Costa Rica
Bhutan
The Pindhos Mountains
The Pindhos Mountains of northwestern Greece offer some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in Europe from snow-capped peaks and vertiginous limestone cliffs to beautiful wooded hillsides and deep gorges.
The flora provides both spectacle and a rich diversity. Tens of thousands of purple-pink Crocus veluchensis and blue Scilla bifolia colour the slopes of snowy Smolikas and near Aoos Lake carpets of yellow Cowslips and blue Muscaris are at times swamped by the many-hued Fritillaria montana. The liquid notes of migrant Golden Orioles cascade through oakwoods next to the lovely Bourazani, a hotel worth coming for alone.
Here are magnificent shows of deep red Peonies and a wonderful array of Orchids – expect forty-five or more species on this holiday! There’s the unique claret-coloured Ophrys helenae, rare Ophrys epirotica and beautiful stands of Monkey and Four-spotted Orchids. Southern Swallowtails cruise over Ophrys cornuta and ferrum-equinum on the slopes of Lefkas. Mount Skopos hosts plum and yellow Iris reichenbachii and the serpentine Katara Pass endemic Fritillaria epirotica and aromatic Daphne blagayana. And everywhere a rich fauna – Southern Festoons, Grecian Coppers, Dalmatian Ringlets, Hermann’s Tortoises, Yellow-bellied Toads, Alpine Newts, Levant Sparrowhawks, Dalmatian Pelicans and almost black Red Squirrels!
And it’s not only the wildlife … The incredible hanging monasteries of the Meteora are one
of the Europe’s top sights and there’s the great chasm of the Vikos Gorge and the peaceful villages of the Zagorahori too.
Dates and Prices
24th April - 8th May 2025 (15 days)
* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged
Please note; dates and prices are provisional and will be confirmed by August 2024
Flowers, Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles, Amphibians and Mountain Landscapes.
Ian Bennallick , Alexis FitzGerald
One leader for a group of up to 6, two leaders up to 12, and a third leader will join the group up to the maximum group size of 15.
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Greece. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips and items of a personal nature including insurance, are not included..
Our first night will be in the Aigon Hotel in Vergina, one hour west of Thessaloniki. En route to the Pindhos we stay in the excellent Hotel Achilleion perched on a hilltop with magnificent 360° views of the surrounding hills and mountains. The lovely Bourazani is our base for 5 nights. Quietly situated amongst meadows and woods just a hundred metres from the beautiful Aoos River, the Bourazani is run by the charismatic Yorgos and his helpful family. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and well furnished. The modern Margarona Hotel by the Amvrakikos Gulf will be our base in the Preveza area. The Victoria Hotel in Metsovo has pleasant rooms with balconies looking out over fine alpine landscapes and as with the Bourazani, a very good restaurant. All hotels on this tour have en suite rooms
Relaxed and easy. Up to two or three miles a day and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to flower and butterfly photographers.All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Greece. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips and items of a personal nature including insurance, are not included.
.UK return flights are direct from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. Add-ons are available from various UK airports*. Other indirect routes from regional UK Airports* are available.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
Generally warm and sunny with some showers and occasionally more prolonged wet weather.
Contact us to check if there is availability for the number of places you require. Click on the ‘Book this Tour’ button on this page to be taken to the online booking form or contact us and we will send one to you which you can complete and send back to us. You will receive confirmation of your place, and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health information.
