The Italian Dolomites Naturetrek Tour Report 18 – 25 June 2014 Alpine Toadflax Bear's-ear Primrose Hay meadow, Tamion Lady's Slipper Orchids Report and Images by Jessica Turner Naturetrek Cheriton Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 England Mill 0NG T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E:
[email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report The Italian Dolomites Tour Leaders: Jessica Turner Botanist/Naturalist Lizzie Cooke Botanist Participants: Christine Holmes Alison John Trefor John Simon Keir Ranald Lamb Angela Lechner Linda Nottage Rob Nottage Brietta Pinder Ken Sandell John Street Nigel Tuck Day 1 Wednesday 18th June Weather: warm, some cloud and thundery showers Group members met Lizzie at Gatwick Airport for the flight to Venice, where we enjoyed good views of the city as we landed at Marco Polo Airport at around 5.30pm. We soon collected our luggage, and met Jessica, who was already in Italy. We loaded the minibuses, and headed north on the A27 towards Belluno. The mountain scenery became more impressive as we travelled, with some stunning evening light on the peaks. We stopped for a break and refreshments in Agordo town square. The final leg of our journey took us via Cencenighe, where we turned west to Falcade, over the Passo San Pellegrino, and down into the Fassa Valley. It was nearly dark when we reached the little hamlet of Tamion and the Hotel Gran Mugon, our base for the week. We received a warm welcome from Katia and Stefano, and had a light but excellent meal, before retiring for some welcome rest.