Walking holidays & more

Walking Holidays in Italy

flower walking in the dolomites with collett’s

Explosions of colour in wildflower-strewn meadows ~ hundreds of rare species
relaxed and informal flower walks throughout June and July

Our alpine walking holidays in the Dolomites happen to take place in an outstanding and world-renowned area for wildflowers and it is one of life's great pleasures to walk among them. The Dolomites present a slightly different geology from the main alpine chain and many rare species are at their best here, notably Campanula morettiana, Eritrichium nanum, Paederota bonarota, Papaver rhaeticum, Potentilla nitida, Ranunculus seguieri and the very beautiful Physoplexis comosa.

As with our walking holidays in the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa, the Dolomites are on the doorstep of some of the most celebrated floral sites in Europe, such as the Bindelweg, the Belvedere, Pordoi, the Sella Massif and Val Gardena. Habitats vary from vivid and profuse upland meadows teeming with orchids and wildflowers to rocky outcrops where countless alpine gems thrive in the most perfect of settings.

In spring, as the snow retreats, crocuses and hepaticas appear and the flower season begins. By early/mid June, the alpine pastures are smothered in startling colour ‐ the yellows of the arnicas, geums and poppies ‐ the pinks, mauves and reds of the soldanellas, daphne, primulas and rhododendrons ‐ the stunning blues of the campanulas and gentians and, in its high mountain home, the 'King of the Alps', Eritrichium nanum. July enhances this botanical array with edelweiss, lilies, potentillas and orchids, creating a truly floral paradise under a high summer sun.

Photographing the 'Lady's Slipper Orchid'

Organised flower walks with Collett's

Five days a week (not Wednesdays or Saturdays) in June and July only, you can walk with a dedicated specialist, finding and identifying vivid and rare species in locations of specific excellence. These walks are free of charge and entirely optional. Our flower walkers are accomplished floral photographers and they will help you capture these exquisite subjects. Twice a week they offer a talk and slideshow in the evening, where those with a layman's interest are as much at home as the passionate enthusiast.

Simply drop into Office Hour and our flower specialists will tell you about the walks they are proposing the following day. They will also help you identify flowers from pictures you might have taken whilst out and about. Similarly, it is common to see guests at Office Hour comparing photographs and consulting reference books amongst themselves. It is the ideal platform for a flower walking holiday whether you have casual or keen interest in flowers. packed lunch.

A Flower Book for the Dolomites

At last! A good, superbly illustrated, inexpensive and user-friendly reference book for flower enthusiasts visiting the Dolomites. Collett’s has teamed up with our longest-standing and popular flower walk organisers, Cliff Booker and David Charlton, to produce a handy-sized, ring-bound pocket book, which can only enhance the experience of anyone visiting the Dolomites to enjoy the magnificent and diverse flora. Using a minimum of technical language and featuring stunning photographic close-ups, ‘Mountain Flowers - The Dolomites’ is expected off the press early in the New Year. You can buy a copy at £9.95 (plus £1.65 UK P&P) when booking your holiday or pre-order it before December 31st 2011 and we’ll pay for the postage and packing. We aim to follow up this book with versions for the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees.

A 10 Day Dolomites Mountain Flower Special

with Cliff Booker & David Charlton - The glorious Alta Badia, Italian Dolomites
£955 per person - Half Board - June 2012

In addition to our usual walking holidays in the Dolomites, we are delighted to offer a holiday package dedicated to the exceptional flora of the Dolomites from 23rd June to 3rd July. It will be hosted by Collett’s, along with Cliff Booker and David Charlton, two of our most popular and experienced flower walk organisers and authors of ‘Mountain Flowers – The Dolomites,’ their superb new handbook mentioned above.

Based at Haus Valentin in the glorious Alta Badia, this holiday is for enthusiasts and novices alike. Cliff and David will offer fascinating floral walks (each day with mixed ability options) including excursions to renowned and flower-rich locations. In a light-hearted atmosphere of like-minded people, there will be the odd quiz or competition, nightly lectures/slideshows and photographic advice, not to mention excellent food and a complimentary copy of Cliff and David’s superb book to take to bed with you. There will be two days of leisure for you to explore or relax independently. The holiday includes airport transfers from Venice and all transport locally, except the occasional chairlift / cable car or public bus. Non-participating partners are welcome (at £875 each) and can enjoy the other options of a Collett’s holiday in the normal way. Together with Cliff & David, we have prepared a factsheet, which we will be glad to send or email to you on request. *Wednesday is also a day off for Collett's and dinner is not served. Guests eat out locally at restaurants, which we are happy to recommend.

'Mountain Flower Holidays in Europe' by Lionel Bacon

If you would like to know more about the flora, we can send you, by kind permission of the Alpine Garden Society, an extract from 'Mountain Flower Holidays in Europe' by Lionel Bacon or click here. It will convince you this is an exceptional area for flowers.

At your own risk

Please note that you join our Organised Itineraries and make use of our ideas & information at your own risk. It is important that you understand that whilst our Organisers have substantial local knowledge and are familiar with the routes which our Organised Walks follow, they are not qualified mountain guides.