NORTHERN GREECE
WILDLIFE AT LEISURE
Wildlife at Leisure Tours
Tours that take the strain out of enjoying Europe's flora and fauna! Tours under this banner will be based in a single good quality hotel, and will have direct flights in both directions, and these at kind times of day! And most importantly field trips will be kept to a maximum of six or so hours giving you plenty of time to relax both before and after.
The Pindhos Mountains of Northern Greece offer some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in Europe from snow-capped peaks and vertiginous limestone cliffs to the deep gorges and peaceful villages of the Zagorahori. The liquid notes of Golden Orioles cascade through oakwoods next to the lovely Bourazani, a hotel worth coming for alone. Butterflies are exceptional. Highlights will include Freyer’s Purple Emperor, Greek Clouded Yellow, Chequered Blue, Blue Argus, Balkan Grayling, and both Twin-spot and Freyer’s Fritillaries. Dragonflies such as the Eastern Spectre, Brilliant Emerald and the impressive Sombre Goldwing fly along the deep-pooled Aoos River. Yellow-bellied Toads inhabit pools line with massed displays of ivory-flowered butterworts whilst on nearby rocks deep blue Ramonda serbica holds sway. Ophrys cornuta, epirotica and grammica are among the bee orchids present whilst marsh orchids include the rare and local Dacylorhizas pindica and smolikana. Green-winged Orchids swarm over alpine slopes where Geranium asphodeloides and Onobrychus arenaria offer contrasting colours. Southern White Admirals, Yellow-banded Skippers and Eastern Festoons fly amongst terraces covered in Campanulas, Knapweeds, and all sorts of aromatic labiates whilst woodlands are home to Helleborines, Hairstreaks and Honey Buzzards. Near the Bourazani Lizard Orchids grow amongst old oaks each with a marvellous ecosystem full of myriad insect life from Hairstreaks to minute wasps and from impressive Longhorn Beetles to Syrian Woodpeckers. The natural world is rarely better than here.
INFORMATION
Focus
Butterflies, Flowers, Reptiles and Amphibians, and Mountain Landscapes.
Leaders
Walking
Relaxed and easy. Up to two or three miles a day and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to photographers.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, accommodation, meals in Greece. Entrance fees to reserves and natural parks. Services of your leaders. Please note: items of a personal nature such as insurance, drinks, drinks and tips, are not included.
Group Size
The minimum is 4 and the maximum is 15. Only one leader will accompany a group of 6 or less.
Accommodation
We have the entire week at the lovely Bourazani. This great little hotel is quietly situated amongst meadows and woods just a hundred metres from the beautiful Aoos River. The rooms are comfortable with good beds and rather fine furniture. Each has en suite bathrooms and a little balcony as well. There is a rather extraordinary tree which grows right up through the middle of the hotel. There is a lounge area on the upper floor and bar and a good restaurant on the ground floor. There is also a swimming pool though we’re not sure whether it is in use at this season. All rooms on this holiday are en-suite.
Climate
Day time temperatures in the mountains can reach the low thirties though much cooler in the mornings and evenings and sometimes chilly at night. It can feel hot though because of the intense sun in the middle of the day. Rain is infrequent though heavy storms do occur and these can sometimes be prolonged.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send one to you)from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will receive confirmation of your place and a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. Plant, butterfly and bird checklists are available.
