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TUSCANY

Lucca, Chianti, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Cortona, Orvieto

TUSCANY

CINQUE TERRE

SICILY

NAPLES & AMALFI

PUGLIA

VENICE CARNIVAL

Great food, wine, medieval villages and breathtaking landscapes await you.

Enjoy a full sensory experience complete with amazing food, fine wine, and breathtaking landscapes. Located in central Italy, Tuscany stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Central Tuscany is dotted with medieval hilltop fortresses, vine-planted hillsides and sculptural stands of cypress trees; the northwest and east harbor boast dramatic mountain ranges and fecund forests, and the central and southern coasts feature a garland of islands floating tantalizingly close to a shoreline teeming with wildlife. The range of outdoor activities on offer is equally diverse, contributing to the region’s reputation as a repository of grand-slam sights and experiences unmatched anywhere in the world.

Join us as we take picture-perfect postcards. We will explore medieval villages, historic towns, castles, country churches (the so-called pievi) and beautiful abbeys that are scattered all over. The architecture includes Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Walled medieval villages that sit high atop hilltops overlooking the vineyards grace this beautiful land. You’ll be inspired during the countless opportunities to capture breathtaking photos.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. We cannot think of a better location to express your creativity than Tuscany!

Join us as we take picture-perfect postcards. We will explore medieval villages, historic towns, castles, country churches (the so-called pievi) and beautiful abbeys that are scattered all over. The architecture includes Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Walled medieval villages that sit high atop hilltops overlooking the vineyards grace this beautiful land. You’ll be inspired during the countless opportunities to capture breathtaking photos.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. We cannot think of a better location to express your creativity than Tuscany!

Group Size

4-8 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
  • Moderate schedule
  • Travel by car or minibus
  • Considerable elevation changes and lots of walking
  • (non-photographers also welcome)

Weather | Sun

May – Temps 70/49 F  21/10 C  Sunrise 6:11 | Sunset 8:13 (20:13)
September – Temps 83/60 F  28/16 C  Sunrise 6:46 | Sunset 7:36 (19:36)

Includes

  • 8 Days
  • Travel, landscape, seascape, architecture, and people photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Small group size (4-8 guests)
  • 4 or 5-star hotels
  • Breakfasts
  • 2 lunches & 2 dinners
  • Local transportation

Travel Information

Arrival & Departure Airports: Pisa (PSA), Rome (FCO) or Florence (FLR) – Travel time to hotel 30min – 2hr
Our adventure begins at 11 AM on the first day and ends at noon on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to Visa Map to find out.

Accommodations

Lucca – Palazzo Alexander Hotel, Hotel Ilaria & Residenza dell’Alba or similar
Radda in Chianti – Palazzo Leopoldo or similar
Cortona – Relais Villa Baldelli, Relais La Corte dei Papi or similar
Orvieto – Inncasa Hotel, Grand Hotel Italia or similar

Optional Excursions

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon including a champagne breakfast (optional – fee applies)
Wine Making – Be a wine maker for a day (optional – fee applies)
Cooking Class – Spend an afternoon cooking in a beautiful Tuscan villa (optional – fee applies)

Helpful Links

> Tuscany for Photographers – by Ian Robert Knight

Tuscany Prices & Dates


Photographer Leader

Photographer Leader

Attilio Di Giangiacomo

September 7-14, 2024
September 6-13, 2025

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

TUSCANY 8 DAYS

Day 1 | Lucca - Pisa

We meet in the morning at our hotel in the medieval walled city of Lucca, just one hour west of Florence and just outside Pisa. We start the day off discussing PWA’s “10 Guiding Principles of Photography” as well as our “THE ART OF SEEING” photographic technique. During a group lunch, we will have informal discussions on what the guests are trying to achieve in their photography, subject matters, styles and techniques.

From here we will set out for a day of photography throughout this ancient yet stylish northern Tuscan city. Lucca has become a favorite among many of our guests. In the late afternoon we depart for nearby Pisa for some sunset and twilight photography of the Cathedral di Pisa and the Leaning Tower. The Cathedral is a beautiful piece of Romanesque architecture. Upon our return to Lucca, we will celebrate with a “Welcome Dinner” at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, one established in the 15th century. (D)

Day 2 | Lucca

Today we will completely immerse ourselves in Lucca. Lonely Planet says, “Lovely Lucca is a precious pearl of a city that endears itself to everyone who visits. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to explore by foot.” The photographic opportunities in Lucca are endless, as you will find throughout this entire adventure.

In the afternoon we offer an optional fashion shoot amid the ancient architecture of Lucca. At the day’s end, historic cafes and restaurants will tempt us to relax over a glass or two of Lucchesi wine and a slow progression of rustic dishes prepared with fresh produce from the nearby Garfagnana. (B)

Note: The Lucca Fashion Shoot is an optional excursion.

Day 3 | Florence - Greve - Radda in Chianti

We depart Lucca in the early morning hours for Florence, where we will spend the entire morning and early afternoon photographing this beautiful city. Considered the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is an architectural masterpiece. We will focus on street photography near the city center, the city’s iconic and magnificent Duomo, and the bridges that cross the Arno River.

After lunch, we will head south toward the Chianti region. En route will we explore Greve in Chianti and the countryside before arriving at our beautifully restored historic hotel in the center of Radda. Sunset long exposure photography in the nearby vineyards followed by a Tuscan dinner.

Day 4 | Radda in Chianti - Panzano

On day four morning, we offer a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Tuscany followed by a champagne breakfast in the countryside. The photographic opportunities from the sky as the sun is breaking the horizon can be stunning.

After, we will spend the day at a local winery, where we will be treated to a photographic potpourri of groves, grapes, villas and rolling hills. At a friend’s 500 hectare winery we can learn how to make wine in the cellar, followed by a cooking class with chef Margherita in the villa’s kitchen. After the optional cooking class, we will enjoy a wonderful 4-course lunch. This may very well be the highlight of your adventure.

In the evening we will visit the hamlet of Panzano, home of the legendary butcher Dario Cecchini, for an amazing Tuscan steak dinner.

Note: The Hot Air Balloon, Cooking Class and Be a Winemaker for a Day are all optional excursions.

Day 5 | San Gimignano - Siena - Cypress Groves - Cortona

We depart Radda for the medieval village of San Gimignano for an amazing day of photography and food. Since we are traveling by private vehicle, we have the luxury of stopping whenever we come across a breathtaking opportunity. San Gimignano is a magnificently preserved walled medieval city, known as the ‘Medieval Manhattan’ for its many tall towers. The village itself was founded in the 6th century and is sited on the old route that pilgrims took, from Northern Europe to Rome. A famous feature of the village is the 13 remaining towers that date from 1150. As well as these towers, which were built by the wealthy when the village was an important center for trade, its walls, gates, and palaces are intact.

After lunch, we head to Siena. They say that Siena is a “State of Mind”, and perhaps they are right. It has an allure that grabs hold of you and has you coming back for more. Siena dates back to 900 B.C. and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of Italy’s most visited cities. We arrive early to explore all Siena has to offer. You will marvel at Siena’s incredible Cathedral and its breathtaking gothic architecture. This is one of our favorite Cathedrals in Italy. After lunch, we depart Siena and head for the famous cypress groves in southern Tuscany for some iconic Tuscan photography. Here you will notice how the landscape of Tuscany changes from the north. We will discuss the importance of composition and light, and the use of post-processing. Next, we’ll move east to the small hilltop medieval village of Cortona where we will spend the night at a lovely historic villa outside the city. (B)

Day 6 | Cortona

At sunrise, we set out to discover Cortona, a small charming town in the Valdichiana, or Chiana Valley, in the province of Arezzo in southern Tuscany. The city, enclosed by stone walls dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, sits on the top of a hill about 600 meters (about 1968 feet) above sea level. This dominant position over the valley offers a spectacular view from all over the town of the surrounding valley and even Lake Trasimeno.

Our day and evening in Cortona will be spent both inside and outside of city walls, taking in all Cortona has to offer. In the evening we dine at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. (B)

Day 7 | Cortona - Orvieto (Umbria)

After an early morning exploration of Cortona and photography discussions over an espresso or two, we head to our final destination, the amazing city of Orvieto and its great Etruscan ruins. Located in the southwest region of Umbria, Orvieto is situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. The site of the city is among the most dramatic in Europe, rising above the almost-vertical faces of tuff cliffs that are completed by defensive walls built of the same stone called Tufa. Here will explore the differences between Umbria and the neighboring cities of Tuscany.

After we check into our final hotel we will explore some twilight and sunset photography before settling in to enjoy a wonderful “Farewell Dinner” overlooking this beautiful city of Orvieto. (B) (D)

Day 8 | Orvieto (Umbria)

On day eight, we awake to our final group discussion, review our past weeks photos, trade contact information, check out and bid you farewell. You can take the train from Orvieto to Rome (1hr 30min), to Florence, Pisa or other destinations throughout Italy.

We urge you to extend your stay in Italy or elsewhere in Europe and make good use of all the wonderful photographic techniques you will learn on our amazing photo adventure. (B)

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion

 

May all who come as guests... leave as friends®

 

OPTIONS AND BENEFITS

Pricing

All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.

Private Guided Adventures

We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.

Travel Insurance

We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.

The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.

Rewards Program

Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!

How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.

ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.

GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.

Additional Gold Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers

VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).

Additional VIP Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
  • Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
  • Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*

Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.

THINK ORANGE Magazine

Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!

Gift Cards

Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo  Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.

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