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

Zarnesti, Romania Zarnesti is nestled at the border of Kingstone Mountain National Park, well- known for its population of wolves, brown bears and lynx. Bears in Romania are plentiful, but elusive; nevertheless you can be assured of a good opportunity to view them feeding close to the hide. Other wildlife you may see here includes red fox and very occasionally wild boar and red deer. Birdlife here includes woodpeckers, grouse, buzzards and owls. A walk in the Zarnesti Gorges is likely to reveal wallcreepers, alpine swifts and three-toed woodpeckers. Danube Delta Spread over 2,200 square kilometres, Romania's Danube Delta is teeming with natural life. A World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, the Delta's varied habitat is home to many species of birds, fi sh, fauna and fl ora. You will explore the channels and crystal clear lakes of the Delta by boat, hopefully seeing many of the species of birds to be found here including the largest colony of white pelicans in Europe as well as Eurasian spoonbills, cormorants, ibis, herons, egrets and white- tailed sea eagle. The fl ora here is also amazing with many endemic species of trees and plants. EUROPE | FINLAND & ROMANIA 89 Winter wildlife The winter months also provide an interesting time to enjoy spectacular icy scenery and a different wildlife experience in Romania. You will walk amidst forests and gorges tracking wolf, deer and chamoix, as well as searching for tracks in the snow. Cross- country skiing adds more excitement and enables you to cover more ground. Please ask us for details of our spectacular fi ve- day short break, priced from £ 1049 ( excluding snowshoe hire). SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Bucharest. Danube Delta, 5- nights, apartments ( BLD) Day 2 Explore the channels and crystal clear lakes of the Delta, looking for the myriad bird and fi sh species which inhabit this unique area ( BLD) Day 6 Depart Romania for UK Departure dates Daily, April to October Cost per person From £ 1349 What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, fi ve nights comfortable local accommodation, guided activities NATURE IN THE DANUBE DELTA A holiday exploring the Danube Delta, which teems with wildlife including many bird and fi sh species, fl ora and fauna. The only way to discover its beauty is by boat, where you can get close - hopefully! - to many birds, including white pelican. This itinerary also presents some wonderful photographic opportunities and the chance to sample some of Romania's fantastic culture and delicious cuisine. TAILOR- MADE SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Bucharest. Zarnesti, 3- nights, Elena Guesthouse. Drive via the Carpathian Mountains ( BLD) Day 2 Brown bear viewing from hides ( BLD) Day 4 Depart Romania for UK Departure dates Daily, May to September Cost per person From £ 1049 What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, three nights guesthouse accommodation, guided activities BEARS AND WOLVES IN ROMANIA During this four- day break there will be plenty of opportunity to look for bears, and the tracks of wolf and lynx. The park is well known for its healthy brown bear population and staying in a hide near to where they feed increases your chances of seeing these wonderful creatures. You will also have the option to visit eerie ' Dracula's Castle' on your way back to Bucharest! TAILOR- MADE Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com