Finland Romania Slovakia Italy Portugal In focus Climate - Slovakia Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temperature max (° C) 2 3 9 16 21 24 26 26 22 15 8 4 Rainfall ( mm) 43 47 42 42 61 64 73 69 40 54 55 59 February The start of the wolf- tracking season in Romania. March is also a good time to go. Pages 88- 98 Contents Europe Romania ............................................................................................. 88 - 89 Finland ............................................................................................... 90 Slovakia .............................................................................................. 91 Portugal .............................................................................................. 92 Italy .................................................................................................... 93 We work very closely with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society ( WDCS) - the Italian holiday featured in this brochure is endorsed by the WDCS, ensuring the highest standards of environmental responsibility and ethical practice. By travelling with us on this, and our other Out of the Blue holidays, you'll be making a vital contribution to conservation as a share of all profi t from the trips goes directly to conservation and protection work. Top tip: The winter months add a different perspective to wildlife viewing in Romania, when you can enjoy tracking animals to the backdrop of a frosty wilderness. EUROPE | INTRODUCTION 87 April The best birdwatching in the Danube Delta begins and continues until the end of October. Pages 88- 98 May Prime whale- watching season in Italy begins now, and continues through until the end of September. Page 93 May The best birdwatching in the The bear-watching season starts at the hides in Finland and Romania as the bears come out of hibernation. Pages 88- 90

Finland and Romania are deemed to be two of Europe's premier brown bear locations. The remote forests and mountains of Central Europe are home to half of Europe's brown bear population, plus a third of its wolf and lynx populations. Romania is said to have more bears than the whole of British Colombia! In addition, the Danube Delta is simply teeming with birdlife, fi sh, fl ora and fauna - spotting bears and cruising the delta's channels are two very special wildlife experiences, close to home and affordable. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce in vulputate risus. Pellentesque scelerisque diam nec urna aliquam ut luctus augue scelerisque. Aliquam erat volutpat. Fusce ut ipsum sed odio blandit pretium. Suspendisse lorem tellus. Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, Finland MID Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge is comfortable with en- suite rooms, a relaxing, communal dining area and saunas. Walking trails lead straight from the lodge. The hides house six or nine people, have areas for sleeping and comfortable seating/ viewing areas. Elena Guesthouse, Romania MID Elena Guesthouse is a friendly, family- run hotel, beautifully located at the foot of a mountain. It has sound environmental principles; established as a result of the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project. It's a comfortable base for a wildlife holiday, and serves excellent home- cooked food. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce in vulputate risus. Pellentesque scelerisque diam nec urna aliquam ut luctus augue scelerisque. Aliquam erat volutpat. Fusce ut ipsum sed odio blandit pretium. Suspendisse lorem tellus. Danube Delta Apartment, Romania MID In the heart of the Danube Delta, we use a comfortable apartment, which is excellent for birders. Rooms are en- suite and the apartment has balconies for admiring the views and a dining room serving hearty, traditional meals. Bears and birds of Finland and Romania 88 Europe Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982