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The idea of a Naturetrek wildlife holiday to Tuscany appealed to my husband and I, but it was the 'Go Slow' aspect that really sold it to me. We stayed in an agriturismo in the Maremarre Regional Park where the meals - local food and wine - were excellent and the owners and staff friendly and helpful; we had convivial evening meals sitting at one long table in the restaurant. Two minibuses driven by our tour leaders, both excellent naturalists, took our group to WWF reserves, national parks and on a boat trip to see a great variety of wildlife; they also led early morning and late evening walks through the grounds and farmland around our guesthouse. Self-guided tours of medieval Siena, San Gimignano, plus an archaeological site/museum, provided some welcome Tuscan culture. Leaders Glyn and Giacomo were fun and did a superb job in dealing with unexpected problems promptly and efficiently. This was our second Naturetrek holiday and we rate them highly for their choice of holidays, brochure, website and booking process; telephone queries are dealt with promptly and efficiently. Their holidays are led by wildlife experts, who, in our opinion, do all they can to ensure the best wildlife experience for the majority while being attentive to the needs of the diverse individuals in the group.
H.S. Kent, May 24
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Go Slow in Tuscany
Tour Code: ITA18A relaxed 8-day holiday to south-western Tuscany enjoying the birdlife, wild flowers and butterflies of the region, accompanied by superb cuisine and a spa visit.
£1,995 (Inc flights)
£1,795
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Tuscany is definitive Italy, with its rolling countryside studded with upright cypress trees and flowery fields, with its world-class cuisine and its incomparably elegant cities which meld the new with the ancient. What better place could there be to relax…and where better to enjoy the good life with a mix of gentle-paced natural history? Here you can find the colourful icons of the Mediterranean – Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Flamingoes, orchids, sparkling butterflies – all in a heady mix close to our comfortable base in Alberese, near the coast. Among the trips we will take are a boat trip on the sea, a visit to coastal lagoons, a wander through the orchidaceous maquis of Argentario Promontory and plenty of immersion into the medieval marvels of Siena and San Gimignano.
- Relaxing, 7-night stay in comfortable family-run guesthouse near Alberese
- Based within Maremma Regional Park, rich in wildlife
- Gentle local excursions each day into wild habitats or cultural centres
- Boat trip from Porto Santo Stefano to look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Audouin’s Gulls and shearwaters
- Superb wetlands at Ortobello Lagoon great for Flamingoes and Glossy Ibis
- Mediterranean beauties such as Bee-eater, Roller and Southern Festoon butterfly
- Superb local cuisine and wines
- Visit a spa and cultural delights of nearby Siena and San Gimignano
Grading
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Tuscany is, in so many ways, the very essence of Italy. The name alone conjures up the vivid images beloved of painters: rolling landscapes punctuated by dark cypress trees and enlivened by vibrant splashes of red poppies, all bathed in that wonderful light seemingly peculiar to the region. Here we will relish not just the rural olive groves, vineyards and charming hill-top villages of the Tuscan countryside, but also some of Europe’s best-known artistic and cultural treasures not far away. On this new ‘Go Slow’ holiday we will be based just outside the coastal town of Alberese in south-western Tuscany, staying at the excellent family-run guesthouse, the Fattoria Il Duchesco, set within the wildlife-rich Maremma Regional Park. During our 7-night stay here we will be treated to some award-winning Tuscan cuisine and outstanding home-produced wine, while a visit to a nearby spa will be a wonderful way in which to relax after a day enjoying the local natural history!
On each day we will head out on gentle-paced excursions, each within easy reach of our hotel, in search of the birds, butterflies and wild flowers of the area. At Orbetello Lagoon, Greater Flamingoes, Glossy Ibises, Little Bitterns and both Squacco and Purple Herons may all be seen, together with a good range of passerine migrants. Pink Butterfly and Small-flowered Tongue Orchid are just two of the orchid species that we will look for, whilst Scarce Swallowtail and Glanville and Spotted Fritillaries may be amongst the butterflies we will see. The coastal sand dunes and Umbrella Pine woodlands of Oasi San Felice often produce such Mediterranean delights as Roller, Bee-eater and Golden Oriole, while Large Tortoiseshell and Southern Festoon may be found here too. On another day we will spend a morning at sea enjoying a boat-trip from Porto Santo Stefano in search of such seabirds as Audouin’s Gull and Scopoli’s and Yelkouan Shearwaters, as well as Bottlenose Dolphins. A visit to the Argentario Promontory and its Mediterranean maquis should please the botanists in our party, as some 42 species of orchid have been recorded here amongst the more striking Field Gladioli and Common Asphodels. During our holiday we will also enjoy the cultural charms of the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Siena, while extensions to magnificent Florence and/or Pisa can be arranged on request.
Reviews
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As our energy levels are not what they were, we were keen to go on a Naturetrek 'Go Slow in ...' holiday and this trip did not disappoint. The group and guides all got on very well and we had lots of fun. We were thrilled to see bird species that we've never seen before. The hotel was gorgeous - it had comfortable rooms, delicious food and wine. The staff were very friendly and helpful, going above and beyond what you'd expect. We've already booked our next Go Slow trip! We've now been on 3 Naturetrek holidays. The guides have all been very knowledgeable and good company and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for wildlife holidays.
D.P. Berkshire, Apr 23 -
Go Slow in Tuscany - provided expert leadership in a perfect setting with great ease of access to a variety of prime locations. The local food and hospitality was an essential ingredient to our the enjoyment of the whole experience. Both leaders provided unfailing expertise and went "over and above" our expectations to make our trip a success. Very easy to access information from website and from the company direct. Courteous and very helpful with useful hints at getting the best from our experience.
A.L. Gloucestershire, Apr 21
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Steve Gater
Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish! Other credits to his name include being the secretary of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and is the editor of newly published first edition ‘The natural history of Upper Weardale (companion volume to the 'Upper Teesdale' book). Steve is also the current President of Darlington & Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club.
Tour Leader: Steve Gater
Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish! Other credits to his name include being the secretary of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and is the editor of newly published first edition ‘The natural history of Upper Weardale (companion volume to the 'Upper Teesdale' book). Steve is also the current President of Darlington & Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club.
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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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
