PHOTOGRAPHIC TOURS AND  HOLIDAYS

This popular holiday is an excellent introduction to alpine wild flowers amid the spectacular mountain scenery of the Dolomites.

The holiday is based in two locations. The first is on the shore of Lake Misurina (left), with day walks in the surrounding alpine meadows, and a short coach journey to the screes at the foot of the Tre Cime in the Dolomites National Park. The second base is in the Val di Fassa with woodland and valley walks, and a short bus ride to high level  contouring walks on the Sella Pass and the Pordoi Pass.You also visit the deep gorge below the Dolomite’s highest mountain, the Marmolada. Although this is a mountain holiday, the walking is not strenuous, with circular contouring or “there and back” walks. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the flowers and take photos.

This holiday is timed early in the flowering season. Depending on the winter conditions, you should see Pulsatillas in the meadows and some of  the  early flowering bulbs (Crocus and Gagea). This is also the main Primula flowering period (Primula minima, P. halerii, P. marginata and P. auricula) and the start of the orchid flowering with a chance to see the lady’s slipper orchid, Cypripedium calceolus, and the sweet-scented Daphne.

Wildlife Travel has been visiting these areas for many years and know where to find the best views and plants!

For more about these and other holidays run by Wildlife Travel click this link

VALLE D'AOSTA (ITALIAN ALPS) JULY 2008

Enjoy a relaxed plant and photographic holiday in the Italian Alps this summer. Leisurely day walks and chance to experience Italian hospitality in the mountain village of La Thuile on the Little St Bernard Pass. Dominated as it is by Europe's highest mountain, (Monte Bianco) summer comes late in the Valle d’Aosta. After the snow finally melts in the middle of June there is a rush of flowers through the months of July and August. Our base in the small village of La Thuile high on the Little St Bernard pass, is an ideal spot to explore the beauty of the flowers and the high mountains.

Meander  the mountain paths, sometimes to high meadows to look for Gentians and Primulas or through woods towards the Rutor Glacier passing cascading waterfalls. Those with a taste for history may like to follow the cobbled Roman road that Hannibal could have used to cross this area with his elephants. On one day we shall visit a small botanic garden on the crest of the pass. A riot of colour in July the garden it is hard to believe that this garden and its two buildings spend seven months of the year buried in snow!

A series of three cable cars go two thirds of the way up Monte Bianco. From the viewing platform it is possible to see the whole panorama of the Alps beneath you. On the way down you will visit  the Saussurea Botanic garden.

On another day we will walk  through alpine woodlands, to a magical spot beside Lake Arpy

If  we are lucky the reflection of the Monte Bianco in the lake is one of the classic pictures of this beautiful mountain. This  is a wonderful place for both flowers and photography which we can share with you on this Wildlife Travel holiday.

For more about these and other holidays run by Wildlife Travel click this link