Tuscany Landscapes and Village-scapes
May 16-23, 2026
Wake up to the world-famous landscapes of Tuscany. Leave the crowds behind and savor the quiet villages and local specialties and wines. For 25 years Drake has crafted truly authentic experiences in Tuscany for photographers and their partners.
Meet us in Siena, staying 2 nights in Italy’s loveliest medieval city, then spend 5 nights at our hilltop farmhouse resort in private luxurious apartments. Travel by minivan through the landscapes of Val d’Orcia and Crete Sienese, with free time in Tuscany’s hill towns and the best little villages you’ve never heard of.
FLORENCE Extension – May 14-16, 2026
We’ve organized 3 fun days in Florence before the workshop begins with our own Gabriele Angelini. He’ll take you to uncommon corners of the city in addition to museums and classical overlooks at the perfect time of day for photographing.
You’ll meet and photograph local artisans and taste typical Florentine cuisine.
We recommend arriving at Florence airport (FLR) the night before the extension begins.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1-3
Meet us in Florence and travel to Siena, the most beautiful medieval town in the world (in our opinion).
Stay 2 nights in the historic center with a perfect balcony view of the city. Meet up with our local friends and explore uncommon corners of the city. Wine tasting is optional but the feast at our favorite trattoria is mandatory!
Day 4-7
Day 7
The Workshop
Our curriculum has been tweaked and pruned over 25 years to offer you only the essential tools you need. We introduce concepts in the classroom and offer assignments each day to stretch your creativity. In the field our instructors are available at all times to help you master your camera or smart phone. Advances photographers are given plenty of free time as desired to build their portfolio.
Workshop Sessions
Classroom time (one-hour sessions) is devoted to reviewing your daily images on-screen and offering helpful suggestions. In the field, our discussions center around better composition and finding great light. And of course, answering your technical questions and helping you master your own equipment.
Drake Busath
Workshop Leader
Drake Busath is the originator of Italy Workshops. Having lived and worked extensively in Italy, he speaks Italian and has guided hundreds of photographers on week-long workshops in different regions, from the Alps to Sicily.
Drake will share what he’s learned over 35 years photographing Italy and encourage you to identify and develop your own personal style while traveling. More about Drake
Gabriele Angelini
Local Host / Photographer
Gabriele Angelini, professional photographer from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, will join this tour and share some of his favorite locations in Tuscany.
His infectious enthusiasm and his deep knowledge of Italy’s history make your trip more enjoyable and your photographs better informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Camera Should I Bring?
Any camera is acceptable, including smartphones. Automation for the beginner can make the trip fun and stress-free and, at times, increase creativity.
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.
Tuscany Photo Workshop Reviews
