Provence
Tulips in the Tien Shan
Tyrrhenean Spring
The ‘lost world’ of the Giara di Gesturi is a landscape as unexpected as it is strangely beautiful. Outcrops of pinky-black basalt and prehistoric ‘nuraghi’ emerge from marshy meadows and dwarf Cork Oak woodlands on plateaux two thousand feet above sea level.
As a chorus of trills from Tyrrhenean Tree Frogs rises from pools, we’ll enjoy lovely Crocus minimus and pink-purple Romulea revelieri amongst several other orchids. Newly described Ophrys ortuabis blooms with yellow Anemones under the shadow of six-thousand feet high Monti del Gennargentu. We’ll visit a wood full of the endemic Paeonia morisii, a startling sight. Lower down, the beguiling landscapes that lie between our ideally-placed hotel and the Fluminese are rich in orchids. One of Europe’s most beautiful orchids, Orchis longicornu, is rather common, and mixes with Pink Butterfly Orchid and the endemic Orchis ichnusae. The lovely Mirror Orchid is a frequent sight and amongst a host of commoner Bee Orchids we’ll see plenty of the island’s specialities of which there are quite a number! Ophrys eleonorae has lips of glowing blue and purple, endemic Ophrys chestermannii large velvety square flowers, and oval-lipped flowers of grey, purple and pink belong to exquisite Ophrys morisii.
The little green orchid Gennaria diphylla joins several species of Romulea, Bellardia and Barbary Nuts in one of Europe’s pre-eminent wetlands, the little-known Sinis. Corsican Swallowtails fly amongst dunes by lagoons that are home to birds such as Audouin’s Gulls. Even as we land at Cagliari’s airport we’ll see flocks of Greater Flamingoes on lagoons next to the runway – Sardinia’s that sort of place!
Dates and Prices
11th April - 18th April 2025 (8 days)
* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged
Spring Flowers, particularly Orchids. Also Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, and superb rural Landscapes.
Stefano Doglio , Local Leaders
One leader for a group of up to 6, two leaders up to the maximum group size of 12.
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Sardinia. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.
Flower and bird checklists are available.
We will be staying for the entire week at the Agriturismo Su Massaiu. Set atop a low hill and surrounded by orchards, this lovely little hotel has views up to the Giara and is close to the famous Nuraghe of Barumini. Almonds and Olives populate Su Massaiu’s orchards and the farm is well-known for its organic produce that includes lavender, melons, lentils, vegetables and the precious Turri Saffron. The pleasant rooms are set around a wide courtyard in which there is a swimming pool. Each room has its own verandah entrance. All have air-conditioning, wifi and en-suite WC/shower.
Very easy. Always at a relaxed pace and never more than two or three miles in any one day, ideally suited to flower photographers.
UK direct return flights are from London Gatwick to Cagliari. Other indirect routes from regional UK Airports* are available.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
Variable but mostly clear and sunny with daytime temperatures between 12°C and 25°C. Rain is likely at some point and is occasionally prolonged.
Why not combine this holiday with the Corsica tour? Sardinia and Corsica Your leader will transport you between the two.
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.
