Spain - Extremadura in Winter

This was an excellent tour that exceeded expectations. It was fascinating to experience this region of Spain, which we knew little about. The content was very much as expected from the tour description and held our interest throughout. Given the mild and sunny weather and the slow pace with plenty of time at each stop, it was just right. The itinerary was well constructed and built up well to the day at Monfrague national park, which was a real gem. Our tour leaders Niki and Philip did an excellent job. The effort they put into planning the activities each day and making sure that we all had the opportunity to view sightings through the scope contributed significantly to the success of the holiday. The approach taken by Naturetrek to the pandemic, which enabled us to transfer our original booking, has been excellent and much appreciated.

AA, Hampshire, Nov 2021

Our tour leaders Robert and Oriol's bird knowledge was second to none and their observation skills were equally impressive. The amphibians, butterflies and flowers they showed us were also a real pleasure to all the group. The hotel location was wonderful too.

PC & MC, Lancashire, Feb 20

Our tour leader, Robert, was absolutely delightful and a first class guide. I believe he found every bird that was on the checklist, even the Great Bustard and Imperial Eagle. The whole holiday was magnificent. He really cared for us all, and our picnic lunches were the best. The accommodation was also excellent. I was very satisfied with the whole holiday.

RG, Co Kerry, Ireland, Nov 19

The leader Laura Benito was absolutely lovely, knowledgeable and caring and prepared to go the extra 2 miles to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. With Simon Woolley they formed an excellent team. Their combined expertise - including language - guaranteed the success of the trip at every level and in every situation. I would happily go with them anywhere else.

M.W. Northamptonshire

David Morris excelled as trip leader and demonstrated his in-depth knowledge of the area, to produce some really cracking finds especially on the last day.

J.H. Somerset

A very enjoyable trip in an area new to me. The tour leader Peter Dunn was extremely helpful and adaptable. The hotel was quiet, peaceful and comfortable. The home cooked food was excellent.

R.S. Cheshire

Accommodation was excellent, nice setting, warm hospitality and excellent (though unusual) food. Both guides were great and their banter enlivened the outings.

B.M. East Sussex

This trip was our first trip with Naturetrek and surpassed all expectations. The leaders both tried their utmost to ensure that all members of the party had views of the target birds. Our lists, without their patience, would have been much shorter. The lunch time catering and picnic sites were delightful. Our accommodation was lovely. The setting was scenic and the building itself charming. Our hosts made us feel most welcome. They were very attentive and Belen provided an astonishing range of the most delicious dishes when needed. All in all, I simply cannot imagine a better holiday. We were fortunate to have joined such a friendly group. The holiday for me was made by the company and the guides. From loading the minibuses at Madrid airport, to taking our luggage off the carousel at Heathrow, Peter could not possibly have done more. The guides worked such long days, but remained cheerful and friendly; they are both a great asset to your company. Thank you to all of you for providing us with such a memorable experience.

P.B. Lincolnshire

It's 30 years since we went on an organised birding trip, having done lots on our own in the intervening period. I was up till 2am the day we got back looking through your brochure for the next one. Many thanks.

R.B. Lincolnshire

This was my first wildlife holiday. I have learned a huge amount. I loved being out of doors all day in clear, calm, open spaces. Extremadura has a magnificent profusion of bird life.

J.M. London

I was very impressed with the hotel, the facilities and the owners' attention to every detail, wonderful food especially for vegetarians. An excellent holiday with wonderful views of some great wildlife.

H.B. Norfolk

A well planned and excellent trip which enabled us to see rare raptors, such as Bonnelli eagles and many kinds of birds not seen in the UK. A small group experience makes for great opportunities. Best of all though is the sight and sound of the wonderful cranes over wintering in the marshlands. Everything is well planned and thought through. It is the quality of the guides which in my experience is second to none.

R.M. Nottinghamshire

Although it was a winter tour we actually had really good weather, sunshine and up to 18 C every day and no rain. We stayed six nights in the delightful rural hotel Viña las Torres just south of Trujillo, which was about three hours from Madrid. The accommodation was excellent with large, comfortable rooms and lovely home cooked food. There were five people in our group with one Naturetrek guide, Byron Palacios, and every day we went out in a minibus to various locations looking for birds. The list of birds we saw was very extensive, the highlights being the Griffon, Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures and the Great and Little Bustards, with such other interesting species as Great Spotted Cuckoo, Bonneli's Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bluethroat, Penduline Tit and Pin-tailed- and Black Sandgrouse. We went to a variety of sites within at most half- to three-quarters of an hour away, including the Monfragüe National Park. We had a picnic lunch every day. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative trip, made especially so by the excellent bird finding and identification skills of our guide Byron.

R.B. London

The holiday accommodation was particularly good; the owners were charming. Both the trip leaders worked really hard to ensure everyone gained as much as they could from this holiday. Brilliant picnic lunches.

M.E. Kent

Great holiday. Excellent attentive leaders. A very congenial group and delightful hosts.

N.S. London

An excellent trip and as usual Naturetrek chose a brilliant small family run hotel. The food was first class. Byron and Julian were great company. Great relaxed birding and we found nearly all the species to be expected. Another very enjoyable holiday.

A.M. Sutherland

I want to thank Andy Tucker for doing an excellent job of rescuing the tour for us after the devastating news that the Spanish general strike had caused our flights to be cancelled. He managed to organise alternative flights at very short notice, giving each of us a choice of how to proceed. I suspect he worked very long hours and I really appreciate it. I wouldn't have missed the tour for the world. Thank you, Andy! Byron and Julian were wonderful, showing huge enthusiasm and energy. They were amazingly clever at spotting and identifying birds that there is no way we would have found without their expertise. Together they made sure that we had a genuinely enjoyable time and their company was as important as their knowledge and expertise to the enjoyment of the trip. The hotel was great as I have a very awkward set of dietary requirements. Belen was amazing as she came up with delicious wheat, tomato and meat-free versions of pretty much every meal. She and Juan-Pedro were wonderful hosts (and their daughter is a brilliant pianist).

K.L. Suffolk

I was totally impressed by Byron and Julian's bird knowledge and their ability to find them. The birdwatching was really excellent considering that I went as a less-than-knowledgeable wife. Excellent picnic lunches too! The hotel was a fantastic place, highly original with good food and nice wines.

M.S. West Yorkshire

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this short time in Extremadura. The accommodation and food was delightful, and Juan-Pedro and Belen could not have been more helpful and hospitable. As for Byron Palacios and Julian Gayarre, they certainly went that extra mile to find birds and mammals.

D.H. Middlesex

Byron and Julian worked tirelessly to ensure a varied and interesting itinerary. They both ensured that all the group had access to telescopic sightings of birds and helped with the taking of photographs. The days were well-balanced, with a great variety of habitats. The hotel Vina Las Tores was a delight. Such attentive hosts and excellent food. A most memorable holiday - thank you!

C.W. Hampshire

Byron and Julian made a wonderful "team" to lead the group. I was so impressed with the faultless organisation, their hard work and the excellent picnics they provided.

A.W. Oxfordshire

The hotel is a beautiful place, especially the garden with welcoming and attentive hosts and very good food. The leaders were excellent ornithologists and excellent drivers. Helpful and pleasant.

D.R. Wiltshire

I really liked the Naturetrek brochure as it gave so much detail about each trip. I was really impressed with the way the Naturetrek office, Andy Tucker in particular, dealt with the flight cancellation by British Airways and kept us immediately in touch and up-to-date with the alternatives available to us. Thank you also to Linda for letting us have the e-ticket before we left home. The accommodation booked for us was excellent, both in the facilities provided, the friendliness of the hotel owners and in the presentation and content of all the meals. I liked the fact that all food was provided. I was delighted to find that the tour was all about seeing birds by visiting lots of different habitats and spending time at each. I also liked the relaxed lunchtime with food provided and time to wander and find birds in our way.

P.R. Devon