We will be looking for the most beautiful Central European flowers in the west Carpathians and on one day also for steppe flora of Slovakian Karst, probably the best part of Pannonian region. If any attractive species must be mentioned, then not uncommon Lady’s Slipper and very localized endemics listed in the World Red Data Book - sweet Daphne arbuscula from Muran plateau and penduline, tear-shaped blossoms of Turna Golden Drop found only on the hill with a castle ruin near village Turna.
Landscape, as diverse as flora, changes from high rocky peaks through flowering meadows, steep forested hills creating deep valleys with rapid streams to dry plateaus with bushy vegetation. Indeed, panorama is always delightful in Slovakia and so many attractive flowers are to be found here.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Plane lands in Vienna (Austria) or direct flight to Slovakia. We sleep in a renewed middle-sized hotel in the heart of the National Park of the High Tatras with excellent cuisine. (D).
Day 2: Slovakian Karst holds excellent flora though some flowers are rather unknown to many people. Very dry and warm climate together with south-facing exposition helped to create some of the most representative steppe plant associations in Central Europe. Flowering period spans from March to October but we hope to come in the right time to see the steppes in their best. Turna Golden Drop (Onosma tornensis) is a flower of the beginning summer but we will try to find some early blossoms of this local endemic.
In Slovakian Karst, we visit two or three nature reserves and should find local flora still flourishing before the strong sun dries calcareous slopes completely. Many attractive species are possible here; Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Limodorum abortivum, Adriatic Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum adriaticum), Bladder milk-vetch (Astragalus vesicarius), Draba klasterskyi or flaxes (Linum flavum et tenuifolium), Pannonicum Thyme (Thymus pannonicus), Austrian or Spanish Viper’s Grass (Scorzonera austriaca et hispanica), and, depending on luck, also the beautiful Austrian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum austriacum). (B/L/D).
Day 3: Today we plan a visit to the Muran plateau. The most charming plant of this area is for many people Daphne arbuscula, well known from gardens thanks to its beautiful smell. It is very difficult to find it in an accessible place because it favours cliff edges, but our walk will be easy as we know where to find it. Together with it we find Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus) or Draba aizoides and not far from here, Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) or White and Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonium et rubra).
After lunch we move on to explore fine meadows and a small brook valley in the north of the area. We hope for first Campanulas and many other meadow flowers, along the stream, we certainly find some Lady´s Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), inconspicious and delicate Coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida), Frog Orchid (Coeloglossum viride), Bird´s-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) or Alpine Larkspur (Delphinium elatum). (B/L/D).
Day 4: The High Tatras are the highest Carpathian mountain range reaching over 7800 feet. Its central part consists mainly of granite and is not so rich in plant species. Nevertheless, some fine Carpathian specialities can be found here. Well known Least Primrose (Primula minima) is accompanied here by Carpathian Snowbell (Soldanella carpatica), White Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla alba) or Narcissus-flowered Anemone (Anemone narcissiflora). We will search for them in the alpine zone, accessible by a cableway and a chairlift and with a terminal in the saddle under the highest peaks.
About 1000 feet lower but still above the tree line, we find Lousewort (Pedicularis oederi) or Alpine Bellflower (Campanula alpina) around a small mountain lake. In the afternoon, we return to lower elevations to look for the endemic Erysium wahlenbergii and wittmannii, Large Yellow Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora), Common Spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and Early Marsh Orchid (D. incarnata) or Marsh Forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris). (B/L/D).
Day 5: On the next days, we plan only one more visit to the alpine zone. However, some true alpine species will be found, such as dealpines in deeply cut valleys. We change hotels and go to Mala Fatra. En route we stop at the Rojkov peatbog for two carnivorous species of Sundew (Drosera) and Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris).
Chocske hills are a rather forgotten and seldom visited complex of parallel valleys with a few cliffs hanging over the carpets of trees. Along a forest track, we can spot Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Bastard Balm (Melittis melissophyllum), May Lily (Maianthemum bifolium), Globe-flower (Trollius altissimus), Round-headed and Spiked Rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare et spicatum), Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) or Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), some orchids also should be present.
After taking a different path, we get to a rock with nesting Wallcreeper. In the stony terrain below, islets of Hungarian Pink whiten (Dianthus hungaricus). We sleep in a brand new hotel in the village Terchova for rest of the tour. (B/L/D).
Day 6: In Mala Fatra we first explore a small canyon not far from where we sleep. Walk is absolutely easy and we find couple of most sought-after flowers along the path. On the meadows surrounding the entrance to the gorge, there are two or three species of orchids still in bloom. Moving on we find False Daisy (Bellidiastrum michelii), (Cortusa matthioli), Bear’s Ear (Primula auricula), Lathyrus vernus, Soldanella hungarica, Alpine Butterwort (Pinguicula alpina), Whorled Solomon’s Seed (Polygonatum verticillatum) and Clusius’ Gentian (Gentiana clusii) just few feet from the path.
Before noon we continue to the Terchova valley and have lunch in a traditional restaurant. If the lift to alpine meadows is working we climb up and stay for an hour or two. Up there we find usual mix of flowers seen already below and hopefully endemic of west Carpathians – Dianthus nitidus. Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala), Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna) and Alpine Coltsfoot (Homogyne alpina) are the typical flowers here. In case we won’t be able to make it there, we stay in the valley and explore flowering meadows at ease. (B/L/D).
Day 7: Velka Fatra is one of the largest Slovakian mountains. The longest valley is 28 kilometers long. Moreover, no larger settlement can be found within this Landscape Protected Area. We will be allowed to get further inside by a vehicle on a special permission.
Local attraction – the fragile Cyclamen fatrense – just starts to emerge from the last year’s beech leaves and we have to look about thoroughly for it. Along the road, we will try to find especially Matted Globularia (Globularia cordifolia), Bird’s Eye Primrose (Primula farinosa), One-flowered Wintergreen (Moneses uniflora), Perrennial Honesty (Lunaria rediviva), Alpine Clematis (Clematis alpina), Round-headed Orchid (Traunsteinera globosa), Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) and others. We also hope for some species of Saxifrage during the trip both in the mountains and in the southern hills. (B/L/D).
Day 8: We check out of the hotel and go to meet our plane in Krakow. It’s about a three-hour drive through Orava region with the magnificent Orava castle and some 60 miles in Poland through loose villages and small towns. (B/L/D).
Day 9: A few days in the Czech Republic combined with garden visits and cultural excursions may be arranged easily with this tour. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes: complete land arrangement including 3-,4-star hotels, service of guide and local experts, coach tranport, full-board, etc.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Austria
Ecotourism
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
