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Go Slow on Greece's Pelion Peninsula
Tour Code: GRC17A gentle-paced week of wildflower walks in the beautiful countryside of Greece's Pelion Peninsula.
£1,995
£1,745
Highlights
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Summary
It isn’t difficult to go slow on Greece’s gorgeous Pelion Peninsula, where an abundance of wildflowers grows within a short stroll along a “kalderimi”, or mule track. On this 7-night holiday we stay at just the one hotel on the outskirts of the village of Lafkos, and each day wind our way through olive groves, hillsides or down to the beach, often lunching at a local taverna. In spring there is a profusion here of Mediterranean favourites, including Cistus, asphodels and spurges. There is also a remarkable variety of orchids – 52 species have been recorded on the Peninsula.
- Seven nights in a quiet hotel in the village of Lafkos, with a stunning garden and views over Pagasetic Gulf
- Leisurely holiday primarily searching for flowers, though other wildlife will also be enjoyed
- Gentle strolls (around 2 to 3 miles) along “kalderimia”, cobbled pathways intended for mules
- Profusion of Mediterranean wildflowers, including asphodels, spurges, Cistus and numerous orchids
- Visit to Pelion Orchid Centre with Green-winged Orchid, Man Orchid, Ophrys reinholdii and Orchis provincialis all possible
- Visit the local vineyard for wildflower walks and wine tasting
Grading
Grade A – we enjoy walks of up to around 2 miles, all taken at a leisurely pace. Our coach driver will be at our disposal each day, so more often than not it will be possible to arrange for anyone that doesn’t wish to walk to skip an excursion and meet the group for lunch. Walks on the kalderimi cobbled paths are mostly slow descents, occasionally steep at times but only for a matter of perhaps 50 metres.
According to Greek legend, Mount Pelion was the summer residence of the Gods of Olympus, and the homeland of the magical Centaurs. Situated mid way between Athens and Thessaloniki, the Pelion Peninsula extends south from this mountain, surrounded by stunning beaches and beautiful turquoise waters, and is covered in beech and oak forests and shady olive groves.
This ‘Go Slow’ holiday, begins with a flight to Thessaloniki, from where we will head north to Pelion and our base for seven nights, the small and comfortable Lagou Raxi Country Hotel. Situated on the edge of the unspoiled village of Lafkos, where white-washed houses surround village squares shaded by plane trees, our hotel features beautiful gardens and stunning views over the islands of the Pagasetic Gulf. From here we will explore the peninsula at a leisurely pace, making use of the many kalderimia, or cobbled mule paths, to aid our exploration. We will enjoy leisurely walks of up to two miles in length, as we explore the flower-filled hillsides and olive groves or follow one of the kalderimia down to the coast, where Mediterranean species abound. We will enjoy identifying asphodels, spurges, abundant herbs and the parasitic Cytinus hypocistus amongst the Cistus scrub, while Italian Gladiolus and Barbary Nut are found amongst the grassy verges and Yellow-horned Poppy grows along the shore. We will also visit some beautiful local gardens, where the owners have encouraged wildflowers to return following years of pesticide use. The result is wonderful, with hillsides covered in Bee Orchids, Serapias and Orchis italica.
On one day, we will drive north to the Pelion Orchid Centre. Fifty-two species of orchid have now been identified in north Pelion, and above the village we may find Anacamptis morio and Orchis anthropophora (Man Orchid), whilst in the woodlands, dominated by Downy Oak, we should find Orchis provincialis. Our diverse programme for the week will also include some delightful taverna lunches and an optional excursion to a local vineyard where we can sample a few of the delicious local wines.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We will be staying in the comfortable Lagou Raxi Country Hotel, close to the village of Lafkos. All rooms have private facilities and balconies or terraces. There is a swimming pool (though unheated… so perhaps a little chilly in April!), and the restaurant’s terrace has stunning views across the islands of the Pagasetic Gulf. As well as the large sitting room and bar (with fireplace for cooler evenings), there is a library for reading, painting and other quiet activities.
- Food:
All food is included in the cost of this holiday, except for any meals required during travel as EasyJet does not provide in-flight meals.
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Jenny Willsher
Jenny is an experienced tour leader and enthusiastic general naturalist, with a particular interest in botany. She has travelled extensively in Europe, particularly in France, Spain, Sardinia and Crete and in West Africa, South and North America - an eclectic mix of destinations. Her experience in West Africa was as part of The Wetland Trust's expeditions to Senegal in the early 1990s to study bird migration. An experienced bird ringer, she has also travelled to Kenya and northern Thailand to ring birds. She has had a great deal of 'people experience' from her work as a health professional in the NHS.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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