52 European Wildlife Weekends

This innovative new title from Bradt is the first of its type to focus specifically on the vast array of wildlife-watching opportunities in Europe. Written by expert James Lowen, author of the best-selling 52 Wildlife Weekends: A Year of British Wildlife-Watching Breaks and award-winning A Summer of British Wildlife: 100 Great Days Out Watching Wildlife, this unique guide is packaged into 52 weekend-sized breaks highlighting the best of European wildlife - mammals, reptiles, amphibians, flora, butterflies, dragonflies and birds. We may think of snow-covered Antarctica, South American jungles or African savannas as holding the world's most plenteous and special wildlife, yet Europe heaves with wildlife wonders year-round, many of which can be seen in a simple weekend break. What would be your optimum way to spend it if you wished to travel across Europe, delighting in the continent's wildlife splendours? This book suggests one wildlife-watching break, somewhere in Europe, for every week of the year. Want to see bears? Make for Finland or Romania. Fancy a crack at wolves? Hop on a flight to northern Spain or Poland. If whales float your boat, a long weekend in Iceland, Ireland or the Bay of Biscay would suit. Orchid-lovers can head to Italy, Crete or the Costa del Sol at different points in the spring. Birdwatchers flock to see migrating raptors in Gibraltar, great gatherings of cranes in mid-France, or the breeding owls of Sweden's northern forests. Stretching from the Arctic to its boundaries with Africa and Asia, Europe has enough exciting living creatures amidst jaw-dropping landscapes to fill an entire lifetime of wildlife-watching. Ideal for both the experienced wildlife tourist and the novice, and packed with stunning colour photos, Bradt's 52 European Wildlife Weekends shows when, where and how to see the most exciting wildlife - complete with inspiring itineraries, engaging descriptions, detailed directions and tips on how to find, identify and enjoy animals and plants. Each entry gives details on species of interest and the landscapes they inhabit, plus suggestions about extending your quick break into a longer visit. An 'at a glance' box summarizes details with a thumbnail map.