Finland
Whispers of the Wilderness
If you’re searching for sweeping skies and untouched snowy forests, direct your gaze towards Kainuu in eastern Finland. Straddling the Russian border, this secluded region offers breathtaking vistas that resemble a scene from a holiday postcard: snow-blanketed pines, spruces, firs, and larches dotting the landscape, interspersed with shimmering lakes and birch groves bursting with berries.
Why visit? While Kainuu’s forests and wetlands may fly under the radar for most travelers, they are a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts. Here, brown bears, wolves, wolverines, lynxes, and elks roam freely. Birdwatchers, too, can delight in spotting golden eagles, black grouse, woodpeckers, Ural owls, and the elusive red-flanked bluetail. The best time for wildlife watching is between spring and autumn, when longer days bring vibrant activity. However, winter beckons photographers to capture the enchantment of this Narnia-like realm.
How to explore Nature Travels offers family-friendly Canoe Adventures through the enchanting Lentua lake system. Paddling along the historic Tar Route—once used for transporting tar to the Baltic Sea—these self-guided six-day trips start at £645 for a family of four, covering transfers and essential equipment (canoeing, cooking, and camping gear), although flights and meals are not included.
For winter enthusiasts, Wildlife Safaris Finland organizes foot, ski, or snowshoe excursions from a traditional log cabin complete with a sauna. Guests may track wolverine, wolf, and otter prints, or, with a bit of luck, catch a glimpse of golden eagles, Siberian jays, waxwings, and even the northern lights. Prices begin at €890 per person for three nights, inclusive of transfers, accommodation, meals, and two guided activities daily, excluding flights.
Poland
Discovering Białowieża Forest
Ten thousand years ago, a sweeping expanse of northeastern Europe was blanketed in dense forests. Though much of that woodlands have vanished, a significant remnant remains in the far eastern reaches of Poland and western Belarus: the nearly 142,000-hectare Białowieża Forest.
Why go? As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Białowieża is a wellspring of biodiversity. Despite facing threats from logging interests, it still nurtures 59 mammal species, including elk, wolves, and lynxes, alongside over 250 bird species such as white-tailed eagles and various rare woodpecker species. However, the forest is perhaps best known for its European bison, with around 900 individuals roaming within its bounds—making up nearly a quarter of the global population.
How to experience it You don’t have to wait until summer to explore Białowieża forest; Wild Poland offers an eight-day Winter Wildlife Festival from January 19-26, 2019. Starting in Warsaw, the tour begins at £552 per person and includes transfers, accommodation in a cozy wooden forest inn, half-board meals, evening lectures from visiting scientists, and self-guided nature walks. Guests can also dive into a schedule of guided activities, including a visit to the Biebrza Marshes, for a fee.
Greece
The Pindus Mountains
The Pindus Mountains, often called the backbone of Greece, hold a treasure trove of wildlife experiences, particularly if you venture to their lofty peaks. Nestled in the rugged northwestern part of the country, near the Albanian border, these mountains feature two national parks—Northern Pindos and Vikos-Aoös—drawing a modest stream of visitors to sites like Vikos Gorge and the beautiful villages of Zagori, far away from Greece’s bustling coastlines.
Why explore? Between jagged peaks and steep ravines lying beneath alpine lakes, lush valleys of beech, chestnut, and pine trees thrive. Northern Pindos National Park alone houses 11 wildlife sanctuaries, preserving about 4,000 plant species alongside diverse fauna including wolves, jackals, otters, red deer, and bears. Bird watchers can also spot herons, egrets, and spoonbills in this stunning environment.
How to embark Consider joining Natural Greece’s five-day Wild Bears in Northern Pindos trip, where you’ll track these magnificent creatures alongside researchers from Callisto, a local bear conservation organization. Starting and finishing in Thessaloniki, these tours are available in summer and autumn from €550 per person, which includes transfers, guiding, accommodation, and some meals. Alternatively, make a home base in one of the quaint, family-run village hotels and embark on day excursions—doubles at Primoula Country Hotel in Ano Pedina start at £70 per night, with photography tours, birdwatching trips, and trekking available through local partners like the Zagori Excellence Network.
Romania
The Majestic Carpathian Mountains
While Transylvania is famously known for its vampires, the region is home to another formidable predator: wolves. The southern Carpathians, a breathtaking expanse of wooded mountains, meadows, and narrow canyons, offer some of the most accessible wildlife watching in Europe. The terrain, comprising ancient forests, is easily accessible from the charming, historic villages of Transylvania. For those interested in immersing themselves in medieval architecture or the lore of Dracula alongside enjoying the company of vultures—bearded, Egyptian, griffon, and cinereous varieties—each excursion is enriched with unique experiences.
Why venture forth? The Southern Carpathians boast some of Europe’s densest populations of wolves, lynxes, and bears, alongside chamois, wild cats, red and roe deer, and wild boar. This area encompasses over a million hectares of protected land, intricately linked by green corridors, and is part of an initiative by Rewilding Europe to sustain biodiversity, which has recently seen a reintroduction of European bison.
How to get involved If you’re keen on a bear-tracking adventure in the Carpathians, Exodus Travels offers an immersive experience through their Carpathian Walking and Bears trips. Starting and finishing in Bucharest, these seven-night journeys—running from May to October—are anchored in a cozy guesthouse in Măgura, at the Carpathians’ foothills. Each day blends guided hikes with cultural excursions, including forester-led visits to bear hides, and prices start at £1,199 per person, inclusive of flights, transfers, full-board accommodation, and activities. For an alternative route, Discover Adventure offers a Transylvanian Winter Wilderness Trek, a five-day group trek next February, featuring chamois-spotting and snowshoeing adventures, plus an overnight stay at the Ice Hotel on Lake Balea. Prices start at £900 per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation, and most meals.
Portugal
Exploring Coa Valley
While the cobbled streets and riverside wine bars of Porto buzz with tourists, just a three-hour drive east along Portugal’s northeastern border with Spain lies the serene Côa Valley. Here, those tackling the Grande Rota do Vale do Côa long-distance trail or exploring its UNESCO World Heritage site—home to prehistoric depictions of horses, oxen, deer, and hunters—will find tranquility amid river gorges, oak forests, and undisturbed heaths.
Why journey here? The Côa Valley, nestled within the cross-border Meseta Ibérica UNESCO Biosphere and Western Iberia—another of Rewilding Europe’s initiatives—is particularly renowned for its cliff-breeding birds. These include black storks, eagle owls, alpine swifts, and various vultures and eagles. The region also harbors the Reserva da Faia Brava, an 850-hectare nature reserve that is home to wild Garrano horses, Maronesa cattle, Iberian wolves, ibex, and red and roe deer.
How to experience it Emphasizing nature-based tourism, Rewilding Europe has supported local accommodation providers—one standout option is Star Camp, boasting safari-style tents within the Faia Brava reserve. Guests can stay for €104 a night for two (with dinner at €30 per person) and opt for guided bird-watching adventures. For more extensive travel experiences, local operator Miles Away, or the European Safari Company, can craft tailored packages to suit your preferences.