Moreover, I feel it is in the best interests of the island (and ultimately its birds) by extending the season through this kind of green tourism, whereby the importance of its precious wetlands and bird-rich habitats can be recognized, and some pressure taken off the key sites in May, when more and more people tend to be chasing fewer and fewer birds! Of course, annual weather patterns can differ markedly and ensure that no two years are exacily the same - which is all part of the island's enduring appeal.
For all these reasons I continue to work in co-operation with George Capsalis of Malemi hotel Skala Kalloni to give people the chance to visit ahead of the main tourist season, travelling with Olympic Airways via Athens. Flights operate daily, the connecting flight to Lesvos is no more than 60 mins, and group rates apply to all those booking through Thomas Cook of Fakenham. Of course, both car hire and accommodation rates in this period are highly competitive (especially bearing in mind that the latter includes breakfast, packed lunch and a buffet style evening meal in the hotel).
The accommodation in resort remains in essence as before. All are agreed that Skala Kalloni makes the perfect base (both because of its central location and surrounding habitats). Several hotels and aparments are again being used, but the main financial burden of promoting and advertising the trips is shouldered by George Capsalis, the owner of the Malemi hotel. He and his wife Effy run a friendly, relaxed, comfortable hotel in a pleasant location and with excellent home-cooked food and imaginative packed lunches as a definite bonus. George has also installed heating in a number of rooms - which may well be attractive to those like myself who wish to visit as early as March and experience some new birds. This flexibility of opening (even for comparatively small numbers) lends itself well to offering an extended spring programme.
However, those wishing to stay elsewhere are free to opt for hotel Pela next door, Villa Olga, Irene or Modestos Studios in Skala Kalloni (with meals at Malemi included) and Kalloni Two hotel. Since the choice of eating venues at this time of year is limited, I am listing full board prices (with packed lunch included). You can rest assured that all the hotels are recommended and enjoy pleasant locations - the choice is yours, but please remember that apartments are not available before 12th April.
| SINGLE ROOM | £40 pp |
| TWIN ROOM | £24 pp |
| TWO ROOM APARTMENT FOR 4 | £22 pp (Malemi only) |
| SINGLE ROOM | £45 pp |
| TWIN ROOM | £27 pp |
| TWIN ROOM APT FOR 4 | £24 pp (Malemi only) |
| SINGLE ROOM | £41 pp |
| TWIN ROOM | £24 pp |
| SINGLE ROOM | £50 pp |
| TWIN ROOM | £32 pp |
| UP TO 12/4 | FROM 12/4 | |
|---|---|---|
| GROUP A CAR WITH FULL INSURANCE | £23 per day | £25 per day |
| GROUP B CAR AS ABOVE | £25 per day | £27 per day |
| GROUP C CAR AS ABOVE | £35 per day | £37 per day |
| SUZUKI SAMURAI 4x4 | £37 per day | £40 per day |
| SUZUKI VITARA 4x4 | £45 per day | £49 per day |
| SIX-SEATER MlNIBUS | £50 per day | £55 per day |
| NINE-SEATER MINIBUS | £72 per day | £76 per day |
(Please note that minibuses are much in demand at this time and early booking is advised)
TRANSFER TO AND FROM AIRPORT (based on min 3 persons) £20 per person. Two persons £30 per person, 1 person £60 (includes arrival and departure)
Because of the various accommodation options and differing prices according to your preferred visiting dates it is virtually impossible to give an all-in price, but it should be perfectly feasible to work it out for yourself based on the above figures. Please note that I levy a £12 handling charge for each person booking to cover the cost of postage, phone calls etc.. Sometimes, however, if dealing with a large group (where all require the same accomodation and all are travelling at the same times) a small reduction may be possible.
My acclaimed book Birding on the Greek Island of Lesvos
(which
was revised in March '02 and which at 256 pages and with 24 pages of
colour plates, 14 pages of maps and a wealth of new site and species
information aims to be the definitive Lesvos guide) is available direct
from me. In order to keep visitors as up-to-date as possible I have
also produced regular yearly updates
since then (from 1999 onwards), chronicling the spring migration period
on a day-to-day
basis and detailing new bird species, changes to sites and any other
useful information.
A limited number of my earliest 28 page Lesvos Spring '99 Update, my 40 page Lesvos Spring-Summer 2000 Update, my Lesvos Spring-Summer 2001 Update (48 pages and a colour cover) and the Lesvos Spring-Summer 2002 Update (52 pages, a colour cover and incorporating the whole migration period from 1st March) are still available. The de-luxe 64 page Lesvos Update Summer '02 - Summer '03 (now with colour cover both sides and covering records for the whole twelve month period) and my very latest (and arguably the best) 60 page Lesvos Autumn '03 - Summer '04 Update are now available. My Revised Lesvos Checklist is also still available. See resources page for prices. These and the book should between them help you to make up your mind on the best time to visit, but if in doubt feel free to contact me for advice.
In addition I have a limited number of the latest 2000 Ordnance Survey equivalent Road Editions island maps. There is also an excellent and informative 1 hr 30 min video called Birding on Lesvos by Malcolm Rymer, which describes most of the best habitats around Skala Kalloni and their associated birds. They are also available at the same prices direct from Malcolm Rymer at: Pinfold, Tilton-on-the-Hill, Halstead, Leics LE7 9DJ (Phone 0116 2597626).
I am usually available in resort, where I should be holding regular meetings and slideshows and offering daily guided birding by arrangement for a maximum number of three people (ideally two). Prices are £50 per person for three, £60 per person for two and around £90-£l00 for one. These prices include a full day in the field with me supplying the vehicle and all fuel. Rates for several days or a week would be proportionately less, but a number of people visiting for the first time have found that even a day out with me has given them a useful introduction to the island and its birds - often including some of the more sought after and difficult species they may well have failed to connect with otherwise.
If you wish to savour the true 'Lesvos Experience' for yourself and have any additional queries then please feel free to write, phone, fax or email for further details or to obtain additional booking forms: Richard Brooks, 24 Croxton Hamlet, Fulmodeston, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 ONP (Phone/fax 01328 878632 - email@richard-brooks.co.uk or visit my website www.richard-brooks.co.uk)
Alternatively, if you wish to assure your booking as soon as possible (and a number of people from previous years have already re-booked for 2005) you can simply print out and complete the form (Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3) and return it to me with a £50 per person deposit + £12 per person handling charge. However, do bear in mind that this only relates to accommodation and car hire - flight bookings will require full payment in advance to facilitate an earlier ticket issue. You can, of course, still send cheques to me and I will pass them on to Thomas Cook, but if you wish to pay them direct by credit card then I would still appreciate a copy of their booking form if possible so that I can double check flight and transfer times.
Please contact me if you are interested or print out and complete the booking form (Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3).
