General Tour Information
TRAVEL TO LESVOS: This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird, and starts and ends in London. The cost of the group flights between London and Lesvos are included in the tour cost. You can choose, however, to make your own travel arrangements to Lesvos. You would receive a corresponding discount in the tour cost should you decide to do this. Please read the Important Travel Information for Participants on Sunbird Tours. .
ENTERING GREECE: United States citizens will need a valid passport to enter Greece. No visa is required. Your passport, as a general rule, should be valid for at least six months after the date the tour ends. Citizens of other nations should contact the nearest Greek Consulate for entry requirements.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Greece in the University of Texas series here. Click on the lower right corner of the map to adjust size. You can review the U.S. Department of State background notes on Greece here.
HEALTH: No specific immunizations are required, unless you are coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic. There is no malaria in Greece. You should have an up-to-date tetanus booster. Minor intestinal problems are often hard to avoid, so we suggest bringing Imodium in case of an upset stomach. Special medicines may be unavailable or difficult to obtain so bring enough to cover your particular needs for the entire trip. Generally, insects shouldn’t be a problem but it might be wise to bring a repellent in case we encounter a few mosquitoes. The sun may be strong and it is easy to become sunburned so bring a few long-sleeve shirts and a broad-rimmed hat. Tap water is generally safe to drink and bottled water is widely available.
PACE OF THE TOUR: Most days will start with an optional pre-breakfast excursion, lasting between one and two hours to one of the many excellent birding spots close to the hotel. After breakfast we will usually head out for the day and provided the weather is fine we will have a picnic lunch at one or other of the numerous interesting and attractive places on the island. Some days we may return to the hotel for a break in the afternoon, but generally we will be out birding until about an hour before dinner/log call at around 7:30 p.m. Both the beginning and the end of the day are a very good times to look at the birds coming and going at Kalloni pool, just in front of our hotel!
This tour is not strenuous but we will walk on stony ground and up ricky valleys. Leisurely walks of about one-half mile will be all that is required
CLIMATE: It is generally warm pleasant in late April with temperatures ranging between 15°C (59°F) and 23°C (73°F) in the daytime but cooler in the early morning and evenings. The weather is, however, unpredictable at this time of year and we are likely to have some rain during our stay.
DRESS: Dress will be informal throughout the tour.
ACCOMMODATION: Throughout the tour we will be staying at comfortable, good quality hotel. All rooms will have a private toilet and a bath or shower.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation will be in minibuses driven by the leaders. Please note that the leaders will operate a rotation system for seating in the vehicles.
SMOKING: We request that you do not smoke in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS & SUNBIRD TOURS: . Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Lesvos will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Updated: June 2008