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Location Highlights
- The Dolomites - explore towering pinnacles and castellations carpeted in vibrant wildflowers teeming with butterflies, including many alpine specialities
- Tuscany - rolling landscapes rich in birdlife, picturesque hill-top villages and cultural wonders
- Abruzzo National Park - search for some of Italy's iconic wildlife far from the tourist crowds, including Marsican Brown Bear, Apennine Wolf, Wild Boar and an array of birds
Tailormade Holidays in Italy
Tailormade | Tour Code: TITAItaly offers countless opportunities to enthral the naturalist, from Brown Bears, Wolves and Wild Boar of the Abruzzo National Park, to Mediterranean birding specialities along the coast. Create your own Tailormade holiday to Italy with dates and an itinerary to suit you.
When to Visit
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SAMPLE HOLIDAY: Italy's Abruzzo National Park
5 days from £2,395 (Flight Inclusive)
Explore this spectacular region in search of the Marsican Brown Bear, amongst many other wildlife highlights
Location Highlights
- The Dolomites - explore towering pinnacles and castellations carpeted in vibrant wildflowers teeming with butterflies, including many alpine specialities
- Tuscany - rolling landscapes rich in birdlife, picturesque hill-top villages and cultural wonders
- Abruzzo National Park - search for some of Italy's iconic wildlife far from the tourist crowds, including Marsican Brown Bear, Apennine Wolf, Wild Boar and an array of birds
Summary
Italy casts its magical spell on many of its visitors, who find themselves returning again and again to explore different regions of this wonderful part of Europe.
The country's ancient cities such as Rome, Venice and Florence are breathtaking, but these are not the only places to find architectural and artistic masterpieces. The Colosseum, Grand Canal and Ponte Vecchio might be world renowned, but equally enchanting are the hundreds of small, fortified hilltop towns and villages scattered throughout the country containing a network of often deserted cobbled streets echoing to the sound of church bells, the church itself often hiding its own treasures.
Italy’s landscape is also spectacular. The rolling hills of Tuscany outlined by dark cypress trees are perhaps many people’s perception of the country. However, over 75% of the country is mountainous with the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines being probably the most well-known and providing wonderful mountain walks. In addition, Italy offers the beautiful Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, the Amalfi coast, the wonders of Pompeii, volcanoes, mountains, ancient cities and some of the best food and wine in the world – the whole bathed in that wonderful light seemingly unique to Italy and so beloved of the Old Masters.
Italy also offers countless opportunities to enthral the naturalist, from the Brown Bears, Wolves and Wild Boar of the Abruzzo National Park, to carpets of vibrant alpine wildflowers teeming with butterflies in the Dolomites, and Mediterranean birding specialties along the coast, and many more highlights besides!
Our Destinations
The Apennine Mountains stretch the length of Italy and provide a refuge for much of Italy’s most interesting natural history. The Abruzzo National Park, in the rural heart of the central Apennines, was established in 1923 by royal decree in recognition of the wildlife importance of the area. Extensive Beech forests harbour healthy populations of Marsican Brown Bear and Apennine Wolf, along with Wild Boar, Red and Roe Deer. Abruzzo Chamois and Alpine Chough inhabit the higher mountain slopes, where limestone peaks tower above valleys with fast-flowing streams, and attractive medieval villages cling to the hillsides. This is a working rural landscape of traditional sheep and cattle farming, where the local indigenous Maremma sheepdogs still protect the flocks (often in the absence of shepherds). May and September are considered the best months for viewing the region’s plethora of mammals, with dawn and dusk usually proving the most successful for sightings. Birds, too, are plentiful, with the forests being home to a number of species including Goshawk, Common Crossbill and the rare Lilford’s subspecies of White-backed Woodpecker, whilst the mountainous areas support Golden Eagle, Alpine Accentor and Red-billed Chough. Migrant species, too, are abundant, providing much variety, and butterflies and plants are also well represented; Abruzzo’s wild flowers are stunning and one of the highlights of a visit during late spring/early summer. It is possible to find 25+ orchid species during a week’s stay in the park, from the striking Adriatic Lizard and exotic-looking Lady's Slipper Orchids to the more subtle, yet delightful, Coralroot Orchid.
Combined with delicious traditional cuisine and aromatic local wines, a natural history holiday to Abruzzo offers a thoroughly well-rounded Italian experience, far from the tourist crowds.
Located in north eastern Italy, many believe the Dolomites landscape to be amongst the most beautiful in the whole of Italy. The mountains take their name from the predominant mineral — dolomite — from which they are formed, a type of crystalline magnesium limestone. The range is characterised by towering pinnacles and castellations, with constant changes in colour as rock crystals catch and reflect the light. Here, one can follow in the footsteps of the turn-of-the-century alpine botanist, Reginald Farrier, exploring this fascinating landscape, which is home to some fabulous alpine specialities. Rich valley meadows, magnificent spruce forests, high pastures and rocky terrain are home to spectacular and varied displays of alpine flora, especially in spring, with some exciting rarities. The orchid list includes the Military, Dwarf, Marsh and Scented Orchids, with other flora including fine Pedicularis species, Pulsatillas, Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum, the ‘King of the Alps’ Eritrichium nanum, and many other flowering herbs besides. These, in turn, attract a vibrant array of Alpine butterflies and birds.
Sample Itineraries
Explore this spectacular region in search of the Marsican Brown Bear, amongst many other wildlife highlights
The Essentials
- Wildlife Guides: Good local English-speaking naturalists are available as well as specialist birding guides.
- When to Visit: Italy is a year-round destination with each season bringing its own special highlights. Whilst birders traditionally tend to favour Spring, lured to the arrival of the Summer migrants and the promise of sunny days and comfortable temperatures; September is also a wonderful time to visit Abruzzo for the best chances of Marsican Brown Bear. June is the best time for those with an interest in butterflies, and the flora of the Dolomites is spectacular at this time.
J F M A M J J A S O N D Y Y Y YY YY YY YY YY YY YY Y Y - Getting Around: Most Tailormade guests will choose to travel around Italy in a private vehicle driven by their guide, although the country is served by an excellent road network so those preferring to self-drive will be well accommodated.
Accommodation
Why Naturetrek Tailormade?
'A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.
Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age
Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!'
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