Nowhere in the Mediterranean contains such a rich assortment of autumn bulbs as the Peleponnese, except perhaps SW Turkey. I’ve led this tour ten times now and look forward to it every time, why? Well the tourist crowds have left for the year and after the rains crocuses seem to spring from every roadside, sternbergias colour olive groves and cyclamen plaster the rocks. In the cool plane tree woods are delicate snowdrops and sometimes fire salamanders if its rained. Late season butterflies are another treat and then there are the outstanding historical sites of Monemvasia, Mycene, Sounion and Mystra set amidst extensive old olive groves and a magnificent coastline for a big slice of Greece at its best. Combine all of this with sunny picnics in olives groves and strolling along the quayside to seafood restaurants past kingfishers watching for their own fishy snacks. All in all a very relaxing late season trip. Chris Gardner
