Excursion Outline

Join us as we enter into the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, world renown landscapes, and artistic culture.

Join the Photography Workshop Company on a culturally immersive photography adventure in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. During this seven day tour, we will explore all that the Italian countryside has to offer!

This All-Inclusive workshop has been intentionally designed to not only provide exceptional photographic opportunities, but for our guests to become fully immersed in the culture. We believe that your artistic creativity will scale to new heights when you are equipped with the knowledge and experience of what life is like for the Toscani people. Cultural experiences include rolling pasta, home-cooked meals, and staying in a boutique hotel. In addition, we will be guided by a local, because we know that nobody knows the hidden gems like locals do.

Unlike many of our other adventures, the pace for this workshop will be fairly relaxed. While photography is the priority, we want to ensure that you have ample time to wander the medieval villages, meet the people, and have an opportunity to explore on your own during the day. In-between our photography, you’ll find time for a cappuccino at a local cafe, shopping, a bite of authentic pizza, or leave the tripod and wander the streets solo with your camera.

This will be the trip of a lifetime and photos aren’t the only thing you’ll return home with.

Itinerary

All locations and times visited will be determined by the conditions given. All elements are watched closely for the best photographic and learning experience. Please note that due to the timing of the June workshop, we are very close to the summer solstice. That being said, time for sleep during the night will be limited. We will be sure to takea few hours off each afternoon for optional recharging time, for both you and your batteries!

Bonus Session
We've listened to our guests and have implemented something that has been hugely beneficial in our time together. Each workshop group will be invited to a live, recorded, online critique and post processing session, a short time after the workshop. This makes way for more shooting in the field and the option to learn from the comfort of your home and the ability to refer to the recorded session for future reference.

Day One
Once you arrive in Rome, arrangements will be paid for you to be picked up and whisked away to beautiful Tuscany. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transported to our boutique hotel in Citta Della Pieve, where a warm welcome will be waiting for you. Our leisurely evening will include an overview of the workshop. Immediately following, our hosts will provide aperitivo. Apéritivo is arguably one of the most beloved Italian rituals. Aperitivo is meant to "prepare" your stomach for the awaiting meal ahead. Following apertivo we’ll enjoy a five star dinner authentic Italian meal with Chef Vito.

Day Two
We will capture our first sunrise over the Tuscan landscape by photographing countryside lanes, olive groves, vineyard and poppies! It’s a full morning introducing us to Tuscany life! We'll picnic at a vista overview in a small town before returning to the our boutique hotel for an afternoon rest. At 5:00 we’ll meet up again for apertivo and dinner at a local bistro for the best food Italy has to offer (we aren’t kidding about this).

Day Three
On day three, we will spend the morning in Montepulciano. We’ll photograph the Val D’Orcia and Val di Chiana from the top of the city and enjoy a 360 view. From there we’ll photograph a church that was built between 1518 and 1540 and an example of Renaissance architecture. We’ll return back to the city where we’ll photograph life and the charming streets of the city. Awaiting for you within the town are ancient churches, town squares and hidden corners. After our busy morning of photography we’ll then visit a flower farm and enjoy photographing the flowers of Tuscany.

If there's one thing you'll quickly learn about Italian culture is that they take great pride in their food and each meal isn't to be rushed. We'll enjoy lunch at the flower farm. Awaiting for you within the town are ancient churches, town squares and hidden corners.

After our busy day of photography, we’ll return to the hotel for a break followed by free time to explore the city. We’ll then meet back up in the evening and go to the home of our hostess where we’ll enjoy apertivo and a catered dinner from her home with an incredible balcony overlooking Umbria.

Day Four
Arguably one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany will be awaiting our arrival on this exciting day. We'll travel to Val d'Orcia and there you will find all the iconic locations waiting for you to capture. The farmhouses and cypress lanes are a symbol of Tuscany and ample time will be spent capturing them.

We will spend time in the beautiful town of San Quirico which was an important pilgrimage route to Rome in ancient times. While there, we will also capture the historic Cappella Vitaletta from a distance.

You'll be on your own for lunch in San Quirico, and you'll also have the opportunity to stroll the streets at your leisure and we'd encourage you to start up a conversation with a local. During mid-day we'll return to the hotel for a much needed rest.

After resting we’ll head out to an absolutely stunning family owned winery for an exquisite dinner followed by a sunset shoot of the vineyards.

Day Five
We’re halfway through the workshop and today you get to sleep in! We’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast together before closing down a restaurant and learning to make pasta together by an Italian chef. After learning to roll pici pasta, our chef will use the noodles and prepare a fantastic lunch where we’ll dine outside if weather permits. Chef will also take us on a tour of the tunnels below his restaurant.

After lunch we’ll enjoy free time to explore Citta della Pieve. Be sure to find yourself a cappuccino at an outdoor bar during our break. Perhaps one of our most anticipated meals will be authentic Italian pizza at a local favorite.

Day Eight
We’ll finish our trip, say our goodbyes and transportation will be provided to the Rome Fiumicino airport. You may look at extending your trip by a couple days to explore one of these remarkable cities on your own before returning home.