Classic Battlefield Tours - Alton

Paul Hatzer

CBT have run a military history tour of the Peninsula War in two parts - from Lisbon to Badahoz in Sept 2013 over a week, and part two was last week from Madrid to Toulouse, experiencing the battlefields of Salamanca, Vitoria, Sorauren, the Pyrenees, Bayonne and Toulouse, and the sieges of Burgos and San Sebastián.

We were a group of 15, from the UK, Ireland and the US. A perfect size to form a comradely group. The well known historian Dan Hill led the group as the historian guide, with CBT’s head James Stewart-Smith leading it overall.

The trip was an absolutely joy, stepping in the footsteps of Wellington’s army, seeing the terrain as they saw it, standing where they stood, and having the battles explained to us knowledgeably in detail.. All followed by convivial meals, enjoying the local fare in traditional restaurants.

Highly recommended as a history tour, but also very much for the social aspects. CBT are a very professional and well organised military history guide, the tour beat my expectations again, and CBT are very much recommended to both the military history veteran and the enthusiastic amateur alike.

Well done CBT

Ki Ki

As a solo traveller from New Zealand this tour exceeded my expectations. From landing in Madrid we were met by Dan (The Man) and so started a brilliant week of good food, good company and of course great history. Everybody brought something different to the group and each night was filled with engaging and stimulating conversation over a good wine and meal.
Already looking forward to Waterloo 2025
Paul

Stephen Machin

I have just had a most enjoyable, informative and memorable trip following Wellington from Salamanca to Toulouse. Dan Hill was a great guide - both knowledgeable and fun. James was an excellent host which nothing fazed. I am looking forward to Napoleon’s denouement next year at Waterloo! Stephen.

Anthony Ruoti

Classic Battlefield Tours (CBT):
Founder James Stewart-Smith leads a superb team of professional military historians, a group of advisors comprised of distinguished former British military officers, as well as a most responsive support staff who together, ensure a most enjoyable and enriching history tour.

In 2023 we joined CBT’s 7-day bespoke tour of the Peninsular War following the future Duke of Wellington’s allied army from Lisbon, his Crossing the Douro River at Porto, the engineering marvel of the Lines of Torres Vedras, major battle sites along the Portuguese–Spanish border, culminating in the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. Due to our highly enjoyable and fulfilling experience with this tour, we signed up for CBTs follow-on bespoke experience in September 2024 that followed Wellington’s army from Madrid and Salamanca, through the sieges of Burgos and San Sebastian, his victory at Vitoria, into the Pyrenees, and finally to Toulouse.

Both tours were led by CBT’s incomparable Dan Hill, a highly knowledgeable British military historian. If you desire to expand your knowledge of Napoleonic warfare or World War I & II, Dan is your man. More than a guide, Dan conducts gripping seminars in the field meaning: enjoy acquiring new perspectives on your military history subject of choice but, wear sturdy walking shoes. Highly professional and patient, Dan is always respectful regardless of your knowledge-level. One leaves Dan’s tutelage far better than when you first meet him.

Without question, the best aspect of both tours was the collegiality of our fellow tourists. Bound by a common interest in the Peninsular War, we all looked forward to our evening meals together where our truly eclectic group discussed our shared experiences on the day’s battlefields, and, moreover, had the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.
There are several military history tour companies in Europe to choose from. As an American, I am indeed quite grateful to have found James’s CBT.

Riou Baxter

A wonderful week with CBT in Spain and France, following Wellingtons campaign. We had the best of times, great hotels, food and wine, all this coupled with an extraordinary indepth knowledge from our tour guide Dan Hill. Thank you CBT. Kind Regards. Riou Baxter.

Tony Harris

A group of very good friends and I have placed our trust in James and his team over many years now and they never fail to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience.
Itineraries, restaurants and accommodation are all meticulously thought through and have ensured that each trip has been hassle free, engaging and above all, great fun.
James and his team set the scene with a very professional brochure that gives us the historical context of the locations we visit but then his expert guides really do bring the sites to life in a way that an independent traveller couldn’t hope to achieve.
I consider the trips excellent value for money and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this company to others.

Hugh Chissell

I have been on 3 Classic Battlefield tours and this would have been 4 if coronavirus hadn’t appeared. They are well planned and Jamie runs the trips with enthusiasm for the topic. We went to Arnhem and had a superb guide who really brought the battlefield to life. We also visited the Moehne dam, need I say more, and Fort Eben-Emael. I knew nothing of this fort on the Belgian border but with another great tour guide it was brought to life with the story of how it was captured by German glider troops at the beginning of the war.
Great company, great hotels with good meals every evening. I thoroughly recommend going on a tour with Jamie.

Andrew Sword

Highly recommended with an interesting itinerary, engaging and informative guides and speakers, all put together efficiently and effectively. Hotels are very comfortable, and restaurants well chosen with interesting food. Anyone with a passing interest in military history will enjoy. Thanks to Jamie and his team!