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!

Getaway, What a Great Gift!

Getaway, What a Great Gift!

By Anita Rogers

When it comes to presents, I suppose I’m a little tricky to buy for. I tend to receive a lot of chocolates (although I’m nearly always on a diet) and there are only so many bath sets a woman needs! That’s why I love the idea of receiving (and giving) a getaway gift.

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day or a birthday celebration, arranging a holiday for those you love is not just an original present but a thoughtful one too. Firstly, a well-chosen trip shows that you pay attention to a person’s interests. Secondly, it provides the recipient with an ideal opportunity to indulge in their favourite places or pastimes without any guilt. And finally, as you’ll most likely book the trip as a pair or group, you could get the added benefit of sharing the trip together.

I think that Leger’s ‘See it Live’ tours make perfect gifts. They’re short, affordable and full of great things to do. Late last year, I went on The Grand Prix tour in Belgium where we filmed a promotional video by the track (which will be available to view here soon). During my 25 years with Leger, I’ve also been lucky enough to experience a few more of these tours too, including Ladies Day at Ascot and the Chelsea Flower Show. And I have to say, I’d be glad to experience any one of them again (hint, hint)!

Winners circle at Ascot
Ladies day at Ascot

Each one offered something totally different to the next, whether it was picking up a rare plant at the flower show, having a flutter on the horses or hearing the roar of an F1 race car from the track side. In my opinion, there’s no better way to see a live event than to get close to the action and experience the atmosphere first-hand.

Brussels Jazz marathon stage
Brussels Jazz Marathon Festival

Should any of my friends or family happen to read this post in time for my birthday, I would very much like a weekend in Brussels to see the Jazz Marathon festival. I also think that the Paris Tour de France would make an amazing gift. If there’s anyone else out there who’s sick at the sight of socks, do let us know and we can pop a strategically-timed brochure in the post for you. Feel free to get in touch with your suggestions for new live tours too, we’re all ears.

Visit our website to read more about Leger Holidays’ See It Live tours.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans – See it live!

The 24 hours of Le Mans has been held annually from 1923 near the town of Le Mans in France. It is the world’s oldest active sports car race in the endurance racing category.
The first race was held on 26 and 27 of May 1923 and has run every year apart from 1936 and from 1940 to 1948 because of World War II.
The race is commonly named the ‘Grand Prix of Endurance’, although the 24 hour Le Mans is not just about having a fast car and a it’s drivers ability, it is about being able to produce a car that can complete the race in its entirety without sustaining any mechanical damage whilst also keeping an eye on the cars tyres, fuel and brakes.
The drivers are also put through their paces. At first there were no rules surrounding how many drivers were in a team, with a few drivers in the races history looking to save time by attempting to complete the race as the only driver. It wasn’t until the 1990’s rules were introduced to make the teams have a minimum of three drivers per car, with even more rules introduced around the length of time one driver could be behind the wheel.
This is just a taste of the 24 hour of Le Mans and it’s amazing history, to get a real life experience of the race and take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding a race day, why not take a look at out Le Mans tour by coach and join in the 90th anniversary celebrations.
Photo courtesy of Dave Hamster

Formula One 2013 – See it live!

Formula One Race Weekends with Leger Holidays

With the 2012 Formula One season now finished, and the discussion of Sebastian Vettel’s Green flag incident well and truly dissected its time to look forward to the 2013 season.

This will be the 64th season of the Formula One World Championship. It will consist of eleven teams and twenty-two drivers. The action will get underway in Australia on the 17th of March and will end like the 2012 season in Brazil on the 24th of November.

Once again the season will start with Sebastian Vettel hoping to defend his World Drivers’ Championship and his team Red Bull Racing will be looking to retain the World Constructors’ Championship.

Looking across the teams for the season ahead there are quite a few changes, the most spoke about being that of Lewis Hamilton formerly of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes moving to the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team,

In all there will be nineteen thrilling races (with the possibility of an increase to twenty) in the 2013 calendar allowing for many different drivers the chance to get on the podium. Will we see another seven race stint where seven different drivers top the podium?

Leger Holidays are offering the chance for you to experience the F1 buzz for yourself at five of the races including the amazing Monaco Grand Prix. To see all the available tours please visit our website.

Never been to a race before? Why not read about the Spa experience from two of Legers’ Staff here.

Image courtesy of Flikr user – Nick J Webb

New starting point unveiled for the 100th Tour de France

New starting point unveiled for the 100th Tour de France

Following British success in 2012, everybody has gone Tour de France mad, including us at Leger.
The success lead to the team looking in to the history of the prestigious race and a hunt began to find the best stat for a team competition. Below are some facts and stats we have found:

  • The Tour de France started back in 1903, where the first winner was crowned as Maurice Garin.
  • The Shortest race was 2,420Kms with the longest lasting 5,745Kms.
  • There was 198 entrants in 2012
  • Usually there are 20 teams with 9 riders in each team.
  • There has been 4 deaths in the races history
  • In the battle of the nationalities France lead the way with 36 winners closely followed by Belgium with 18 and in third is Spain with 12.

The 29th of June 2013 will see the start of the 100th Tour de France, which will start for the first time in its history in Corsica. The 3,360-km route will take the participants and their teams along with the fans on an epic journey past the country’s wonders and will have many new challenges for the climbers in the pack, including the double ascent of the Alpe d’huez climb!
All this and much more is packed into three weeks of intense racing. The entire race is contained within the French borders covering a whole range of challenging terrains, presenting an opportunity for all different types of riders to shine.
The last high altitude test is just 24 hours before the thrilling finale on the Champs Élysées in Paris which will be staged in the evening, providing a beautiful twilight backdrop for the finale of the biggest cycling race in the world.
If you would like to watch the final stage of the 100th Tour de France in 2013 you can find out more here.
Alternatively if you would like to find out more about the 2013 Tour de France route you can do so online now.