Author: David

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A different kind of ‘Spa Weekend’… and everyone’s welcome

Caroline and Anita

Mention ‘Spa’ to any girl, and thoughts of aromatherapy oils, body scrubs and hot stone massages spring to mind.

Caroline and Anita
Caroline and Anita on their ‘girly’ weekend!

So, when we heard that the ‘Spa’ we’d be visiting was Spa-Francorchamps – the circuit of the Belgian Grand Prix, we realised it was time to ditch any ideas of a couple of days of relaxation in place of an adrenalin-pumping, motor racing weekend.
‘Starting grid’… ‘pole position’… ‘chequered flag’… ‘Lewis Hamilton’… Before our weekend at Spa we both knew little more of F1 and the Grand Prix than these few words.
Swapping our ‘day jobs’ with Leger’s Design Studio and Marketing teams, we were to join one of fourteen coaches heading to Belgium on the last weekend in August, accompanying the tour with a small film crew to learn more about the event and to make a short video to share with our customers on our website and our coaches.
We’d imagined we were going to be spending the weekend with a load of blokes, staring at a track and talking ‘lap times’, ‘top speed’ and ‘bhp’. “What’s the big attraction?” we’d asked each other before we went. We were soon to find out…

Caroline: “This trip was unlike any other Leger holiday I’ve been on, and I’ve been on quite a few. Our coach had such a mix of people: yes, there were the expected groups of guys, but also pairs of girls travelling together, couples and fathers with their sons. From the very beginning, people gelled and got chatting about their common interest: motor racing.”

On the qualifying day, we decided to get our bearings by taking a walk around the 7km track… little had we realised that the circuit at Spa-Francorchamps is set in the very hilly landscape of the Ardennes region of Belgium! As well as being good exercise for us all – particularly considering we were lugging loads of camera equipment around with us – it also gave us chance to suss out the best places to see the track for the main race on the following day.

Anita: “As soon as we got inside the circuit, it was clear to see who the regular race-goers were… they were so well prepared, with fold-up chairs, blankets to lay on (and stake their claim on their little square of grass!), picnic hampers, flasks and crates of beer! We were clearly novices at this – all we had was a KP Choc Dip to share between the four of us!”

Luckily, one thing we were prepared with was ear plugs!

Caroline: “The sound when we got closer to the track was louder than any of us had imagined. My ear drums were actually vibrating so much they tickled! We quickly developed our own sign language and the ability to lip read!”

Fans trackside
Thousands of spectators flooded round the track to watch the action

On the race day itself, the atmosphere was totally different to the day of the qualifiers. We’d commented on how ‘subdued’ it had seemed on Saturday, but on Sunday it was as though everyone had suddenly come to life! The grass banking was a sea of people – so much busier than Saturday – and folks were fully kitted out in t-shirts, caps, jackets and sweatshirts, all branded with their favourite team. There were huge flags waving, air horns sounding and even people dressed head to toe in Lycra chequered flag suits!
Our visit on Saturday meant we’d spotted a great position to see the track – one that was slightly raised and meant we could see the cars coming along the fast downhill stretch to the double-left at Pouhon, passing in front of us and then around the bend towards the quick, right-left Fagnes chicane. This viewpoint was much better than in the straights where, because of the speed of the cars, all you got to see was a flash of colour, and it was less crowded.

Anita: “It was here that we met up with some of our fellow travellers to film a short interview with them before the race began – they got quite a few looks from others around – I think they thought we were interviewing someone famous!”

Women in masks
These four ladies caused quite a stir with their driver themed masks!

The race hadn’t been going long when there was a spectacular collision at the first corner, putting Lewis Hamilton out of the race! So it was time to learn some other drivers’ names, and fast!
The cheers, air horns, flag waving and applause lasted throughout the 44 laps, with people watching the big screens in between the cars passing by or picking up commentary in hand-held devices.
We’d been told that the circuit at Spa almost has a climate of its own – on one side of the track the drivers can be negotiating the course in clear skies and bright sunshine, whilst on the opposite side it can be raining. This weekend, however, it was a hot, dry and sunny weekend – lucky for us!
As the 44th lap came and went and the race ended, there was a clear winner: the UK’s very own Jensen Button had taken the lead right from the beginning – at one point having an 11-second lead!
As the crowds poured out onto the track, we hot-footed it back to the coach (as much as anyone can hot-foot it when they’re weighed down by cameras, tripods and microphones) in readiness for our gang returning.

Caroline: “As people came back to their coaches, it was clear to see they’d had a good time – still waving their flags and now, it seemed, decked out in even more F1 merchandise! Two of the ladies on our coach who had met up with their friends from one of the other coaches were wearing masks – the four of them had caused quite a stir, walking around as Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button!”

It was an excellent weekend and now we know what the big attraction is. It’s all about the atmosphere… being there, in the thick of it, amongst the crowds cheering and clapping as the cars make that ear-piercing ‘Eeeeeeeeeeeooowwwmm’ past you… you certainly don’t get all that by watching on telly!
And so, from ‘starting grid’… ‘pole position’… ‘chequered flag’… ‘Lewis Hamilton’… what else had we learned?
Well, we know that Jensen Button won the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix. We also now know at least two other driver’s names (thanks to the ladies in their masks!). We know that Spa is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world. And we learned that one KP Choc Dip between four people is just not enough!
Caroline Thorpe & Anita Rodgers.

If you’ve been inspired by Caroline and Anita’s story you can book your place for next year’s Belgium Grand Prix now!

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Normandy 1944 – The American Perspective

On this day some 71 years ago, on the 7th December 1941, the Japanese violated American neutrality by bombing the Naval Base at Pearl Harbour. This was to bring the United States of America into direct conflict with not only Japan, but all the other Axis Forces, including Germany.
Many Americans firmly believed, quite rightly, that their enemy was the Japanese nation. However, the ‘Arcadia’ conference of 1942 decided that the initial priority of the Allied war effort should go first to the defeat of Germany.
A number of operations were contemplated for 1942 and 1943, but in simple terms, the time was not right. There were other campaigns to fight. It was not until March 1943, that a British General, Sir Frederick Morgan, was summoned before the British War Cabinet and instructed to develop a Cross Channel Invasion.
The planning staff were mainly British and Americans – their directive – ‘to defeat the German fighting forces in North West Europe’, and it remains one of the best examples of joint British – American cooperation. The eventual plan, would result in the cross channel invasion taking place on 6th June 1944, commanded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
American troops were to be heavily involved in the planning and execution of ‘D-Day’. As is well known, the invasion took place in Normandy over five beaches, UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO and SWORD.
The American beaches Utah and Omaha are two totally different stories. ‘Utah’ was necessary to ensure the capture of the deep water port of Cherbourg. Therefore two Airborne Divisions were to be dropped into the dark, waterlogged Normandy countryside in the early hours of 6th June, behind Utah beach, with a view to consolidating a grip and then linking up with the seaborne troops of the 4th Infantry Division.
The drops went very badly because of bad weather, anti-aircraft gunfire and navigational errors, but the airborne men were able to secure their objectives and awaited the arrival of their seaborne troops. Because of Guide boat problems, the Infantry men, led by Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, were to land in the wrong location, this mistake was to lead to a successful landing and link-up, with only 197 casualties.
Meanwhile, the men approaching ‘Omaha’ beach at the same time, 0635 hrs, were experiencing all sorts of problems. The weather was not particularly good, resulting in very heavy seas, causing some landing craft to swamp.
Although all the beach defences were not complete, the German troops overlooking the beach were well prepared and quite simply waited for the landing craft to approach the beach then opened fire. The invading troops had nowhere to hide, thus incurring many casualties. However, the surviving troops were able to secure a foothold on ‘Bloody Omaha’.
Further to the West, ‘Rudders Rangers, were scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, to eliminate the guns overlooking the beaches. The guns were not in situ; they had been moved further inland. This did not deter the Rangers, a small patrol found the guns and put them out of action.
At the end of the day, as with all the troops landing on ‘D-Day’, not all objectives had been secured, but a foothold had been gained on mainland Europe.
The Normandy Campaign was to last for 77 days, with many casualties. Success would come for the Americans with the breakout in late July, ‘Operation Cobra’. A push would be made down the Cotentin Peninsular, towards Brittany,
whilst the British and Canadians would push down in the east from Caen.
Ultimately, the campaign would come to an end in mid August with the story of the ‘Falaise Gap’, with the Americans pushing up from the south to link up with the Canadians, Polish and British near to Falaise.
There is little doubt that without American input, ‘D-Day’, and the Normandy Campaign in particular, might well have failed.
You can find out more about the D-Day Landings in Normandy on our insightful tour that includes a visit to both the British and American sectors.

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The Story Of Anne Frank and Oscar Schindler by Linda Barrington-Smith

Having wanted to go on Leger’s Story of Anne Frank and Oscar Schindler battlefields tour for quite some time, Linda and David Barrington-Smith found it was certainly an experience to remember.

Linda is a Freelance Journalist and David is a professional photographer. They have both travelled with Leger Holidays before and this time they have kindly written an article about their experiences whilst on our tour – The Story of Anne Frank and Oscar Schindler.

On January 20, 1942 in the dining room of a beautiful lakeside villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee, 15 high-ranking representatives of the SS, the NSDAP and various ministries met for a conference, chaired by Reinhard Heydrich, to discuss and co-ordinate the implementation of what they called “the final solution of the Jewish question”. The ‘Final Solution’ being the code name for the systematic, deliberate, physical annihilation of 11 million Jews in Europe.

Railway line and main gate at Birkenau © David Barrington-Smith
Railway line and main gate at Birkenau © David Barrington-Smith

While the enormity of the European Holocaust can be very emotive and hard to take in, Leger’s The Story of Anne Frank and Oscar Schindler battlefield tour helps bring into perspective the events of that terrible period in European history.
The tour is one that we had wanted to take for quite some time. So when the opportunity finally arose, we didn’t hesitate!
The local pick-up arrangements for the trip down to Dover, where we met up with our excellent tour coach drivers Dave and Gary and specialist historical guide Richard Bass, went smoothly, as did the journey to the first overnight stop.
Day two saw the tour start to follow the story of the Frank family with a visit to the Anne Frank House and museum in Amsterdam.
For just over two years Anne Frank and her family hid in the Secret Annexe of the canalside house at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne’s father, Otto Frank had his business.
A bookcase marks the entrance to the annexe, reached via several flights of steep stairs, which they shared with four other Jews.
Although today the rooms are sober and unfurnished, they still breathe the atmosphere of that period of time.
Anne, who was 13 when the family went into hiding, wrote her now famous diary in the annexe. Quotations from this, as well as historical documents, photographs, film images and artefacts illustrate the events that took place here.
On August 4, 1944 the occupants were betrayed and deported to various concentration camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war.
After our visit, the tour continued to Hannover for an overnight stay.
Anne and Margot Frank Memorial © David Barrington-Smith
Anne and Margot Frank Memorial © David Barrington-Smith

The next day we paid our respects at Bergen-Belsen where Anne Frank and her sister Margot died of typhus in March 1945, only a few weeks before liberation.
Today, Bergen-Belsen is a place of remembrance — a tranquil cemetery with mounds of mass graves containing more than 70,000 people and various memorials — including one dedicated to Anne and Margot Frank.
We have visited the site before, but at that time the new Documentation Centre hadn‘t been opened. A forbidding concrete building, designed to make one aware that Bergen-Belsen was not a pleasant place, we spent quite a while looking at the excellent exhibition. Packed with information, videos, photographs and personal belongings excavated after liberation, it graphically tells the story of the people that worked, died or somehow survived at the camp.
Next stop was Berlin.
The first day in the German capital was spent studying the ‘Final Solution’, starting with a visit to Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum.
Established as a concentration camp in 1936, up until 1945 more than 200,000 people from all over Europe were imprisoned here; tens of thousands died from hunger, sickness, forced labour and abuse, or were victims of systematic extermination.
Liberated by Soviet troops in April 1945, the freedom was short-lived as the Soviet secret police turned it into a prison camp and the misery and death continued for another five years.
The crematorium and gas chamber at Auschwitz I © David Barrington-Smith
The crematorium and gas chamber at Auschwitz I © David Barrington-Smith

Several buildings and structures survive or have been reconstructed, including the camp entrance, guard towers, cell block, small gas chamber and crematory ovens.
After this sobering visit, a walk was taken across the Glienicke Bridge, where East and West swapped spies during the Cold War, before going on to the House of the Wannsee Conference.
Our second day in Berlin was packed. Starting off at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, we then visited the Olympic Stadium before continuing to the Plötzensee Memorial Centre, in the old prison yard behind the modern day prison, where among nearly 3000 people executed here were some of the July 1944 plotters. The execution chamber still houses the original gallows.
After this chiller we saw the German Resistance Memorial Centre, located in the historic section of the former headquarters of the Army High Command at the Bendlerblock. It was here that Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and other members of the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20, 1944 were shot by firing squad.
Then it was on to the Topography of Terror Documentation Centre with exhibitions illustrating the European dimensions of the Nazi reign of terror.
After seeing the site of Hitler’s Bunker, we finished up at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Designed by New York architect Peter Eisenmann as a Field of Stelae containing 2711 stark concrete blocks, it is only by walking among them that the powerful atmosphere of this memorial can be felt.
Next day the tour travelled on to Krakow in Poland.
The first day in this beautiful city we strolled through the old narrow streets of Krakow’s Kazimierz district, which still retains a unique atmosphere of its Jewish past. After the ravages of the Second World War the area became run down. But in recent years it has become a thriving district once again, thanks in part to Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List.
Next stop was Podgórze, site of the former Jewish Ghetto between 1941 until 1943 and from where the Jews were deported to the nearby Plaszów Concentration Camp and other death camps. Today, the main square has been turned into an evocative memorial to the victims of the Krakow Ghetto, laid out with 70 large bronze chairs symbolising departure as well as subsequent absence.
Close to the ghetto lies Oscar Schindler’s Factory of Enamelled Vessels Emalia, used by Schindler in his remarkable attempt to save the lives of his workforce. It has been turned into a modern museum with ingenious exhibitions combining period artefacts, photographs and documents with multimedia and set-piece arrangements to create a full-immersion experience of life in Krakow from pre-war until after liberation.
Schindler's Office with metalware filled cube © David Barrington-Smith
Schindler’s Office with metalware filled cube © David Barrington-Smith

Oscar Schindler, his factory, and the fate of its Jewish workforce feature prominently. The main part of the exhibition dealing with Schindler himself is his office which retains original elements of the interior in the shape of architectural detail and a 1940s map of Europe with city names in German.
Opposite a desk from the period, with an arrangement of Schindler’s family photos, is a stunning glass cube filled with metalware. The walls of the metal cylinders inside the cube bear the names of around 1100 Jews saved by Schindler.
Afterwards the tour headed for Plaszów Concentration Camp, a windswept park where all traces of Nazi atrocity have been erased. But we did manage to see the house that the camp’s notorious commandant Amon Góth lived in and the Plaszów Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the camp.
Next day was spent at the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex — a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust around the world. The total number of victims at Auschwitz between 1940-1945 is estimated at between 1.1 and 1.5 million people, around 900,000 thought to be Jews.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum includes two sections of the camps — the brick buildings of Auschwitz I and the immense concentration and death camp at Auschwitz II (Birkenau) three kilometres away.
Some of the most chilling exhibits at Auschwitz I, set behind protective glass, must surely be the cans of Zyklon B used in the extermination process, tons of human hair, suitcases with names and addresses of deportees, shoes, artificial limbs, spectacles, children’s toys and clothing — which make pretty powerful viewing.
While there is less to see at Birkenau, its size and solitude makes it more deeply moving than Auschwitz I with its thousands of daily visitors.
At Birkenau one can see the watchtower, railway line and selection ramp — images well-known from documentary films and books; remnants of four crematoria, gas chambers and cremation pits, all of which make a profound impression on everyone who visits the camp.
Leaving Poland an overnight stop was made in Prague in the Czech Republic, where we saw the site of Reinhard Heydrich’s assassination. Then it was on to Nuremberg for a look at the Courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials took place, before travelling through the Rhine Valley on our way to Calais and the ferry home.
Although our epic 4570 kilometre journey was emotional at times, there were lighter moments — a free jazz concert in Celle, dancing to a pop concert at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and a cruise on the Rhine among them.
It was certainly an experience to remember.
Keep an eye in your local newspapers and magazines for further details about this thought provoking tour from Linda and David Barrington-Smith

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Bloomin’ Marvellous Breaks

By Margo
I got into gardening just after I got married and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Charlie Dimmock but I’m certainly not afraid of grabbing a trowel and some compost if there’s a bit of landscaping to be done.
I suppose I’d politely class myself as an experimentalist. I like to indulge in my hobby and follow the likes of Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh before interpreting their ideas in my own garden. So far, this approach has seen me right. And, apart from a minor mishap with a 7ft Verbena, I have to say I’m pretty bloomin’ proud of my home-grown sanctuary (forgive the pun)!
For my next wave of inspiration, however, I’m planning a little trip overseas with a coach-load of my fellow flower enthusiasts. Having worked at Leger for so many years, it’s hard to believe I haven’t been on a horticultural-themed tour before now but it’s certainly always been on my list. Over the years, I’ve booked hundreds of our customers on a garden-based tour and the feedback they’ve given on their return has always been great. In fact, it’s enough to leave you green-eyed as well as green-fingered! If, like me, you’ve been considering a green getaway yourself, here are Leger’s top three reasons to persuade you to turn your gardening hobby into a hob-iday:
• The sights: There aren’t many places in Europe where you can immerse yourself in a sea of springtime flowers like those found in Holland, France and Brussels. In one easy trip, you’ll see tremendous trees, flowering shrubs, a huge variety of perennials, water gardens, fountains and lakes; it really is a gardener’s paradise.
• The scale: part of the joy of gardening is seeing all the colours, structures and shapes of plants working together. However, until you’ve experienced the acres of flora at Keukenhof Park (Holland) or the grand designs of Monet’s Garden (France) you can’t truly appreciate just how inspirational a garden can be. With so many carefully landscaped scenes in one place, you’ll be buzzing with ideas to take home with you.
• The shared experience: there’s nothing as enjoyable as sharing some of the most spectacular garden scenes in Europe with people that share your appreciation and passion for gardening. Of course, it’s up to you how much you talk about your experience on the coach home!
If you have any further questions about Leger Holidays’ horticultural tours please do get in touch through our Facebook page or call us at 01709 787 463.

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Oh little town of Rudesheim

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas up at Leger Holidays this week, as bookings for our festive markets continue to fly in. From the bustling bazaars of Bruges to the Christmas cave markets of Valkenburg, Brits are heading to Europe by the coach load to get their festive fix. But what is it about these seasonal markets that make them so magical? We asked our driver of 24 years, Phil Hayton, about his experience:
“Over the years, I must’ve visited the European Christmas markets over 120 times and, let me tell you, I never get fed up of them. From Berlin to the Tyrol, there are so many markets to choose from and each location has its own character and offers something completely different to the next.
“Cologne is great for those that want a bit of variety; it’s got six different markets spread out across the town and a cracking atmosphere to enjoy. Whereas Rüdesheim offers more of a picture-postcard setting with its wooden chalets and olde-worlde feel. One thing they do all share though is an overwhelming jovial mood that you just won’t find anywhere else.
“People often ask me which specific part of the markets I enjoy the most but, I have to say, I struggle to name one thing. The food and drink is always good. For me, there’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around a glass of hot Glühwein or enjoying a sneaky bratwurst sausage between meals! There’s just so much to try though and the smells travel for miles around, there’s certainly no chance of dieting whilst you’re there!
“The atmosphere is also second to none. The decorations look great, the locals are friendly and you’re surrounded by crowds of shoppers that are feeling just as festive as you. We even deck our coaches out with fairy lights to join in on the seasonal spirit!
“All I can say is, if you’ve never been to an original Christmas market before, get it on your list! We do have some great markets here in Britain but nothing really compares to seeing one in Europe itself. It’s hard to explain as the sights, sounds and smells are unlike anything I’d ever experienced before but even now, 120 trips later, I can’t wait to go back again!”
Fancy booking yourself a merry little Christmas this year? Be sure to head over to our website for the more details or pop over to Facebook to ask for further advice from the team.

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Tasty Mexican BBQ Chicken Enchilada Recipe

This cheesy, saucy, BBQ chicken dish is a great alternative to fajitas for those tortilla wraps lurking in your cupboard! Plus, it’s a great dish to prepare ahead of time and then bake when you’re ready.
Our recipe below will take about an hour to prepare and cook and should serve four.

What you’ll need

2 finely chopped onions
1 finely chopped garlic clove
3 diced peppers
Mexican spice mix (Old el Passo or Discover packs are fine).
A large jar of passata
8 tortillas
350g BBQ flavoured, pre-cooked chicken
1 chopped red chilli
75g grated cheddar cheese
BBQ sauce

How to cook it

  • Pre-heat your oven to around 160°C.
  • Add a glug of olive oil to a heavy bottomed frying pan and throw in your onions, garlic, peppers, chilli and a pinch of your spice mix. Cook until soft.
  • Pour the passata into your pan along with the remaining spices. Simmer over a medium heat for five minutes.
  • Lay out your tortillas and place a small amount of chicken into the middle of each. Top with your tomato and vegetable mix, a small sprinkling of cheese and then roll them up and place into an oven proof dish.
  • Once all 8 of your tortillas have been added to your dish, pour the remaining tomato and vegetable mix directly on top of the tortillas.
  • Squeeze over a good dollop of BBQ sauce and your remaining cheese.
  • Cook in the oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese and tortillas are golden.

Freshen things up

If you would like to freshen your dish up a little try adding some crème fraîche to the top of your enchilada’s and serving on a bed of lettuce. This will ensure your enchilada’s aren’t too stodgy but are still delicious!
Image courtesy of flickr user acererak

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Uncover a deeper understanding of Flanders Fields

The small city of Ypres in Flanders was once the centre of the European cloth trade. A pre-1914 guidebook described it as a ‘medieval gem’ in terms of its architecture, but during the four years of the Great War it became a symbol of sacrifice – the great British bastion on the Western Front.

By the close of the conflict more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers had died at Ypres; one in four of Britain’s casualties in the whole war, and roughly one in three of those who died on the Western Front.

Ploegsteert Memorial

Gas was first used here in 1915 and it later saw the introduction of the fearful Mustard Gas in 1917. Extensive trenches were constructed by the spring of 1915 and there was two years of stalemate with no major battles; yet casualties continued on a daily basis, as the many cemeteries testify to today.
One of the war’s most symbolic battles was fought here – Passchendaele – producing those almost standard images of the Great War: vast crater zones, and a muddy, mangled battlefield. In 1918 the German advance was once again stopped here and some of the first American troops in action took part in the final battle, when tanks, aircraft, artillery and infantry all working together finally ended the stalemate in Flanders.

A true insight

Our new Flanders Fields tour looks at these fascinating aspects of the war around Ypres, by taking some old favourites and adding in many of the new sites rapidly opening in the lead up to the centenary of the Great War in 2014. We start at the newly-renovated In Flanders Fields Museum, which has not featured in our programme for some years.
The new museum is excellent, leading the visitor through the background of the war, the first days of fighting in Belgium and the formation of the Ypres Salient. There are many new exhibits on display and some amazing and engaging films.
WW1 archaeology features heavily and a display on the Yorkshire Trench and Dugout ties in nicely with one of our later visits. In fact, there is so much to see, we have put aside most of a morning to spend here, followed by a proper daytime look at the Menin Gate, looking at its background, architecture and history, and the whole commemoration of the missing.

Bayernwald Trenches

Real stories

Harry Patch was the ‘Last Fighting Tommy’. On the tour we follow his story and see where he fought and a new memorial to him on the battlefield where he served in 1917. Trenches also feature heavily in the tour, from the newly-constructed trench system at Zonnebeke where the evolvement of British and German trenches can be seen, to the preserved remains of Yorkshire trench to the fascinating Bayernwald trenches, a place where Hitler served in 1914.

Everything in detail

High ground and its possession and repossession by both sides is the key to understand the battles in Flanders and we look at the Messines Ridge and the huge mining offensive there, seeing some of the mine craters, including the largest mine fired at St. Eloi – more than 95,000 pounds of explosive! We also go up Kemmel Hill – the highest point in Flanders – and reflect on the price paid for the battles in Flanders during the Great War.
This new tour enables us to concentrate on a popular battlefield location, look at locations in some detail, honour the veterans and visit new sites which offer us a fascinating insight into what the war in the trenches of Flanders was really like.
By Paul Reed, Leger’s Head Battlefields Guide

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Destination: Morocco

Moroccan culture can be an exciting experience. Wander the labyrinth of small streets and alleyways, filled with stalls selling everything imaginable, and an aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains.

The Hassan Il Mosque

COLOURFUL CULTURE

The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is, for most travellers a world away from their own cities and towns. The people are friendly and the place is pulsing with energy. Hospitality is really a part of their culture so you can strike up friendships virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude. Usually this results in further association with these dynamic and interesting people and a real taste of Moroccan life.

MANY TALENTS

There are so many different ways that the people express themselves – in carpets, clothing, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving and calligraphy. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this country, you should consider buying some of the local artwork. Not only will it provide you with a little memento of your trip, but it will help out the local people who are usually quite poor. Don’t forget to get your leather goods from the tanners in Fez.

FLAVOURS AND SPICES

Spices hold pride of place in any Moroccan kitchen and are used skillfully to create a variety of distinctive flavours to tempt any palate. Common spices include cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, aniseed, pepper, coriander, sesame seeds, saffron and mint. Couscous also plays an important role in Moroccan cuisine and is gaining popularity worldwide.

The Outdoor Market in Djemaa El-Fna square

Probably the most famous market in Marrakesh is the Djemaa El-Fna. It really comes alive in the evening. You can easily spend an entire night here wandering from stall to stall. Don’t eat a whole dinner, just have little tastes: there are grilled meats, steamed snails, lovely desserts… Let’s just say you won’t go hungry.

PEACE AND TRANQUILITY

Away from the hustle and bustle you will find peace and tranquility at The Menara, surrounded by magnificent gardens, tranquil waters and snow-capped mountains in the background. Fascinating and full of history, the culture of Morocco is also home to incredible architectural wonders.
If you would like to head off on your own Moroccan adventure, you can find out more here.

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Tales from the road… Postcards from Croatia

Caroline Thorpe, Leger’s Design Studio Manager joined an 8-day tour of Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast to learn more about the area and see why its popularity has grown in recent years.

Caroline looking over Dubrovnik’s harbour

Following the beautiful coastline of the winding bay of Kotor, known locally as Boka Kotorska, our destination was the beautiful, walled city of Dubrovnik.
This was just one part of an 8-day tour I’d joined, taking in not only Croatia, but also visiting Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
En route to Dubrovnik we passed buildings decorated with vibrant pink bougainvillea and parks thick with palms and oleander – a common sight in this part of the world – before enjoying a short visit to the wonderful, quiet little town of Cavtat. Here, waterfront cafes line the quiet promenade, providing breathtaking views across the clear blue water, along with an excellent selection of mouth-watering cuisine.

Destination Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is described as ‘the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world’, so, as this was my first visit to the city, I joined the optional city tour to see the main sights of the city – I didn’t want to miss anything! The guide who would show us the sights of Dubrovnik, Tolsten (or Paul, as he told us to call him), was very flamboyant and seemed to know everyone in the town!
It was another hot day, and walking through the Pile Gate, the traditional entrance to the Old Town, we found ourselves in a lovely broad avenue known as Placa with smooth, cream-coloured flagstones stretching its 958- foot length.
We passed Onofrio’s Fountain with its huge, red brick dome sitting above sixteen fountains – ornately carved faces sitting in a stone wall spurting water from their lips – and followed Paul into the cool, Franciscan church. He gathered us round with his catchphrase (“now then my dear friends”) as he lead us up into the backstreets lined with cozy little restaurants, where waiters were busy laying tables and sweeping around in readiness for their lunchtime customers.
Back once again on Placa, Orlando’s Column was right in front of us – and here the magnificent Bell Tower stands high above the buildings and cluster of restaurant umbrellas below.

A Different View

As Paul said a final “goodbye my friends,” I decided to head to the cable car before the sun reached its full, midday strength. I’d bought my ticket before I arrived at the cable car station, which meant I got directed to the front of the queue, and onto the cable car which would take me to the top of the Srd Hill.
The ride itself took just 3 minutes, carrying us high above the terracotta roofs of the town, with excellent views of Dubrovnik and out over the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea to the green island of Lokrum. At the summit, there’s a shop, a modern amphitheatre and an open-air restaurant. It’s a great viewpoint to appreciate the structure of the lovely town unfolding below you.

Pile Gate, Dubrovnik

Exploring the Town

I headed, along Placa – the whole length of it lined with intriguing little shops – with wonderful, narrow stone alleyways on either side packed with more shops, restaurants and bars… a great place for people watching and cooling off in Dubrovnik’s summer heat.
I wandered around the streets of the Old Town – a network of charming, cobbled streets where buildings were decorated with colourful scarves, handmade jewellery, delicate lace and leather goods displayed outside the numerous shops.

A Breath of Fresh Air

As I walked round to St. John’s Fort – which I’d seen earlier from the top of Srd Hill – a different glimpse of the city greeted me. The bustling harbour promenade is a hive of activity, where cruise ships bring visitors to the city and boats take day-trippers out to neighbouring islands and resorts to see more of the wonderful sights this area has to offer.

Walking the Walls

As I headed back into the Old Town. I passed people clambering up along the stone ramparts of the town – considered to be one of the great fortifications of the middle ages – draped with pale and bold pink oleander bushes, for the one-and-a-quarter-mile stroll above the carpet of terracotta rooftops. The high wall encompasses the whole city, running an unbroken course of over 6,300 feet, with strong forts as part of its defence system. I would’ve loved longer to walk the city walls for myself, but it was time to leave.

Reflection Beneath the Stars

That evening, back at our hotel I enjoyed a quiet drink on the hotel’s terrace. It had been a great week, with lots of fabulous memories to take home with me. A wonderful, unforgettable Croatian adventure.
Have you been to Croatia recently? Would you like to share your story with our readers? If so, you can get in touch using the comments section below.

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Britain's Holiday Howlers Revealed!

‘Booking brain’ leaves our customers asking the funniest questions…
Does the ferry sail straight to Disneyland Paris? How much does the free shuttle bus cost? Apparently, asking a holiday howler is becoming an increasingly common affair amongst Brits arranging their holidays, as the excitement about escaping abroad truly sets in. Our research reveals that, the closer you get to your getaway the more likely you are to trip yourself up with a question you later laugh about. We believe that the ‘booking brain’ may also lead to lost luggage, a packing faux pas and relationship hiccups in the build up to your break.
Speaking about the holiday howler trend, Leger Holidays’ Marketing Director, Huw Williams said:

It’s only natural that our minds start to wander as the prospect of a holiday draws closer. Having spent all year battling the daily grind, we need to be able to drop the pace for our holidays and this is when even the most focussed of minds will begin to wander off to an exotic beach or cosmopolitan cityscape.
A few minor mishaps and a holiday howler can be expected on every break and for some they make the most interesting memories, providing a bit of light-hearted relief and humour to share. However, to stop things turning sour, the trick is to start your preparation early so that you can truly enjoy the build-up without any major complications. Or, for an even easier experience, let us take care of all the details for you.

According to research, here are a few of the top booking bloopers. Recognise any?

  • In relation to self-drive holiday – Booking agent: “What car are you taking?” – Holidaymaker: “John’s”
  • Holidaymaker: “How much does the free shuttle bus cost?”
  • Holidaymaker: “Can you explain what self-drive means?”
  • In relation to a journey back from the continent – Holidaymaker: “When you say we would gain an hour on the way back, is that because the wind is behind us on the ferry?”
  • Holidaymaker: “Does the ferry sail straight to Disneyland Paris?”
  • Holidaymaker: “Is Dover in the UK?”
  • Holidaymaker: “At Disneyland Paris, can I have a room with a sea view?”
  • Holidaymaker: “What language do they speak in France?”
  • Booking agent: “How is your party made up?” – Holidaymaker: “They’re ecstatic!”
  • Holidaymaker: “Are the Disney hotels OK for kids?”
  • Holidaymaker: “I need to change my Mum’s name to what’s on her passport. Her date of birth is still the same though.”

Do you recognise any of these holiday howlers? Have you made any yourself? Let us know in the comments below.