GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info

Transcription

1 Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info Austria & Hungary Lake Neusiedl & the Alps The wild-eyed Barred Warbler is a localised summer visitor to scrubby habitats around Lake Neusiedl Milos Balla 2016 Monday 16th - Wednesday 25th May LEADERS Stephen Daly & Martin Hrouzek A 10-day birdwatching tour to Austria and Hungary, with six nights exploring the bird-rich wetlands of famous Lake Neusiedl, which straddles the border of both countries, and three nights in the picturesque forests and mountains of the eastern Austrian Alps. We travel in mid-may, when the breeding season for central Europe's birds will be in full swing and the mountains are bursting back into life. We led our first tour to Lake Neusiedl in 1989 and have returned with groups many times since - but this all-new itinerary is the first to also feature exciting stopovers in both Hungary and the Austrian Alps. Three-centre holiday to Lake Neusiedl and the eastern Alps 3+3 nights around the lake, taking in "both ends" of this bird-rich wetland Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Great Bustard, White-tailed Eagle, Bee-eater, Bluethroat Black, Syrian and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Marsh, Barred and River Warblers 3 nights at a beautifully situated hotel in the Austrian Alps Nutcracker, Alpine Chough, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor Rack-and-pinion railway excursion on the Schneeberg Cable car ascent on Raxalpe plus day trip to the Hohe Wand Scheduled flights London to Vienna Based at three charming, family-run Pension hotels - with all meals included Expertly led by Stephen Daly and our central European specialist, Martin Hrouzek LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Tour Overview Lake Neusiedl has long been a firm favourite of ours - and with good reason. One of Europe s largest lakes, it s also one of the very best for birds. The lake itself straddles the border between Austria and Hungary and when we first started running bird tours here in the late 1980s, the border was firmly closed, with Soviet-style watch towers overlooking the shallow waters and troop lorries patrolling up and down the border tracks! Happily, the old Iron Curtain has long since been raised and our Neusiedl tours are now able to travel freely in both countries, exploring the Austrian and the Hungarian shores of this lovely lake. Situated within an hour's drive of Vienna, the Neusiedl area makes a wonderfully varied destination for a birdwatching holiday. To the east, lie the splendid wetlands of the Seewinkel, the Fertő-Hanság National Park and the start of the Great Hungarian Plain; to the north, the riverine forests of the March; and to the west, the pine-clad mountains of the Austrian Alps. The whole presents a tapestry of habitats surpassed only by the impressive range of birds to be found there. Our travels begin with three nights on the Austria shore, where our hotel at Illmitz stands on the site of the original Post House in the town - replete with its own White Stork viewing platform on the roof and Syrian Woodpeckers to watch for in the shaded courtyard. Icterine Warbler, Serin and Black Redstart are among garden birds in this attractive corner of Europe, and we might even find Wryneck. Most of central Europe s special birds also occur: Pygmy Cormorant, Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Great Bustard, Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole and Red-backed Shrike should all be about in May. Tucked away corners of reed still harbour the elusive Bluethroat, while the lake s more open shores - a summer home to Kentish Plover, Avocet and Black-winged Stilt - lure passage waders such as Spotted Redshank, Ruff, and Temminck's and Little Stints. A May visit can be excellent for passerine migrants too, including an array of wagtails, warblers, flycatchers and chats, and Bee-eaters and Barred Warblers nest in the vineyards above the north end of the lake. A day trip to the riverine forests at Marchegg, on the border with neighbouring Slovakia, is especially worthwhile in spring, adding chances of Black Stork, Goshawk, River Warbler and Collared Flycatcher. Our second hotel lies just across over border into Hungary, where Neusiedl changes its name to Lake Fertő. The birdlife of the Fertő-Hanság National Park is richer still, with Squacco Heron, Mediterranean Gull and Crested Lark among species here that are absent or very much scarcer on the Austrian shore. From a lofty observation tower good numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds can be seen - which in turn attract the attention of White-tailed Eagle! Saker and Red-footed Falcon are two more rare birds of prey we shall be watching for around the Hungarian shore in spring. Having enjoyed a week around Lake Neusiedl, we cross back into Austria and head west to spend our final three nights in the Alps. Here we will drive into the alpine forests of the Hohe Wand, take a cable car to the summit of the Raxalpe and access the high mountain slopes of the Schneeberg via a delightful rack-and-pinion railway journey aboard the Fire Salamander. The combination of fresh mountain air, alpine birdlife and scenery makes a fine contrast to the lowland forests and lakes around Neusiedl, with Black Woodpecker, Alpine Chough, Nutcracker, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit and Western Bonelli's Warbler among a host of new birds to be found. We led our first tour to Austria in 1989 and now have well over 20 previous visits behind us. But this allnew, 10-day itinerary is the first to also feature stopovers in Hungary and the Austrian Alps. With so much to see, this carefully planned trip will introduce you to the best spots, where an excellent range of central European birds - including some hard-to-find specialities - can be seen. 2 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

3 Outline Itinerary Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Days 5-6: Day 7: Days 8-9: Day 10: Fly London-Vienna. Lake Neusiedl. Illmitz (3 nts) Lake Neusiedl: Austrian shore Marchegg WWF Reserve Hansag Plain (Austria), cross into Hungary. Hegykő (3 nts) Lake Neusiedl (Fertő): Hungarian shore Hohe Wand. Kapellen (3 nts) Raxalpe & Schneeberg Alpine foothills. Afternoon fly Vienna-London Daily Itinerary Day 1 TO VIENNA & ILLMITZ Our May birdwatching tour to Austria and Hungary begins with a morning flight from London Heathrow to Vienna, where Stephen will be waiting to welcome everyone. Less than an hour s drive will bring us to the small town of Illmitz, along to the east shore of Lake Neusiedl, which will be our base for the first three nights of the holiday. Our hotel here has been owned by one family more than 100 years and is popular with birdwatchers for its relaxed atmosphere and homemade meals. We should arrive in time to enjoy some local birding this afternoon. Night Illmitz Days 2-3 AUSTRIA: LAKE NEUSIEDL & MARCHEGG The town of Illmiz is located within the Austrian Seewinkel, a flat agricultural plain studded with lakes that form some of the richest bird habitats of all. The accessibility of these shallow wetlands make them one of the best spots for seeing some of the area s specialities and we'll spend our first full day here, looking for everything from breeding Black-necked Grebe, Night and Purple Herons, Great White Egret and Spoonbill to Greylag Geese, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt. Within a mile or so of our hotel, we will encounter Neusiedl s immense reedbeds. Syrian and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Golden Oriole and Penduline Tit work the marshside willows and poplars, which may harbour almost anything in spring, from a troop of brilliantly coloured Bee-eaters to the more subtle shades of a slim and sinuous Wryneck. Marsh Harriers constantly patrol the shimmering sea of reeds that is home to a host of wetland warblers, with Savi s, Grasshopper, Great Reed, Sedge, Reed, Marsh and the elusive Moustached all to look for. Although the latter is not uncommon around the lake, they sing early in the season and can be tricky to locate come May. Pygmy Cormorants continue to expand their range westwards in Europe and, despite first nesting at Lake Neusiedl as recently as 2007, now number several hundred pairs. In May, the muddier margins prove irresistible to passing waders such as Temminck s Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and other migratory shorebirds. As we weave our way through the patchwork of meadows, vineyards and thickets that surround the lake, we ll be keeping our eyes peeled for passerine migrants, too. The likes of Whinchat, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher pass this way in spring and there s always a chance of coming across something unexpected. Surprises for our previous groups at Neusiedl have included Glossy Ibis, Terek Sandpiper, Collared Pratincole, Waxwing and Thrush Nightingale! The wetlands are also home to a great variety of dragonflies and we might pick out Yellow-spotted Whiteface, Lesser Emperor and Ornate Bluet. 3 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

4 To the north of Neusiedl, the splendid Marchegg reserve comprises a wonderful mix of ancient deciduous woodland, marshy backwaters and lush flood meadows, hard on the Slovakian border. In spring, River Warblers reel unseen from the thickets here and White Storks nest conspicuously in the trees - which also provide cover for more secretive forest dwellers such as Black Stork, Grey-headed, Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Collared Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper and Hawfinch. With their snow-white heads, Marchegg s Long-tailed Tits are well worth more than a second glance, too. From a raised floodbank that overlooks the Marchegg reserve, we ll scan for birds of prey soaring above the forest canopy. Over the years we have amassed quite a haul here, including Red and Black Kites, Goshawk, Red-footed Falcon, Hobby and Saker! In fine weather, butterflies can be numerous in sunnier spots and may include Lesser Purple Emperor, with its exquisite violet sheen. Two nights Illmitz Day 4 HANSAG PLAIN TO HEGYKŐ The magnificent Great Bustard is nowadays one of Neusiedl s rarest residents, but this majestic bird of the steppe still retains a foothold on the plain. By visiting early in the day - before the grasslands vanish beneath a sea of shimmering heat-haze - we hope for views of these impressive birds from observation hides that overlook the Waasen-Hansag reserve, close by the border with Hungary. Montagu s Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Quail, Short-eared Owl, Marsh Warbler and Red-backed Shrike also breed in this area, and the excitable Barred Warbler frequents the hedgerows in spring. The rare Eastern Imperial Eagle is a newcomer to the border forests and we may be lucky to see it here, soaring alongside White-tailed Eagle or Black Stork. For those wishing to participate in early morning trip to look for Great Bustards, our hotel will provide coffee and croissants to take with us in the field. After returning to Illmitz for a full breakfast, we'll continue our exploration of the wetlands around the Austrian shore of Lake Neusiedl before collecting our bags and crossing over the border into Hungary. Our second hotel is another charming, family-run Pension, situated in the Hungarian village of Hegykő, and close to the lake's southern shore - which here assumes its Hungarian name of Lake Fertő. Night Hegykő Days 5-6 HUNGARY: FERTÖ-HANSAG NATIONAL PARK Hegykő is situated on the southern fringe of the excellent Fertö-Hansag National Park. Much work has been done since the end of the Communist era to create and restore wetlands within this fine national park, as well as other areas round about, which are home to an excellent variety of waterbirds. Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Black-necked Grebe, White-tailed Eagle, Ferruginous Duck and Mediterranean Gull are among a range of localised specialities to watch for from the viewing towers that overlook the reserve. Among possible spring migrants, we will be happy to find marsh terns (all three species are possible), a transient Marsh Sandpiper or perhaps a Little Stint in breeding plumage. We will enjoy the assistance of an experienced local guide in this area, who will be on hand to help us locate some of the more difficult-to-see species. Among them, numbers of Bluethroat (here of the whitespotted central European form) have dwindled sharply around Lake Neusiedl in recent decades, making this secretive summer jewel even harder to find. But they have a penchant for patches of freshly cut reed, especially around the quieter Hungarian shores of the lake, and it s here that we have our best chances to find one. Hoopoe and Crested Lark are two further species we are now more likely to see within Hungary than Austria, and in May, one or two Red-footed Falcons are often about, too. The Hungarian population of Saker is the largest in Europe and this rare bird of prey can now be found breeding on electricity pylons in this corner of western Hungary. We stand a good chance of seeing one here, for its favourite prey, the European Souslik (a small ground squirrel that is found from the Ukraine west to Austria) occurs in the surrounding dry grasslands. 4 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

5 At nearby Fertod, the magnificent Esterhazy Palace gardens are a good place to look for Wryneck and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and offer further chances to learn the differences between 'look-alike' Syrian and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. One exciting new site to explore is hidden away in forest near Kapusvar, where hundreds of hectares of meadows have been purposely flooded to create a fantastic wildlife habitat. In spring, the floodplain forests are an important stronghold for nesting Black Storks, Black Kites and Collared Flycatchers - and we can visit a nice colony of Bee-eaters, too. Two nights Hegykő Day 7 HEGYKŐ & THE HOHE WAND We leave our hotel in Hegykő this morning and travel back across the border into Austria, heading west towards the Austrian Alps. A journey of around 90 minutes will bring us to the foot of the Hohe Wand. Meaning High Wall, the Hohe Wand is a pine-clad rocky plateau, which rises abruptly from the plain. Raven and Peregrine haunt the dramatic cliffs on the sunny, south-facing side and the meadows below are graced by a fine selection of butterflies. Atop the ridge, we can walk the quiet forest trails in search of Black Woodpecker, the elusive Nutcracker, Firecrest, Crested, Coal and 'alpine' Willow Tits, Ring Ouzel and Common Crossbill. We shall also listen for the scarce Western Bonelli's Warbler, singing its dry trill from the wooded slopes, while Dipper and Grey Wagtail haunt fast-flowing streams in the valley below. Martin has sited nestboxes in the area and, in May, we may be lucky to find the erratic Tengmalm's Owl poking its head out of the entrance hole to see what's going on below. Another great bird of the old spruce stands in this part of Austria is Three-toed Woodpecker. They will be breeding at the time of our visit, but although widespread in the Alps this attractive little woodpecker can often be difficult to find. Having explored the Hohe Wand, we continue west to reach our third and final hotel of the tour, a pretty alpine Gasthof overlooking the picturesque valley at Kapellen. Night Kapellen Days 8-9 THE SCHNEEBERG & RAXALPE Marking the easternmost limit of the Alps, the Schneeberg stands almost twice as high as the Hohe Wand and, at 2076m (6811ft), is the highest mountain in Lower Austria. Access to the summit area is via a rackand-pinion railway journey aboard the Feuersalmander, a diesel locomotive decorated in striking Fire Salamander colours and pattern. Weather permitting, the little train will carry us up into the realm of Alpine Choughs and Alpine Chamois at around 1800m (5900ft). Winding its way through a classic Austrian landscape of alpine meadows and cool dark coniferous woodlands, the trip is broken with a halt along the way, sufficient for travellers to indulge in a warming cup of coffee - not to mention a particularly generous slab of Buchteln (sweet cake), the consumption of copious amounts of which seems to be something of a tradition here! Having arrived at the top station, we have a few hours to search for birds above the tree line. Breeding species include Alpine Chough and Alpine Accentor, parachuting Water Pipits, Northern Wheatear and Common Redpoll. Every once in a while, we seem to strike lucky with one of the region s scarcer avian inhabitants, such as Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Golden Eagle or even Snowfinch. The alpine flowers can be superb up here, especially in spring, with many showy gentians and primulas. Situated midway between our hotel and the Schneeberg, the Rax is another alpine massif reaching 2000m. Here, a cable car will carry us to an elevation of 1550m (3770ft). Scattered spruce stands are found on the plateau, but as we climb higher to around 1700m, they gradually disappear to be replaced by carpets of Dwarf Pine. The Raxalpe is often called a botanical garden and we will find more early spring flowers - and hopefully no snow. 5 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

6 If the weather is on our side, we should reach the edge of the plateau in two or three directions - from where the vistas are magnificent. These are the best places to look for alpine specialists such as Chamois, Alpine Accentor and Alpine Chough. The birdlife on the Rax mirrors that of the Schneeberg and we have further chances today to find the elusive Nutcracker, along with Water Pipit, Bullfinch and the distinctive alpine forms of Ring Ouzel and Willow Tit. Two nights Kapellen Day 10 RETURN TO VIENNA, FLY LONDON After enjoying some final birdwatching this morning amid the picturesque countryside that surrounds our alpine hotel at Kepellen, we return to Vienna for farewells to Stephen. Afternoon flight back to London Heathrow, where our May birdwatching tour to Austria & Hungary concludes. Trip Information Group Size 12 participants & 2 leaders Birds species Butterflies species, depending on the weather What to Expect In May, with the breeding season in full swing, there will be plenty of bird song to help us find them. Late migrants will also be moving through, but they tend to push on quickly at this season as they head for their breeding grounds elsewhere. Accommodation 8 nights at good hotels in Austria and Hungary. Our first three nights are spent at a hotel in the small town of Illmitz (Austria), close the eastern shore of Lake Neusiedl. It is owned and operated by a family that understands birdwatchers and are interested in birding and wildlife themselves. All rooms have been recently renovated to a high standard, with en suite bathrooms (some with a bath - please request one at time of booking if you would prefer this). The hotel has a birding library and a viewing platform on the roof from where we can watch the White Storks at their nest on top of the local bank! Syrian Woodpeckers have also nested in the hof (courtyard). Our second hotel lies just across the border in western Hungary, in the village of Hegykő, on the southern edge of the Fertö-Hansag National Park. It's another family-run Pension offering a warm welcome, good food and comfortable en suite rooms - and ideally placed for birding at the Hungarian end of the lake. After three nights at Hegykő, we head back across the border into Austria and travel a couple of hours west to reach our third hotel - another delightful family-run Pension, beautifully located in the foothills of the eastern Alps, north of Mürzzuschlag. We spend three nights here, exploring the mountains. All rooms are en suite. Meals All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with dinner on Day 1 and concluding with lunch on Day 10. Delicious buffet breakfasts and dinners at the hotels. Lunches are our popular mix of picnics and occasional meals taken at one of the region s traditional restaurants or Gasthofs. Walking The countryside around the lake itself is flat and the going easy, with short walks (1-3 miles). Expect a few short uphill stretches along good trails in the hills and mountains of course, but nothing strenuous - the railway and cable car doing most of the 'climbing' for us - and always taken slowly. Comfy water-resistant walking shoes or lightweight boots with sturdy corrugated soles for grip advised. 6 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

7 Weather Austria and Hungary enjoy a moderate Central European climate, although the temperature can vary locally according to altitude and geographical situation. In May, the weather in the lowlands around the lake is typically a mix of warm sunshine and showers, with temperatures in the range of 11-22C (52-72F). Note that it can be much cooler in the mountains, occasionally even cold at times. Some rainfall is possible at anytime, especially over the higher hills and mountains; snowfall is rare (although not impossible) at the time of our visit in mid-late May. Flights Scheduled flights London Heathrow-Vienna with British Airways, Austrian Airlines or similar. Ground Transport By minibus Insects Mosquitoes may be present in some wetland areas. In the swampy riverine woodlands at Marchegg the use of insect repellent may be required. Photos Opportunities for photography of birds will be about average on this tour. Tour Cost Please note: 2016 price provisional at this time, to be confirmed 2016 (10 days): 2095 (inc flights from London) Land only cost: 1945 Deposit: 400 Single Supp: 195 Cost includes Services of our expert guide/s; scheduled flights London Heathrow-Vienna; 9 nights accommodation; all main meals (with water provided); minibus transport and tour excursions, including Schneeberg Mountain railway and cable car ascent on Raxalpe; all entry fees/permits, tour-based tips and airport taxes; map and Limosa checklist of birds for the tour. Cost excludes Insurance, drinks & other items of a personal nature. About Your Guides Stephen Daly Stephen is a principal Limosa guide who lives in Germany with his wife Patty and their young family. A birdwatcher since the age of eight, his first birding memories are of Aberlady Bay, on Scotland s Firth of Forth. Having subsequently lived and worked in the UK, Germany, France and latterly southern Spain, he has recently returned to live in southern Germany. Stephen s hobbies include walking, painting, music, reading and single malt whiskies. He is fluent in German, Spanish, and French (as well as English of course) and this year we will again be putting his linguistic skills and wide-ranging knowledge to good use on a range of Limosa tours from Spain and Germany through to Greece and Gambia - as well as Austria & Hungary of course, destinations he is very familiar with. Martin Hrouzek Martin lives with his wife and young family on the Czech/Slovak border. He has been guiding wildlife tours since 1996 and is an excellent all-round naturalist with a particular knowledge of birds, butterflies and flowers. He likes to specialise in trips to those few remaining unspoiled and seldom visited hidden corners that have been disappearing fast in Europe. As a graduate in forestry, Martin also 7 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

8 loves to share his in-depth knowledge of the natural forests of Eastern Europe and the Balkans - and there are some fabulous forests to enjoy on our spring tour to Lake Neusiedl & the Alps. What You Say: I had a lovely holiday despite cold weather to start. Stephen s ability to talk to locals for special knowledge of goodies brought us Long-eared Owls and bustards. His knowledge of the area meant he could adjust the programme and destinations to find specialities every day and I would like to go with him again as he was thoughtful and aware of our own limitations!... Ann Rayner, Austria, Neusiedl tour Many thanks again for a most memorable week s holiday. I shall never forget the Great Bustards, Bluethroats, or the Alpine Accentors in the swirling mist on the mountain... Joan Coe, Austria, Neusiedl tour Limosa Loyalty Discount We are proud of the number of loyal customers who travel regularly with us. As our way of saying thank you, we offer a Frequent Travel Discount. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their 5th trip *1. Remember to request your discount at time of booking! *1 Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commission-based trips, extras such as additional flights, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. How To Book Check availability on our website or with our office. We are happy to hold Provisional Reservations for up to 7 days. After this, we do require a Booking Form and deposit to confirm your place on tour. Any unconfirmed space will be released. Book Online, by Phone or by Post You can book and pay the deposit simply and securely Online via our website, using the Book This Tour button on the relevant tour page or the Booking tab at the top of the page. Telephone bookings must be confirmed in writing by completion of a Booking Form (there's one tucked inside every brochure or as a PDF download from our website), which can be mailed to us in the time honoured way. Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information (found at the back of our brochure, on our website or available from our office on request) prior to booking. When to Book Early booking is advised since flights and accommodation are much more easily secured well in advance. To encourage early booking, we are pleased to offer an Early Bird Discount - see our current brochure or website for details. 8 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

9 Our tours are limited to small group sizes. So they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out! Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute Bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks! Payments The amount of booking deposit per person is shown alongside every tour. We accept deposit payments by debit card, cheque (payable to Limosa Holidays and drawn on a UK bank in GB Pounds Sterling) and BACS (please ask for our bank details). We also accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards, with no transaction charge on payment of tour deposits. Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (20 weeks in the case of certain tours such as cruises or those involving rail travel). We will send you an invoice before the balance is due. We accept payment for balances (and interim payments) by cheque, BACS or UK debit card. We also accept balances (and interim payments) by credit card or overseas debit card but with a charge of 2% of the transaction amount to help offset card company charges. [Note that we do not retain your card details, which are destroyed once used. This means we may need to phone you again for details for subsequent payments.] Payment by overseas customers must be in GB Pounds Sterling and may be made by transfer to our bank (please ask for our bank details), or by overseas debit or credit card with a 2% transaction charge. Please note we do not accept cheques on US Banks in US Dollars, or cheques in Euros or Eurocheques. Late Booking Payments: In order for us to guarantee your airline seats, hotels etc., full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas All participants must be in possession of a valid passport. For UK passport holders, for stays of up to three months, your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. Although no additional period of validity beyond this is required, when travelling anywhere overseas we always recommend that your passport has a minimum of 6 months left to run after your intended date of return home in case of unforeseen delay. VISA NOT REQUIRED by UK passport holders for this tour. Holders of non-uk passports should contact the nearest Austrian and Hungarian embassies or consulate to enquire whether or not they require a visa. If a visa is required, you will need to apply locally. If the embassy or consulate requires you to provide a letter confirming that you are booked on an all-inclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. 9 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

10 Health & Vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations: None. Recommended vaccinations: For travel everywhere (even within the UK) however, we recommend you check you are up-to-date with protection against tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Ticks can occur in grassy, forested and wetland areas below 1400m during the summer months across most of continental Europe, including Austria and Hungary. If you are at all concerned by this, you may wish to seek advice about inoculations and other measures to prevent tick-related problems prior to travel. The above information, together with that contained within our Travel Information sheets (sent to everyone who books), outlines health requirements for this tour. Please note that these details are given for guidance only - and are only for certain diseases - and you must consult your doctor in good time prior to travel as to what immunisations (if any) are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and up-to-date health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency and provides health information for both health professionals and travellers, with information compiled by its own clinical and scientific team. You can search for individual country requirements, which are updated regularly. Your Safety & Travel Advice An unavoidable aspect of travelling abroad nowadays is the risk it may pose to your safety and security. The best advice on current risks is provided by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). In order to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination we strongly recommended that you refer to the relevant FCO Travel Advice - both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. See It is standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice about the tour to all participants along with their Final Letter (ca. 2-3 weeks prior to the trip). Know Before You Go - staying safe and healthy abroad - is a travel safety campaign run by the FCO, and another useful resource. Go to: Further useful information on visas, health, etc., can be found at the World Travel Guide website: Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before setting off on any overseas trip. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all clients are fully and adequately insured before travelling overseas with us. Your travel insurance should cover against cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, delay, personal accident, death, loss of baggage and valuables (see note below), personal liability and legal expenses. Most importantly, your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. 10 Any questions? Call: +44 (0)

11 We recommend that you obtain travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected right from the word go in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Once you have arranged your insurance, please be sure to send us the following essential details: name and contact details of your insurance provider, your policy number, expiry date and your insurers 24hr Emergency Assistance number. Important Things to Note about Insurance Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Most travel insurance policies limit the amount of cover, typically up to a maximum tour cost of 5000 per person. If the tour you are booking exceeds this amount, additional cover can usually be provided upon payment of additional premium. We recommend all travellers check their individual policy limit to ensure the full cost of their holiday is covered. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries (Tour Info Packs), trip reports, trip photos and the latest Limosa News. Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements. Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times and when watching wildlife. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by fax and . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and we look forward to hearing from you again! CK Any questions? Call: +44 (0)