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Tuscany Village & Landscapes

Intimate Tuscany Photo Workshop & Village Tour

Tuscany Village & Landscape

Intimate Tuscany Photo Workshop & Village Tour

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Tuscany Villages and Landscapes

Intimate Tuscany Photo Workshop

TWO DATES IN 2024:

May 12-18, 2024  / Optional pre-workshop Florence extension May 9-12

September 8-14, 2024  / Option to continue with us for our Lake Como workshop Sept 16-22.

8 days / 7 nights  /  6-10 guests

$4500

 


Wake up to the world-famous landscapes of Tuscany. Leave the crowds behind and savor the quiet villages and local specialties and wines. For 20 years Drake has crafted truly authentic experiences in Tuscany for photographers and their partners. 

Meet us in Siena, staying two nights in Italy’s loveliest medieval city, then spend 4 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.

Intimate Tuscany Photo Tours and Workshop Itinerary Map
Pre-Workshop

We recommend arriving in Florence (FLR).  It’s a great idea to stay a night or three in Florence to acclimate to the time and visit the city. 

Reach the Tuscany workshop in Siena by  train.  We can meet you at the Florence station, help with your tickets and even ride with you.

Tour Itinerary

First Day of Tour - Artistic photo of Siena Passeggiata

Day 1 | Tour of Siena

Meet us mid-day in Siena. (An easy train ride from Florence or Rome)

After a welcome lunch check into our hotel in the historic center, chosen for its perfect view of the city.

Meet for a walking tour with our friend Claudia, a professional guide and native Siena.  She will introduce you to the history of the city and some of it’s great secrets.  Along the way we’ll stop to photograph and street scenes and wonderful little urban still lives.

A “welcome” dinner at our favorite enoteca finishes this delicious day.

 

Day 2 | Siena 

Rise early to explore the quiet “sestieri”  of Siena as the town wakes up.  Photograph the famous Piazza del Campo before the crowds arrive.

A special private visit to the Museo di Bicherne gives us a deeper understanding of the city as well as the opportunity to make fascinating images in a private setting.

Free time in town allows you to visit the Duomo, climb the “Faccione” for views, or just enjoy people watching from your choice of cafes in the piazza.

 

For wine lovers, an optional Brunello wine tasting is on the schedule with our good friend Federico in a private Etruscan-era tomb.

Finally, blue hour awaits with a perfect view of the city from your hotel room balcony.

 

 

Day 3 | San Galgano & Crete Sienese

 

After checkout, we head for the hills of southern Tuscany.  The roofless abbey of San Galgano in the fields makes a great lunch stop.

Check in at our hilltop farmhouse / village- resort for 4 nights.

Landscapes of the Crete Sienese…sheep on the hills and cypress-lined roads.

Dinner by our chef at the farmhouse.

 

Pieve a Salti Road - Photo Tour Day 4

Day 4 | Pienza & Secret Hilltowns

Visit Pienza, a 15th century Renaissance town with charming narrow streets and vistas from the edge of town.

Spend the evening in the ridiculously photogenic Val d’Orcia area.

Enjoy a tailgate picnic (wines, cheeses, breads and other Tuscan treats).

Evening visit to photograph in Drake’s favorite Tuscany village (it’s a secret) where we dine ‘al fresco’ on a private patio.

Hilltop landscape shooting into the blue hour.

Italy Photo Tour Day 5 in Montechiello

Day 5 | Monticchiello & Val d’Orcia

Sleep-in day!

Workshop / review participants images from the previous day and discuss new techniques.

Village visits including pristine Monticchiello, and more famous landscapes of the Val d’Orcia. Your portfolio will explode this day!

Dinner options include the renowned Osteria La Porta.

Photo Tour Day 2 in Val d'Orcia

Day 6 | Sant’Antimo and the Val d’Orcia 

Tenth century Sant’ Antimo Abbey rests among vineyards and poppy fields.

Montalcino or San Quirico d’Orcia, depending on our mood…you can’t go wrong.

Curated stops at the right time of day in the Val d’Orcia, an absolute Mecca for landscape photographers world-wide.

Dinner at a favorite trattoria and a true taste of authentic Tuscany food and hospitality.

Italy Photo Workshop Day 7 in Buonconvento

Day 7 | Buonconvento & Siena

Workshop wrap-up and final slideshow;  checkout.

Market day in un-trampled Buonconvento.

Arrive at the Siena train station (3:00 p.m.).

After the workshop, we can help you arrange travel to Rome, Florence or Venice.

 

The Workshop

Our curriculum has been tweaked and pruned over 18 years to offer you only the essential tools you need. We recognize that we only have a week with you… no time to impress you with our expertise or bore you with technical trivia.

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.

One on One Workshop Training

Drake_Busath_Italy_Workshops

Drake Busath

Workshop Leader

Drake Busath M.Photog.CR,  has worked and photographed in Italy since 1979.  He founded Italy Workshops in Tuscany, initially as an a retreat for fellow professional photographers.  Today Drake hosts photographers of all stripes, iPhone users included, and loves sharing his favorite haunts in several regions of Italy.

More about Drake…

Gabriele Angelini

Gabriele Angelini

Local Host / Photographer

Gabriele Angelini, professional photographer from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, will produce and guide this special tour for us.  Having an Italian photographer with us makes all the difference!  Gabriele can schmooze  when we need it and introduce us to wonderful people and places Americans just can’t find on their own.  He also anticipates all our travel needs as a group (i.e., restaurant reservations, ferry tickets, gelato, snacks for your room, etc.).

An great trip manager allows the instructor to instruct full-time instead of chasing down logistics. This is your guarantee of a safe and smooth week of learning.

More about Gabriele…

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!)

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“I learned as much in a week with you two as I learned in two semesters of photography classes.” Read More

-Jeri Petersen | Tuscany

Advanced Photographers

As an advanced photographer you’ll be encouraged to:

  1. Build your portfolio, adding strong images every single day of the trip.
  2. Focus on style development, lighting and composition.
  3. 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.

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” I was delighted to end the week with not only hundreds of excellent images but nine new friends as well.” Read More

– Jim Pierotti CRA, 30 yr. pro photographer | Tuscany

Tuscany Photo Workshop Reviews

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“It was the best learning experience I have had on any photographic workshop … We’re looking forward to participating in another workshop!” Read More

– Linda Purnell | Tuscany

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“We have enjoyed two of Drake’s Italian photo tours—Tuscany and the Italian Riviera—and plan to take a third. The tours are well-organized, fun, flexible and a great learning experience.” Read More

-John and Kay Norvell | Tuscany and Portofino Coast

Tuscany Photo Workshop Dates

Tuscany | May 12-18, 2024

Tuscany | September 8-14, 2024  


Arrive:  Siena, Italy*
Depart: Siena, Italy
Tour Group Size: 5-10 guests

Price

$4500 / Participant (double occupancy)
$450 / Single supplement for private room

* These trip starts and ends in Siena, Italy. You can arrive in any major Italian city, but Florence or Rome is recommended. By train, Siena is 2 hours from Florence, 3 hours from Rome, 5 hours from Milan or Venice.

Included:

Travel

Ground travel by private minivan from Siena , returning to Siena.
Day trips each day to hill towns and landscape opportunities

Hotels

Two nights accommodations in the historic center of Siena,  with the best view of the city right off your balcony.

Four nights in private apartments at Fattoria Pieve a Salti, a working 15th century farmhouse complex, fully remodeled with new A/C, TV, amenities including indoor and outdoor pools, spa, restaurant.

Meals

  • Luxurious breakfast each day at the farm
  • Dinner or lunch each day as we travel.
  • Wine tasting at famous Tuscan cantinas

Workshop

Workshop tuition, including on-screen reviews of your daily work (voluntary) and one-on-one photographic instruction in the field throughout the week.


Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Trip insurance (highly recommended)
  •  Travel Guard or Allianz are good places to start shopping for trip insurance.  You can get a free quote online.

Also not included are crowds, slow moving tour guides and lectures about 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 individual participants who wish to have a private room to themselves. Supplements vary depending on the hotels used, but typically add $450-650 per workshop.  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 

  • Reservation fees are fully refundable for 10 days after your booking.
  • After 14 days, reservation fees are non-refundable but may be applied to a future workshop event.
  • Cancellations less than 120 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 25% of the total workshop cost.
  • Cancellations less than 60 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total workshop cost.
  • Cancellations less than 30 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 100% 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 or Allianz are good places to start shopping for trip insurance.  You can get a free quote online.

Tours Cancelled by Us

Italy Workshops reserves the right to cancel any tour for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient signup, logistical problems that may impede a workshop, hotel closures or acts of God.

Please wait to book your flights until the workshop has reached its minimum enrollment.  Give us a call anytime to confirm minimum enrollment.

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 60 days prior to the workshop.

Liability Release

You will be asked to sign a liability waiver before the tour begins, releasing Italy Workshops and any of its agents of liability for injury or loss.

Photo 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.

Pre-Workshop Extension

FLORENCE for Photographers

Florence_Ponte_Vecchio_Drake_Busath_Italy_photo_workshops

May 9-12, 2024  | 3 nights

$2150/person

$250 single private room supplement

Experience Florence without lines or crowds.  Get right to the best locations at the best time of day.  Let us show you some great little secrets  and still enjoy plenty of free time to do your own thing.

Included:

  • Transportation from Florence to Siena for the Tuscany Workshop 
  • 4 star hotel in the historic center
  • Welcome and farewell dinners
  • All private transportation
  • All entrance fees
  • Guided time for the best perspectives at the right time of day
  • Free time to shop and sight-see

    Gabriele Angelini_Italy Photo Workshops

    Your guide Gabriele Angelini

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