It is Norway's majestic coastal fjords thatso epitomise the country's scenicsplendour; yet, inland, lie some of themost attractive and varied landscapes inScandinavia. Indeed, since agricultural useaffects a meagre 4% of the country,Norway's interior has a great deal to offerthe naturalist; its wild, wide-open spacesharbouring a great variety of interestingArctic-alpine plants and animals. By way offurther attraction, the country's highstandard of living ensures excellentfacilities. Thus, at the end of each day outin the wilderness we may enjoy a retreat toour base in Kamben for the week, a friendlyand comfortable family-run hotel servingplenty of good traditional Norwegian food.Kamben, just four hours by road from Oslo,is ideally situated for botanical exploration,lying just below the tree-line at 790 metres,and just 15 kilometres north of theattractive and convenient town of Gol, insouthern Norway's Buskerud province.Spring, though, comes late to this highplateau of Golsfjellet and its surroundingpeaks; there being a quick and intenseblossoming of plants during the long daysof mid-July. Then, abundant flowers attractnumerous colourful butterflies and otherinsects, whilst breeding birds are highlyactive in their efforts to raise young duringso short a season.Our aim during this week-long holidaywill be to explore and enjoy the regionby means of day walks from our hotel.From it, we are able to employ a widerange of well-marked footpaths thatgive us access to the uninhabited andpeaceful places where flowers and otherwildlife abound. We will range over openmoorlands and around tranquil lakes,wander amongst coniferous and birchwoodlands, and ascend alongside icyrivers towards the higher peaks and theirrewarding Arctic-alpine meadows. In thesemagnificent wilderness regions we have thefreedom to roam at will in our search forthe area's natural history. It is a placewhere lichens abound, advertising theclean air. Some of the interesting floweringplants that we will find do, of course, alsooccur in northern Britain. There, though,they are rare and difficult to find; here, onthe Gol Plateau, they are abundant andgrow amongst so many others which arefound only at these more northerlylatitudes. Saxifrages, in particular, are wellrepresented whilst, in the more openhabitats, a wide range of willows may befound, from the dwarf Salix herbaceaandS. reticulatato the taller S. myrsinifolia,together with many representatives of theheather family. Bird species are notnumerous here, but do include manynorthern species which are rare in Britainsuch as Rough-legged Buzzard, GyrFalcon and a variety of game birds, whilstan appealing selection of woodpeckersbreed alongside Fieldfares in the woodlandand forest areas. On sunny days we will beable to enjoy the wide variety of butterfliesthat make the most of a short flying seasonto dance through the meadows and soak inthe sun from sheltered hollows. Numerousamongst them are members of that mostconfusing but elegant of families, thefritillaries. Close to our hotel, we will explore themixed woodland and encumbant bogs, andascend gently to Syningen, at about 915metres, and Storefjell, from which far-reaching views extend over many of ourweek's target destinations. On another daywe will walk through the pine woodlandwhich shelters the Twinflower (Linnaeaborealis), named after Linnaeus, whosefavourite flower this was. Here we will alsohope to see such bird species as Grey-headed Woodpecker and Siberian Jay,before the woods give way to open areasand we continue across streams filled withMarsh Cinquefoil, and down towards Gol toend the day. To the east of Kamben weascend on pleasing paths, through woodland and open moorland, to thesummit of Nystolsfjellet, which rises to over1,220 metres. The wide-ranging views fromthe top allow us to scan for soaring birds ofprey, or perhaps glimpse a Merlin dashingpast. Cloudberry is abundant in the damperareas, and we should see a range ofAlchemillas, and may even find the tiny BogOrchid and Lesser Twayblade. To the north,beyond Tisleifjord, lies the province ofOppland, an attractive area of lakes setamongst rounded hills. Here we will searchfor Elk, Ptarmigan, Capercaillie, and bothWillow and Black Grouse, and also stop enroute to view one of Norway's famouselaborate wooden churches. Also inOppland is the mountain of Skogshorn(1,615 metres). This is well worth climbingon a clear day (from a start at 820 metres,not sea level!), being the highest peak inthe region and therefore offering splendidviews over the surrounding mountains andlakes, as well as a fabulous mountain flora. Perhaps the most spectacular day of all,however (provided the weather isreasonable), will be our expedition to thefamous Flam railway. This uses a range oftransport - bus, mountain railway andfjordland boat - to travel through veryvaried mountain and fjordland scenery,including a visit to the spectacular waterfallat Flam, as well as Aurlandsfjord andSognefjord. A remarkable day in which tocombine both montane and coastal plantsand birds (including such seabirds as gulls,terns and auks!). 101Outline itineraryDay 1 Fly Oslo and transfer toKamben.Day 2/7A daily programme ofbotanical and naturalhistory walks from ourbase in Kamben.Day 8Fly London.AccommodationA friendly family-run hotel in Kamben,with private facilities.FoodAll included in the price.GradingDay walks only. Grade B.FocusPlants, birds and butterflies.LeaderPaul Harmes.Single room supplement£130.Web quick search: NOR02NORWAYSWEDENBERGENSKOGSHORNTRONDHEIMKAMBENGOLOSLOSOGNEFJORDBook direct on 01962 733051or see page 280 for Booking InformationNorway - Alpine Flowers of the Gol PlateauAn 8-day holiday of botanical and natural history walks amongst the Arctic-alpine flora of southern Norway.Saturday 7th July - Saturday 14th July Cost: £1,295Snow GentianOset, BuskerudBuskerud province from Skogshorn

European Bison, Wolf, andLynx. These are three ofthe many mammals,formerly widespread in Europebut now extinct or rare in themore densely populated west, that flourishin Poland. A number of these animals areeasily observed, but some only withdifficulty. The object of this unusual winterholiday, that has proved such a firmfavourite with clients since the first tour in1985, is to search for the mammals of thePolish forests, and to study their tracksand signs. The advantage of travelling inwinter is not only the snow cover whichmakes tracking so much easier, but alsothe cold weather at this season, whichforces many creatures to shun their naturalfear of man, and to appear less shy.On our travels, we will also be able toenjoy the winter birdlife of Poland. It istrue, of course, that many birds desertPoland during this season; but, like themammals, those that do stay can be moreeasily found in the vicinity of man, wherefood is more readily available. Amongstthose that we may see are such dramaticand attractive species as White-tailedEagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hazelhen,Black Grouse, Waxwing and Nutcracker.On our arrival in Warsaw we set offimmediately for the Red Marsh (orCzerwone Bagno as it is known in Polish).This is part of the huge Biebrza Marshescomplex, and we will spend a dayexploring the region in our search for Elk,the largest cervid in Europe and the samespecies as the animal known as theMoose in North America. We rarely fail tosee it here. We will also find some birdlifein the marshes, with a chance of suchspecies as Golden and White-tailedEagles, Rough-legged Buzzard, BlackGrouse and Waxwing. In a normal winter,we travel by horse-drawn sledge; if theground is not sufficiently frozen, we willuse a horse-drawn cart! For many people, our five days in north-eastern Poland are the highlight of theholiday. We spend these days exploringthe beautiful and fascinating forest ofPuszcza Romincka, the favourite huntingarea of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Accompaniedby local foresters, we will search for Wolfand other large mammals of the forest.We will particularly be on the look out forEuropean Bison. The Wisent, as it is alsoknown, is the largest land mammal inEurope and one that became extinct inthe wild in the 1920s. Shortly after itsdemise, a programme of captivebreeding was initiated and in 1952 thismagnificent animal was successfully re-introduced back into the forests of north-eastern Poland. These forests nowcontain Europe's, and indeed the world's,last remaining herds of Wisent and thesight of one of these imposing animalsslowly plodding through the snow-covered forests is sure to be one of thelingering memories of the tour. Othermammals often observed include WildBoar, Red Fox, Red and Roe Deer, Elkand Brown Hare. Mammals seen lessfrequently include Weasel (which turnwhite in the winter here), Otter, Beaverand, on a few occasions, even Lynx!There will also be the opportunity to takeoptional nocturnal excursions to look forWolves by waiting in high seats (anelevated hide). This will enhance thepossibility of seeing this elusive mammal,though is only recommended for thehardy and dedicated. Birds of the areainclude White-tailed Eagle, Sparrowhawk,Goshawk, Hazelhen, Black Grouse;Black, Three-toed, Grey-headed, andGreat Spotted Woodpeckers, Waxwing,Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch, Crossbilland Nutcracker. The highlight of all,however, is quite likely to be ouraccommodation! We will be based,during our 5-night stay, in the forester'shouse and lodge. This lodge, with itshuge, old-fashioned (and very effective)enamelled wood-burning stoves, oncewidespread in eastern Europe, offers usexceptional hospitality, and is a firmfavourite with all our groups.Finally, we must tear ourselves away fromsuch old-fashioned comfort, and return toWarsaw. Taking a detour to the west, iftime allows, we will try to include a visit tothe astonishing 'Wolf's Lair', Hitler'sbunker complex in former East Prussia,and site of Von Stauffenberg's abortiveassassination attempt.Please note that we do not include theBialowieza Forest in the itinerary, as theBison and other mammals are difficult tofind here in the winter. Our time is betterspent in the Romincka Forest to the north,where we have a better chance of locatingthese elusive creatures with the help of thelocal foresters.Poland in WinterA 9-day winter adventure to Poland in search of large mammals that are rare or even extinct in much of western Europe.Saturday 28th January - Sunday 5th February Cost: £1,495Outline itineraryDay 1Fly Warsaw and driveBiebrza Marshes.Day 2Biebrza Marshes.Day 3/7Puszcza Romincka.Day 8Warsaw.Day 9Fly London.AccommodationForest lodges and hotels; normallythree nights in rooms with privatefacilities, the other five nights inrooms with shared facilities.FoodAll meals included in the price.GradingA/B.FocusMammals, especially largemammals; birds; some World War IIfeatures.LeadersSinclair Dunnett and PiotrMoszkowski, plus local forestguides.Single room supplement£195. ExtensionsSightseeing extensions are availableto Warsaw and Krakow. Web quick search: POL04102Call now or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk for your free Trip ItineraryRUSSIAGERMANYBELORUSSIASLOVAKIAUKRAINEWARSAWGDANSK'WOLF'S LAIR'PUSZCZA ROMINCKASUWALKIBIEBRZAMARSHESBIALOWIEZAFORESTKRAKOWBALTIC SEAPOLAND VISTULA RIVERWolfElkEuropeanBison