A spring visit to the Greek island of Crete is a delight. Crete’s climate, terrain and enviable position in the southern Mediterranean have created an outstanding flora. There are over 1,600 species of flowering plant on the island, of which at least 139 are endemic.

There’s a bit of a buzz among dragonfly enthusiasts this week, as two Vagrant Emperors have been spotted in south-west England. Dave Smallshire has been monitoring their progress through Europe and can’t wait to get to Vienne, France on the 'Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne’ tour, where 10 have been seen …so far!

In Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa, tour guide Leon Marais keeps a close eye on one of his favourite Leopards – an 18-year-old female called Safari … with her physical condition deteriorating steadily every kill she misses amplifies to become a potentially fatal mistake.

A variety of cetaceans are present in Madeiran waters, including Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-finned Pilot Whales, Common Dolphins and Sperm Whales. However, one species that is attracting scientific interest, and which is present around Madeira each year, is the Bryde’s (pronounced ‘brood-ess’) Whale.

After a long day’s wildlife watching it’s always good to return to some superb gastronomic pleasures. Chris Stewart, author of Driving over Lemons, and Alpujarran resident, describes the pleasures of eating in the restaurant at Las Chimeneas, in the beautiful Sierra Nevadan foothills on our 'Spain: The Sierra Nevada & Alhambra Palace' holiday...