exercise – Leger Blog

Here at Leger we offer a fantastic selection of different and exciting tours, ranging from the classic sights of Europe to experiencing live events such as the Formula One Grand Prix. However, one experience that we are particularly proud of is our walking tours. We have taken our customers hiking through the Austrian mountains to walking in the footsteps of heroes through the Battlefields of World War One. Our Marketing Director, Huw Williams, loves walking and in turn has chosen our Walking in the Italian SÃ¼d Tirol tour as his Directors Choice. Huw has kindly answered some of our frequently asked questions about his tour and walking tours in general.

What is a walking holiday and what does it entail?

A walking holiday with Leger is a combination of a coach holiday with sightseeing opportunities combined with graded, guided walks through beautiful, interesting scenery.

As your Directors’ Choice, what made you choose this tour?

I had never visited the Italian Sud Tirol, a destination we’ve specialised in for 30 years, so I thought it was about time!
My wife (who accompanied me) and I also love walking, so it seemed to be the ideal combination. It was a Silver Service departure, too, so that made it even more appealing as I am quite tall and appreciate the extra legroom.

What are the perks of a walking holiday?

The fresh air and exercise in amazing, scenic surroundings give you a real sense of contentment and well-being. A chance to take a step back (excuse the pun) from day-to-day demands and appreciate the simple pleasures of life….one of which is spending time with a small group of walking companions and making new friends.

Are the walks taken as a group or do you go your own pace?

All walks are accompanied by an experienced guide and the group walks together. Inevitably, people walk at different paces and this is catered for, within certain limits.

What did you expect before heading off on the tour and was there anything that left you pleasantly surprised?

Walking guide Christina — Our walking guide, Christina

The tour mostly met my expectations, which it should considering my job! However, my expectations were exceeded by: the comfort of Silver Service and the performance of our drivers; the amazing hospitality at our hotel in Uttenheim, the zum Schlossl (Anna is such a good cook); the friendliness and expertise of our walking guide, Christina; and especially the truly stunning scenery of the Sud Tirol. It was breath-taking.

Is a walking holiday suitable for single travellers?

Absolutely, there were several guests travelling on their own and, to my knowledge, had a great time. Coach and walking holidays are perfect for getting to know your fellow travellers quickly and making new friends.

Which was your favourite walk of the tour?

The Waldner Pilgrimage, from Prettau up to Â the Waldner Alm. It had unbelievable views. But every walk was rewarding in its own right because of the varied features of each one.

What would you say to people who think they aren’t fit or experienced enough to try a walking holiday?

A reasonable level of fitness is important. If you rarely take exercise or have mobility issues, our walking holidays are not suitable for you.
However, if you’re a regular walker, whether over gentle or more challenging terrain, we’ll have something to suit because our walks are graded according to difficulty.
I would certainly recommend you do some preparation beforehand, though. It will enhance your enjoyment. And ensure you have suitable boots and clothing.
It doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced because all walks are fully guided and you will receive pre-walk briefings and lots of tips and advice to help you get the most from each day.

What advice would you give to someone about to head off on their first walking holiday?

Savour every moment and take lots of pictures to remind you what a wonderful time you had…until the next time, that is. Believe me, once you’ve done it you’ll want to go again.

What three words would you use to sum up your experience on this tour?

Exhilarating, friendly, fun.

And finally, given the choice of any European country, which would you personally choose as an ideal walking tour destination?

For me, it’s the mountain scenery I find irresistible. Therefore, it probably has to be somewhere in the Alps. The Italian Sud Tirol fits the bill and that’s probably because it used to be part of Austria until the end of the First World War. So, as I love everything about Austria, I would choose it as my ideal European walking destination. Maybe I’ll choose Walking in the Austrian Tyrol for my next Directors’ Choice!

Here are some of Huw’s fantastic photos from his Directors Choice tour, Walking in the Italian Sud Tirol, this tour is available to view here

If you’d like to take a look at the fantastic choice of walking tours available to book now, click here.

When every last bit of turkey has been stewed, curried, and sandwiched, the Christmas decorations are back in their box and the New Year’s Eve ‘bongs’ are a distant memory, it’s not unusual to feel a bit deflated… but fear not! Help is at hand!

The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of doors, doorways, archways and openings of various sorts – a god known for his ability to turn one face to reflect on the past and the other to look to the future…. and so, as January marks the start of the new year, it’s time to turn your attention to the year ahead. Here are ten great ways to kick start the new year and stay positive.

1. Out With the Old: Time to Declutter

‘Tidy house, tidy mind’ as the old saying goes, so get rid of unwanted clothes and other belongings you’re never going to use – recycle them, throw them in the local charity bin or sell them online; sort out your paperwork; spring clean… basically, get your life in order – you’ll feel much better once it’s done!

3. Attention Please!

Take time to think about the areas in your life that need attention and do something about it! We’re talking small changes here – don’t make unrealistic plans that will just leave you disappointed when you don’t achieve them. Whether it’s to do with your job, house, car or relationships with friends or family, work out what you want to achieve and go for it.

4. Move It

Time to exercise… yes, I can hear the groans right now, but even if you’ve already dipped in your new ‘healthy regime’, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just try and find something you like doing – it might sound obvious, but if you don’t like it, you’re not going to stick to it! Even if it’s something as small as going for a 30-minute brisk walk in your lunch break, taking the stairs instead of the lift or even dancing around your kitchen while you’re cooking, it’s better than nothing. Just get moving! You’ll have that ‘feel good’ factor in no time.

5. Plan your Getaway

With a couple of months left of dark nights, what better time to start flicking (or clicking) through those holiday brochures? (Well, we would say that, wouldn’t we?!) Get your next holiday organised now so that there’s no stress sorting it out nearer the time – you could save money by booking early too – plus, it’ll give you something to look forward to later in the year.

7. Do Something Different

Now is the time to do something you’ve always wanted to do: start a new hobby, learn a different language or learn a new skill – think of all those things you’ve said “I’ve always wanted to ….” about, and see which ones you can realistically achieve. It could be something fun, something extreme or something less intense… it’s up to you to make it happen!

8. Embrace the Darkness… and the Light!

If you work indoors all day, take whatever opportunity you can to get outside during the daylight hours. Research shows that experiencing the ‘great outdoors’ has benefits on our health and wellbeing, so get outside and breathe in the fresh air. When darkness falls – and it IS getting later, gradually – make the most of the season by staying cosied up on the dark nights and watch all those DVDs or read the books you got for Christmas.

9. Save Money/Make Money

With bank balances a little lighter following the festivities, make the most of free activities such as walks or reading and save money by inviting friends round for drinks instead of going out. As this is the time of year to ‘declutter’ (see No. 1), you can make a bit of extra money by selling all those things you don’t want or need any more. There’s sure to be loads of things hiding in your drawers and cupboards that you don’t use any more, or clothes you haven’t worn for ages, and, as the saying goes, ‘your trash is someone else’s treasure’. Make use of sites like eBay or visit your local car boot sale – someone out there might just be looking for what you’ve got.

10. Escape!

If you can’t wait ’til summer, why not make the most of what this season has to offer? The scenery of Austria and Italy are especially wonderful at this time of year, so take a holiday in January and get the year off to a great start!
Well, there’s our list of suggestions… let us know how you get on. And if you have any other suggestions of your own, be sure to let us know!

Tag: exercise

Directors Choice: Huw Williams goes Walking in the Italian S