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SWITZERLAND

Geneva, Zermatt, Obergoms, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Vevey

Hunting high and low for the perfect shot in Switzerland, with too many options
Historic towns, Mediterranean coastal landscapes, Alpine mountain regions, business hubs and four different languages. Switzerland is not only at the centre of Europe, but also the heart of the Alps and a country of great versatility. It’s almost entirely covered with spectacular mountain ranges and, together with 208 mountains, there are more than 1,500 lakes, very close to each other, like gems on a crown. Which makes it simply the perfect location for landscape photography.

And it get’s more interesting. Here they speak Italian but the trains are always on time, they have the best chocolate, but the 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. Did we mention the glaciers? 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, we will show you its best. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.

And it get’s more interesting. Here they speak Italian but the trains are always on time, they have the best chocolate, but the 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. Did we mention the glaciers? 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, we will show you its best. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.

Group Size

4-6 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR, mirrorless, a fast wide angle for the stars, tripod
  • 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 also welcome)

Weather | Sun

Temps 50/86 F 10/30 C
Sunrise 6:00 | Sunset 20:30

Includes

  • 08 Days
  • Travel and landscape photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Small group size (4-6 guests)
  • 4-star Hotels
  • Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches
  • 2 Dinners (Welcome and farewell 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 to hotel 10 min
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

Geneva – La Reserve Geneve Hotel & Spa, Hotel de La Cigogne, The Ritz Carlton Hotel de la Paix or similar
Zermatt – Gornergrat Kulm Hotel, Schweizerhof Zermatt, or similar
Obergoms – Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe, Hotel Hubertus or similar
Grindelwald – Hotel Kirchbuehl, Hotel Belveder, Sunstar Hotel, Grindelwald First or similar
Lucerne –  Radisson Blu Hotel Lucerne, Astoria Lucerne, Hotel des Balances or similar
Vevey –  Grand Hotel du Lac Vevey or similar

Switzerland Prices & Dates


Photographer Leader

Photographer Leader

Anja Kallenbach

August 3-10, 2024
August 2-9, 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

SWITZERLAND 8 DAYS

Day 1 | Geneva

We 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 celebrate with our “Welcome Dinner” at one of our favorite restaurants in the city. (D)

Day 2 | Valère Basilica - Zermatt - Matterhorn

After breakfast, we 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 | Grimsel Pass - Rhone Glacier

We will leave Zermatt in the morning and travel to Obergoms, passing by the beautiful valley of Binn, where we will stay in a hotel with a great wellness area. 

In the afternoon, we will drive to the Grimsel Pass. There is a spectacular mountain road which leads to a stunning landscape made of five lakes, many rocks and a glacier that seem to be from another world. We will first visit the marmots that have found home in this area, then the ice cave of the Rhone Glacier on the Furka Pass and its famous hotel Belvedere. As the glaciers are melting so fast, every year there is a chance that the cave is gone forever.

During the sunset we will go to one of the lakes of the Grimsel to enjoy the view of a spectacular glacier. (B)

Day 5 | Eggishorn - Grindelwald

Today we will have to get up very early and checkout (around 4am). After a short drive to Fiesch we will take a cable car to arrive at Eggishorn before sunrise. From here we will be able to admire the stunning peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

After a delicious breakfast in the Panoramic Restaurant, we will visit the Glacier with a mountain Guide (our hiking equipment will be rented). Aletsch Glacier is one of the safest glaciers with easy access, even for those who have never walked on a glacier. Standing on the ice and photographing an accumulation that is millions of years old is unforgettable!

In the afternoon we will drive to Grindelwald, the village in the famous shadow of the Eiger North Face and then head to Grindelwald with a cable car. We will sleep here in a typical Swiss Chalet where we can enjoy the first cliff walk by Tissot. We can also take sunset, sunrise and night photos here with the stunning view to Grindelwalds mountain, a view of the Wetterhorn, and Eiger.

And we can also take an (optional) walk about 50 minutes to the Bachalpsee. When there is no wind, here you find the perfect mirror for Grindelwalds stunning mountains. (B)

Day 6 | Lucerne

After a wonderful and well deserved rest, we enjoy a lovely breakfast Swiss chalet style, checkout and move on.

Today we will drive to the colorful and romantic Lucerne. We will have the pleasure to see 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 | Vevey - Lake Geneva

Today we will travel back to Lake Geneva, but on the way we will take the cable car to visit Mt. Pilatous and hopefully see the ibex colonies that live there. From up here you will have the most spectacular view of Lucerne and its surroundings.

Once we arrive in Lake Geneva, we will enjoy looking at the view from the other side, from the pearl of the Swiss Riviera, the small city of Vevey and home of Charlie Chaplin for 25 years. The area is surrounded by wineries, so we will have the chance to try some Swiss wine during our Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Day 8 | Lake Geneva

Unfortunately today we have to say 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 $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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