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BOTANICAL TOUR
"WILD FLOWERS of Iblei Mountains"
(April 2009)
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3rd -10th April 2009 or 15th-22nd April 2009 |
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 Ninety
kilometres south
of still active
Mount Etna lie
Iblei Mountais's
dry limestone
slopes which in
spring are
adorned with a
wonderful show
of flowers.
Anemones, Irises
and Asphodels
are abundant in
the marvellous
abandoned fields
and terraces
above Syracusa
but it will be
the Orchids that
will steal the
show. A dozen or
more species can
be seen in many
of the tiny
fields.
Spectacular Pink
Butterfly
Orchids are
joined by
Orchis
longicornu
whose deep
purple, white
and pink flowers
make it perhaps
one of Europe’s
prettiest
orchids. Amid
Giant and Naked
Man Orchids
we’ll enjoy a
prolific show of
bee orchids with
abundant yellow
and pink Sawfly
Orchid,
colourful
Ophrys
bertolonii
and fur-rimmed
Mirror Orchid.
Sicily is a
hotspot in the
evolution of
this group of
orchids.
Yellow-edged
Ophrys biancae
and both
Ophrys lunulata
and Ophrys
panormitana
are found
nowhere else in
the world and
several others
can only be seen
here or on
‘Italy’s foot’.
We’ll explore
limestone
gorges, wooded
valleys and even
coastal nature
reserves where a
fascinating
saltmarsh and
dune flora will
keep us busy
when we’re not
looking at the
Flamingos,
Black-winged
Stilts and
Slender-billed
Gulls!
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DATES & PRICES |
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1 Week
3rd–10th April 2009
or
15th-22nd April 2009
Ground cost = £1385
Deposit = £180
Single Supplement =
£95*
*does not
apply if you are
willing to share and
a room-mate can be
arranged
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TOUR'S SUMMARY |
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Day 1
Arrive Catania
Days 2, 3 & 6
Monte Ible
Day 4
Valle Del Anapo &
Pantalica Necropolis
Day 5
Vendicari Nature
Reserve
Day 7
Cassibile
Day 8
Back to the Catania
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Focus:
Flowers (in particular Orchids),
Landscapes and Geology.
Leader:
Roberto Caudullo.
Walking:
Relaxed and
easy. Up to two or three miles a
day and always at a slow pace,
perfectly suited to flower
photographers.
Included in the Price:
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.
Group Size:
The minimum
is 4 and the maximum is 15.
Accommodation:
The
spotless modern Fattoria Don
Bosco will be our base for the
whole week. The Fattoria is
perfectly situated for our wants
being just a few kilometers from
several superb orchid sites. The
spacious en suite rooms are
light and airy and the hotel has
an excellent restaraunt and is
renowed as serving some of the
finest food in the area.
Climate:
Variable. Often warm and sunny
with some showers though
sometimes cooler with
occasionally prolonged wet
weather.
 Suggested Variations:
Why not stay on in Sicily for a
few days? Contact us for prices.
Booking:
broochure which
includes a detailed itinerary
for each holiday as well as
booking forms and other
information.
After
Booking;
You will receive
confirmation of your place and
then a detailed information pack
will be dispatched to you about
twelve weeks before departure.
Trip reports and flower and bird
checklists are available.
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