dolomitesIn the Dolomites we are in the Alta Badia, nestled under majesticmountain backdrops in the neighbouring villages of Corvara andPedraces Badia about 25 miles south of the Austrian border. This is unquestionably one of the most idyllic and spectacularvalleys in the central Dolomites, which were recently grantedWorld Heritage status by Unesco. We are 90 miles north ofVenice and Verona between Cortina d'Ampezzo to the east andthe Val Gardena to the west. It is the South Tyrol at its mostbeautiful and once here it is easy to understand why we claimthe Dolomites are the world's most spectacular peaks. On acultural level, having been a part of Austria until 1918, the areais a fascinating and harmonious mix of Latin and Germanic.picos de europaIn the Picos de Europa we enjoy similarly idyllic and spectacularsurroundings. Our base is a 35 minute walk from the vibrant,mediaeval town of Potes, a colourful labyrinth of enchanting,cobbled streets with interesting shops and cafés. These radiatefrom an impressive main square with terraces that look down onthe River Liébana, which flows at the bottom of a gorgedramatically dividing the town in two. We are just 90 minutesfrom Santander and 45 minutes from the gorgeous beaches andtowering cliffs of Spain's Costa Verde, where, on the hotter days,we might walk in the cooler coastal breeze. Potes is the perfectlaunchpad for a staggering variety of walks, with the addedbonus of sensational flora, fauna and, indeed, butterflies.pyreneesA few hours east in the Pyrenees, our base is the dramatically-situated and characterful village of Panticosa set amidst the vastpeaks of the Valle de Tena just 15 minutes from the Frenchborder and slightly nearer the Atlantic end of the range. Here you can walk in both Spain and France on some of thePyrenees' best walks, including the celebrated Ordesa canyon,another Unesco World Heritage site, and the glorious Pic du Midion the French side. Once a week we also walk along the borderridge and, despite their proximity, the difference between theSpanish and French sides is a fascinating feature of a holidayhere. Like the Dolomites and Picos de Europa, the Pyrenees arerife with sensational flora, birds, butterflies and wildlife. yorkshire dalesYou are welcome all year round at our comfortable B&B in theYorkshire Dales. We have 9 delightful en suite bedrooms atEastfield Lodge, which is awarded 4 stars by Enjoy England. Thehouse is just 250m from the traditional and picturesque marketsquare of Leyburn, one of North Yorkshire's prettiest towns and a gateway to the Dales National Park. We guarantee you a warmwelcome, a homely atmosphere and all the help you need toenjoy the numerous wonderful walks and places of interest onour doorstep. See Page 70 for more about Eastfield Lodge andfor details of our attractive winter offers.Yorkshire DalesItalian DolomitesPicos de EuropaPyreneesThe Sella Massif - DolomitesWalkers in the DalesA Bedroom at Eastfield LodgeWhere are we?Three breathtaking European mountain ranges... and the Yorkshire Dales!6

A Flower Book for the DolomitesAt last! A good, superbly illustrated, inexpensive and user-friendlyreference book for flower enthusiasts visiting the Dolomites. Collett's has teamed up with our longest-standing and popular flowerwalk organisers, Cliff Booker and David Charlton, to produce a handy-sized, ring-bound pocket book, which can only enhance theexperience of anyone visiting the Dolomites to enjoy themagnificent and diverse flora. Using a minimum of technicallanguage and featuring stunning photographic close-ups, 'MountainFlowers - 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 itbefore 31 December 2011 and we'll pay for the postage and packing. We aim to follow upthis book with versions for the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees.A Week of Wildflowers, Birds & Butterflies ~May 2012with naturalist, Teresa Farino - Picos de Europa - £655 per person In association with the well known British naturalist, Teresa Farino, Collett's is delighted toannounce two special weeks in the Picos de Europa for anyone with a real interest andpassion for mountain flora and fauna. Choose either 12 to 19 May or 19 to 26 May 2012.Teresa has lived in the Picos de Europa since 1986. In addition to contributing to magazinessuch as BBC Wildlife and British Wildlife, she is probably best known as the author of thepopular Sunflower Guide 'Landscapes of the Picos de Europa', and Oxford University Press''Travellers' Nature Guide: Spain'. Her most recent book is the lavishly illustrated 'WildSpain', published in 2009 by New Holland Press.Staying at the delightful Posada El Corcal just outside Potes with our other guests, you willjoin Teresa each day (except Wednesday, a day off) to explore the natural wonders of thisstunning corner of Europe. From May to early July, the hay meadows of the Picos de Europaare simply glorious: some of the richest temperate grasslands in the world, literally teemingwith orchids and butterflies. Add to this the floral and faunal delights of the alpine rockgardens and the diversity of woodland types in the surrounding valleys - ranging fromMediterranean evergreen forests to cool, humid swathes of beech and sessile oak, frommixed deciduous canopies of ash, wych elm and small-leaved lime to extensive tracts ofPyrenean oak - and you have the recipe for the perfect natural history holiday. Togetherwith Teresa, we have prepared a factsheet, which we will be glad to send or email to you onrequest.A 10 Day Mountain Flower Special ~June 2012with Cliff Booker & David Charlton - Dolomites - £955 per personWe are delighted to offer a ten day holiday 'package' dedicated to the exceptional flora ofthe Dolomites from 23 June to 3 July. It will be hosted by Collett's, along with Cliff Bookerand David Charlton, two of our most popular flower walk organisers and authors of'Mountain Flowers - The Dolomites' (see above). Based at Haus Valentin in the glorious Alta Badia, this holiday is for enthusiasts and novicesalike. 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 atmosphereof like-minded people, there will be the odd quiz or competition, nightlylectures/slideshows and photographic advice, not to mention excellent food and acomplimentary copy of Cliff and David's superb book to take to bed with you. There will betwo days of leisure for you to explore or relax independently. The holiday includes airporttransfers from Venice and all transport locally, except the occasional chairlift / cable car orpublic bus. Non-participating partners are welcome (at £875 each) and can enjoy the otheroptions of a Collett's holiday in the normal way. Contact us for our Factsheet.What's New at Collett's?A New Flower Book - A Week of Flora & Fauna - A 10 Day Mountain Flower Special7