Each of the 32 tours featured in the brochure come with a pictorial reference box setting out which outbound and inbound transport options are available to guests.
While these are underpinned by Leger’s point-to-point coach network, which spans hundreds of local joining points across England and Wales, guests can now opt to take the Eurostar from London and then continue their journeys via Europe’s high-speed rail network, or fly from London and a range of regional airports for a supplement.
In addition, those opting to travel by rail can tailor their breaks to include pre- and post-journey nights in London, with Leger offering a range of hotels near St Pancras International.
The brochure, which is available now digitally, also highlights the rail and coach excursions, rail connections, guided walking tours and river cruises with which an itinerary can be customised.
All breaks are accompanied by a tour manager or driver, and can be secured on a £50pp deposit.
Leger is offering 22 rail tours with travel from the UK; these include the Pyrenees Red Train, the Mendola Mountain Funicular, Mount Pilatus Cog Wheel Railway, the Mont Blanc Express and the Glacier Express.
Meanwhile, five new festive rail breaks – all featuring outbound rail or air travel – have been added. Destinations include Girona, Bucharest and Bern.
New rail holidays with outbound rail travel lead in from £1,145pp for a seven-day Italian Riviera of Flowers tour featuring return Eurostar and TGV travel, six nights half-board accommodation, excursions and coach transfers.
Leger’s new rail breaks with air travel lead in from £1,849pp for an 11-day Fairytale Castles and Railways of Transylvania tour including return London-Bucharest flights, checked baggage, airport transfers, ten nights half-board accommodation, two lunches, excursions and coach transfers.
The brochure features six European river cruises spanning the Rhone, Danube and Seine, a new five-day UK cruise on the Thames, and four festive river cruises on the Rhine. A four-day Rhine Valley Christmas Markets full-board cruise leads in from £619pp with coach travel, or £965pp with Eurostar and high-speed European rail travel.
’More choice’
Chris Plummer, Leger Shearings Group chief product officer, said the introduction of rail and air options came as a "major product development" for the business. "Despite huge advances in coach comfort, represented in our Silver Service and Luxuria coaches, there is demand for our holidays from those who are prepared to pay more and arrive at the destination faster.”
Group head of retail sales Ashley Dellow added the new flexibility would be a huge selling point for agents, stressing the business wasn’t moving away from its traditional coach offering. "Air and rail have been added as options to give the customer more choice," he said.
