Month: September 2012

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5 Must-See Places in Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Beautiful harbours, pristine coastal villages and unspoilt countryside – the beauty of Croatia has to be seen to be believed. Situated to the east of Italy, on the Adriatic coast, the country is quickly becoming recognised as one of the most idyllic destinations in the world.

Below we have picked out five places in Croatia that you have to visit if you are going to this beautiful country.

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park

The Plitvice Lakes National park is one of Croatia’s most visited tourist attraction. Made up of 16 lakes and surrounded by beautiful forests and stunning waterfalls this national park has to be seen to be believed.

2. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Encased by imposing city walls and fortresses built into the sea, Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular holiday destination. With its wonderful mix of churches, museums and beautiful beaches it’s easy to see why Dubrovnik is often referred to as the ‘precious pearl’.

3. Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park
Kornati National Park

Situated just off the Adriatic coast of Croatia lies 89 small and medium sized islands that make up the Kornati National Park. The area is home to beautiful plants and flowers, a rugged coastline and crystal clear blue seas, it’s an explorers paradise!

4. The Island of Krk

The Island of Krk
The Island of Krk

The Island of Krk is situated in the north of the Adriatic sea and is filled with secluded swimming bays, beautiful architecture and stunning beaches. Spend your days strolling through the old town with its ramparts and at night sit back, relax and enjoy a bottle of local white wine from the town of Vrbnik in Krk.

5. Hvar Island

Hvar Island
Hvar Island

With its mild climate, lush vineyards and beautiful architecture its easy to see why the Island of Hvar is so popular. If you do make it to Hvar be sure to rent out a boat, pack up a picnic, and travel around this stunning island exploring small coves and secluded beaches!

If you would like to visit Croatia then check out our range of coach holidays to Croatia starting from only £399.

Images courtesy of flickr users jullienjj1, hozinja, 29cm, lo.tangelini and perledivetro.

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A Traditional Lasagne Recipe from Italy

Throw out the lasagne ready meal and treat the whole family to a gorgeous, traditional lasagne recipe, direct from Italy!
This is a fairly slow-cook recipe and takes a little over three hours to create, but it’s well worth the wait, promise. Your traditional lasagne should provide at least six servings and is perfect for a Saturday night in front of the TV with a big chunk of garlic bread.

What you’ll need

750g of lean steak mince
4 rashers of chopped smoked bacon
1 onion and 1 carrot finely chopped
2 finely chopped cloves of garlic
400ml of passata
A glass of red wine
50g butter
50g plain flower
600ml of whole milk
Parmesan
Enough lasagne sheets to cover your dish three times
Olive oil
Salt & pepper

How to cook it

  • To begin, add a large glug of olive oil to a pan and fry the onion until soft, then add the carrot and bacon and cook for a further 5 minutes.
  • Add the mince and cook until browned.
  • Pour in the wine and passata and season with a touch of salt and pepper. Cover the pan and simmer for an hour or until the mixture is quite dry.
  • Whilst your mixture is cooking, add some salted water to a pan and bring to the boil. Carefully blanch the pasta sheets, a few at a time, for 1 minute. Separate the sheets and allow to dry on some greaseproof paper.
  • Now, to make your béchamel sauce, add the butter to a pan and gently whisk in the flour. Continue to stir and cook the sauce on a gentle heat for around 2 minutes. Then gradually add the milk whilst continuing to stir, bring to the boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce is nice and thick.
  • To create your masterpiece, add a third of the tomato and beef mixture to the bottom of a deep baking tray. Top with a layer of pasta and add some béchamel sauce and parmesan shavings. Repeat this two times, ensuring you save plenty of béchamel sauce and parmesan for the top layer!
  • Pop your lasagne into a pre-heated oven at 200C and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, you are just waiting for the lasagne to turn golden before removing.
  • Allow to rest for a few minutes and then tuck in!

Try something different

If you are looking to mix things up a little, why not try adding some BBQ chicken instead of beef? All you need to do is marinate your chicken in a tangy BBQ sauce and then add to your tomato sauce in place of the minced beef.
Image courtesy of flickr user david55king

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What creature comforts do you take on holiday?

Creature Comforts

by Margo

Yorkshire Tea, secret sachets of HP or a bag of cheesy Wotsits…we’ve all been guilty of sneaking a little taste of home into our suitcase before.
Taking creature comforts abroad is a well-known British traveller trait. But where do we draw the line on this secretive yet widespread habit? Is it travel slippers and a box-set of Corrie stashed under a towel? Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for comfort and ease here at Leger, ask anyone who’s travelled with us (especially those who use our Silver Service). However, there are those who say that too many home comforts can be a bad thing. They believe that they hold us back from enjoying the new and exciting experiences available, but what do you think?
Arguably, to truly escape, you should immerse yourself in new cultures and what they have to offer. But surely that doesn’t have to come at the expense of our peace of mind or enjoyment?
For the team here at Leger, a holiday should strike a balance of the two and that’s what we love about escorted coaching. Coach travel provides choice, comfort and countless opportunities to explore at your own pace.
Despite what the cynics might say, you don’t have to trek barefoot and eat bugs to truly get to the heart of a country. And, if you’re anything like us, your days of living from a backpack will be well and truly over – so why not enjoy the best of both worlds?

Creature Comforts by Margo

To unwind and relax, we believe in good company, good advice and a good cuppa when we need it. We also think travelling with an informed guide and well-picked itinerary helps broaden our horizons even further, allowing us to delve deeper into a destination than we would ever dare to alone. It’s simple really. At the end of a day’s exploring, we want to feel safe and catered for. And if that means a Hobnob and a memory foam neck pillow then so be it! It’s your holiday and you should enjoy it your way.
What home comforts do you like to travel with? Share your thoughts by posting a comment below. What’s more, if this post has inspired you to travel further afield, why not visit us at www.Leger.co.uk where you’ll find lots of inspirational tours and customer testimonials.
Image courtesy of flickr user Tim . Simpson

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Romantic things to do in Rome

Rome Is Where the Heart Is

By Margot

Now I’ve never really classed myself as hopeless romantic. As a keen gardener, I prefer my roses wild over wrapped and when it comes chocolates I hardly ever share! But there’s something about Rome that you simply can’t avoid. The romance is contagious and, no matter where you sit on the loved-up scale, it will have you citing sonnets in no time.

Romantic things to do in Rome by Margo

Whether it’s the history, the language or the stunning architecture that does it – I couldn’t say. The city just oozes romance. That’s probably why so many people book the city for a couples’ retreat and then continue to return to it year after year.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the captivating capital of Rome sometime soon, here are Leger’s top five smooth suggestions to enjoy whilst you’re there:

  • Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain: A well-known dating spot for locals, this beautiful Baroque landmark is one of Rome’s most popular attractions. And, if the legends are true, throwing your penny into its waters will ensure you return to Rome. Two pennies means you’ll find romance and a third could even lead to marriage. Well, it’s got to be worth a try!
  • Watch the sunset on the Spanish steps: Once a meeting place for Italian artists and models, the Spanish steps or Scalinata di Spagna make the perfect setting to watch the sun set overRome. Nestled between Rome’s most magical monuments, there’s no better place to take the weight of your feet and set your heart aflutter.
  • Plan a picnic on the Isola Tiberin: This quaint and isolated island is one of two that sits on the River Tiber. So, to add some extra sizzle to your sarnies, why not pack up some rustic breads and take a stroll over the Fabricio bridge to enjoy a loved-up lunch?
  • Enjoy a candlelit dinner in one of the city’s famous small restaurants: Italy is famous for its fantastic food and, as the nation’s capital, Rome certainly doesn’t disappoint. With so many different independent eateries to try, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Add to that, the dramatic backdrop and a little candlelight and you’ll set the perfect romantic scene.
  • Stroll through the Sistine Chapel: Get swept away by the stunning architecture and decoration in one the Apostolic Palace’s most elegant chapels. Featuring scenes by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Sandro Botticelli, this popular tourist sight is guaranteed to have you swooning.

So there you have it, our top tips for making the most of the romantic realm of Rome. We’d love to hear any recommendations you may have so feel free to share your comments below.

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Discover Pompeii from the comfort of your home!

If you’ve ever visited the ancient ruins of Pompeii you will know that it is one of the world’s most fascinating tourist attractions.
The city was partially buried under 5m of ash and pumice following the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. Following the explosion, Pompeii remained virtually untouched for the next 1,700 years, preserved as if sealed in a time capsule.
And now you can explore this once prosperous city using an interactive map which can be found at – https://dayinpompeii.com/.
The website takes visitors on a tour of the last 24 hours in Pompeii before the eruption.
If you’ve been to Pompeii before it’s the perfect way to relive the memories, and if you’ve never visited the city, it’s an ideal way to get a feel of what life was like back in AD79.
If you’ve been inspired to visit Pompeii then check out our best selling tour to Rome, Pompeii and Capri, plus if you book before the 30th of November 2012 you can save up to £20pp!

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Ideas for a Bucket List

Picking the Bucket (List)!

by Margo

Over at Leger HQ today, we’ve been chatting about bucket lists. The bucket list, put bluntly, is a list of achievements that you want to have accomplished by the time you (and pardon the phrase) ‘kick the bucket’. Believed to have been sparked by a film starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, bucket lists are about making the most of your time and getting the things you want out of life. This philosophy is something we’re very passionate about at Leger, so the team have asked me to explore further.

Picking the Bucket (List!) by Margo

Now, I’ve never really been one for lists myself (opting for a more spontaneous approach to life) but I can certainly see why people have caught on to this trend. With so much to occupy us in our daily lives, it’s easy to get side-tracked. However, a good, well-planned list will give you back your focus and help you keep on track.
Chatting in the office here at Leger, no two lists are the same and, I’ll tell you what, hearing about everyone’s choices certainly adds weight to the phrase ‘each to their own’. From kayaking with killer whales to walking in Memphis, there’s plenty of variety to be found. One common theme you will always find though is travel.
Whether it’s a personal Battlefield pilgrimage or a tour of America, everyone has a journey they long to take or place they’d love to see. Working in the sales team, I often take calls from people booking breaks to their dream destinations and I must say it’s one of the best parts of my job. Helping people visit their perfect place (and make the most of it) is a great feeling. Their excitement can be infectious and it always puts a big grin on my face.
Having been lucky enough to travel across the world through my job, I’m often asked to advise on what locations I think should make the cut. So, I thought I’d share my pearls of wisdom here with you. Here are my top three suggestions for those wanting to add a few more stops on their bucket list tour….

  1. Sorrento, Italy – Italy offers such a great variety of culture, scenes and activities. It’s one of my favourite places in the world and if you haven’t seen it yet you really should. Sorrento is a particularly beautiful place and our tour will take you to all the top spots too.
  2. Moscow, Russia – Russia has such a deep and different culture and its vibrant capital,Moscow, offers a plethora of places to visit. From St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Red Square, to the Kremlin and Novodevichy Convent it really has got it all so make sure you’ve got this one on your list!
  3. Christmas on the Rhine – You’ll never experience a festive atmosphere like the smells, sights and sounds you’ll find at a European Christmas market. The Magical Markets of the Rhine Valley tour is one of my personal faves as it combines my love of travel with plenty of culture and shopping too.

Well, that’s your lot but I’m sure I’ll be back again soon. Do let us know what your bucket list includes in the comments below.

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Armistice Day in Ypres by Andrew Arnold

Last November Andrew Arnold travelled to Belgium with Leger Holidays on our ‘Armistice Day in Ypres’ tour. The reason for this was primarily to visit Tyne Cot for the first time, where his Great Great Uncle, William MacDuff, is commemorated.

Andrew Arnold
Andrew Arnold on the Armistice Day in Ypres Battlefield Tour

Below, Andrew kindly shares his inspiration for taking the tour…

“In 2008 I started researching my family tree and found out that my Great Great Uncle, William MacDuff, had served in the First World War and had been killed in 1917. Through my research I managed to build up a picture of his life and military service, and even tracked down a photo of him. William has no known grave but it is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium. Having researched the details of his life, and death, I now wanted to travel to Tyne Cot and pay my respects.

I chose to go on the ‘Armistice Day in Ypres’ tour with Leger because not only did it visit Tyne Cot, but it also offered the chance to attend the Armistice Day commemorations at the Menin Gate and remember all of those who lost their lives in the war. The tour also manages to fit in visits to some of the museums and key sites of the Ypres Salient, which was of interest to me as a first time visitor to the area.”

Read Andrew’s full story now, including a full review of his trip, by clicking here.