Private Only
Price On Request
Leader: Roman Martin
People, and Astro Photography
• 8 +/- Days
• Private Only (1-6 Guests)
• Photographer | Guide
• Premium Hotels
• Breakfasts
• 2 Dinners
• Local Transportation
SWITZERLAND
Geneva, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Lucerne and Laussane
CROATIA
AMSTERDAM
ICELAND
IRELAND
ROMANIA
PORTUGAL
From Snow-Capped Peaks to Storybook Villages, Explore Switzerland.
And it get’s more interesting. People speak Italian here, yet the trains run on time. They make some of the world’s best chocolate, but chocolate fondue is a no no (it was invented in New York) and their cows climb mountains at the beginning of the summer and come back down in early fall. Instant coffee was invented here, as was the wristwatch, the world wide web, and the famous Einstein’s equation. Maybe it’s all the pure air of the mountains that makes the brain work faster.
Switzerland is also famous for its clocks, cheese, banking system, and pocket knives. 43% of Swiss households have at least one pet, usually a cat, and the country has the lowest crime rates in the world. Here, luxury and tradition go hand in hand, as yodel competitions still call large crowds. And did we mention the glaciers? Well, Switzerland has the most of this dying beauties in the Alps. A million year old ice, sparkling in all tones of white and blue, is an incredible sight. Unfortunately, due to climate change, it might not be there for long, so capturing it while it’s still with us should be on the must do list of any photographer.
This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to visualize 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. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. Switzerland is the perfect backdrop for a Nightscape, Nature, Wildlife, and Landscape Photo Workshop Adventure, and we will show you its best. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.
And it get’s more interesting. People speak Italian here, yet the trains run on time. They make some of the world’s best chocolate, but chocolate fondue is a no no (it was invented in New York) and their cows climb mountains at the beginning of the summer and come back down in early fall. Instant coffee was invented here, as was the wristwatch, the world wide web, and the famous Einstein’s equation. Maybe it’s all the pure air of the mountains that makes the brain work faster.
Switzerland is also famous for its clocks, cheese, banking system, and pocket knives. 43% of Swiss households have at least one pet, usually a cat, and the country has the lowest crime rates in the world. Here, luxury and tradition go hand in hand, as yodel competitions still call large crowds. And did we mention the glaciers? Well, Switzerland has the most of this dying beauties in the Alps. A million year old ice, sparkling in all tones of white and blue, is an incredible sight. Unfortunately, due to climate change, it might not be there for long, so capturing it while it’s still with us should be on the must do list of any photographer.
This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to visualize 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. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. Switzerland is the perfect backdrop for a Nightscape, Nature, Wildlife, and Landscape Photo Workshop Adventure, and we will show you its best. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.
Group Size
Private (1-6 Guests)
Experience | Difficulty
- Beginner, amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers
- All cameras and camera phones are welcome
- Bring a headlamp with a red light, good hiking shoes, and a warm jacket
- Busy schedule
- Travel by car or minibus
- Elevation changes with altitude over 7,000 ft.
- Moderate amount of walking
- Non-photographers are also welcome
Weather | Sun
August | September – Temps 62/46 F 17/8 C Sunrise 6:49 | Sunset 8:00 (20:00)
Includes
- 8 +/- Days
- Travel, landscape, nature, people, and astro photography
- Professional photographer | Guide
- Photo walks & discussions
- Private (1-6 Guests)
- Premium hotels
- Breakfasts
- 2 Dinners
- Entrance fees to parks, cable cars, and activities included in the itinerary
- Scheduled local transportation throughout the adventure
Travel Information
Arrival & Departure Airport: Geneva, Switzerland (GVA) – Transfer time: 15 minutes.
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. We suggest you use iVisa.com. They are excellent at providing quick service for obtaining travel visas.
Accommodations
Helpful Links
SWITZERLAND - Private Only
Photographer Leader
*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.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
SWITZERLAND PHOTO TOUR – 8 DAYS
(This is a sample Itinerary. Curate your own itinerary to your personal preferences)
Day 1 | Geneva
We’ll meet at our hotel in the morning at 11am to discuss PWA’s “10 Guiding Principles to Great Photography” as well as our “THE ART OF SEEING” photographic technique. After getting to know each other, we will have a group lunch and an informal discussion on what every guest is trying to achieve in terms of photography, subject matters, styles, and techniques. We will then dive into night photography and learn everything about the camera setting and focus for our first night out.
In the afternoon, we will explore Lake Geneva by boat and then go on a beautiful walk along its coastline, exploring also one of the world’s highest water fountain and the Old City of Geneva, before heading back to the hotel to rest.
In the evening, we’ll celebrate with our “Welcome Dinner” at one of our favorite restaurants in the city. (D)
Day 2 | Valère Basilica - Zermatt - Matterhorn
After breakfast, we will leave Geneva and head to the most spectacular location in Switzerland: Zermatt. On our way, we will stop at a special castle called Valère Basilica in the town of Sion. The Valère basilica, also called Valère castle, is a fortified church situated in Sion in the canton of Valais. It is situated on a hill and faces the Château de Tourbillon, located on the opposite hill. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Upon our arrival in Zermatt, we will take a train to Gornergrat (10,170 feet / 3,100 meters), where we will enjoy not only a great view of the famous mountain the Matterhorn, but also of Monte Rosa, a spectacular snow covered mountain range and its glaciers. We will then return back to our hotel and rest for the day. (B)
Day 3 | Zermatt - Little Matterhorn
After a good breakfast, we will take the highest cable car of Europe to reach the “Little Matterhorn”, at 3,880 meters (12,729 feet) above sea level, where we can enjoy a spectacular view of its bigger brother and its surrounding glaciers.
Later, we will explore the picturesque mountain village of Zermatt. We will also try to capture the Matterhorn from Zermatt during the sunset hour. (B)
Day 4 | Zermatt - Grindelwald
We leave Zermatt in the morning and travel to Fiesch, where a cable car carries us up to Eggishorn. Here, the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in Europe, unfolds beneath the peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, a landscape almost too vast to take in at once. We will spend a few hours at the viewpoint before lunch at the Panoramic Restaurant, taking in the view a little longer.
In the afternoon, we descend and continue our drive over the Grimsel Pass and Furka Pass, two of the most spectacular mountain roads in the Alps. Near Gletsch, we stop to visit the ice cave of the Rhone Glacier, by the historic Hotel Belvedere. As the glacier retreats a little further each year, this is an experience that changes with every visit, and one that may not last much longer.
We continue on to Grindelwald, our base for the next two nights, arriving with time to settle in and enjoy the village as evening falls. (B)
Day 5 | Grindelwald
Today we will have a relaxed day, based entirely in Grindelwald. We ride the gondola up to First and walk the Cliff Walk for close-up views of the Eiger’s north face, its sheer wall rising straight out of the valley. From here, an easy walk over gentle alpine meadows — around an hour, brings us to Bachalpsee, where, weather permitting, the lake offers a near-perfect mirror reflection of the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn. We time this for the best light, whether early morning stillness or the warmer glow of late afternoon.
The rest of the day is left open for a relaxed lunch, free time in the village, or an optional second viewpoint for those who want more. As evening settles in, we return for sunset and a final round of photography, with the Eiger and Wetterhorn catching the day’s last light. (B)
Day 6 | Lucerne
After a wonderful and well deserved rest, we will enjoy a lovely breakfast; Swiss chalet style. Then, we will checkout and move on to our next location.
We will drive to the colorful and romantic Lucerne. We will have the pleasure of seeing this stunning city with a very well preserved medieval architecture, wooden covered bridge originally built in 1333, and many towers, all surrounded by mountains and facing a beautiful lake. We will spend the night here and will have the chance to see Lucerne by night with its photogenic lights. (B)
Day 7 | Lucerne – Mt. Pilatus – Lausanne
We will travel back toward Lake Geneva, but on the way, we will take the cable car to visit Mt. Pilatus and hopefully see the ibex colonies that live there. From up here, you will have the most spectacular view of Lucerne and its surroundings.
Continuing on, we arrive in Lausanne, the vibrant capital of the canton of Vaud, perched on terraces above Lake Geneva with the Alps rising across the water. We’ll head down to Ouchy, Lausanne’s lakeside quarter, for golden-hour photography along the promenade, with sailboats, the lake, and the mountains beyond as backdrop. Depending on timing and energy, we can also fit in a stop at Lausanne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with sweeping views over the old town’s rooftops, or wander the cobblestone lanes and covered staircases of the medieval center. We’ll close the evening with our “Farewell Dinner,” toasting the trip with local wine from the vineyards we visited earlier in the day. (B) (D)
Day 8 | Lake Geneva
Unfortunately, day 8 will be the day we bid each other good bye. But, we will enjoy our last breakfast together and have a photo discussion before we depart. (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 up to $750 off a future trip!
Register for one of our photo adventures and begin earning points today!
How the program works
For every photo tour 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 on future trips. 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
On most Photo Tours and Adventures, you earn 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately with your first trip. A $11,995 spend earns 47,980 points with a value of $480 USD.
VIP GUESTS
VIP Guests (guests who have registered for eight or more trips) begin earning double points, or eight points, for every dollar spent. A $11,995 spend earns 95,960 points with a value of $960 USD.
Additional VIP Benefits:
- Advance notification of upcoming adventures and special offers
- Receive complimentary airport transfers at certain destinations
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 (scheduled to depart before your points expire), register and pay your deposit. When you pay your balance, you'll be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.
*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. Points are awarded only after a trip is completed. Points expire after two years if no new trip is booked and paid for in your account. Points cannot be exchanged for cash and have no cash value. Points cannot be transferred or gifted. Points cannot be applied to any discounted photo adventures, and discounted photo adventures cannot earn points. Points and redeeming points are only available for 5-day or longer photo tours. Points and points redemption are unavailable on private photo tours, photo day tours, low-cost 4-day or less photo tours, online lectures, tutorials, PWA products, and NYC photo tours.
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.
