From the soaring Swiss Alps and sparkling seas of Sardinia to the bustling Baltic capitals and craggy Irish coastline, Europe is an astonishingly diverse continent.
Each country has a distinctive landscape, history, culture, and cuisine – and the trickiest thing can be picking which places you want to visit. But whichever European countries are calling you, you might want to consider taking a coach tour for your next holiday.
We’ve partnered up with Leger Holidays, the leading provider of great-value European coach tours. Leger’s current prices are locked, which means if you book now, you’re guaranteed to secure the best price. Plus, for a limited time only, you can also secure your holiday with a deposit as low as £50 per person.
So, whether you’re drawn to imperial cities or medieval towns, beautiful beaches or quiet countryside, there’s a tour for every taste, preference, and style.
Why travel by coach?
You might be wondering why travelling by coach is such a good idea.
First, it gives you an opportunity to see the very best of Europe in a stress-free way. Driving long distances – especially to unfamiliar places – can present many challenges, from trying to park in busy cities to getting lost. On a coach tour, you can sit back and relax as everything is sorted for you – from route planning and accommodation to excursions and escorted tours.
Plus, travelling by coach is usually cheaper, safer, greener, and more comfortable than travelling by car. Leger coaches are especially spacious and comfortable, and you can sit back and enjoy the views as you cruise along. If you want to sleep, simply recline your seat and have a snooze – and if you’re feeling social, you can chat with fellow travellers.
With Leger, there’s also so much variety that you’re sure to find a tour to suit you. Some people like to explore one destination intimately – meeting locals, sampling the cuisine, and diving into the culture and history; while others prefer touring many different regions, seeing as much as they possibly can and visiting the most dazzling highlights. And, on a Leger tour, you can do either.
To get you inspired and to give you an idea of how exciting and diverse coach travel can be, we’ve handpicked 10 of Leger’s European coach adventures.
1. Highlights of the Spanish Coast and Barcelona
Spain has long been the most popular holiday destination for Brits – and for good reason. The sunny climate, gorgeous beaches, scenic towns, and delicious cuisine appeal to just about everyone. On this tour, you’ll experience the best of Catalonia, which is arguably Spain’s most charming region.
For six of the eight nights, you’ll stay in Calella – a lovely seaside town on the Costa del Maresme – where you can access Costa Brava’s most idyllic destinations, from beautiful Blanes to buzzing Lloret de Mar. When you reach exciting Barcelona, there’ll be plenty of time to admire the unique architecture and stroll the atmospheric streets. Girona, Besalu, and the iconic Montserrat monastery are also on the itinerary…and you can even tour the Catalan countryside.
2. The Baltic Capitals and Highlights of Scandinavia
If you’re more drawn to Northern Europe, what about exploring the Baltic capitals, and crossing the Gulf of Finland to see the best of Scandinavia? On this epic 15-night tour, you’ll visit eight different countries, giving you an incredible insight into this lesser-known, yet stunningly beautiful part of Europe. Beginning in Berlin, you’ll tour the city before heading to the Polish capital, Warsaw.
From Warsaw, you’ll cross into Lithuania, with time to visit Vilnius before arriving in Riga, the Latvian capital. The tour’s last Baltic capital is Estonia’s Tallinn – and then it’s on to explore three of Scandinavia’s most charismatic cities: Finland’s Helsinki, Sweden’s Stockholm, and Denmark’s Copenhagen. A wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Baltic and Scandi culture and history.
3. Picturebook Italy
When it comes to countries that have it all, Italy is one of the top contenders. Boasting a fascinating history, absorbing culture, picturesque landscapes, and some of the best food in the world, there’s so much to see and do that it can be difficult to decide which places you’d like to visit most. So, if you don’t want to miss out, why not take a grand tour of Italy’s majestic cities and sights?
This 12-day tour is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You’ll start in Lake Garda, visiting many of the lovely towns that dot the shoreline. After the chance to explore romantic Venice, you’ll head to Tuscany, with time to discover historic Siena, as well as Renaissance Florence. If that isn’t enough, you can tour Rome and visit Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, with the opportunity to relax by breathtaking Lake Maggiore.
4. Fairy Tale Castles of Bavaria, the Rhine Valley, and Black Forest
Germany might be most famous for cool, cosmopolitan Berlin, but if you head out of the capital, you’ll see a whole other side to this compelling country. Southern Germany is home to its most beautiful countryside and castles, and during this eight-night tour, you’ll visit three wonderful regions: culture-rich Bavaria, the picture-perfect Rhine Valley, and the mysterious Black Forest.
You’ll have the chance to cruise along the Rhine, admiring the medieval castles on the shore – while a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, which looks like it’s fallen straight out of a fairy book, is another highlight. Then, you can soak up the local culture in wine towns like Rüdesheim; relax in the lakeside resort of Titisee; explore the Black Forest towns of Triberg and Freudenstadt; and feast on Bavarian Bratwurst!
5. Dubrovnik and Jewels of the Dalmatian Coast
Croatia’s famous Dalmatian Coast is perhaps the most dazzling part of the country, and this 13-night tour explores the very best sights that this astonishingly scenic part of the world has to offer.
You’ll visit Split and Trogir before exploring two of Croatia’s most beautiful regions: Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park, where you can soak up the sensational scenery. There’s also plenty of free time to spend as you like, whether that’s wine tasting, shopping, or simply relaxing on the seafront.
6. Killarney, Cork, and the Ring of Kerry
You don’t have to travel far to find an exciting European adventure. The beauty and charm of Ireland is celebrated all around the world, which is lucky for us, as it’s right on our doorstep. This five-night tour explores five of the Emerald Isle’s most famous and beautiful areas: Killarney, Cork, the Beara Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, and – of course – the capital Dublin.
Enjoy free time to explore Cork and Blarney before settling into your hotel in West Cork. It’s from this idyllic spot that you’ll tour the dramatic Beara Peninsula. Next up is the charming town of Killarney and the magnificent Ring of Kerry, where the scenery will leave you speechless. The trip finishes with a tour of Dublin where you can enjoy an optional guided tour, stroll the streets, relax by the river, and sip a Guinness!
7. Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures
If you consider yourself a bit of a Francophile, this 12-day grand tour will be right up your street. France is known for its sophisticated cities, historic villages, picturesque countryside, and stunning coastline – and here, you can explore all four. It’s the ideal way to learn all about France’s history, dive into its inimitable culture, and even visit the Remembrance village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
Beginning in the Loire Valley, you’ll visit beautiful villages like Blois and Amboise, before moving into the Dordogne, which is famous for its medieval cities and pilgrimage villages. Then, you’ll move south to Aix-en-Provence – with three nights to explore the seaside resort of Cassis, the wild Ardèche, and Gorges du Verdon.
8. Summertime Alpine Highlights and Swiss Mountain Railways
The Swiss Alps may make you think of snow-blanketed mountains and wintery chalet villages, but this awe-inspiring part of Europe is just as impressive in summer – and, if you’re looking to explore, it’s the best time to go. Home to gleaming lakes, jaw-dropping mountain peaks, and verdant valleys, this nine-day tour will show you the very best of the Swiss Alps, while they’re drenched in sunshine.
Also on the agenda are the city of Lucerne, the thousand-year-old town of Brienz, and Lake Brienz, with its dreamy green-blue waters. The dramatic scenery is breathtaking, and you’ll get to admire it from unique vantage points, including the Jungfrau Railway – and the famous Swiss Glacier Express should you choose to. The views of the north face of the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau mountains are truly astounding.
9. Explore the islands of Sardinia and Corsica
If you think coach tours are only suited to the mainland, think again! This 13-night tour explores two of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular islands: France’s Corsica and Italy’s Sardinia. While only eight miles apart, each island has its own distinctive culture – and, on this tour, you can explore their individual landscapes, histories, and mouthwatering culinary traditions.
The tour kicks off in the Corsican capital of Corte, where you’ll tour ancient streets before moving on to the gorgeous coastal town of Ajaccio. Before you set sail, the village of Propriano and the town of Bonifacio are also on the itinerary. In Sardinia, you’ll have the chance to explore the Barbagia area – the heart of the island – and visit the sensational Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena islands, and historic Alghero.
10. Spectacular Austria – All-inclusive
Austria is one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in Europe, and on this eight-night tour, you’ll get the chance to visit all the highlights. This trip is the perfect blend of city and country; the Austrian landscape is known across the world for its sweeping Alpine beauty, and the grand cities are packed with history, charm, and culture. There really is something for everyone here.
In Innsbruck, you can admire the remarkable architecture, visit the Hofburg Palace, and stroll down the atmospheric Maria Theresien Street. Fans of The Sound of Music will love exploring medieval Salzburg, while nature lovers will be awed by Krimml Falls, Kitzbühel, Lake Achensee, and the Ziller Valley. You’ll also visit the Tyrolean town of St Johann, and cross the border to tour the Bavarian Alps!
Final thoughts…
Europe’s diversity is part of its appeal, and a coach tour is one of the best ways to appreciate the unique histories, cultures, and landscapes of all these different countries and regions.
From historic cities like Rome and Vienna to the dazzling coastlines of the Dalmatian Coast and Spanish Catalonia, beauty abounds here. Another perk of a coach tour is that you don’t have to worry about driving, so you get to soak up all the glorious views as you cruise along!
Leger’s holidays are incredibly varied, so whether you want to enjoy a grand tour of Italy or France, an exploration of the Spanish coast, a smaller-scale adventure in the German mountains, or a fantastic break in rural Ireland, you’re sure to find your ideal holiday.
With more than 40 years’ experience under their belt, Leger has the skills and experience to put together the perfect holiday itinerary – one where you see all the best sights.
You’ll have total financial security the whole way and can count on the Leger team to take care of everything for you, leaving you free to relax and enjoy yourself. Plus, with many excursions, tours, and meals included, Leger coach holidays are excellent value – and for a limited time only, you can secure your holiday with a deposit as low as £50 per person.
So why not make 2024 a year of adventure, and book a coach tour to look forward to?
Are you interested in a European coach tour? If so, which ones on this list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.