Locations in Europe to see wildflowers
May 25th, 2002, 01:05 PM
#1
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Locations in Europe to see wildflowers
After our trip to Greece this April, Alaska in July 2001 and Glacier Park in 2000 I'm trying to find more such spectacular locations with wildflowers. We are in a process of updating our vacation places for 2003 and 2004 and would like to include some amazing places. Do you have suggestions for such places? <BR>Thanks<BR>
May 25th, 2002, 02:28 PM
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This isn't first-hand experience, but .. we visited the Alentejo in Portugal a few years back (in Sept, far too late for wild flowers). The hotel we stayed at runs wild-flower and bird-watching tours, and we saw photos of spectacular flower meadows taken in the spring. Here's the website - it's a lovely place, at any time of year! http://www.paradise-in-portugal.com/<BR><BR>Also, the Burren in W. Ireland has a unique mixture of coastal and alpine flora. Indeed have you considered the Alps?
May 26th, 2002, 05:58 AM
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Ruth, thank you for information and the website of the hotel in Portugal. It sounds fantastic. Unfortunatelly, I have no luck to connect to www. paradise-in-portugal.com Is this address correct? I will try again and again if it is. Do you remember the name of the hotel?<BR>We're going to French Alps this September, I know it is too late for Alpine flowers but this July we will be once again in Alaska. Do you think July is the best time or June or August? <BR><BR>Sheila, would you please give me more information about the area in Scottland you mentioned? How to get there? Are there hiking trails? Is May, in your opinion better than June? Scottland is on our list of places to be visited and my husband would love to go as his great-great-great grandfather is from there
May 26th, 2002, 06:10 AM
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Hi gina:<BR>I would add to your list a trip to the Pyrenees in early July. We trekked around parc nacional aiguestortes and the area around Nuria both in Catalunya Spain. Both reachable by car (and train in the case of Nuria) within a few hours of Barcelona.<BR>The profusion and variety of flowers in addition to the glorious scenery is drawing us back again this summer. <BR>Check out the website www.valldenuria.com which shows some of the flora you can hope to see.<BR>Early July is apparently the best time to see the flowers in the area.<BR>You can do this area in combination with the rest of Catalunya, Spain (Barcelona and perhaps the Costa Brava, or you can easily be in France and perhaps Provence.<BR>Have fun with your plans.
May 26th, 2002, 08:19 AM
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Gina<BR><BR>Both the Inner and Outer Hebrides-the necklace of islands which stretches down the west side of Scotland- have what is called "machair"; shell rich sandy soil, which, combined with the climate nd the general lack of people, leads to the greatest bundance of wildflowers.<BR><BR>If you get to Glasgow- direct flights from just about everywhere, you can either fly to where you want, or take the train and or bus or drive and then take the many various ferries. For the timetables see<BR>http://www.calmac.co.uk/explore_frameset.html<BR><BR>calmac do a couple of island rover type tickets which let you travel about the islands.<BR><BR>As to walking, in Scotland you can walk just about anywhere, legally. There are few waymarked routes but most of teh islands have leaflets a small books which recommend places to walk. have a look at <BR><BR>http://www.walkhebrides.com/holidays/walks/<BR><BR>It's hard to say which month is better. I'm pretty certain that by early July, the best is past, tho'.<BR><BR>The following websites may help<BR><BR>http://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/pages/aboutus_links.htm<BR><BR>http://www.art-of-travel.com/articles.htm#scotland<BR><BR>http://www.visithebrides.com/<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>
May 27th, 2002, 11:55 AM
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Sorry you couldn't connect - I just tried by cutting and pasting the address and it was fine. The hotel is Quinta do Barranco da Estrada, owned by Frank and Lulu McClintock. http://www.paradise-in-portugal.com/
May 28th, 2002, 10:15 AM
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Thank you all again for some great ideas.<BR>Lynn:<BR>Pyrenees in early July 2004 are now on our list. It will be our first trip to Spain<BR><BR>mpprh<BR>I need to read more about Cevennes and Garrigues before asking any questions on these two spots. Thanks for now<BR><BR>Sheila<BR>Scotland in 2003 in the end of June is on our list. Thank you for all those website addresses<BR><BR>Ruth:<BR>I got it! What a fantastic place. We were planning on going to Crete in April 2003 but now we have to decide between Portugal and Crete
