LOOKING AHEAD

Your choice for 2013, this fine medieval market town. We will include the museum of the Shropshire Light Infantry, the famous Abbey, and explore old medieval streets. We will visit the scene of the battle of Shrewsbury (1403) and the fascinating birthplace of the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge.

Our definitive Zulu War tour with acclaimed historian Ian Knight, studies every action of the war and the armies and tactics of both sides. Follow the southern column from the Tugela to Gingindlovu, Inyezane and the Siege of Eshowe. Learn something of the unique Zulu culture and fighting techniques, visiting Shaka's grave, the Royal Homestead at Ondini and the battlefield of Ulundi. Consider why Hlobane was a British disaster and Kambula a success and finally experience the awesome battlefield of Isandlwana and the heroic stand at Rorke's Drift.

Studies many of the battles of the Peninsula War around Lisbon and along the Portuguese/Spanish border. Many of Wellington's best-known battles were fought here and our explorations of the scenes of actions from 1810 – 1812 will include Rolica and Vimeiro, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo. Almeida, Fuentes de Onoro, Salamanca, Garcia Hernandez, Albuera and the Lines of Torres Vedras.

The vital German Spring offensives of 1918; Operation Michael from St Quentin towards Amiens, and Operation Georgette (the Battle of the Lys) in Flanders. The politics, strategy, battle tactics and scenes of first the great advances and subsequent resistance. Examines the actions on the battlefields and the psychology of the armies of both sides.

A highly recommended introduction to the Second World War in North West Europe. Includes the evacuation from Dunkirk 1940; the Raid on Dieppe, 1942; the D-Day landings and the re-capture of the cross channel defences along the Atlantic Wall 1944.

Discover how London developed and changed, from the days of the Romans to the present. The medieval city and London as a great trading centre; Religion and the Arts; through the Victorian era to the 21st century. A splendid chance to discover more about this amazing city, with expert local historians as your guides.

Looks at the Hungarian experience during the Second World War and in the difficult years of Soviet occupation. Hungary has had a turbulent past, from the days of the Bohemian monarchy; as part of the Austro Hungarian Empire and through the brutal experiences of the 20th century. Budapest is now a vibrant modern city on either side of the Danube.

Includes the planning of the most celebrated raid in Bomber Command's illustrious history, including the scale model dam at Garston and an opportunity to pay our respects at Guy Gibson's crash site and grave, before heading into Germany to study the Dams and other crash sites. With Major Alan Thompson, foremost authority on 'Operation Chastise".

Looks at battles fought in the Jacobite cause following the 'Glorious Revolution'. Small, fiercely fought battles at Dunkeld 1689 and Killiekrankie 1689; the final great tragic battle of Culloden 1746 and massive Fort George, whose building signalled the end of the dream.

Discover some of the towns, castles and battlefields of Normandy, familiar to many an English knight! We will see Falaise, home of the Conqueror; the old quarters of Caen and Rouen, capital of Normandy and Bayeux, with its superb cathedral and iconic tapestry; the Hundred Years War battlefields of Formigny and Verneuil and the Chateau built by Richard the Lionheart.

It is so much easier to get a 'feel' for being in a salient, as the soldiers experienced it, if you can get off the roads and walk the ground. Our walks will cover each of the five battles , with time to examine the actions as we expand our understanding of the terrain.

Based on the beautiful island of Orkney, this tour explores the island's history as home to the British Fleet; from the scuttle of the German High Seas Fleet at the end of the Great War to the invisible watches of the radar stations of the 1940s. We also discover the islands' ancient past at the pre-historic settlement at Scara Brae.

The campaign of 1815 when the armies of three great generals, the Emperor Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington and Prince Blucher fought a series of battles that would decide the future of Europe.

France's beautiful North West Atlantic coast has a rich and varied history, reflected in splendid architecture from the Romanesque to the Second World War. The Huguenot heartland, the departure point for the New World, the home of Doenitz's U-Boat fleet and an important stretch of Hitler's Atlantic Wall. A wonderful area to discover and enjoy.

Looks at the life, battles and times of this intelligent, fighting monarch of the 9th century, who was able, once peace was won, to advance his country of Wessex in the arts of government and defence, and encourage the growth of learning and religion.

Walk the battlefield and study in detail the actions of the battle which, 150 years ago, finally tipped the scales against the gallant but outnumbered Confederate Army under General Robert E Lee. You will also have time to enjoy the marvellous visitor centre, but the highlight for many will be the exciting re-enactment of the battle of Gettysburg.

Our classic introduction to war on the Western Front, visiting the key battle areas; the Ypres Salient, Loos and Vimy Ridge and the ridges and valleys of the Somme battlefields. The strategies and tactics, the men who fought and their memorials.

Accompanied by Mike Jones, author of the critically acclaimed trilogy, we look at the war on the Eastern front through the experiences of the Russian soldier. The defeat of the Soviet forces at Kharkov and the great tank battle of July 1943, when the initiative passed to the Soviet Army, and remained with them until the end.

Discover the work of the tunnelling companies of the British Army, in the area around Arras, Vimy and on the Somme battlefield. Simon Jones' in-depth knowledge and deep research will make this a memorable tour and give you access to many rarely visited places.

Far from major population centres or industrial areas, Suffolk played an important role in many of the 'unsung' activities of the Second World War. Our local historian will introduce you to secret sites for weapons research, radar, resistance, technological development and preparation for invasion. A fascinating look behind the scenes.

The particular conditions in the trenches of the Ypres Salient and the Flanders plain were the inspiration behind much of the finest writing of the Great War. On this tour we include the work and experiences of Julian Grenfell, John McCrae, Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen, Guy Chapman and many others who fought in this desolate area.

Study the Civil War engagements in the south from the battle of Roundway Down to Parliament's first decisive victory at Cheriton and the two battles of Newbury. The civil war was in many cases an affair of small actions and sieges and we will also discover what happened at Donnington and the Siege of Basing House.

The use – and misuse - of armour was crucial in the battle for Normandy and we will study many of the actions, from the D-day landings to the closing of the Falaise pocket. British, Canadian, American, Polish and French tanks took on the experienced Panzer divisions and we will discuss in some detail the success and failures of tank actions from both sides of the line.

A much requested visit to study some of the battle areas of the Eastern Front in the Great War, including the battles of Tannenburg and the Masurian Lakes. We will also see POW camps, memorials, fortifications and the cemeteries of all the armies who fought here.

Take the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the men who, 95 years ago achieved the greatest series of victories in the history of the British Army. From Villers Brettoneaux to the Hindenburg line and beyond, relate the ground to the actions and study the battles from every perspective.

Studies the final battles for Berlin, including the Seelow Heights and the principal action sites in the city including the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the Humboldthain Flaktower.

A look at life in the south west of Roman Britain under the Pax Romano. The Fortress of II Legion Augusta at Caerwent gave protection, the roads encouraged settlement and trade. The farms and villas flourished in the fertile valleys and entertainment could be found in the amphitheatres and the sophisticated spa town of Aqua Sulis.

The experience of a battalion on the Western Front, from its creation as a unit of Kitcheners Army, to the last days of the War. Based on the acclaimed regimental history of the 15th London battalion, the Civil Service Rifles.

Our classic introduction to war on the Western Front visiting the key battle areas; the Ypres Salient, Loos and Vimy Ridge and the ridges and valleys of the Somme battlefields. The strategies and tactics, the men who fought and their memorials.

Experience the age of Homeric heroes at Mycaenae and Tiryns; wander through the streets of Byzantine Mistras; explore the classical Athens of Pericles and consult the famous Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. A wonderful tour of discovery and beauty.

The Medway towns of Chatham and Rochester have been important military and naval towns for centuries, and there is a wealth of interesting places to visit from the towering Norman keep to the latest technology in the Royal Engineers museum and the splendid Naval Dockyard museum at Chatham – and much more besides!

Starting at historic Charleston, site of the siege of 1780, we visit the wonderfully evocative sites where the British won most of the battles but ultimately lost the war: includes Camden, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs. And Yorktown, where Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis and his British and Loyalist troops, finally exhausted, were trapped and forced to surrender.

Operation Husky, the first of the amphibious landings of WWII. We will visit the main invasion areas, follow the attack routes north and discuss some of the fierce actions that developed against stiffening Axis opposition. We'll also consider the impact of the rivalry between commanders and the nature of fighting in this beautiful terrain.

1813 was to prove a most difficult year for the emperor Napoleon. Limited success at Lutzen and Bautzen and the taking of Dresden, all in May, were followed by a serious Imperial defeat at Leipzig 'the Battle of the Nations' in October. The strength of the 6th Coalition was beginning to tell and we will see the results as we visit the battlefields and attend the Commemorative re-enactment at Leipzig.

A repeat of a most moving 'Armistice Day' tour, looking at some of the actions of the first and last days of the war in the area south of Mons, with a simple commemorative ceremony in the beautiful St Symphorien CWGC cemetery.