On this fascinating, unique and bespoke eight-day tour, devised and led by the award-winning historian James Holland, you will follow the course of the Italian campaign as the Allies fought to break through the Winter line to advance on Rome.
The Allies battled the frozen conditions, mud-filled valleys, flooded rivers, broken bridges, sheer cliffs and well-dug in defences that characterised the Gustav line. You will follow the fighting as it unfolded from valley to peak - from the Rapido, Garigliano and Liri Rivers to Monte Cassino itself.
You will take in the Allied amphibious landings near Anzio and Nettuno and finally the liberation of the Eternal City itself, all the while enjoying expert insights and moving first-hand accounts of Allies, Germans and civilians, too.
This tour will give you the chance to view the battlegrounds of this epic part of the Italian campaign in a way that has never been seen before.
With James and battlefield guide and historian Mike Peters as your guides, you will learn so much more about this misunderstood campaign, against a spectacular Italian backdrop of towering peaks, beautiful valleys, and the sparkling Mediterranean.
This tour is brand new and the benefit of travelling in a small group means James and the tour leaders can be spontaneous and tailor the itinerary whilst on tour, the itinerary below is a guide and subject to change. The tour involves a lot of walking, often on uneven ground, a good level of fitness and mobility are required to get the most out of this tour.
James Holland is an award-winning historian, writer and broadcaster. He has written numerous history books, including Brothers in Arms, which tells the story of the Sherwood Rangers from D-Day to VE Day, and co-hosts the hugely successful podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk, with Al Murray.
Mike served in the British Army for more than thirty years. As an Army Air Corps Soldier, and later in his career as an Officer, he served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has maintained a lifelong interest in military history, working as a Battlefield Guide, an author, and recently as a TV Historian. Mike has published Glider Pilots at Arnhem, Glider Pilots in Sicily, and Bomb Group - a history of the 381st Bomb Group USAAF.
After arriving in Cassino following your flight from London to Rome, you will enjoy a welcome dinner where James will give the background to the campaign and set the scene for the trip ahead.
At Monte Trocchio you will climb the saddle and get a stunning view of the battleground looking back towards the Bernhard Line and forward to the Rapido and Liri Valleys and the Gustav Line. At Lauro you observe where the British X Corps build-up forces and planned their assaults of January 1944. From there it is on to Castelforte to see the 56th Division's crossings of the River Garigliano and visit the Gustav Line Museum.
Next is a climb of Monte Damiano to see former German positions and views back eastwards across the Garigliano Valle, before the 5th Division's crossing points near Manuli.
You will visit the CWGC Cemetery at Minturno before heading back to the hotel in Cassino.
Today begins at Sant' Angelo in Theodice to see the crossings points north of the village (141st infantry) and also to the south (143rd infantry).
You will see the site of Leutnant Hans Golda's 'Nebelwerfers' battery and view the battle from the German perspective near Pignatara Interamna. In the afternoon the focus will shift to the assault by the French Expeditionary Corps of Monte Belvedere. You will visit the eastern side of the Secco Valley and enjoy views of the Santurario Di Castalucense, close to where the French attack began. We will then drive up to Belvedere and explore the battleground there and on to Monte Abate.
The day will begin with a visit to the German cemetery at Caira, before you will walk part of the Cavendish Road, built by 4th Indian Division engineers. From there it is on to the ruins of Albaneta and the chance to look at Death Gulley. You will walk on and climb up Snakeshead Ridge and see where the fighting by the 34th Red Bull and 4th Indian Divisions took place. Next it is Point 593 - the key piece of terrain on the entire Monte Cassino massif where you will see the remains of German positions and wire around this point as James explains the German defensive system on the massif.
You will visit the Polish Cemetery on what was Colle d'Onofrio as well as enjoy the chance to look around the rebuilt Benedictine monastery - The Abbey of Monte Cassino.
You will head down to Castle Hill, the scene of some of the most bitter fighting (especially during the Third Battle) and see the remains of houses on its lower slopes, before heading back to the hotel.
Today you will explore the Senger Line Defences, visiting a number of German bunkers in Liri Valley. You will drive to Esperia and see the breakthrough of French and the destruction of German column on a the road north out of the village. At Santa Maria Infante you will head to the southern end of the battle front and follow the fortunes of the US 88th Infantry Division.
Later today, you will drive to Anzio where you will stay for the next two nights.
Today will be a full day exploring and studying the Anzio beach head including the landing beaches, the overpass, the wadi's and the Anzio cemetery. The exact itinerary will be planned on the day.
You will Visit The Caves and have a tour by torchlight with a local guide.
This morning you will drive through Velletri and Artena to Valmontone, before driving on to Rome following the old Via Casilina.
Our journey ends in Campodoglio where General Mark Clark met his corps commanders on 5 June 1944. Enjoy some free time this afternoon in the Eternal City.
After breakfast you will be taken back to Rome airport for your flight home.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Price does not include flights. Single room from £2,694pp. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. A good level of mobility and fitness is required. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Holiday is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Price includes flights. Single room from £3,094pp. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. A good level of mobility and fitness is required. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Holiday is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).