Description
The Italian Lakes: Como and Maggiore
June 14 to 21, 2025
Registration Closes on December 15, 2024
The Italian Lake District has been a dream travel destination since the time of the ancient Romans. Together, we’ll photograph towering mountains rising directly out of crystal blue water, palatial villas perched on cliffs and charming pastel-colored villages nestled on the lakeshore.
We will concentrate on Lakes Como and Maggiore, as we work toward an understanding of how to tell your story of this most romantic and stunning part of Italy.
After meeting up in Milan, our private transfer will whisk us to our hotel on the shore of Lake Como. From there, we’ll explore Lago di Como using ferries to visit the charming towns of Belaggio and Varenna.
Mid-week, a private van will transfer us west to Lago Maggiore, but along the way, we’ll head to a little-visited part of Switzerland, the Valle Maggia. There, we will find thick forests, rushing streams, towering waterfalls and entire villages made of granite stones. After photographing this stunning landscape, we’ll head on to our hotel in the town of Verbania on the shore of Lago Maggiore.
From Verbania we will use the lake’s ferries to visit a few of the famed Borromean Islands. Isola Madre, Isola Pescatore and Isola Bella have been owned by the same noble family since the16th and 17th centuries. Each with its own character, the islands will give us the opportunity to photograph amazing gardens, stunning villas, quaint fishing villages and more. Our final day will give us some time to explore nearby Villa Taranto, then return to the hotel to edit our images, create a slideshow story and discuss what we learned during the week before returning to Milan the next day, from where you can continue your travels or head back home.
Mixed in with our explorations will be time spent on photographic instruction – both in the field and back at our hotel, where we’ll critique images, learn nuances of technique and vision and discuss our photographic intentions and how they inform your personal sense of the places we’ll explore together. Through ample time for image making, a blend of formal and field instruction and time for discussion and critique, we will work to uncover themes and lines of vision that may not have been previously evident to you. I limit my groups to a maximum of 6 photographers to ensure a high level of personal instructional attention.
Non-photographer companions are welcome and warmly invited to attend – contact me for details.
The Italian Lakes: Como and Maggiore
June 14 to 21, 2025
Land Cost: USD $6,600 per person
Your non-refundable deposit of $1000 reserves your workshop – Balance of $5,600 is due by February 15, 2025 See our Terms and Conditions here.
Questions? Contact Jeff: jeff@jeffcurto.com or call 630.202.3635
On the Itinerary:
- Milan
- Lake Como
- The beautiful towns of Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna all along the shores of Como
- The Valle Maggia of the Ticino – Switzerland with an Italian accent (mountains, forests, towering waterfalls and more)
- Lake Maggiore
- The famed Borromean Islands of Isola Madre, Isola Pescatore and Isola Bella – all on Lake Maggiore
What’s Included:
- Expert instruction by Jeff Curto, including small group field instruction, plenty of one-on-one time & critique sessions
- Maximum of 7 participants
- Extensive pre-trip planning documents for both photography and Italian culture
- Travel and instructional materials during the workshop
- All ground transportation during the workshop
- Admissions for all Included sightseeing
- All lodging during the workshop – single occupancy
- Local expert guides
- All included Gratuities, Taxes and Fees
- Breakfast daily
- Some lunches
- All dinners (including wine)
Important Notes:
Physical Activity:
All of the Italy Photography Workshop destinations require a fair amount of walking, hill-climbing and physical activity. You should be comfortable with being on your feet for up to three hours, often walking on uneven and possibly slippery surfaces. A typical day involves walking 3 to 5 miles and climbing/descending the equivalent of 10 to 20 flights of stairs. If you have any questions about the physical activity level of this workshop, please ask.
Airfare:
Since our workshop participants join us from places all over the world, airfare is not included.
Other Travel:
You may decide that you’d like to travel around other places in Italy either before or after the workshops. Or after reviewing flights, you may discover that you may want to arrive the day prior to the beginning of the planned trip in order to meet the group in Italy. La Dolce Via Travel can assist you with transfers, accommodations, or other travel needs you may have. Regardless, we advise early arrival at least a day in advance so that you can be at your best and ready to go when we begin.
Exchange Rate:
The land cost is based on current exchange rate between the Euro and US dollar. Should these rates change significantly, there may be an adjustment in the trip price.
