Comments on: Scouting Tuscany: WINGS Tour 2010 http://birdaz.com/blog/2009/06/26/scouting-tuscany-wings-tour-2010/ The Experience of Birding! Sun, 20 May 2012 02:30:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gunnar Engblom http://birdaz.com/blog/2009/06/26/scouting-tuscany-wings-tour-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-47364 Gunnar Engblom Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:09:54 +0000 http://birdaz.com/blog/?p=2429#comment-47364 Rick, the last trip I guided for the Swedish company I used to work for (and which brought me to Provence and the Cevennes), was actually Tuscany. It was fantastic trip and though it was only for a week I had a great time. My mom joined and so did Elita (my wife). I had 31 people in the group! Good birds, many orchids (Ophrys), marvelous food, tasty wine and lots of culture. When staying in Lucca (between Pisa and Firenze), we did a slightly shorter walk one day and had the afternoon and evening free to make a fast visit to Firenze (Florens) and the Uffizi musuem (some of the finest renaissance paintings can be found here). I just checked, and the opening hours are now only to 18.50. I am pretty sure it was open later then (in 2000), but nevertheless it is certainly worth doing. One may book the tickets in beforehand and the last turn is at 16.45. Having two hours to see the museum works very well. One of the absolute highlights of the trip in my opinon. (I through it in as an optional and 25 of the 31 joined!) Beeteaters and Rollers on several places on the route were highlights. I am a bit nostalgic over Europe nowadays. Have not been back since then. Hmm...come to think of it..maybe I should start organizing trips to Europe.... Turning 50 next year....maybe time to slow down the pace... These hard core trips I often do are quite demanding. Rick,
the last trip I guided for the Swedish company I used to work for (and which brought me to Provence and the Cevennes), was actually Tuscany. It was fantastic trip and though it was only for a week I had a great time. My mom joined and so did Elita (my wife). I had 31 people in the group! Good birds, many orchids (Ophrys), marvelous food, tasty wine and lots of culture. When staying in Lucca (between Pisa and Firenze), we did a slightly shorter walk one day and had the afternoon and evening free to make a fast visit to Firenze (Florens) and the Uffizi musuem (some of the finest renaissance paintings can be found here). I just checked, and the opening hours are now only to 18.50. I am pretty sure it was open later then (in 2000), but nevertheless it is certainly worth doing. One may book the tickets in beforehand and the last turn is at 16.45. Having two hours to see the museum works very well. One of the absolute highlights of the trip in my opinon. (I through it in as an optional and 25 of the 31 joined!)
Beeteaters and Rollers on several places on the route were highlights.

I am a bit nostalgic over Europe nowadays. Have not been back since then.
Hmm…come to think of it..maybe I should start organizing trips to Europe….
Turning 50 next year….maybe time to slow down the pace…
These hard core trips I often do are quite demanding.

]]>