Dolomites, Italian Alps in Fall Color – Venice Extension
8 days, 7 Nights 6-12 Guests $3950/person October 10-17, 2021
The Dolomites may be the most photogenic mountains on earth, and scheduling the trip for fall colors makes it a dream for landscape photographers. Just a 2-hour drive from Venice, this part of Italy is infused with a strong Austrian influence, so you’ll enjoy the blended flavors of Italian-Austrian foods and wines, along with the hospitality of Alpine mountain lodges.
We stay six nights in luxurious 4-star hotels and one night in a high mountain lodge called a “Rifugio”.
Activity Level: This trip involves some moderate hiking although guests can opt out of any or all hikes and still enjoy lodges with beautiful patio views and restaurants.
Pre-Workshop
We will meet up at the Venice Marco Polo airport. After the workshop we’ll return you to Venice where you can continue your travels.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
10:00 a.m., meet up at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Travel by minivans from Venice to San Vito di Cadore.
On the way, we’ll stop for lunch and a guided walk of the mountain village of Cibiana di Cadore and its famous murals.
Check into our charming four-star mountain hotel.
Welcome dinner
Day 2
Up for the early light we’ll photograph a series of beautiful views before breakfast.
Enjoy some mid-day free time in the village and the in the evening we’ll head for the lakes of Misurina for reflections of the alps in the crystal waters.
Day 3
After a relaxed morning in San Vito di Cadore, we’ll take short drives to Passo Falzarego and then on to the famous Passo Giau.
You can choose to take a short trek for the views or relax at the lodge on the pass. A Nightscape shoot at Passo Giau is optional if the clouds and moon cooperate.
Day 4
Today we travel to the Cinque Torri and stay a night at altitude at Rifugio Scoiattoli. From the rifugio, you’ll have options to trek a mile or two further up into the clouds, or to stay put and photograph the fields of flowers surrounded by awesome peaks.
Sunset and sunrise find us in prime position to photograph the famous Cinque Torri formation and the surrounding mountain range.
Day 5
After a sunrise shoot and a hearty breakfast, we travel to Sass Pordoi / Terra delle Dolomiti to a very panoramic spot our guide Mauro has scouted out just for this year’s tour.
We’ll take some time this afternoon to review images on the big screen and introduce some new Photoshop and Lightroom techniques.
Day 6
Traverse the Dolomites heading east rolling through gorgeous valleys and passes along the way.
Bustling mountain town of Bressanone, a mix of Austrian and Italian culture and foods.
The Odle group of peaks in the Val di Funes tower over the chapel of San Giovanni, built in a meadow of wildflowers.
Gourmet tailgate picnic and watch the sunset on the village and church of Santa Maddalena and the Odle mountain group.
Day 7
We’ll go back up to altitude today by tram for some vistas in the Ortisei region. Basing from a comfortable hikers lodge, we can take a short walk to one of the most dramatic view in these mountains. B
Day 8 | Editing Workshop and Review
Workshop with tips specific to mountain landscapes.
On-screen review of your stunning images.
Return to Venice Marco Polo Airport (around 4 p.m.).
Arrivaderci!
The Workshop
In the field, we’ll gather each day for instruction on some aspect of landscape or street photography. In addition, individual instruction will be available each day as we travel. At times we’ll meet up and to review your images on aa big screen and offer gentle critique. Reviewing images with an instructor is by far the best way to learn and grow. As a group, we’ll also learn new editing techniques using your images to work on.
Classroom Workshop Sessions
On the Dolomites tour our classroom time is limited to 2 or 3 sessions, usually 2 hours each session. We bring our own projector for this purpose because it’s so important for the group to see what the others are shooting. These “gentle” critiques are held mid-day as our hotel accommodations allow.
We address any technical issues evident in the images but mostly suggest ways to improve composition and lighting, the heart of our art. These classroom sessions also allow the instructor to walk though editing techniques and digital workflow.
Staff
Tour Producer
Mauro Riva Dolomites Guide
Mauro Riva is a professional guide in the Dolomites and lives in this region he loves so much. He will travel with us, showing us his favorite haunts and secrets that only a local can.
Mauro has worked with Italy Workshops on several tours and knows all about our specific needs as photographers and how to get us to the right places in the best possible light.
This can’t be over-stated… an experienced tour manager like Mauro allows the instructors to focus on our guests instead of chasing down travel logistics put out fires. This is your guarantee of a safe and smooth week of learning.
Special Guest Instructor
Randy Collier
Randy Collier, longtime instructor at Italy Workshops, will join us for this workshop. Randy loves the Dolomites and has led workshops there as well as Liguria, Tuscany, Venice, and Amalfi Coast. He has 40 years experience as a full time photographer both in landscape and studio work.
He is known for his deep knowledge of Photoshop and Lightroom and privately tutors photographers all across the US. Randy is also renowned for his patience, kindness and good humor. More about Randy
Office and Registration
Italy Workshops offices are located in Salt Lake City, UT in the historic downtown mansion of Busath Studio & Gardens. Please feel free to stop in and visit.
We are open and reachable by phone Tues-Friday 10AM to 6PM MST. 801-364-6645
Sheryl Bird handles all registrations from her office in Boston, MA. Sheryl is reachable by email at info@italyworkshops.com
Workshop Leader
Drake Busath, started Italy Workshops in 1999, and has guided hundreds of photographers of every skill level to regions all over Italy. Having lived in Italy, Drake speaks Italian has many friends that help make these events more than just a photo tour.
He will share what he’s learned over his 40 year career as a commercial photographer and encourage you to identify and develop your own personal style while in Italy. More about Drake
Frequently Asked Questions
What Camera Gear Should I Bring?
We are not really gear heads, so all camera styles are acceptable on this tour. Two lenses is enough, with a range of focal lengths between moderate wide angle (24mm equivalent) and moderate telephoto (200mm equivalent). The may seem simple but when traveling less is more.
For this Dolomites trip, you could even photograph the entire trip with a single 24-105mm (full frame equivalent) lens.
A sturdy trip is a must for landscape imaging. We will send you more suggestions about current tripods, filters, gadgets… all of that, once we get you signed up.
Should I Bring a Computer
Participants who are very comfortable with their computer are encouraged to bring it along. Editing your images during the week can enhance your learning experience. We currently use Adobe Lightroom CC for our on-screen reviews sessions. You will learn new LR editing methods and workflow shortcuts during classroom reviews and critique. Even if you’ve used Lightroom, we highly recommend brushing up before the workshop by watching the free tutorials available on Adobe.com.
If you are not fluent downloading and managing digital images, you might consider leaving the computer behind and just focusing on camera work. You can still submit images daily for review, and perhaps find more time to learn about your camera and develop a discerning eye. (Not to mention sleep happily while others are editing into the night)
Observer Participants may be beginner photographers, attending all instruction and field trips, but not required to submit photos for critique. This is a fun way to learn without pressure. You’ll still photograph the same things and we’ll still want to review your work on the back of your camera and offer individual instruction in the field.
All Skill Levels Are Welcome
Beginner and Intermediate Photographers
We enjoy helping you master those buttons and menus on your camera! Short, daily field lessons will tackle one technique at time. Further individual attention in the field helps you lock in the concepts.
Any camera is welcome (yes, even smartphones!).
Non-photographer partners are welcome to sit in on all discussions and participate at their own level of interest. (Beginners often make some of the best images we see!)
Advanced Photographers
As an advanced photographer you’ll be encouraged to:
- Build your portfolio, adding strong images every single day of the trip.
- Focus on style development, lighting and composition.
- Work in “concentrations” to produce a collection of work suitable for a gallery showing or book project.
You will return home with a body of work suitable for a gallery showing or book project that will express your personal style, as opposed to a random collection of travel photos.
Dolomites Photo Tour Reviews
Dolomites Photo Tour Dates
Dolomites | October 10-17, 2021
Arrive: Venice, Italy*
Depart: Venice, Italy
Tour Group Size: 6-12 People
8 days / 7 nights
$3950/person (Add $500 supplement for private single room)
Ask about optional Venice extension Oct.7-10th
Price
$500 / Single supplement private room
* These trip starts and ends in Venice, Italy. You can arrive in any major Italian city, but Venice is recommended.
Included:
Travel
Ground travel by minivan from Venice Marco Polo Airport, returning to Venice.
Hotels
6 nights accommodations in four-star hotels.
1 night in Rifugio (mountain ski / hikers lodges) with restaurant and all the comforts of home.
Meals
- Luxurious breakfast each day.
- Dinner or lunch each day as we travel.
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Wine included with meals.
Workshop
Workshop tuition, including instruction in the field throughout the week and on-screen review where allowed by time and hotel space.
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Trip insurance (recommended)
*Also not included are crowds of tourists, slow moving tour guides and lectures on the history of plague 🙂
Payment Schedule
- A reservation fee of $500/person will hold your spot
- The balance of payment is due 120 days prior to your workshop/tour
Hotel Rooms
We use hotels rated 3 or 4 stars, always with private bath. Rooms are assigned in order of reservations received, so early signup is recommended. Ask about premium rooms if you would like to upgrade for an additional supplement charge.
Single Private Room Supplements
Fees are based on double occupancy. Single supplement may be added for participants who wish to have a private room to themselves. Supplements vary depending on the hotels used. If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room with another participant, please let us know and we’ll do our best to match you with a roommate.
Cancellation fee schedule
- There is no charge for cancellation within ten days of booking your workshop.
- After ten days, reservation fees are non-refundable but may be applied to a future workshop event.
- Cancellations less than 90 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 25% of the total workshop cost.
- Cancellations less than 45 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total workshop cost.
- Cancellations less than 15 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 75% of the total workshop cost.
- No partial refunds will be given for unused portions of a workshop.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Travel Guard is a good place to start shopping for trip insurance. You can get a free quote online.
Cancelled Workshops
Italy Workshops reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient signup, logistical problems that may impede a workshop, hotel closures or acts of God.
Refund of all fees paid shall release Italy Workshops from any further liability. Italy Workshops is not responsible for any expenses incurred by workshop participants in preparing for a cancelled workshop. In the case of insufficient signup to make a workshop feasible, notice and refund will be sent 120 days prior to the workshop.
Photographic Release
Italy Workshops reserves the right to photograph and film its trips in entirety. Participants should be aware that images of them may be used for promotional purposes or joint marketing efforts with third parties, without remuneration.
Reserve Your Experience Today
Group sizes are extremely limited. Please reserve early.
You can reserve your spot by filling out the form below,
or by calling us at 801-364-6645