Crete & Pelops

[Matt T]

Hi Uli,
I think the same locations would be great to visit in spring too. Everywhere we went there were annuals germinating and the foliage of spring bulbs and orchids too, so I'm sure there'd be a lot to see for your visit. If you don't have it already you should try to get hold of a copy of Mountain Flower Walks: Mainland Greece, by John Richards and published by the Alpine Garden Society. It's a good starting point for your exploration and details the species you might find all year round. You can buy it from the AGS: http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/flora/Mountain+Flower+Walks+The+Greek+Mainland+/128/ but other booksellers are available.
Matt

[Matt T]

Also, there were many species not yet in evidence at known sites. For example, we didn't see any sign (i.e. leaves) of Cyclamen peloponnesiacum which occurs at the last Galanthus reginae olgae site we visited (Site MT26).

[Maggi Young]

....you should try to get hold of a copy of Mountain Flower Walks: Mainland Greece, by John Richards

John has made numerous trips to the region and I am sure that Matt's suggestion to get this book is a good one.

[krisderaeymaeker]

Thanks  Matt,  for the nice and interesting report. What about the same places in April?
That is the time I intend to visit the Peleponnes next year.
Uli

Mount Chelmos , Mount Menalo , Mount Kylini and Mount Taygetos   are al worth visiting in apri and may Uli .

http://www.greekmountainflora.info/

[Uli Lessnow]

Hallo Matt and Kris,
we just returned from a 5 weeks trip to Scotland, staying two weeks on the Isle of Harris.
And now it is not easy to imagine the spring in Grecce. 
So I'm happy about your information about interesting places to visit.
Scotland was great although most people voted NO.

High Maggie,
unfortunately we did not managed to make a visit to Craigton Road in Aberdeen.
Next time we hope to see you both.
Uli

[Matt T]

Hi Uli,
I have a spare copy of the Road Editions road map for the Peloponnese. I don't need two copies, it's as new and I'm happy to give it to anyone who might find it useful. If you would like it please PM me your address and it's yours.
Matt

[Uli Lessnow]

Hi Matt,
thank you very much for your offer. I hope you got my PM with my adress!
(My mail-adress is in the forum)
Uli

[Matt T]

Hi Uli,
Yes, I've got you message fine, thanks and hope I will get to the post office in the next couple days.
Best wishes,
M

[Matt T]

Hi Uli,
I managed to get to the post office today. The lady said it should take about 3 days, so the map will be with you soon.
Best wishes for your trip!
M

[Uli Lessnow]

Hi Matt,
thank you very much. Sometimes planning is more exiting than staying on
holiday. So I will enjoy the darker times of the year to arrange the trip to
Greece (Peleponnes). Yesterday I ordered the book Maggi  recommended.
Uli

[Uli Lessnow]

Hi Matt, sorry for my mistake.
You mentoined the book Mountain Flower Walks - The Greek Mainland
by
John Richards
Having your map and the book makes the planning easier.
Uli

[Matt T]

Enjoy planning your trip Uli!
One word of caution: spellings of place names can vary between the book and the map, witrh only a few towns shown with the English translation. I found the best thing to do was to scan the appropriate region in the map until you find a word that looks similar to the place you're looking for, it usually turns out to be the correct place. Cross-referencing place names on Google Maps also helps. Good luck! 

[Uli Lessnow]

Hi Matt,
this week we booked a flight to Kalamata, rented a car and also booked
a hotel for a week in Gefyra (Monemvasia) and another in Kardamilli.
Now we hope that we are not to late for spring flowers in the second
half of April.
Uli

[Matt T]

How exciting, Uli! I'm sure you will see lots of flowers. Looking forward to seeing photos from your trip. I'd love to go back this autumn, but a spring trip is also a must for me.
M

[Matt T]

With all the talk about the wee white flowers at the moment, I've been looking through my holiday pics again, curious about what variation there might have been in the Galanthus reginae-olgae we saw in the Pelops. I've put a few together to represent the range of flowers we saw in two populations. Hope you like it.