2026: Napoleonic Tour No. 11 to Northern Italy

May 18 – 26, 2026

Take a journey through time, visiting places which resound with the deeds of heroes famous and forgotten, along with the architecture and artistic treasures of the Renaissance.

• Partake in local cuisine, espresso and wine after a day visiting the battlefields of 1796-97 and 1800.
• End the day in Verduno at the castle of the King of Piedmont. And taste Barolo under a starry night...
• With Your Guides Kevin Zucker, Nicola Contardi, and several local historians.

ITINERARY

Day 0 – Monday, May 18

Travel. We depart, and arrive in Italy the next morning. Flights to Milano.

Day 1 – Tuesday, May 19

Arrival in Milano. Travel to the hotel in Piacenza.

When we arrive at Malpensa airport at Milano we will be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel in Piacenza. Balance of the day at leisure. Piacenza was described by Leonardo as a "Land of passage" by virtue of its crucial geographical location. This strategic location would influence its history repeatedly.

Day 2 – Wednesday, May 20

1800 Battlefields of Alessandria, Montebello, Marengo, Hotel in Verduno

Bonaparte entered Milano on June 2nd, 1800. Austrian communications with Mantova were cut by the 7th, forcing General Mélas to accept battle near the Bormida R. on the 14th. By the terms of capitulation, Austrian troops were allowed to remain in Italy.

Day 3 – Thursday, May 21

April 1796 Battlefields of Montenotte, Dego, Hotel in Verduno

In the opening phase of the 1796 campaign, five engagements over three weeks sufficed to detach the Sardinians from the Austrian coalition. 

Day 4 – Friday, May 22

April 1796 Battlefields of Ceva, Millesimo, La Biococca, Mondovi, Hotel in Verduno

We will drive through Monferrato following the Bormida R. and Bonaparte's advance.

Day 5 – Saturday, May 23

May 1796 Battlefields of Stradella, Pizzighettone, Lodi, Hotel in Piacenza

We will see the rich territory of Lombardy, which quickly came under French domination with the seizure of the bridges at Stradella and Piacenza. Then Bonaparte, though outnumbered by the forces of General Sebottendorf, forced a crossing of the Addo R. at Lodi.

Day 6 – Sunday, May 24

June-July 1796 Battlefields of Lonato, Castiglione, Borghetto, Peschiera, Hotel in Mantova

On 30 May 1796, General Beaulieu was forced to retire from the Mincio R. to the strong fortress of Mantova and the valley of the Adige. Key to the eastern Po valley, Mantova was besieged and relieved three times in this campaign. The next engagements were fought at Lonato and Castiglione, August 3rd and 5th, during Wurmser's first relief attempt.

Day 7 – Monday, May 25

Nov '96 – Jan '97 Battlefields of Rivoli, La Corona, Arcole, Legnago, Hotel in Mantova

General Wurmser's second relief attempt was derailed at Trento, and after Bassano (Sept. 8th) he was forced to flee into the besieged fortress. At Arcola Bonaparte's 18,000 wore down Alvintzi's superior force in a four-day battle of attrition in the marshes of the Adige R. At Rivoli Bonaparte thwarted the final Austrian relief of Mantova on 14–15 January 1797, defeating in turn the separate columns of General Alvintzi.

Day 8 – Tuesday, May 26

Verona Airport – optional Malpensa Airport – departures

The tour bus will drop passengers at nearby Valerio Catullo airport near Verona. At your request the bus will be available for another stop at Malpensa airport at Milano.

NOTE: ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ESTIMATED PRICING

• The total cost of the tour (not including airfare) is $3000 per person double occupancy.
• The tour fee includes all meals and lodging, transportation in the group vehicle, tickets and guides.
• Airfare: Each participant is responsible for making airline reservations and ticketing independently.

SIGN UP

• A $750 deposit will secure your space (double-occupancy). 
  Please follow this link to send a deposit:
  https://napoleongames.com/products/10-deposit-napoleonic-tour

• ADDITIONAL ROOM OPTIONS:

  Junior Suite +$425 per person (double-occupancy)   Link to Payment Page

  Single Room +600 per person  Link to Payment Page

  Double-Room Suite +$850 per person (double-occupancy)   Link to Payment Page 

• At 60 days prior to departure, you will be billed for a second deposit (40%).
• The full tour cost must be paid at least thirty days prior to departure.
• No refunds after that. Cancellation refunds less $100 administrative fee.

See: more historical background on Napoleon's First Campaign in 1796