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Saxifraga felineri
© Teresa Farino
A Feast of Flowers
Discover the orchids and other botanical treasures of the Picos de Europa, northern Spain.
Deep-azure gentians, saxifrages and orchids galore and almost-black pasque flowers are just some of the delights in store during this week-long botanical holiday in the southeastern corner of the Picos de Europa. More than 1500 species of vascular plants have been recorded in this small range of mountains in northern Spain, including many wildflowers that were once common in the British Isles but are rarely seen today, such as Spotted Rock-rose, Alpine Rock-cress, Rock Cinquefoil, Ground-pine, Wall Germander, Greater Yellow-rattle, Round-headed Leek and Whorled Solomon's-seal.
Here too grow some 50 species of orchids, of which we can expect to see around half during our tour, including British rarities such as Early Spider Ophrys and Lizard Orchid,
 Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla rubra ssp. hispanica © Teresa Farino
as well as several plants that are unique to the Picos de Europa, including the stunning yellow-flowered saxifrage Saxifraga felineri (see above). Numerous other Picos plants are found only in the Cordillera Cantábrica and Pyrenees.
Much of the floristic diversity of the Picos de Europa occurs in the fabulous expanses of traditionally managed haymeadows, which are considered to be some of the most species-rich Atlantic grasslands remaining in the world today. We will be exploring these meadows in all their glory, on both acid and basic soils, from altitudes of 300 to 1500 metres, as well as admiring the 'alpine' wildflowers of the high-altitude limestone pastures above Fuente Dé, at around 2000 metres, and visiting more boggy habitats on siliceous bedrock near San Glorio. We will also take in the major woodland types present, from sub-Mediterranean evergreen oak forests, through mid-altitude Pyrenean Oak woods to the extensive tracts of beech that rise to the tree-line, in search of more shade-tolerant flowers.
Although we will be focussing primarily on the wildflowers of the Picos de Europa, we will be hard put to ignore the other super-abundant wildlife of these mountains, including a wealth of birds and butterflies, many amphibians and reptiles, and the odd mammal. And all this against a superb backdrop of jagged peaks towering over green valleys dotted with small, red-roofed villages, where livestock farming in harmony with the environment is still the order of the day.
Nigritella gabasiana
© Teresa Farino
A Feast of Flowers
Leader: Teresa Farino
2012 Dates: Sat. 26 May - Sat. 2 June
Price: 1,150€, including half-board, en suite accommodation at Posada
El Hoyal, picnic lunches,
minibus/4WD transport throughout, all entry fees and the services of Teresa Farino as
leader. A single-room supplement of 130€ is applicable.
Although the cost of this tour is given in euros, clients may pay in sterling, the exchange rate to be calculated at the time of payment using www.oanda.com
This is a land-based tour. Flights and travel insurance (obligatory) are the responsibility of the client.
Pick-up details: Santander is by far the most convenient airport for this tour. On Saturday 26 May Teresa will be meeting Ryanair flight FR2612 from London Stansted, which arrives in Santander at 16.55. On Saturday 2 June, Teresa will take you back to Santander airport in plenty of time to catch Ryanair flight FR2613 at 17.20, which arrives at London Stansted at 18.10.
Alternatively, those travelling to the Picos independently can arrange to meet the group at the hotel on the first evening.
Group size: maximum 8 clients.
Booking information:
please contact Teresa Farino for further details and a booking form, or if you have any queries about this tour.
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| Office phone: | (+34) 942 735154 |
| Mobile phone: | (+34) 656 337129 |
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| Address: |
Apartado de Correos 59
39570 Potes
Cantabria
Spain
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