UK’s grandparents relax as kids return to school

With research showing 50 per cent of grandparents who regularly look after grandchildren were called upon to provide additional help with childcare during the long summer break*, Leger Holidays, the UK’s leading tour operator, is reporting a sharp increase in late bookings by the over 60s now September is here.

Seven and a half million grandparents are thought to provide childcare help to their families and whilst many may have been on holiday with their grandchildren this summer, a relaxing break was unlikely to be the end result. Now the kids are safely back in school, many grannies and grandpas are taking advantage of the late deals on offer to grab a few days enjoying their kind of holiday.

Huw Williams, Marketing Director at Leger Holidays, commented: “Now September is here there has definitely been a sharp increase in people looking for last minute deals to get away from it all. Coach holidays are an excellent way to relax and enjoy the scenery, but then the very next minute step out and enjoy some of the world’s most breath-taking historical monuments or sites of natural beauty.”

Leger Holidays currently has late deals on escorted European coach holidays departing in September to destinations including beautiful Croatia, historic trips to the WW2 Battlefields or cruising the Danube. 

For those still looking to bag a break, September late availability deals include:


Croatia’s Porec and the Istrian Riviera:  Discover the sunny pleasures and traditional charm of Croatia's golden peninsula. A nine-day break, departing 18th September, has been reduced to £759 per person, saving £40.

Includes:
- 6 nights’ accommodation with breakfast and evening meal
- Free local joining points
- Return travel by executive coach, with an upgrade to Silver Service available
- Full day excursion to the Opatija Riviera, the ‘Nice of the Adriatic’
- Optional excursions include the historic city of Porec, the awe-inspiring Postojna Caves and the medieval town of Rovini, one of the country’s most popular holiday resorts


Valkenburg, Amsterdam & the Rhine Valley: Explore vibrant Amsterdam, with its 50 museums, and the old world charm of the Rhine Valley and Monschau. A five-day break, departing 20th September, has been reduced to £339 per person, saving £20.

Includes:
- Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast
- Two evening meals
- Free local joining points
- Return travel by luxury silver service coach
- Excursions include seeing the beautiful fairytale castles and picturesque villages that line the Moselles Valley, a tour of Amsterdam and the cobbled streets and beautiful buildings of Valkenburg
- Optional excursions include cruises on the Rhine and Amsterdam’s canal, wine tasting, and a tour of a diamond factory


Steam Trains & River Cruising in the Scenic Ardennes: Enjoy the picturesque Belgian Ardennes, with a steam rail journey through the rolling countryside and a cruise on the winding River Meuse.

A four-day break, departing 24th September, has been reduced to £229 per person, saving £10.

Includes:
- 3 nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast
- Travel by executive coach
- Free local joining points
- Excursions include a trip on the Three Valleys Railway, with a visit to the railway museum and the Fagnes Brewery, and a cruise along the River Meuse from the picturesque town of Dinant


Cruising the Danube - Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava: Spend seven nights on the romantic 'blue' river, which meanders its way through central Europe, passing famous cities and unforgettable scenery. A 12-day break, departing 27th September, has been reduced to £1069 per person saving £30.

Includes:
- 11 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, including seven aboard the MV Esmerelda
- Six lunches and eight evening meals
- Free local joining points
- Return travel by executive coach
- Itinerary includes tours around spectacular towns and cities such as Vienna, Passau, Bratislava, Durnstein and Budapest


The Battlefields of 1915 – 95th Anniversary:  Marking a key anniversary for some of 1915’s most infamous battles, including a trip to Fromelles – brought to the fore after the recent burial of the last unnamed soldier killed during the famous battle. A five-day break departing 27th September has been reduced to £339 per person, saving £20.

Includes:
- Four nights accommodation with breakfast
- Free local joining points
- Specialist Battlefields Guide
- Excursions to Battlefields of Neuve-Chapelle, Battle of Aubers Ridge, Flanders Fields and Battle of Loos.
- Return travel by luxury silver service coach

For more information and bookings, visit: Leger.co.uk
 
*Research by Rias, June 2010