Algeria
Kerkini & Greek Rhodopi
Wildlife at Leisure
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, 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 before and after.
Halfway between the shores of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, and far from the tourist crowds of other Italian regions, the Pollino Massif straddles the borders of Calabria and Basilicata. Italy’s largest national park is a well-kept secret. Its landscapes are breathtaking, and its traditions have been kept alive for centuries by local communities. These remarkable landscapes result from a combination of the most tectonically active zone in the central Mediterranean, and a geology dominated by Mesozoic–Cenozoic limestone sequences, with well-preserved ophiolite suites — fragments of the Tethys Oceanic lithosphere. The region also contains ancient beech forests, such as those of Cozzo Ferriero and Pollinello. These forests are among the last undisturbed ecosystems of their kind in Europe.
We’ve teamed up with local orchid expert Antonio de Marco so that you can be sure of seeing not only the remarkable diversity of species found within Pollino’s ecosystems, but also the local rarities too! The hills surrounding Cassano are super-rich in bee orchids. Among the many beauties are Ophrys apulica, Ophrys bertolonii, Ophrys incubacea, Ophrys lucana, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys neglecta and Ophrys tarentina. There’s also lots of Pink Butterfly Orchids, various Tongue Orchids and Naked Man Orchid. Around the Cerchiara di Calabria we can find two superb peonies Paeonia peregrina & Paeonia mascula as well as Lizard Orchid, Mirror Orchid, Provence Orchid, Orchis ovalis andOrchis quadripuctata. Near Campotenese are delights such as Ophrys biscutella, Orchis colemanii, two-tone yellow Orchis pauciflora and elegant Lady Orchid. Golden Eagles, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, and both Red and Black Kites ply their trades in the air above the Colle Marcione where amongst a suite of orchids are Frog Orchid, Elder-flowered Orchid, local Ophrys pinguis, and the simply stunning Ophrys lacaitae. Hybrids are frequent in the area and Antonio will delight in discussing the complicated parentage of some the stranger ones you’ll see. Some of the most beautiful combinations are Orchis ustulata x tridentata, the yellow and pink combination exhibited by Orchis quadripunctata x pauciflora, and Orchis purpurea x simia. There are abundant examples of bee orchid promiscuity, among them are Ophrys neglecta x bombyliflora and Oprhys neglecta x bertoloni.
Though the orchids may take the plaudits there are plenty of other noteworthy plants we’ll encounter during the trip such as lovely blue Anemonoides apennina, the purple-black Aquilegia atrata and the delicate beauty that is Campanula pollinensis. Under open stands of the rare Bosnian Pine we can find Helleborus foetidus, Hepatica nobilis and pink tufts of Plocama calabrica. We’ll encounter the local endemic Acer lobelia and more widespread Acer opalus as well as Ajuga tenorei, Erica multiflora and the lovely little Viola aethnensis messanensis.
Dates and Prices
1st May - 8th May 2027 (8 days)
Please note; prices will be confirmed by the end of AUgust
Flowers, especially orchids, Birds and Archaeological and Cultural Sites.
One leader for a group of up to 6, two leaders up to the maximum group size of 12. Antonio de Marco will join the group as second leader.
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Italy. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips and items of a personal nature including insurance, are not included.
Our accommodation for the whole week is the La Locanda del Parco. This gorgeous agriturismo is located on the edge of the National Park that we’ll spend the days exploring, and in the picture-postcard medieval village of Morano Calabro. The Locanda’s rooms are bright and colourful and set amid a small farm. There’s a swimming pool and an excellent restaurant that focuses on local agri-gastronomic traditions that remain strong. The hotel prides itself on using local produce with almost zero food miles. All rooms 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 photographers.
UK direct return flights to Naples are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester Airports. Indirect flights are available from various regional airports*.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
Variable. Often warm and sunny with some showers though sometimes cooler with occasionally 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.
