“Explore the Anatolian Plateau, Cappadocia, and Van in search of rare plants.”
Irises and Alpines Tour of Eastern Turkey
May 12th - 22nd 2025
Chris Gardner, Director of ViraNatura, has designed this unique tour of Oncocyclus and other irises of Eastern Turkey. The tour will be led by iris expert Prof. Adil Guner, fluent in English, who has studied Irises for decades, including descriptions of several new species. This small-group tour is perfect for iris and alpine enthusiasts with reasonable fitness levels.
Tour Highlights:
Visit iris populations like Iris gatesii on Halkis Dagi
(requiring moderate endurance).Explore irises and Fritillaria imperialis at Ovacik.
Discover endemic fritillaries, irises, and steppe flora along the old Silk Road.
See extraordinary flora in Cappadocia, Palandoken, and the Lake Van region.
Tour Details:
Cost: USD $3750 per person (twin share), including accommodation, meals, entry fees, and transportation.
Not included: External travel to/from Ankara/Istanbul and internal flights to Elazig (can be arranged).
Optional 3-day extension with Prof Adil Guner , Director of Istanbul Botanic Gardens including other gardens, architectural highlights, exquisite cuisine and cultural highlights of ‘old ‘ Istanbul. (cost TBD).
Proposed Itinerary explorations:
Explore the Anatolian Plateau from Cappadocia to Van in search of rare spring flowers.
Explore steppe areas where Iris sprengeri, Moltkia caerulea, Arnebia densiflora , mounds of Convolvulus assyriaca, Scorzonera eriophora, Salvia blepharoclaena, and Gladiolus atroviolaceus will all be in flower.
Enjoy the landscapes of Erciyes Volcano and Gezbeli Pass with snow-melt bulbs Crocus biflorus, subsp. tauri, Corydalis erdelii, Scilla sibirica, Eranthis hyemalis and Anemone blanda, black-purple. Verbascum phoeniceum, mats of pink Aethionema diatropis, and red forms of Fritillaria acmopetala.
Other R & R in Nelson
Nelson Tasman's stunning landscapes, delightful local food, and excellent climate make it the perfect destination for an unforgettable adventure. To fully enjoy your time in Nelson Tasman, explore its must-see attractions and activities before unwinding in the private garden with a sustainably heated hot tub at the end of your day.
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Many of Nelson Tasman’s stunning natural landscapes are best explored on foot, and we have a diverse range of well-maintained trails and tracks to suit every fitness level. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day challenge or a short family stroll our region is paradise for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
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A network of cycle trails run from the city through to the bay, perfect for scenic morning rides and afternoon adventures. Hire a bike and take a leisurely ride along the Railway Reserve, show off your skills at the Saxton Velodrome, explore some of the countryside on two wheels, or tick off a Great Ride as you experience everything on offer along the Great Taste Trail.
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Hire a paddleboard or giant SUP at Tahunanui Beach to explore Fifeshire Rock, Haulashore Island and the historic Boulder Bank, or take your board and venture up the Maitai River to enjoy some riverside dining. River Road Retreat provides a 2 person sea kayak with life jackets. Please ask with help to transport this. The local Waimea Inlet is an excellent place to paddle and look at the vast range of sea birds that live and feed there.
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Experience the ultimate thrill of skydiving from 20,000ft – one of the highest in New Zealand. If the adrenaline rush from up to 90 seconds of freefall isn’t enough, the scenery over the North and South Islands, three national parks and the golden coastline sure will be.
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Nelson Tasman wineries and cellar doors have some of the most stunning natural backdrops you’ll find anywhere in New Zealand, and are well worth taking your time to visit and enjoy. A day trip can easily see you touring the wine route
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EXPERIENCE ARTISAN FOOD
If you love food and drink of any kind, then you’ll love the artisan products for which Nelson Tasman is deservedly famous for.. Our rolling hills, picturesque plains, fertile soils and consistently sunny climate have established us as a place that produces top quality and award-winning fare. Moutere Valley, Golden Bay, Mapua, and Nelson City are just some of the places where you can try, buy, and send home some of our delicious artisan products. Olive oils, cheeses, rich and flavoursome wines, beers, and ciders, gourmet mushrooms, local conserves, honey, berries and fruit.
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So many things to choose from as a highlight why not putt your way around the region’s golf courses, from the hilltop stunners with sweeping sea and estuary views, to the valley charmers and quiet rural gems. There are also plenty of mini- golf courses if you’re looking for something a little lower key.
We have put together an extensive portfolio Please ask as we can give you the inside local tips on Rest and recreational things you can do while you stay in Nelson.
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WINE COUNTRY
NELSON TASMAN WINERIES AND CELLAR DOORS HAVE SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING NATURAL BACKDROPS YOU’LL FIND ANYWHERE IN NEW ZEALAND, AND ARE WELL WORTH TAKING YOUR TIME TO VISIT AND ENJOY. A DAY TRIP CAN EASILY SEE YOU TOURING THE WINE ROUTE.
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WALKING
MANY OF NELSON TASMAN’S STUNNING NATURAL LANDSCAPES ARE BEST EXPLORED ON FOOT.
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SO MUCH MORE TO EXPLORE
STARGAZING, JET BOATING, GOLFING, SCENIC HELICOPTER RIDES, WHARF JUMPING… JUST TO NAME A FEW! CHECK OUT OUR FULL BROCHURE WITH HELPFUL LINKS ON THE WHO’S WHO AND WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE HERE!
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BIKING
NELSON - TASMAN-BIKING
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WATER SPORTS
MURCHISON IS THE WHITEWATER CAPITAL OF NEW ZEALAND, SO WHILST YOU’RE THERE YOU MAY AS WELL INDULGE IN SOME WATER-BASED ADVENTURES. FEEL THE THRILL AS YOU JETBOAT THROUGH THE PINK GRANITE CANYONS OF THE BULLER GORGE, OR RIDE THE RAPIDS ON A WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP.
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THRILL SEEKERS
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE THRILL OF SKYDIVING FROM 20,000FT – ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN NEW ZEALAND. IF THE ADRENALINE RUSH FROM UP TO 90 SECONDS OF FREEFALL ISN’T ENOUGH, THE SCENERY OVER THE NORTH AND SOUTH ISLANDS, THREE NATIONAL PARKS AND THE GOLDEN COASTLINE SURE WILL BE.
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LOCAL FOOD & DINING OUT
IF YOU LOVE FOOD AND DRINK OF ANY KIND, THEN YOU’LL LOVE THE ARTISAN PRODUCTS FOR WHICH NELSON TASMAN IS DESERVEDLY FAMOUS FOR.. OUR ROLLING HILLS, PICTURESQUE PLAINS, FERTILE SOILS AND CONSISTENTLY SUNNY CLIMATE HAVE ESTABLISHED US AS A PLACE THAT PRODUCES TOP QUALITY AND AWARD-WINNING FARE. MOUTERE VALLEY, GOLDEN BAY, MAPUA, AND NELSON CITY ARE JUST SOME OF THE PLACES WHERE YOU CAN TRY, BUY, AND SEND HOME SOME OF OUR DELICIOUS ARTISAN PRODUCTS. OLIVE OILS, CHEESES, RICH AND FLAVOURSOME WINES, BEERS, AND CIDERS, GOURMET MUSHROOMS, LOCAL CONSERVES, HONEY, BERRIES AND FRUIT.
What the previous guests say
“If you are in the market for a getaway that is a bit special and boutique then this is the place. Nestled in grape vines, truffles, figs and orchards, the retreat offers a perfect place to reset- with comfortable, warm and modern interiors. Thanks so much Rebecca and Pete. Your space is just...” — Cate
Fantastic place to stay. Breakfasts were delicious, hosts friendly and the views were endless. Peaceful and great location, with river handy for a refreshing swim. We'll be back! — John Wellington
“I can not state enough how excellent our stay was. The setting is beautiful, the home modern with nice furnishings and appliances, and thoughtful inclusions that made the stay relaxing. We found this to be a great launch point for our excursions into Nelson, Abel Tasman for the water...” — Clayton
Loved this place with its lovely vibe, surrounded by established trees and gardens, with magnificent sunsets over the mountain backdrop to the west. Quiet location, not far from all the area has to offer, with astute culinary recommendations provided by our hosts, who also pampered us with... — Paul W
“We have travelled extensively and this is definitely one of our most favourite Airbnb's so far. Rebecca is a wonderful host and the property is in an idyllic setting. Highly recommended”. — John
•“Great place. Lovely location in the countryside, peaceful and relaxing. The Retreat is well equipped and very comfortable, and the breakfasts are to die for” — Quote Tim
“If you are in the market for a getaway that is a bit special and boutique then this is the place. Nestled in grape vines, truffles, figs and orchards, the retreat offers a perfect place to reset- with comfortable, warm and modern interiors. Thanks so much Rebecca and Pete. Your space is just...” — Cate Fantastic place to stay. Breakfasts were delicious, hosts friendly and the views were endless. Peaceful and great location, with river handy for a refreshing swim. We'll be back! — John Wellington “I can not state enough how excellent our stay was. The setting is beautiful, the home modern with nice furnishings and appliances, and thoughtful inclusions that made the stay relaxing. We found this to be a great launch point for our excursions into Nelson, Abel Tasman for the water...” — Clayton Loved this place with its lovely vibe, surrounded by established trees and gardens, with magnificent sunsets over the mountain backdrop to the west. Quiet location, not far from all the area has to offer, with astute culinary recommendations provided by our hosts, who also pampered us with... — Paul W “We have travelled extensively and this is definitely one of our most favourite Airbnb's so far. Rebecca is a wonderful host and the property is in an idyllic setting. Highly recommended”. — John •“Great place. Lovely location in the countryside, peaceful and relaxing. The Retreat is well equipped and very comfortable, and the breakfasts are to die for” — Quote Tim