The aim of the Travel Club is to promote excursions to various orchid related events in the UK and Europe, as well as to arrange longer holidays to worldwide events and orchid rich areas. People who do not wish to travel on their own will instantly be part of a group which shares a common interest.
The trips to European orchid events will be made by executive grade coach, thus allowing plenty of room for general and orchid shopping, or where this is not possible flights and accommodation will be recommended.
The International trips will be by air with the choice of regional airports. For events such as World Orchid Congresses, flights and hotel accommodation will be recommended. For trips to countries where orchids grow, there will be a full itinerary of excursions to see orchids growing in their natural habitats, and to experience the delights of the country. Not all of these trips involve a lot of walking so are suitable for all. If you have any doubts then please enquire.
The OSGB is proposing two trips for 2012, with the help of Tony Milhofer of Routes To Suit Travel, who has previously arranged trips for the Society to Dijon, Dresden, Padua and Northern Cyprus. Both trips, and optional excursions, will depend on having enough interested members, who should get in touch with the relevant contacts as soon as possible.
Wild flowers of Northern Cyprus
15–22 March 2012
Following the success of a similar tour in March 2010 (OSGBJ (2010), 59(4): 261) this escorted tour of Northern Cyprus will include walks to see orchids and other endemic plants growing in the wild along with visits to historic sites.
Day 1 Travel to Kyrenia and check in to Pia Bella Hotel (website:
www.piabella.com).
Day 2 Meet and greet, welcome cocktail at the hotel in the morning after breakfast, information on the island and the tour, remaining day at leisure. Suggested walk: Kyrenia and Kyrenia harbour tour.
Day 3 Full day tour to St Hilarion Castle and the Bellapais Abbey with lunch (excluding alcoholic drinks) and visit to flower museum.
Day 4 Day at leisure.
Day 5 Day tour, depart in the morning for Hisarkoy to see orchids as well as village life, taste traditional bread and locally produced organic olive oil and lemonade. Followed by a visit to Tepebasi to see wild tulips growing in the fields. Return to the hotel late afternoon, remaining day at leisure.
Day 6 Full day guided walk between Alev Kayasi and Girne Kayasi, approx 6km moderate walk where many type of orchids can be seen as well as other wild endemic plants and flowers. Good walking shoes and clothing is required for this day. Packed lunch will be supplied.
Day 7 Day at leisure. Optional tour: Trip to Karpaz peninsula.
Day 8 Transfer to Ercan Airport for return flight to UK.
Price per person: £645 sharing a twin/double superior room (single supplement £90 per week). This includes: flights from Stansted with Pegasus Airlines (20kg baggage allowance), hotel accommodation (half board), above itinerary, airport transfers and the services of an English speaking tour manager.
Please contact Val Micklewright, tel: 01293 528615, e-mail:
Val Micklewright if you would like join this tour.
Budapest, Hungary: 15th European Orchid Congress and Show
11–15 April 2012
This trip allows plenty of time for members to visit the congress and show at the SYMA Event Centre or take time out to explore the city on their own. Several optional excursions are offered to give a wider experience of Budapest (based on a minimum of 20 people, to include transport and English speaking guide). Hungary is a member of the EU, so plants purchased at the show may be brought back in hold or cabin baggage or carried by hand.
Members wishing to attend the congress can register at
www.eocbudapest.hu/congress.php (early bird registration before 31 December 2011).
Day 1 Depart Heathrow at 08.50. Transfer to hotel, the elegant Hotel Novotel Budapest Centrum, a 1911 Art Nouveau style historic building (website:
www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-3560-novotel-budapest-centrum/index.shtm). Optional lunch at the Grand Market Hall (three courses plus one drink) – £25.00.
Day 2 Optional daily return coach transfers between hotel and SYMA event centre can be pre-booked, Thursday to Sunday – £16.00 per day.
Day 3 Optional dinner at Karpartia restaurant, to sample delicious Hungarian cuisine and traditional gypsy music in a beautiful, period atmosphere (website:
www.karpatia.hu/en) – £70.00.
Day 4 Optional day trip to Lake Balaton, including a visit to the Herend porcelain factory, Tihany Benedictine Abbey and a glass of wine on the shore of Lake Balaton – £62.00. (Own arrangements for lunch.)
Day 5 Transfer to airport, depart Budapest at 19.00.
Price per person: £560. This includes: flights from London Heathrow with British Airways (baggage allowance 23kg), hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast), and airport transfers. Initial deposit of £50 payable to Routes To Suit Travel, further deposit then payable for accommodation and balance due eight weeks prior to departure.
Please contact Sam Hurley if you are interested in joining this trip, tel: 07900 250 247, e-mail:
Sam Hurley
Southern Ecuador and Northern Peru 2012
There is a trip being arranged for 2012 to Southern Ecuador and Northern Peru. More details in the OSGB Journal Vol. 58 No.4 or contact Sally Mill 01293 547896.
Please Note : This trip is now full.
Wild orchids of Slovenia
May 2013
A return trip to Slovenia is planned in 2013 for a tailor-made week of orchid hunting; see OSGBJ (2009), 58(4): 248. To get a flavour of the trip visit
www.walkslovenia.com or contact Val Micklewright, tel: 01293 528615, e-mail:
Val Micklewright
It is not necessary for all travellers to be members of the Orchid Society of Great Britain, so you can take your friends and relations with you. Most trips will be of interest to both orchid enthusiasts and those with other interests.
