From Monday, 15 June to Saturday, 20 June 2026

This activity is NOT included with registration. The total cost will be shown in December 2025.

Reservations for the pre-symposium excursion will open on 1 January 2026, alongside early registration. Seats will be available exclusively to registered participants and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until full.

Description

The pre-symposium botanical excursion will set off from the historic city of León on 15 June, embarking on a journey through one of the most ecologically diverse regions of the Iberian Peninsula, including part of the Camino (Santiago´s way). Over six days, participants will traverse a striking climatic and biogeographic gradient—from the dry, sunlit continental Mediterranean ecosystems of the northern Plateau to the lush, moisture-rich Atlantic landscapes of the Cantabrian coast—. This immersive itinerary offers a rare opportunity to observe the floristic transitions shaped by altitude, geology, and climate, including beech, oak and juniper woodlands, mixed forests, montane meadows, peat bogs, and coastal heathlands. Along the way, we’ll explore botanical hotspots and protected areas that harbour endemic and threatened plant species. together with relict populations of brown bears (Ursus arctos) and Western capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus)—symbols of the region’s wild heritage. In addition to fieldwork and ecological interpretation, the program includes cultural visits and gastronomical experiences featuring local cuisine and traditional mountain fare.