Leger Blog – Page 12

January 27, 2015June 27, 2023

Picturebook Italy: a snapshot of all things Italian.

From Venice to Rome, Pisa to the Amalfi Coast, despite never setting foot on Italian soil, there’s every chance you’ve already fallen in love with Italy. Despite only being a unified country for 153 years, it’s understandable how the boot of Europe attracts over 43 million tourists a year, making it the 4th most visited country in the world. Home to some of the most iconic cities, with a unique culture and first class cuisine featuring the some of the world’s favourite carbohydrates, with over 350 different types of pasta and after all, Pizza is one of few words understood all around the world, they’re doing something right.

Venice and Rome, both appear on many-a-persons bucket list, so here is our guide to some of the lesser known, but no less spectacular, splendours of Europe’s boot-shaped masterpiece, all of which you can visit on ourÂ popular Picturebook Italy tour.

Lake Garda

The largest lake in Europe and the most visited in Italy, with its beautiful shorelines and quaint villages, even for the Romans, Lake Garda was the luxury summer destination.
The town of Sirmione gives you the chance to visit the ruins left behind by this ancient powerhouse, including some inviting thermal spas.
You cannot miss the thirteenth-century Rocca Scaligera. Like something out of a fairy tale, you can head inside and take a look around, take in the sights of Lake Garda. Whilst Sirmione was once a town of great military importance, the only guarding of the fortress happening nowadays are the swans patrolling the moat of the castle, a great sight.

Siena

Heading into Medieval Tuscany, to the stunning city of Siena. Famous for the Palio run, where the various areas in which the city is divided challenge in other in a passionate horse race in the heart of the city, the event also features in the James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’. This medieval Tuscan town is embroiled in an age-old rivalry with Florence, even tourists get involved, picking a side with their favourite city of the two to champion. Luckily, our tour heads off to both cities so you will be able to pick your allegiance before heading home.
In the heart of the city, the Il Campo is where to take in the true nature of what Siena has to offer. Sit back and enjoy the perfect espresso whilst enjoying Siena’s gothic architecture. The Italians consume over 14 billion of them each year so you can be sure they’ve perfected the art of coffee making.

Sorrento or Capri

Whilst on the Amalfi Coast, why not visit beautiful Sorrento? Celebrity chef Gino D’acampo has said previously that it is the most romantic place on earth. However, if you’re not quite the romantic type, it could be worth noting that Sorrento is also home to possibly the best Limoncello you could find. Using the famous Sorrento lemons, you will find almost every shop filled to the brim with the famous citrus tipple.

Instead, you could choose to head off to the island of Capri where you can experience the beautiful Blue Grotto. A cave where an underwater cavity illuminates the waters and lights the walls with in a magical shade of blue, it takes its place proudly as one of Europe’s best natural wonders.

A highlight of the Amalfi Coast is the picture perfect views that have plenty to offer. With Mount Vesuvius dominating the horizon, one of only three active volcanoes in Europe. Interestingly, Italy is also home to the remaining two active volcanoes, Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli

Florence

Once home to the Godfathers of the Renaissance, the Medici family, Florence is also birth place of the nurse and namesake, Florence Nightingale. Even in modern day Florence captures the hearts of many, Dan Brown set his recent novel, Inferno in the city.
The famous Cathedral, Il Duomo, is most certainly worth a visit.Â Taking 140 years to build, you can climb the 463 stone steps to reach the cupola for a close up look of the Last Judgement painting that covers the inner dome. Or you can just enjoy the view of this beautiful city from a perfect vantage point.
Whilst appreciating the architecture, you can also admire the streets themselves, Florence was the first city in Europe to have paved streets.

Pisa

The leaning tower, the mindboggling architecture seemingly defying gravity certainly is the focal point for many in this town. Funnily enough, the tower once leant the other way.
Shortly after building started, the fine soil started to give way. They continued by piling on stone work to counter-balance the lean only for it to slump in the other direction.
The Bell chamber that tops the tower is the only part of the tower that sits true after purposely being laid to incorporate the lean. However, the slight problems with the building work nearly 850 years ago has provided us with one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in the world.

Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands

Reaching over the border into Switzerland, Lake Maggiore certainly wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard. We stop off at the town of Baveno, the town famed for its pink granite. Used for numerous famous buildings around the world such as St Paul’s in Rome, Gallerica Vittorio Emanuele in Milan and even the monument to Christopher Columbus in New York City.
Hop onto a boat and head off into the lake to the Borromean islands, each with its own charms.
Isola Bella an elegant island with a 17th century castle, perfect for a budding historian. If you’re interested in a more laid back time, Isola Pescatore is the only inhabited island, with a quaint village featuring charming shops, cafes and restaurants. Isola Madre features 19th century English style gardens and a palace filled with Italian masterpieces and paintings, the islands as a group offer you a perfect snapshot of Italian culture.

Of course being topped off by the Rome and Venice visits, you’re sure to have the perfect Italian tour taking in much of what makes this country one of the most unique in the world. Check out our blogs featuringÂ Venice and Rome coming soon!
You can get your cameras at the ready, our Picturebook Italy tour starts from as little as Â£849 pp for 12 days. You can view our full itinerary here.
Why not head over to our Facebook page and share your tales and experiences of this magnificent tour with us?

January 20, 2015September 29, 2023

Single Traveller – Become a "Yes" Person by Natalie Smith

Having passed the middle mark of January, our new year’s resolutions should be in full swing. But what if yours was to travel more? Taking that first step towards your first single traveller experience can be one of the most daunting experiences you can face when looking for a new adventure. You may not speak the language, may not be used to the surroundings and what if you get lonely?

Our Single Traveller tours are made to put you at ease and allow you to experience the best of Europe exploring excellent itineraries with other solo travellers and all whilst taking advantage of our no single supplement offer. Natalie Smith took the step and hasn’t looked back since. Conquering more than just the fear of heading off alone, here is her account of how she became a solo travel convert.
January 1^st 2013: New Year’s Resolution – Become a ‘Yes’ person. This might seem like a pretty easy goal to achieve, except that I was painfully shy at the time. One thing I’d always wanted to do is travel – the only problem was that I didn’t want to go on the same places that all my friends fancied. And there you have it…the perfect opportunity to put my resolution into practice and go it alone.

A couple of weeks later I had found and booked the perfect starter trip, a week-long cruise around the Mediterranean on a ship that has specific accommodation and bars for solo travellers – Norwegian Epic. The hardest part is finding the courage to jump but once you go for it you will find that you are soon flying and that there was absolutely nothing to worry about – I now wonder why it took me so long to go for it!. The itinerary for the week was great too, on all but one of the days we would be in different ports so there was plenty to keep me occupied.
The day arrived when I set off on my new venture. I felt so ill with nerves and anxiety – I had never even caught a flight on my own before let alone spent a whole holiday by myself! What if I miss the call for my flight? How will I know which coach to get on once I arrive in Rome? How will I find my way around the dock to board the ship? Well, I am pleased to report that everything went smoothly and before I knew it I had checked onto the ship and was sipping cocktails with my fellow passengers, looking forward to the coming week.
From that moment on I knew I had made a great choice. We spent the days exploring various ports and the evenings catching up with each other’s daily activity. I was hooked, travelling became my new hobby and I had a new found confidence. Even at home it was commented on that I had become a more outgoing, chatty person and I felt taller when I walked. I now consider myself a dab-hand in the art of solo travel and I miss it when I’m not away.
Even now, I still prefer tours with a busy itinerary. Last year I went on the ‘Austrian Lakes, Salzburg & Vienna’ trip which is one of Leger’s ‘No or Low Solo Occupancy’ tours. This trip is perfect for a first time soloist as it was 5 full days of exploration (taking out the travelling). One day we visited no less than 4 lakeside towns. Several of my fellow travellers had already been to some of the places that we visited and I was able to get some great tips. I was also able to discover some hidden treasures that weren’t in the guidebooks thanks to the knowledge and personal experiences of my drivers.
This year will be quite a busy one for me as I will be heading out on Leger’s ‘French Riviera’, ‘Picturebook Italy’ & ‘Prague, Vienna & Budapest’ tours – all of which have come to me as recommendations from fellow passengers and drivers.
I now mainly travel solo as it is so liberating and I have been to some awesome places and met some truly lovely people! It has also boosted my confidence no end. I can’t recommend it enough!Â And for a recommendation from me to you: Simply, go for it! You will never know how good something can be if it never gets given the chance to happen!

Here are some of Natalie’s tips when it comes to travelling abroad by yourself:

Safety – priority number 1! The same rules apply as in general – keep your belongings hidden and safe, stick to the busy areas and make sure any services you use such as taxis, restaurants etc. are trustworthy. Also – avoid telling anybody that you are alone – you could create a fictional friend whom you are meeting later if you need to.
Expense – Solo holidays can be more expensive due to the dreaded ‘Solo Occupancy’ charges placed on hotel rooms. However, the rise in the popularity of solo trips has forced travel companies and hotels to look at these costs and many now offer trips with low or no solo rates.
Boredom – A whole week alone can seem daunting but if you pick a trip with a packed itinerary you will not find the time to be bored. I also prefer to travel on a trip that has evening meals included, that way you will be able to eat with others and you can swap information about the days activities and also tips for the coming days.

December 22, 2014September 22, 2023

The truth about the Christmas Truce

It was the war that was meant to be over by Christmas. In 1914, 5 months into WWI an end was far from in sight. However, on 24^th December an unofficial temporary truce was agreed along the Western Front. Soldiers from opposing sides laid down their guns and celebrated Christmas together.

This year, possibly more than ever, the Christmas truce of 1914 has struck a chord with the nation. Featuring on TV adverts, being widely talked about in the press, even a memorial statue for the much debated game of football in Flanders Field, Belgium, was unveiled earlier this month by Michel Platini, president of UEFA.
What happened on that day has become one of the most famous and mythologised events of the war. With stories of carols, swapping of treasured items and, of course, the famous game of football between the British and the Germans, it has become a wonderful example of humanity. Whilst we may not be able to piece together an exact account of what happened on this momentous day, we do have a clear idea of specific events that make the Christmas Truce of 1914 one of the most heart-warming stories in British History.
Late on Christmas Eve 1914, following the first air raid in British History after a German aeroplane dropped a bomb on the town of Dover, the British Infantry were astonished to see Christmas trees and paper lanterns lining the German trenches. Carols were sung and eventual communication between both sides began.
Whilst ‘Silent Night’ has become synonymous with the Christmas Truce, soldiers have documented in letters home that it was in fact ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ that encouraged both sides began to sing in harmony.
Whilst a truce was largely observed, not all of the Western Front adhered, fighting was ongoing in certain areas and deaths were recorded on Christmas Day. Soldier Pat Collard, for instance, wrote to his parents, describing a horrendous Christmas under fire, concluding: “Perhaps you read of the conversation on Christmas Day between us and the Germans. It’s all lies. The sniping went on just the same; in fact, our captain was wounded, so don’t believe what you see in the papers.”
At first light on Christmas Day, a number of German soldiers emerged from their trenches and began to approach their enemies calling out ‘Merry Christmas’ in their native tongue. Wary that this could be a trick, the British stayed in their trenches. Soon realising their enemies were unarmed they climbed out of their trenches to join them halfway in No Man’s Land to exchange handshakes.
Rifleman J. Reading, writing to his wife about the truce confirmed some of the heart-warming events we remember today. “During the early part of the morning the Germans started singing and shouting, all in good English. They shouted out: “Are you the Rifle Brigade; have you a spare bottle; if so we will come half way and you come the other half.” At 4 a.m part of their band played some Christmas carols and “God save the King”, and “Home Sweet Home.” You could guess our feelings. Later on in the day they came towards us, and our chaps went out to meet them. Of course neither of us had any rifles. I shook hands with some of them, and they gave us cigarettes and cigars.”
During the festivities of the truce, there were more sobering events also taking place. Soldiers used the ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of their fallen comrades. J. Reading’s letter continued “We did not fire that day, and everything was so quiet that it seemed like a dream. We took advantage of the quiet day and brought our dead in.” As a result of the truce, some soldiers were laid to rest in No Man’s Land side by side with their opposition in joint burials.
Although it is one of the most significant stories of the truce, there is no hard evidence to suggest the football match between battlefield enemies went ahead as reported as there is no official account that mentions it. Research suggests the British played football amongst themselves as the Germans watched on. This letter, sent by Mr J. A. Farrell, a Bolton Post Office employee, indicates there was no German involvement in the game. The letter that was sent to the Post Office, published in the Bolton Chronicle 2^nd January 1915, reads: ‘…In the afternoon there was a football match played beyond the trenches, right in full view of the enemy’…”
A letter sent home to a father from his son on the Front Line was relayed in the Rugby Advertiser on January 16^th 1915 indicating that although there was a hope of such a game, the plans fell through.
“Walter Cooke, son of Mr H Cooke of Church Lawford has written home to thank his friends for the plum pudding and good things they sent him for Christmas. He says: ‘They wanted to play at football but that fell through. They kept their word, and did not fire a shot all Christmas Day and Boxing Day’.”
As the war continued, the truce was never repeated. The following year, the threat of disciplinary action by the officers was enough to stop any further attempts of a cease fire on Christmas Day. However, that year soldiers on the Western Front did not expect to celebrate Christmas on the battlefield, but even a world war could not destroy the Christmas spirit.

Find out more about WWI with our great choice of Battlefield tours.

December 11, 2014

Grand Explorer: Delights of the Costa Blanca, Valencia, Burgos & Cuenca

Our 2015 brochure has introduced some fantastic new tours for 2015, including Our Grand Explorer tour, Delights of the Costa Blanca, Valencia, Burgos and Cuenca. The tour combines a leisurely stay on Spain’s sun-drenched coast with an exploration of Spain’s slightly lesser known, historic towns. Here’s a rundown of some of our highlights from this spectacular tour.

The Costa Blanca, or the ‘White Coast’ in English, is a traveller’s hot spot. With over 2800 hours of sunshine every year and with 200km of coast line, it’s easy to see why it attracts 2 million tourists from the UK alone each year.
Although sounding quintessentially Spanish, the name ‘Costa Blanca’ was actually first introduced as a marketing gimmick by British European Airlines to promote their new flight route from London to Valencia in 1957.
Staying in the resort of Los Alcazares, you’ll take in the historic old town of Burgos with its stunning cathedral, a true masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture. Buried beneath the cathedral is Spain’s national hero, Rodrigo DÃaz de Vivar. Better known as El Cid, the lovable rogue was made a legend by his remarkable military ability whilst conquering Valencia. El Cid is still idolised to this day and has been immortalised in plays, film, folk tales and even video games.
Burgos is also home to the Baby Jumping festival and, yes, you would be forgiven for being intrigued about the title. Known as the El Colacho, it has taken place every year since the 1620’s. The festival is free to join for any new born baby. Swaddled in blankets, they are laid on the ground where grown men, dressed as the devil, jump over the babies to cleanse them of evil spirits. The slightly bizarre festival is part of celebrations held nationally for the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi.
A visit to the extraordinary settings of Cuenca where buildings seemingly cling to the rock walls is next on the itinerary. As you will notice, the most popular attraction of this fortified city is the Hanging Houses. The houses were originally built as summer houses for the Royal Family but have also been used as individual and even council houses. Built into the walls of the gorge, the houses are now largely occupied, however, one has been converted into and abstract art gallery giving you the chance to head inside one of these spectacular buildings.
How about a day spent enjoying the many cafes and tree lined boulevards of Albir, the little gem of the Costa Blanca, before heading to the Cultural Capital of the Valencian region, Altea? From there you will have time to explore beautiful Guadelest, a little village overlooking the Guadelest reservoir.
Declared a Monument of Historical and Artistic Value, Guadelest is a major tourist attraction. Take a look up to the highest point on the cliff towering over the walled town, you will find the Castle of Saint Jose. The Castle has endured two earthquakes and a bomb attack in the Succession War which have all contributed to its destruction, however, its imposing presence is still a spectacular sight.
We head on to Alicante, a city with a true Spanish flavour, you will have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the clean Costa Blanca air. It is said that this is one of the healthiest areas in Europe. The warm temperature and low rainfall is said to be a perfect remedy for sufferers of asthma and arthritis, a much more enjoyable treatment, we’re sure you will agree.
Whilst in Alicante, you will be drawn to the Santa Barbara Castle.Â One of Europe’s largest Fortresses. Perched on the top of Mount Benacantil, it has everything you’d imagine from a medieval castle from cannons, dungeons and even a moat. Best of all it offers fabulous views across the city. Or, of course, you could savour the moment and take advantage of the beautiful sandy beaches.
Possibly saving the best ‘til last, wrapping up our tour of the Costa Blanca region is the cosmopolitan city of Valencia, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities of Mediterranean Spain and we certainly won’t disagree. Birthplace of the famous Spanish dish, paella, Valencia also stakes the somewhat controversial claim of holding the Holy Grail. You can view the chalice in all its glory as it is on show in Valencia’s opulent cathedral.
There is plenty to do in Valencia, you will be glad to know there is plenty of time to fit it all in as the tour accommodates a one night stay in beautiful Valencia.
To see our great value Grand Explorer Holidays, please head over to our website.

December 10, 2014June 27, 2023

My First Coach Holiday by Dave Tarbrook

Are you thinking of heading off on a tour of Italy? Or maybe you’re thinking about heading off on your first coach tour? Dave Tarbrook took his first ever coach holiday on ourÂ Rome, Pompeii and picturesque CapriÂ tourÂ earlier this year. Read his blog documenting his tour from the coach to the sights and how he found the experience on his first Leger holiday.

This was my first ever coach holiday and first time with Leger Holidays, but I was not disappointed!

Coach Journey & Hotel

I was unsure what to expect with regards to travelling by coach, but the silver service coach was very comfortable indeed with ample leg room, a reclining seat and superb, knowledgeable and professional driver and co-driver – Damien & Steve. From the moment I stepped on the coach I received a warm welcome and was very much looked after.
The coach journey itself was rather long, travelling through France, Switzerland and finally reaching my destination – Italy, but there were plenty of comfort stops and films were screened along the way which broke up the journey. Hot and cold drinks were served throughout which was great!
On reaching the hotel in Fiuggi, again we received a warm welcome from the owners who could not do enough for the coach party. The hotel was set in a beautiful little hill top town and was very clean, tidy with a comfortable room. This holiday offered bed and breakfast only, but guests were able to dine in the restaurant during the evening for a reasonable cost should they choose. The hotel itself was approximately a 5 – 10 minute walk away from the town, where there were ample restaurants and bars available, offering food and drink again at a very reasonable cost.

Sight Seeing

The scheduled sightseeing tours were superb! The beautiful Montecassino Monastery with its grand opulence and the fascinating trip to Pompeii was just out of this world! For a reasonable price, guests were able to opt into a guided tour around Pompeii and I am very pleased that I did, as it ensured that I got the very best out of this vast historical site. The trip to Rome had to be the highlight for me! On our 9 day tour we visited Rome twice. During the first Trip, we visited the Coliseum, The Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain, which were spectacular. On our second visit, we visited the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Again, optional tours were offered which were very informative, ensuring that guests once again got the most from their time spent in Rome. During the tour, we were offered the opportunity to go to either the island of Capri or visit the town of Sorrento. I decided to visit the beautiful town of Sorrento, which has great shops and plenty of restaurants offering fantastic Italian cuisine! The final trip to Frascati and Castell Gondolfo was great! We went to taste the wine and had a light lunch of bread, cheese, meat and olives… Following this, we had the opportunity to buy the local Frascati wine, which of course I did!!!
All in all, this was a great holiday and I met some truly wonderful people in our coach party. I would definitely recommend this holiday to anyone who has not visitedÂ Italy and very much recommend Ledger Tours which was extremely professional from the initial booking, right the way through the holiday itself!
Thanks for a superb and memorable holiday!
Dave

Do you have any suggestions to people taking a coach holiday for the first time? Leave your comments below.

December 6, 2014June 27, 2023

â€œHow lucky we areâ€ – The Fritz and Tommy Battlefield Tour by Rob SchÃ¤fer

I have been visiting the battlefields of Flanders and the Somme for nearly 20 years, but this is the first time ever where I sincerely doubt if all the suffering was worth it.
This moving remark was made by one of our guests on the last day of the â€˜Fritz and Tommyâ€™ Battlefield Tour in October and was certainly one of my personal highlights this year.

I had the pleasure to guide two of these tours in September and October, working side by side with Leger guides Paul Reed and Marc Hope, leading the guests to German sites in Flanders, Northern France and the Somme
Visiting battlefields, cemeteries and forgotten German memorials, following in the footsteps of Ernst JÃ¼nger and the young Adolf Hitler, then a corporal in the Royal Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 16, looking at German military, funeral and mourning traditions, organizational details and telling stories and anecdotes of the German army and the units that fought in the places we visited. How did Fritz, the German soldier experience the Great War and what were the joint experiences of Fritz and Tommy. What set them apart and what united them.
The first day on the battlefields was spent in Flanders. For the German men that fought in the war Flandern was a byword for sacrifice and suffering and we went out to look at how Germany commemorated her dead in that area, visiting the German cemeteries at Vladslo and Langemarck, a virtually forgotten German regimental memorial and looking at the â€˜Langemarck mythâ€™ and its importance to the propaganda of the National-Socialists.
After that we examined the pivotal fighting around Gheluvelt, the key to Ypres, on the Menin Road. Here we used letters and diary extracts of German soldiers from WÃ¼rttemberg and Bavaria that fought in and captured the village in November 1914 before switching our sights to the desperate and decisive counter charge of the 2nd Worcesters.
After lunch at Hooge Crater CafÃ© we visited Bayernwald to see the German trench system there, an ideal place to talk about the undying myth that German trenches were generally better than their English counterparts and to have a closer look at German and British mining techniques.
At Messines we visited William the Conquerorâ€™s mother in law and looked at the story of Herr Hitler again, reading an account of how his battalion celebrated Christmas in the church and crypt in December 1914 before finishing the day visiting a German officerâ€™s grave on a British cemetery to tell his sad and fascinating story.
Day three led us to northern France to the sad German cemetery at Wervicq before exploring the Frommelles battlefield from both sides, looking at its German defences and talking about the first clash between German and Australian troops and how that event influenced the catastrophic outcome of the Battle of Frommelles. One of my highlights of the September tour was certainly the visit to the huge mass of individual graves that forms the military cemetery of Neuville St. Vaast, where 44888 German soldiers from more than a hundred different divisions from all provinces and counties of Germany are buried. Here Paul Reedâ€™s soulful recitation of a letter written by a German veteran to the famous British war poet Henry Williamson left everyone, including me, speechless and lost for words. A misty-eyed moment and a truly moving experience I will never forget.
Day four was spent on the Somme starting at Copse 125 or Rossignol Wood, where the famous German stormtrooper-writer Ernst JÃ¼nger fought in 1918 opposite New Zealanders including the â€˜King of No Manâ€™s Landâ€™ Dick Travis V.C. DCM MM. Among highlights of that day were our stops at Hawthorne Ridge and Sunken Lane as here we were able to deliver a most detailed account of the slaughter that happened there on 1 July 1916.
An ideal location allowing people to immerse themselves in the story told.
Highlighting the experiences of attacker and defender alike, reading accounts from both German and English soldiers that had fought there that day and finishing the presentation off inside the bus, with lights dimmed, watching Malins’ famous footage of the explosion of the mine, Sunken Lane and the attack on Hawthorne Ridge.
To stand in the middle of where it all happened and to know what exactly happened there on the German side and the English side left a lasting impression on everyone. After visit to Courcelette the days on the Somme ended at Guillemont where we returned to Ernst JÃ¼nger and his harrowing descriptions of the fighting there in 1916.
I was positively surprised about amount of interest in the groups and even after the official end of each day I continued answering questions in lively debates over many a glass of Belgian beer, sometimes up until deep in the night. For me personally these tours have been commemorative events in their own right. A hundred years have passed since Fritz and Tommy fought each other in four horrible years of suffering and pain.
Now in 2014, we, their ancestors are able to travel the battlefields together, walking in their footsteps as friends. How lucky we are.

Nie wieder Krieg! Fritz and Tommy – We will remember them

December 4, 2014

Introducing our New Tour: Grand Scenic Austria

Snow-capped mountain peaks, luscious green hillsides and crystal blue lakes are just some of the images conjured up by the thought of Austria, however, it’s not just the natural beauty that visitors seek out. There is also a rich culture, a fascinating history and spectacular architecture to discover throughout this impressive landlocked country.

In our 2015 Brochure, we have introduced a brand new tour, Grand Scenic Austria. This Grand Explorer tour takes you through some of the country’s most spectacular delights. Here’s a few of our favorite things that you can expect to see and do whilst taking this magnificent tour.

Salzkammergut

The Austrian Lake District, the first port of call. There’s a total of 76 lakes surrounded by picturesque villages. Our tour takes you to delightful Mondsee. Translated to Moon Lake in English, the crescent shaped lake is one of Austria’s famous bathing lakes. Its water temperature reaches up to 28â°C and is a popular attraction to locals and tourists alike. Possibly the most renowned attraction in Mondsee is the Basilica St. Michael, situated in the middle of the town centre, the church was famously used for the wedding scene in ‘The Sound of Music’. For that reason more than 200.000 people are visiting the church every year and give it the honour of being one of the most photographed churches all over the world.

Krems and Melk

Krems an der Donau is the eastern gateway to the Wachau valley, thought to be the most picturesque stretch of the River Danube. One of the oldest cities in Austria, builders and archaeologists throughout the country have created a unique cityscape that has earned the city a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. If you’re a wine lover, you will be happy to know that Krems is said to have the best selection ofAustrian wine, whether this comes from its 1000 year wine making history or the perfect conditions the vineyards are set in is up for debate, however the wine taverns will certainly not disappoint.
Heading down into Melk you will make a stop off to tour the Melk Abbey,Â a fortified castle that is home to the Babenberg’s, Austria’s first ruling dynasty. Located on the bank of the Danube, the Abbey was originally a palace and it most certainly shows. A sight to behold with its baroque architecture, the abbey’s church is the highlight with its numerous windows and rich embellishment of marble and frescoes.Â The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau, an Irish Pilgrim mistaken as a spy due to his strange appearance and was subsequently tortured and hanged.

Vienna

The capital city and also the largest city in Austria, Vienna is home to quarter of Austria’s population. Birthplace of the waltz and hosts up to 200 balls every year, the most popular location for a ball to be held is the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The world’s largest emerald is displayed in the Imperial Treasury of the palace boasting 2860 carats. If you like to do your sightseeing from a height, head to the Prater, Vienna’s most popular fun fair. Hop on the giant Ferris wheel, featured in the James Bond film, The Living Daylight, and see it all from 200 feet up. Although born in Germany,Â Ludwig van Beethoven lived most of his adult life in Vienna. He battled deafness starting at the age of 26 and he composed some of his best-known works, including Symphony Â No. 9 while profoundly deaf. If you are a fan of Beethoven, you can visit theÂ Theater an der Wien where there is a Beethoven memorial room open to the public. This is where most of his compositions were premiered.

Carinthia

Austria’s southernmost province, Carinthia boasts the most sunshine hours per year. The tour stops here for two nights so there is plenty of time to discover the beautiful scenery it has to offer. You can also see Augenquelle St. Kathrein. Known as an ‘Eye Spring’, it is thought to have beneficial healing effects. From stabilising blood circulation to aiding recovery after surgery, people have even been known to splash the 36â°C mineral water into their eyes in order to ensure good eyesight into old age.

Salzburg

Salzburg, where the hills are alive with ‘The Sound of Music’. The home of the von Trapp family and Mozart, from museums to palaces there’s plenty of culture to soak up in this picturesque town. Salzburg used to be an independent country, but was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1816. Whilst in Salzburg, the Residenzplatz is well worth a visit. With its horse drawn carriages and street entertainers surrounding the most beautiful fountain in the city, it’s most definitely worth a closer look.Â The Sound of Music PavillonÂ can be found at Hellbrunn Palace today, in the movie it was still located at Leopoldskron Palace. This is where one of the most famous and romantic scenes was filmed:Â ‘I am 16 going on 17’

Innsbruck

The capital of the Tyrol and hailed as the capital of the Alps, Innsbruck’s pride and joy stands tall in the old town. The German Renaissance gothic court church was commissioned in 1553 by Ferdinand I, who enlisted the help of top artists such as Peter Vischer the Elder and Alexander Colin to complete the building as a memorial to Emperor Maximillian I. Alpine skiing is a very popular sport in Austria, as are snowboarding and ski-jumping. The city of Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1964 and 1976.Â While in Innsbruck you could also pay a visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, a sparkling, underground world where crystal comes to life. Take a look around the museum or treat yourself, it’s the prefect excuse.

Krimml Falls

One not to miss! With a total height of 380 metres, the Krimml waterfalls are the highest in Europe and we offer you an optional excursion to visit this natural wonder. The waterfall begins at the end of the Krimml River flowing through three stages of the beautiful Hohe Tauern National Park. To make the waterfall more accessible to visitors, Ignaz von KÃ¼rsinger created a path to the upper part and is well worth a visit.

To see this tour in more detail and to see where else we can take you in Austria, visit the Austria Tours section of our website.

November 20, 2014June 27, 2023

Seen it Live: Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

The end of the Formula 1 season may be upon us as the countdown to Abu Dhabi is underway, but it doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to next season. We’ve just launched our new F1 page on our website, launched our social pages and Leger HQ has been fully submerged in Grand Prix chat, predictions and rumours.

Our E-commerce Executive Richard Mansfield took our ‘See it Live’ tour to the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this year and has kindly answered some of our questions to celebrate the launch of the new pages.

What made you want to take a See It Live tour?

I have always loved the atmosphere and thrill of live sporting events such as football, rugby, and Supercross. An F1 weekend was one of those spectacles I have always wanted to experience, and since working at Leger I have always said after my trip to Paris a few years ago, my next tour would be a See it Live weekend.

How long have you been interested In Formula One?

I have watched it from a very early age, I remember watching Damon Hill win his first title in 96, sat with my dad on the sofa, pretending to drive an imaginary car and crossing the line to win.

Why did you choose the Spanish Grand Prix?

One of my favourite drivers is Fernando Alonso and to see him at his home Grand Prix was something I couldnâ€™t miss. I also saw this as the perfect Grand Prix for the weather, although not guaranteed.

How would you describe the atmosphere from the coach to the track?

Electric! From the minute we got on the coach at Leger HQ to walking in to the track, we knew we were going to be amazed by the whole experience. Discussions around the coach of favourite drivers and favourite tracks didnâ€™t take long to get in full swing. It was also interesting to hear the stories of fellow travellers who have been to other F1 weekends with Leger.

Do you have a team you support or was there a certain driver that you were looking forward to seeing race?

I donâ€™t have a favourite team. My favourite drivers are Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

How was the weather whilst you were there? Does it have an effect on your visit?

The weather was perfect! The sun was out all weekend, couldnâ€™t have asked for better. I would imagine the weather could play apart in your race weekend. But as long as you are prepared for it the racing will always be an unforgettable experience.

How much of the track did you get to see whilst there?

I was pleasantly surprised as to how much of the track I could see, bearing in mind I opted for the general admission ticket. The track walk at the end was also a bonus, especially walking up the start and finish straight.

Which part of the track did you enjoy the race from?

Through the Gp2 and GP3 and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup we took in as much of the track as we could then for the BIG ONE we sat at corner 8 with the in view of 7 and 9.

What was your best experience of the trip?

(Apart from the big race itself) Without a doubt the buzz and build up on race day, from arriving to the track to sitting on the coach on our way home the atmosphere and excitement is something I will never forget.

What advice would you give to people heading off to the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time?

Take in the track and views during qualifying and early races to guarantee you find your favoured spot for the big race. Also, be sure to pack sun cream! I lost mine on the way in to the circuit and as you can imagine it was VERY hot. There are places for cover from the sun, but I would certainly recommend a hat sun cream and plenty of liquids.

Do you have to be a F1 super fan to enjoy a Grand Prix See It Live experience?

Certainly not, as much as I love the sport and follow every race. I wouldnâ€™t class myself as a â€˜Super fanâ€™. A See It Live weekend can be enjoyed by anybody, I am sure there are many others who would agree in saying once you have experienced one, you are itching for the next opportunity.

Would you go on a Grand Prix tour again? If so, which one do you fancy?

I certainly would, on our way back my Dad was already looking at our next race weekend with Leger. From start to finish it was such an unforgettable weekend. At present we are stuck between Belgium Grand Prix or my Dads favourite the German Grand Prix.

Follow our See it Live pages on Facebook, Twitter and Google+

November 9, 2014September 29, 2023

Part Two: A Personal Account of Visiting Battlefields in the Centenary Year

Part two of Paul Prendergast’s personal account of his emotional experience on the BattlefieldsÂ Flanders Fields – Britain’s Bastion on the Western FrontÂ tour.

We started off at 8.30am, our first stop was Hill 60. This was my first personal call of the day so when we got there I left the main group for about 10 minutes. This was due to me wanting to place a Cross of RemembranceÂ at the Queen Victoria Rifles Memorial on the hill.
This was in remembrance of Percy Kimmons, 6655 1/9 London Regiment, aged just 34 when he died on the on 09/10/1914. The significance behind this is that I have his Death Plaque and his medals at home. He was a Postman when he joined the Army. I was very proud to lay this small token in his memory.
On hill 60 we went to see the bunker on top of the hill and also you can walk round the craters on the hill which is a very odd feeling.

We then went on to the visit the Passchendaele Museum which has got some great exhibits, but also has a series of underground dugouts and trench systems that just give you a very small idea of how the trenches would have been but without the Death Blood Lice and Rats. We can never contemplate what actually happened to those men who walked through these to their deaths, fighting for our freedom today.
During the weekend we stopped at Ploegsteert or Plug Street to the British this is where Winston Churchill served during the War, also the place of the Xmas Truce. The weekend also included a visit to Bayernwald a series of German trenches and Bunkers that you can walk round, it is said that Hitler won his Iron Cross here.

photo (8) — Cross of Sacrifice at Tynecot

We also visited Langemark German War Cemetery where there are 45,000 men buried this includes a mass grave containing 24.000 men buried together this includes some British men and the enemy, but now at rest with each other.
We then went on to visit Tyne cot cemetery which is the biggest CWGC cemetery in the World it contains, 12.000 men buried and 34.000 names on the memorial wall the scale of this makes you think what a waste it was .
When we got back on the coach it was mentioned that our cemeteries are better than the Germans, I could only say that ALL Men Are Equal in Death, and every headstone and name had a family and a story.
All the tours were fantastic and our guide Peter Williams, was without doubt a very good guide.
Now, at the start of this second part of my blog, it was said the tour was going to be a very personal and emotive trip for me. When we got back to the hotel, I had to shower shave, put on a shirt, tie and suit. The reason? I had the honour to be laying two wreaths at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate at 8pm on the 05/10/2014.
The wreaths that I was laying were for the 1/10 Service Btn Queens Royal West Surrey Reg (Battersea Pals). The reason for this is that I was born and raised in Battersea, London, SW11. I wanted to pay my respect to all the local men who fought so that I could have my freedom today.
The second wreath that I would be laying was for the 1/2 8th Btn London Reg Post Office Rifles. A very personal tribute this because I worked for Royal Mail for 38 years before I took early retirement this year.
Every sorting office that I have ever managed, and in the country, has a plaque dedicated to the men who fought and died in WW1 and WW2.
When I left Royal Mail my last office was Stockwell London SW9, the plaque in there has got 6 names of men that went to fight. None came back. This is where I got my interest in WW1.I was also wearing my Granddadsâ€™ medal for his RAF service in WW2 and my Great Uncle’s medal bar from WW1, I will also be wearing this when I march pass the Cenotaph on the 09/11/2014.

The Mennin Gate, Ypres — The Menin Gate, Ypres

I arrived at the Gate around 7.15pm, it was packed already so I took my place in the line behind other people. There was 9 wreaths to be laid I was third in line for my first.
My first wreath was for the Battersea Pals. I started to walk and was struggling to find my thought at the honour that I had to lay the wreaths at the Gate. I reached the top of the stairs, laid the wreath, bowed my head and turned back.
Then I realised that I still had one more to lay for the Post Office Rifles, so I took my place at the back of the line. I had to walk alone to the other side to lay the wreath, a large crowd people waiting for me to do so.
I reached the top of the stairs laid the wreath and then turned and thinking about what these men did for us, I bowed and then started to shed tears the emotion was just too much.
I walked back and got myself back together, I was told by people on the tour that I did really well and assured that anyone would have gotten upset thinking about what these heroes went through.
I have now been on 4 Leger tours in the last 12 months and already have 3 booked for 2015.
This is by far for me my best trip yet and would recommend this Flanders Field Bastion on the Western Front to all people who want to visit.
The morning we left Ypres I walked down to the gate the sun was rising and I looked down on my wreaths with PRIDE and EMOTION. I thought, when I was at the gate, I was alone with 54.000 heroes. Not many people can say that.
Some people might read this and say that my account of this is very emotive, but however many times I visit these places, I will always remember the two wreaths laid at the gate and every time I visit a cemetery or memorial. That every name carved on a wall, headstone or cross, gave their lives for our today.
The 11th November will be here within the week so please wear your poppy with PRIDE, show our living Soldiers that they are not forgotten and remember, without them giving their lives you would not be here today.

LEST WE FORGET

If you would like hear more from Paul on and read more about his experiences, follow him on Twitter: @paulthedom

November 8, 2014June 27, 2023

A Personal Account of Visiting Battlefields in the Centenary Year: Part One

Paul PrendergastÂ is a valued customer of ours who recently embarked on a personally significant Battlefields tour toÂ Flanders Fields – Britain’s Bastion on the Western FrontÂ with Leger. Commemorating this significant year, he set out with the intent of remembering heroes close to his heart. Read more about his emotional experience in his own words in this special two part blog.

The journey started with my coach pick up at Pease Pottage in West Sussex, the driver asked me how long I was going away for I told him just the weekend, he joked that I had enough bags to last 2 weeks. (I will explain about this I had a suitcase and 2 bags plus a cardboard box which will come into play later)

We headed down to Dover to pick the ferry up and then headed over to France to begin our journey to Ypres. We arrived in Ypres about 7.30 pm too late to attend the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate so I decided to unpack and go to the Market Sq. for something to eat.
There are lots of places to choose from and all of the places are affordable and family friendly. The first day of the tour began with myself taking a moment to walk down the road to the Menin Gate whilst it was nice and quiet at around 7.00 am. It brings home to you when there is no one about that the names of 54,000 heroes are inscribed on the gate, this is all the families have to show as their bodies were never found during the conflict.
The group met at 9.00am and went on to the Flanders Fields Museum it was a fantastic place to visit, you are given a wristband and you can interact with certain items in the museum. It has some great displays also that opened my eyes to how these men survived the War. We then visited St Georges Church, this is another must visit place I have never been there but it was fantastic, all the Kneelers in the church are covered with the regiments that fought at Arras and Ypres during the War.
I took some pictures of them Post Office Rifles RAMC and Queens Royal West Surrey regiments, I will explain about these in the second part of my blog and why they are the reason for my trip.
I also then visited St Martins Cathedral which is a vast and beautiful place I walked in there and I had the place to myself and took a moment to reflect, I thought about what these people went through during the conflict and can only imagine, on the way out I lighted a candle for all of the fallen during the war.

photo (5) — 54,000 heroes remembered on the walls of The Menin Gate

We then went down to the Menin Gate and where our guide Peter Williams explained about the gate when and why it was built, I listened with intent due to the fact that I would like to become a Battlefield Guide and was taking lots of notes, also Peter lives in Ypres so his local knowledge was also quite useful.
We then went to Lunch at Hodge Creater Museum which for me is the best Museum to visit and I never get bored of looking round at the fantastic collection that is there. I also visited which in my view is one of the best Cemeteries to visit and I never forget to look round at has many Headstones as possible because people forget that every solider at rest there and their headstone tell a personâ€™s history and storey so I take the time to visit and read all I can.
Our last visit on Day 1 was to Essex Farm cemetery, this is another place that I have never visited and was amazed as to what was there. The cemetery has buried in it a VC winner Pte T Barratt of the Staffordshire regiment he was 22 when he died on the 27-07-1917. Among the buried there is another person, V. Strudwick of the Rifle Brigade died on the 15-01-1916, aged 15, a boy who wanted to fight for his country.
The buildings that were used by the RAMC are still intact it was used as a Casualty clearing station it was quite a emotional place because knowing that thousands of people had passed and treated and died here so that put a few things in perspective.
The place is also well known for the poem IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scare heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead, short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take our quarrel with the foe
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, through poppies grow IN Flanders fields to you

Tomorrow, we will post the second part of Paul’s blog, in it he will give his account of the special occasion in which he placed wreaths at the Last Post Ceremony taking place at the Menin Gate on the 5th October, 2014.