Weekend last minute

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Weekend last minute

Spend your weekend with our last minute offers in Europe! The beautiful nature and all of the activities are something which you cannot miss. Take a look and enjoy your weekend!

The flora of Europe

Due to the fact that the temperate climate zone is mostly present in Europe, it has huge forests. Most tree species are deciduous species. But conifers can also be found in different places. The brightest and most saturated forest area is the forest strip of the Caucasus Mountains, especially the western part. As the height of the mountains changes, so do the forests. For example, in the upper part(from 1200 to 1900 meters) the forests are saturated with coniferous trees: pine, Caucasian fir, oriental spruce, and other tree species. In addition, they become deciduous with a predominance of beech. Also in such forests, you can find a huge variety of oaks, maples, hornbeams, birches, and other deciduous species. In the lower levels of the forest, there is a huge variety of evergreen shrubs, such as holly, cherry laurel, rhododendrons, and others. Due to intensive deforestation, some species of deciduous trees have survived in the Caucasus. Among them, there are a huge number of relict species: chestnut, eldar pine, yew, pitsunda pine, boxwood, and some other species. In the belt of the Carpathian Mountains, the forests mostly consist of spruce with an admixture of fir, European cedar, and in mixed forests oak, beech, maple, linden predominate, and from time to time yew and pine are found. The mountains with their forests play an important role in the nature and ecosystem of the whole continent and are a kind of "lungs" of Europe.

The Arctic and its "deserts"

The northern part of the European continent has a strip of arctic and subarctic climate. In this part of the mainland, plains are mostly represented, ranging from icy deserts to endless mossy territory. Where there is always snow and ice, there is no plant life, but a little closer to the south begins a strip of "fields" consisting mainly of various mosses and lichens, and a little further begins the tundra forest. This is an amazing place that enchants with its small forests. For the most part, conifers(pine, spruce) are represented here. Europe's nature is amazing, it combines with stark contrast a variety of regions: from lifeless icy deserts to "lush" green foothills.

Fauna of Europe

Recently, although Europe is an integral part of Eurasia, the number of large animals has dropped dramatically. The fallow deer and various species of deer are the main major inhabitants of European forests. Wild boars and wild goats still live in the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Carpathians, and in Sardinia, you can meet a close relative of domestic sheep - mouflon. Due to the hostilities during World War II, the mighty bison almost completely disappeared in Europe.

In the lower levels of the forest and in the vast expanses of the plains live many different small animals: foxes, rabbits, badgers, forest cats, ferrets, and weasels. Among the tangled branches of the trees, you can find the European ginger squirrel and its North American sister, the gray squirrel. Otters, beavers, musk, and nutria live on the banks of rivers and lakes. In the northern latitudes, in the vastness of the tundra, live a large number of predators: from small foxes to giant polar bears. Various seals and walruses live near the water, deer and polar rabbits graze on the sparse mossy fields. The taiga is inhabited by bears, lynx, wolverine, red deer, elk, sable, squirrel, squirrel, and ermine. The world of birds in these latitudes is also very rich. The inhabitants of the taiga are wood capercaillies, hazel capercaillies, woodpeckers, black grouse, walnuts, and a huge variety of other birds. This area is also characterized by the presence of a huge number of mosquitoes. In different parts of Europe, there are quite rare, almost on the verge of extinction, animals. Amur tigers are the most colorful and graceful among them. Many small rodents, lizards, snakes, and birds of prey are characteristic of the steppe strips. Large animals are extremely rare in such places. In the desert, you can see gazelles, jackals, velvet cats, and also an incredible number of rodents. Mountain goats, Caucasian deer, leopards, hyenas, bears, porcupines, and a huge number of reptiles live on the slopes of the mountains. At its core, Europe is truly a continent of contrasts, in the nature of which the lifeless icy deserts, the forests, eternally boiling with life, and the mountains, breathing from eternity, combine in one with vigilant steppes. But for some reason, this nature was destroyed at different times, due to which many beautiful and unique animals and plants were lost to humans.

Activities in Europe

Ecrins is a national park in the Alps with a peak height of 4102 meters and Pelvu Nature Reserve. The park is located between the valleys of four rivers and includes up to a hundred peaks, forty glaciers, and countless square kilometers of alpine meadows and pine and beech forests. You can climb any of the three peaks at any time of the year. Among them are Barre-des-Ecrins - 4102 meters, Laurie - 4086 meters, and Dom de Neige-des-Ecrins - 4015 meters. Mountaineering, rafting, skiing and cycling, running and hang gliding, fishing and camping are all for the Western Alps. Ecrins National Park has a developed tourist infrastructure, making it suitable for both experienced and novice tourists. The total length of its hiking routes is 740 kilometers and there are more than 30 stationary public heating stations along the way. They are all mapped.

The prestigious ski resort Les Deux Alpes operates in the very center of the alpine massif from September to April - it has 104 slopes! A more democratic center is Serre-Chevalier. However, almost every mountain has intriguing routes that will save you money on lifts. If you are traveling in the summer, be guided by one of the mountain lakes or the Durans River. There you will find first-class rafting overlooking the canyon. The Galibier Pass, which is also located in the park, is famous for its asphalt serpentine - it is the highest point of the Tour de France. And if you prefer camping by the water, we recommend that you stay in the Cer-Ponson reservoir, one of the largest in Europe. The best places for rock climbing and mountaineering are the slopes of the giant Barre des Ecrins. By the way, this is the second-highest mountain in France.

The Dolomites are the key mountain range in Italy and a paradise for all possible winter sports. The ridge stretches for 150 kilometers and includes 18 peaks of 3000 meters. The main aesthetic asset of the area is the color and texture of the mountains. The Dolomites are composed of light limestone, so they radically change color depending on the lighting: from faded blue during the day to bloody at sunset or dawn. The "fire" effect is called enrosadira, and the Dolomites are one of the few places in Europe where you can find a natural phenomenon in all its glory. The mountains are dotted with river valleys, picturesque bare rocks, sharp sheer cliffs stretching for miles, and, of course, they are rich in ice caps in the clouds. The local national park is called Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti bellunesi.

For the convenience of travelers, dozens of themed routes are scattered throughout the park. You can download a guide for these routes on the official website, but it is better to take the guide at the entrance. Trekking routes are marked and equipped with information boards. There are places to take in air every few kilometers. Routes subject to history, architecture, archeology, religion, and much more. Winter activities in the park include glacier climbing and freeride, while summer activities include mountain biking and hiking.

Forty kilometres from the park of Belluno Dolomites is the highest peak of the Marmolada ridge, its height is 3342 meters. If you are interested in mountaineering, this is the place for you. North of Marmolada you will find another exceptional place, this time with a world status. Dolomites Superski is the largest ski area in the world. It unites 1104 km of slopes and 12 ski villages, served by 400 lifts. In summer, the most charming Italian hiking and cycling routes through the Dolomites desert open here. The most popular destination is in the valley of the Talimento River.

Climate in Europe

Due to the location in the temperate zone, the seasons are clearly expressed in the European part of the world. The north and south of Europe are radically different from the east. The annual amount of sun coming in the south is several times greater than in the north. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean to the North Atlantic current raises temperatures along the west coast. The interaction of air masses forms frequent cyclones. They bring thawing in winter and rain in summer. The formed anticyclones give heat in summer and clear but cold temperatures in winter. The transport of air masses to the west plays a major role in shaping the climate. Due to the plains to the east, Arctic air penetrates far to the south. Cold and dry air prevails in the Arctic zone. The sun remains low on the horizon for most of the year. The subarctic belt covers the shores of the Barents Sea, northern Scandinavia, and Iceland. Summer temperatures there rise above ten degrees Celsius. Most of Europe is in the temperate zone. The climate varies considerably during the seasons. The southeast belongs to the continental belt. There is a hot summer, but a warm winter. The southern part is covered by the subtropical belt. Summer is tropical and the maximum winter temperature is 10 ° C.

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