hotel Website

Pre-tour accommodation is available at the Premier Inn, London Kings Cross St Pancras, about a 5 minutes walk from St Pancras International, at an approximate rate of £120 per room. Bookings can be made direct with the hotel on 0871 527 8672 or visit their website. 

MORE INFO - Please click here to see full details of this tour

Your Guide

Julian Humphrys 
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is now a trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles. He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.