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No country on Earth is more synonymous with wildflowers than Switzerland. Beneath the imposing shadow of its alpine guardians, Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch, the vision of rolling meadows carpeted with rainbow-coloured blooms is one of the iconic images of the natural world. For those interested in experiencing the full, immersive splendour of Switzerland's wildflowers, professionally-organised small group flower holidays offer the very best way of doing it. The ideal time of the year to take advantage of the flowers in their full bloom is in late June and early July, and travelling under the guidance of an expert tour leader means that finding of a wide range of species is guaranteed. Wildflowers in Wengen Nowhere is the botanical beauty of the country on more vibrant visual display than in the Bernese Oberland. The region's postcard-perfect village of Wengen, overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, is an excellent place from which to explore the surrounding area and is often used as a base for flower holidays. The views from this village (situated at an altitude of 1,163m) are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Naturally, the best way to get up close and personal with the wildflowers is on foot, but exploring this magnificent landscape is made extremely accessible by numerous cable cars and railways that facilitate movement around the upper and lower slopes. In fact, the way the infrastructure is set up, the majority of the walking is downhill! Mannilichen: A cable car covers the 1,000m ascent from Wengen to Mannilichen, a small ski station that faces off to the northern reaches of the Eiger. A botanist's dream come true, the area is thick with ferns, violets, primulas, snowbells, gentians, orchids (Pseudorchis albida, the elusive Cypripedium calceolus and Dactylorhiza majalis, among others) and a dizzying array of other floral species, including some rare varieties such as Creeping Azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens), Alpine Stonecrop (Sedum alpestre), and Alpine Butterwort (Pinguicula alpina). The Eiger Glacier: At the foot of the magnificent Eiger Glacier, Alpine Buttercup (Ranunculus alpestris), Dwarf Willow and Broadleaved Mouse-Ear (Cerastium latifolium), among many other species, can be found growing amongst the moraines and screes. Schyinge Platte: These world-famous botanical gardens make for a fascinating excursion and the itineraries of most flower holidays to the area usually allow for at least one day to explore. While taking in the stunning views over Interlaken, visitors can wander through the pastures to find a host of endemic species such as St. Bruno’s Lily (Paradisea liliastrum) and Alpine Sainfoin (Hedysarum hedysaroides). Lower Altitudes: It's not just the high altitudes that reward those in search of wildflowers. The immediate area around Wengen and the spruce forests and woodlands of the Lauterbrunnen Valley support a proliferation of floral blooms, along with a huge bird and butterfly presence. The Beauty of Professional Flower Holidays A well-organised small group tour led by a passionate, knowledgeable expert enables the keen amateur botanist to make the most of the astounding beauty of the Swiss Alps. Participants will encounter a huge variety of flora and fauna, with the best chance of finding the region's rare and endemic species. Author Plate Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer with a special interest in wildflowers. As a passionate lover of botany, Marissa chooses the expert-led flower holidays organised by Naturetrek, which have brought her unforgettable encounter with a wide range of plant species in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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