Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Agemus Agenda

The Crimean War

almacrop

There are few people in Britain who cannot have heard of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Immortalised by Tennyson in his epic poem and the subject of two major feature films it remains one of the most famous episodes in British military history. But the Charge is only one highlight of this superb tour, during which we will not only visit the main battlefields but also explore Sevastopol and its environs. Despite the fame of the Charge of the Light Brigade there were far more bloodier battles in the Crimea, such as Inkerman, the Alma and the biggest of them all, the Chernaya. There were also the ill-fated British attacks on the Redan of June and September 1855. Our tour visits all of these great places as well as the Museum of the Black Sea Fleet, the two Crimean War museums, St Vladimir’s Cathedral and the Crimean War Cemetery. We will also enjoy boat trips round the harbours of Sevastopol and Balaklava. Visas are not required for travel to Ukraine.

Day 1. Fly London to Simferopol via Kiev. Drive to Sevastopol and check-in at the 3-star Hotel Sevastopol, situated on Artillery Bay.
Day 2. Breakfast. We drive to the Bulganak, the first action in the Crimea before driving to the battlefield of the Alma. We get an overview from the British position before moving towards the river. We consider the opening moves by the French army before moving east to see the ground over which the British infantry advanced. We then move to the river Alma itself and walk the advance towards the Great Redoubt and the various memorials. Return to Sevastopol. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. This morning is given over to orientating ourselves with Sevastopol, the Russian defences and the British and French siege lines. We get an overview from the British siege lines on Green Hill before moving across the Vorontsov Road to the Mamelon, allowing us to consider the problems faced by the Allies. We then visit St Vladimir’s Cathedral and pay homage to the three Russian admirals killed during the siege. After lunch, we visit the Black Sea Fleet Museum, the Sunken Ships memorial and the famous Panorama in the Flagstaff Bastion, which is not to be missed. We end with a boat trip around Sevastopol Roadstead. Return to hotel. Dinner.
Day 4. Breakfast. Balaklava. Possibly the most famous action in British military history. We start by getting an overview from Raglan’s position before moving down to Kamara for the 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, visit the Crimean War Museum and end with a boat ride round Balaklava harbour before we return to our hotel in Sevastopol. Dinner.
Day 5. Breakfast. Inkerman. First we examine the Russian sortie from Sevastopol known as Little Inkerman before dealing with Inkerman itself, viewing the scene of the bloody fighting on Shell Hill, Home Ridge, St Clements Ravine and at the Barrier. Return to Sevastopol and take the ferry across the bay to visit the new Crimean War museum. Return to hotel. Dinner.
Day 6. Breakfast. The Battle of the Chernaya. We begin by visiting the new Sardinian memorial. We then cross the Chernaya by the battlefield monument before walking out on to the battlefield itself to consider the disastrous Russian attacks. Return to Sevastopol for free time in the city. Dinner.
Day 7. Breakfast. Today we consider the attacks of June and September 1855 that finally led to the Russian abandonment of the southern side of Sevastopol. We start at the Redan and the disastrous and bloody British attacks before finally moving into the Malakhov, scene of the decisive French attack. We visit the museum there and see the places where Admirals Nakhimov and Kornilov were mortally wounded. We end by visiting the Russian Crimean War Cemetery where many Russian heroes lie buried. Farewell banquet in Balaklava. Return to hotel.
Day 8. Breakfast. Morning departure for Simferopol and the flight to London via Kiev.

5-12 May 2012 Price: £1995 Single Supplement £175

Package includes: Return air fare, coach transport, seven nights half-board accommodation, six 3-course dinners, seven breakfasts, all museum and church entry fees, two boat trips, and guides Ian Fletcher and Natalia Ishchenko.