The Retreat to Corunna
Sir John Moore’s Spanish Campaign 1808-09
The retreat to Corunna during the winter of 1808–09 was one of the most harrowing episodes of the Peninsular War. Faced with overwhelming odds, the British Army, led by Sir John Moore, embarked upon a bold course of action to help the beleaguered Spanish cause by marching directly across French communications. The gamble failed and Moore was forced to retreat through the bleak Galician mountains, pursued at one point by Napoleon himself. Our tour follows in the footsteps of Moore and his army, taking in most of the battle sites along the way, such as Mayorga, Benavente, Sahagun and Lugo, as well as Corunna itself, where we visit the Moore’s last resting place in the garden of San Carlos. We will also attend the planned re-enactment of the battle, by British and Spanish re-enactors. The accommodation on the tour includes the castle of Benavente, now a luxury hotel, but in 1808 used by the soldiers of both armies for shelter.
Day 1. Fly London to Oporto. Drive to the beautiful fortified town of Almeida and check-in at the 3-star Pousada Senhora das Neves. Dinner.
Day 2. Breakfast. Drive to Salamanca, the concentration point for Moore’s army. We visit the 1812 battlefield and museum and have free time in the city. Check-in at the 5-star Hotel Palacio de San Esteban. Dinner.
Day 3. Breakfast. Drive to Benavente and check-in at the 4-star parador. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. This morning we explore the site of the famous cavalry action at Benavente, and the bridge over the Esla, before we drive north-east to Sahagun, the scene of another successful cavalry action, fought on eight days earlier. Drive north via Astorga to Villafranca and check-in at the 3-star parador. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5. Breakfast. Today we begin to follow the retreat to Corunna. We visit Cacabelos, scene of the famous Tom Plunkett incident, Nogales (where the military chest was abandoned), Nogales, the action at Constantino, the position at Lugo, Betanzos, and the bridge at El Burgo. We end the day at the 5-star Hotel Maria Pita, Corunna. Talk, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6. Breakfast. Corunna battlefield tour. We visit Monte Mero, the church and village of Elvina, and Mesquiro. We then visit the Military Museum and the garden of San Carlos, Moore’s last resting place. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7. Breakfast. Free time in Corunna to enjoy the town, its sights and shops, etc. In the evening we plan to attend the re-enactment of the Battle of Corunna, which is always a spectacular event. Return to hotel.
Day 8. Breakfast. This morning we drive to Oporto and our return flight to London.
Departure date 30 July - 6 August 2007
Price £1500
Single supplement £175
Tour Package includes
• return air fare
• coach transport
• seven nights’ half-board accommodation with seven
3-course dinners with wine, seven buffet breakfasts
• guide, Ian Fletcher, plus tour manager
