explore – Leger Blog

May 27, 2016July 14, 2023

Exploring Italy as a Single Traveller: Rachel Wade Visits the Süd Tirol

Having fallen in love with Italy on her first Leger Holidays trip, solo traveller Rachel Wade couldn’t wait to explore more of the country – along with a little taste of Austria – on our ‘Italian Süd Tirol & the Dolomites‘ tour.

With idyllic scenery, enticing excursions and the appeal of experiencing two cultures, a visit to the Italian Dolomites sounded like my ideal adventure. After a leisurely two days of travel, our tour group arrived at the hotel in Kiens to a warm welcome and a delicious dinner.

On Monday we travelled through the beautiful countryside of the Italian Dolomites. The monochrome mountains, lush green landscapes and turquoise waters of the streams and lakes made for some incredible photo opportunities. A spectacular start to our holiday!
Excitement murmured along the coach as we eagerly anticipated Tuesday’s excursion to Lake Garda. The views were truly breathtaking as we drove down to the elegant resort of Riva, followed by boat trips to the equally delightful Limone and Malcesine.

Wednesday began in Brunico with its bustling market, popular high street, decorative churches and hilltop castle to explore. We then headed to Lake Misurina for more spectacular views of peaceful waters and towering snow-topped mountains.
Despite Thursday’s bad weather, the sights of Venice were guaranteed to brighten our spirits! It was my first visit and exceeded all of my expectations – with meandering alleyways, tranquil canals and grand buildings, it is hard not to fall in love with the ‘floating city’.

On our last day, we visited Bolzano, a vibrant little town with lots to explore from museums and galleries to shops and market stalls. We were back in Kiens by the afternoon to pack our bags and say a reluctant goodbye to this stunning area. It was a trip I’ll never forget.

Why not explore more of Europe with our dedicated Single Traveller tours? See our full range here.

April 8, 2016June 30, 2023

Europe's Most Colourful Destinations

Spring has blossomed, the darkness of winter will soon be a distant memory and it’s time to say so long to stark trees and grey skies. With spring comes a much awaited injection of colour and that’s just what we’ve been waiting for.

And when it comes to vibrant encounters, Europe is host to many spectacular colour parades from its floral displays to the unique tones of its beautiful architecture.
So, if you’re wanting to get into the spirit of spring, why not take a look at our top destinations to add a pop of colour into your travels?

Holland

Of course, in the true spirit of spring, we have to start off with the tulips fields of Holland.
The cheerful Dutch Bulbfields are enough to brighten anyone’s day, with a gorgeous array of stunning colours and perfectly places windmills, you will well and truly know that spring has sprung.
The spectacular Keukenhof Park blooms between March and May, offering not only the iconic tulip displays, but also a variety of daffodils, hyacinths and crocus – a perfect destination for any avid gardener.

Copenhagen

Down by the Nyhavn is where you will make the most of colourful Copenhagen. It was once the home to the famous Danish fairytale writer, Hans Christian Anderson (Number 20 for any literary fans), too!
Pretty pastel coloured buildings line the waterfront with ornate, old ships bobbing about on the water beside you, it sure does make for a lovely setting to rest your feet and enjoy a coffee or beer. Especially after a long day’s sightseeing.

Berlin

Love it or loathe it, graffiti art can be found in most cities, and Berlin is a haven for Street Art. And, when done properly, the artwork brings the city to life with impressive colourful murals.
One part of the world famous Berlin Wall has been turned into a gallery reflecting on a time of change and the hope for a better world. The East Side Gallery is possibly the largest and long-lasting open air galleries in the world and sure is spectacular.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s streets certainly have a nice surprise when you take a minute to look at the buildings surrounding you. Many homes are covered top-to-toe in decorative tiles, also known as the Azulejos.
They’re a huge part of Portuguese culture and, funnily enough, only private homes are allowed to be adorned in such splendour. So, it’s well worth heading off the beaten track in Lisbon.

Burano

A little known cheerful haven just 7km from the centre of Venice. Burano, the coloured island of lace, is awash with brightly painted buildings, neon pink? You better believe it!
The coloured buildings date back to the islands ‘Golden Age’ when the island was first being developed. It is said that fisherman were the first to paint their homes bright colours so they could see them whilst out on the water.
But, you can’t paint your home just any old colour. You must send a letter to the government who will let you know colours that you’re allowed to paint your home meaning the island keeps its multi-hued charm.

Santorini

Think of Greek Islands and you are sure to conjure up an image of white buildings and blue roofs. And is there anywhere more stunningly in keeping with this than Santorini?
But don’t just think it’s a whitewash, the petite island is awash with stand-out colour, particularly in the town of Oia.
Colourful flowers and buildings painted in pink, yellows, oranges and red, perfectly contrast the clear blue skies and sparkling seas surrounding this cliff-side town.

Isn’t Europe such a colourful place? What’s the most pantone perfect place you’ve visited?

January 23, 2016July 14, 2023

Solo Travel in Your Twenties: Rachel Wade in Italy

Yorkshire-based solo travel extraordinaire, Rachel Wade, has been exploring Europe for the past four years on a variety of Leger Holidays’ escorted tours. Here she shares her first experience of travelling abroad on our ‘Wonders of Rome & Pompeii‘ tour.

It was the summer of 2012 and I had finally finished my fifth year of university. I was also quickly approaching my 25th birthday – a milestone I wanted to celebrate in style!
My previous holidays had only been short jaunts to local cities – it was time for a real adventure! I had always longed to explore Italy, so Leger’s seven day trip to Rome, Pompeii and Sorrento sounded ideal.

It was my first time travelling alone so I was full of anxious questions, but these were soon replaced by excitement as I boarded the coach. The crew and my new companions were very welcoming and made me feel at ease as we enjoyed a pleasant two-day journey to our base, Fiuggi, in central Italy.
On day three we began the adventure with a visit to Pompeii, the famous ‘buried town’. We stopped off en route to explore Monte Cassino monastery, a serene and beautiful place with a melancholy past (it was accidentally bombed during the Second World War and had to be rebuilt).

Our introduction to Italy’s history continued when we finally arrived in Pompeii. Our guide was fantastic at showing us around the huge site, pointing out the extraordinary features that had been preserved by ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. It was a truly unique visit.
My sense of awe continued with our next day excursion to the glorious city of Rome. Dropped off by our coach outside the Vatican, the city was full of vibrancy with so many sights, sounds and smells to enjoy. Armed with my pocket guide, I spent the day exploring meandering back streets, grand glistening plazas, and ‘gelato’ (ice-cream) shops galore!
Just when I thought the trip couldn’t get any better, we visited Sorrento on day five – I will never forget the stunning view as we drove down to the seafront sparkling in the sunshine. From designer stores and bijou boutiques to pretty cafes and the elegant seafront, there really was something for everyone to enjoy here.
Before I knew it, we were heading home – but what fantastic memories I was taking back! It was the perfect introduction to travelling abroad and really fueled my sense of exploration. Sharing the experience with others who travel solo, and making new friends made it all the more memorable, and it didn’t take long before I was booking my next Leger Holidays adventure!
If you’d like to take on a solo travel adventure to some of Europe’s most fascinating destinations, you can see our full range of dedicated Single Traveller holidays, here.