UPCOMING TOURS

These do not include private tours where clients request bespoke tours tailored to their needs and interests, and where places are restricted. We are always happy to provide personal tours. We estimate costs without obligation, and make all necessary arrangements. The only caveat is that the current economic climate, and the volatility of exchange rates, mean that quotes may be subject to last minute change. Not necessarily in your favour. In 2009 tours have been restricted by the ‘credit crunch’ as our regular military and cultural tourists have been squeezed by the ‘economic downturn’, which is apparently no fault of our Prime Minister. Most of our current small tours are now full.

Monte Cassino

A dramatic battlefield, dominated by the rebuilt monastery. British and Indian forces struggled here, as did Americans and Poles. It was a battle fought with tenacity and honour by the German defenders. Despite the destruction of the old Cassino town, the river crossings, infamous hairpins and battle sites on the hill are much as they were. We will be guided by a local expert and historian who has lived there all his life.

Dieppe Raid

Visit to Dieppe to relive the events of August 19, 1942, the notorious Dieppe Raid where 3,623 of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were either killed, wounded, or captured. Nearly 1000 Canadians of 2nd Canadian Inf. Div. were killed in their first action, mostly by enfilading machine gun nests like the one above. Go to THE TOURS on this site and then the DIEPPE RAID document, which explains the background history of this debacle. Tour includes a visit to St. Valery-en-Caux where 51st Highland Division, 1st Armoured Division, French 9th Army Corps were eventually overwhelmed [4 to 12 June 1940] by German 7th Panzer Division, 2nd Motor Division, 5th and 31st Infantry Divisions, and forced to surrender.

Mons, Le Cateau, Wilfred Owen, Peronne, Somme

Antony Bird, your guide on this tour, has written the definitive book on the Battle of Le Cateau [26 Aug. 1914], which has been published by Crowood Press at £19.95. The book is entitled ‘Gentlemen, We will stand and fight: Le Cateau 1914’. The tour will include Mons and the Retreat, the spot where Owen was killed [near where he is buried], Peronne and the new Historial, crucial and moving sites on the Somme - Devonshire Trench, Mametz, Fricourt, La Boiselle with its huge mine crater, Beaumont Hamel, the Sunken Lane where the Lancashire Fusiliers were slaughtered, Thiepval and the Lutyens Monument to the Missing. But most importantly Antony will guide you over the Le Cateau battlefield, little changed since this heroic defensive battle, so reminiscent of Waterloo, was fought. 4 nights, 5 days, approx. £500 per person, adjusted for sharing. E-mail nick@nickybirddesign.com

Literary Tour of Southern England

Tour of houses and gardens associated with great writers (Kipling, Austen, Bloomsbury Group...) - SISSINGHURST, BATEMAN'S, CHARLESTON, MONK'S HOUSE, CHARTWELL... [download...] Bazaars to Battlefields: Gallipoli and Istanbul JUNE 19-26, 2010

Split between Istanbul, with its incomparable mosques, bazaars and sights; and the Gallipoli peninsular. Costs and details to follow. See the previous GALLIPOLI TOUR at GALLIPOLI TOUR for a taste of what to anticipate.

Arnhem

Details to be announced