Crimean War: Winter Troubles

Apart from the Charge of the Light Brigade and Florence Nightingale, the Crimean War will always be remembered for its mismanagement – at least for the British Army – and for the terrible sufferings endured by the soldiers during the bitter winter of 1854-55. Our tours to the Crimea usually go in May or September when the weather is always at its glorious best, but the problem is that it is always impossible to get a feel for just how terrible the winter troubles were. Thus, this new tour, departing in February when the winter can be at its coldest, will hopefully go some way to solving the problem. Now, it's Sod's Law that we will enjoy warm weather (the so-called 'February windows') but the odds are that guests will experience cold Crimean weather and will get a chance to appreciate the conditions endured by the British soldiers up on the exposed Sapoune Ridge in 1854-55. We will examine the distances between Balaklava, the main supply base, the camps and the siege lines in order to appreciate the difficulties experienced by the soldiers and the problems of supply that so beset the army and which led to so many deaths through overwork. Naturally, we will visit the battlefield of Balaklava and consider the loss of the important Vorontzov Road, which didn't help matters, and will visit the Panorama, the Redan and the Malakhov, the Allied objectives during the siege of Sevastopol. So, if you fancy a winter break with a difference (and the scenery can still be beautiful, even when covered with snow) why not give this tour a go? Only the hardy need apply.......

Day 1. Fly London Heathrow to Simferopol via Kiev. Drive to Sevastopol and check-in at the centrally-located 3-star Best Western Hotel Sevastopol. Introductory talk and overnight stay.
Day 2. Breakfast. This morning is given over to orientating ourselves with Sevastopol and the Russian defences and the British and French siege lines. We get an overview from the British siege lines on Green Hill, move across the Vorontsov Road to the Mamelon, allowing us to consider the great problems faced by the Allies. We then visit the Sunken Ships memorial and the Panorama in the Flagstaff Bastion. We also visit the Russian Crimean War cemetery. Return to hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast. Balaklava. Possibly the most famous action in British military history. We start with an overview from Raglan’s position before moving down to Kamara for a Russian view. We move into the south valley and deal with the Thin Red Line and the Charge of the Heavy Brigade. In the afternoon we follow the Charge of the Light Brigade. The loss of the road had a profound effect on the British siege operation. We finish with a visit to the Crimean War museum in Balaklava and, weather permitting, a boat trip round Balaklava harbour before we return to our hotel in Sevastopol.
Day 4. Breakfast. The camps: this morning we tour the site of the British camps on the bleak, exposed Sapoune Ridge and the route of the Balaklava railway. We also visit the French supply base of Kamiesh and the French cemetery before moving on to the Malakhov and the Redan, the objects of the Allied attacks in June and September 1855. Return to hotel.
Day 5. Breakfast. We visit St Vladimir’s Cathedral and pay homage to the three Russian admirals killed during the siege and visit the Black Sea Fleet Museum before driving to Simferopol in the afternoon for the return flight to London via Kiev.