Dolomites Photo Tour (8-Day) Italy 2024
- Regular price
- $6,180.00 AUD
- Regular price
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$6,180.00 AUD - Sale price
- $6,180.00 AUD
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- per
SFR 3600,00 | Euro € 3750.00* | US$ 3985.00* Per Person Sharing
FULLY ESCORTED PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
DOLOMITES - ITALY - Join us for a Dolomites Photo Tour, where we will take you to the most breathtaking and mesmerising photo locations in Northern Italy. This specially designed 8-Day photography itinerary across one of Italy top ten UNESCO World Heritage Site, will allow you to embrace the grandeur of the Dolomites mountain range, sheer cliffs and vertical walls, narrow valley, and hidden pasture.
On this Dolomites in the Spring/Autumn photo tour you will have the opportunity to capture the iconic Lago di Braies, Rifugio, Ranui Church, Val Gardena Valley, Bolzano, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Passo di Giau, and the picturesque Cortina D'Ampezzo, just to mention a few shooting locations.
Be ready to be blown away by majestic mountain Lakes, breathtaking Alpine landscapes, quiet and serene valleys, rustic country towns and starry night skies out of this world!
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TOUR THE DOLOMITES IN THE SPRING OR EXPERIENCE AUTUMN !
The Dolomites in northern Italy is one of those breathtaking destinations you must visit at least once. We will spend eight magical days capturing iconic mountain views, rugged peaks, alpine lakes with colour reflections out of this world, photogenic rolling hills, hidden pasture and picturesque alpine villages. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Alpe di Siusi, Val di Funes, Seceda, Passo Gardena, Passo di Giau, Lago di Braies, Lago d’Antorno, Carezza, all offers some of the most beautiful mountain experiences you can enjoy in the Dolomites.
If conditions are good for Astrophotography, we will also have the opportunity to do some stargazing and capture the mighty Milky Way.
It is hard to describe just how magical it is to be out in the Dolomites landscape with your camera. I often have to remind myself how privilege I am to be able live my passion for photography and that I am really there. It is that special. The Dolomites is a photography lover’s paradise.
Tour Highlight and Inclusions
This Exclusive small-group photographic adventure has been carefully put together, allowing you to experience a diversity of breathtaking locations and incredible views of the Italian Dolomites, rolling grass-covered hills spotted with log cabins and mesmerising jagged rocky peaks scenery. We guarantee a wealth of photography opportunities, including small group tuition, practical notes and one-to-one support tailored to your individual needs while on-location learning the importance of image composition, available light and night photography techniques.
- Experience a unique itinerary specially designed for photographers
- 7 night twin-share accommodation in specially selected accommodation
- Refer to 'Date & Cost' for single room supplement
- Daily breakfast (7x) during the duration of the photography tour
- Welcome dinner on your fist evening with us
- Comfortable air conditioned vehicle (incl. 2 water bottle pp p/day)
- Small group size - min. 4 to max. 7
- 1x instructor and 1x local tour guide/driver
- Landscape, nature & night photography tips
- An array of iconic landmarks with plenty of photography time
- Panoramic views over the Dolomites at sunset
- Breathtaking sunrise shoot in the spectacular Italian alps
- Accessible walks to explore some of the best photo locations on tour
- At least 2 sunrise & 1 night photography session
- Camera settings & technique to take the perfect shot every time
- As it is our own personalised photo tour, we can stop when and where we want!
- Personalised photography advise from Martial - Professional landscape photographer
- Fully escorted tour in English, French and Italian
- Photography group of 4 – 7 participants maximum
- Complimentary Lightroom / Photoshop editing session, advice and trouble shooting
Dates
May 24 to 31 | 2024 (SOLD OUT) (7 nights)
October 11 to 18 | 2024 (7 nights)
Cost: AU$ 6180* in twin-share accommodation | single supplement AU$ 1375.00*
SFR 3,600.00 | Euro € 3,750.00* | US$ 3,985.00*
A 5% discount apply to those coming from the Swiss Alps Tour, Venice or Tuscany tour.
Expression of interest for 2025 is now open.
Note: all prices have been calculated in Swiss franc, exchange rates between currency may vary from day to day.
Single supplement SFR 800.00, Euro € 833.00*, US$ 890.00*
Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for 2 or more international tours* or two+ participants on the same tour (*conditions apply, not valid with any other offers, applicable only when booking your seat (s) directly with Blue Tongue Tours). Spouse, companion & non-photographer welcome.
This Dolomites photo tour is offered as a stand-alone or post Zermatt & Paris May/ August & September 2024 or before joining us on our Venice and/or Tuscany Tour May/June 2024. It is a perfect tour to include a non-photographer companion. Observers/ non-photographers companions can either tag along while you are out taking photographs, or do their own exploring of the surroundings during the day and we’ll all meet up in the evenings to share a few stories of the day’s events.
A $1500 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot. Click here to make your deposit »
What is included?
- 7 nights accommodations
- All Breakfasts (7x) and welcome dinner (1x)
- Daily private transport to our photography locations
- All entrance fees and tolls as well as ground transport throughout the duration of the tour.
- Martial & Jacques' expertise in guiding and photographic instruction
What is not included?
- Airport transfer to pick-up and drop off locations
- Main meals, lunches, dinners & alcohol
- Personal spending money
Level of physical difficulty: 3 out of 5
This 8 Day Tour / Workshop starts and finishes in Venice. It is suitable for beginners and experienced photographers of all ages. A moderate level of fitness is required (some walking/ steep hills and uneven ground).
Itinerary
Dolomites in Spring/Autumn Photo Tour (7 Nights)
The Italian Dolomites are one of those places in the world that you have to experience at least once in a life time, and there is no better time to visit than in the Spring or in Autumn. This magical eight-day tour in Northern Italy offer a splendour of photographic opportunities, with some truly unique sceneries, ever changing-light and mesmerising views.
Embark on a journey through iconic landscape, rugged mountains, alpine lakes with colour reflections out of this world, snow-white peaks, breathtaking lush green valleys and picturesque villages. Let us help you capture the best of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Alpe di Siusi, Val di Funes, Seceda, Passo Gardena, Passo di Giau, Lago di Braies, Lago d’Antorno, Carezza. Our tour leaders have been travelling these parts of the world for many years and will be there to assist you with your lens selection and camera settings.
If conditions are good for Night Photography, we will also have the opportunity to do some stargazing and capture the mighty Milky Way peaking above the Alpine landscape.
Day 1
Our Dolomites in Spring/Autumn photo tour group will meet and greet in our hotel lobby at 9.00 AM, and go through a quick orientation and discuss the next 8 days’ agenda. The hotel is close to Venice Marco Polo Airport, we can organise an airport pick-up at 8.30 AM in event that you are not staying in the same hotel the night before, or arriving that morning.
Once packed and organised, we will make the 2.5 hours journey north by road towards the Province of Bolzano in the South Tyrol, Northern Italy’s number one UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Dolomites mountain range.
Our first shooting location is a little hidden gem, Lake Carezza, one of the clearest and most colourful lake in the Dolomites. There, we will wait for sunset and under the right condition capture the lake’s mesmerising reflections of the surrounding pine tree forest and Dolomites rugged peaks in the background.
Later, we'll drive to our hotel, which will be our base for the next 2 nights. Note that due to prices structure, exchange rate and room availability, we don’t always stay in the same accommodations from tours to tours... However we always stay central and as close as possible to our shooting locations. Hotel addresses will be confirm in due time.
Day 2
Today we’ll explore Ortisei’s grand surroundings. We’ll start the day by spending time up in Seceda, or Alpe di Seceda, an impressive mountain ridge located in the Puez Odle Nature Park in Val Gardena. Part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a dream photography destination for many camera enthusiasm - be prepared to be blown away by the dramatic landscape, its sharp and abrupt ridge-line, and the ever-changing shadows in the early hours of the morning and late in the afternoon!
After a well deserved breakfast with a view to die for, up on the top of the mountain, we’ll make our way to our next location. The Valley of Funes in the Province of Bolzano, showcase some of the South Tyrol most photogenic landscape and is home to the iconic St. Maddalena and St. Johann alpine churches.
Weather allowing, will attempt to capture the night sky as often as possible throughout the duration of this tour. Our tour leaders will be there to assist with camera settings and framing in the dark, and show you how to capture the mighty Milky Way.
Day 3 - 7
We will spend the next five days of this Dolomites in Spring/Autumn photo tour exploring beautiful alpine valleys, iconic mountains and breathtaking landscapes from sunrise to sunset. Our itineraries are subject to change depending on weather and other circumstance beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide our guests the best possible experience, in a secure and professional way.
(Day3) We will capture the sunrise at the majestic Alpe di Siusi, a vast plateau, the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe. Both the Seiser Alm and Passo Gardena region offer a smorgasbord of photography opportunities to photographers at every levels, with dreamy pasture filled with rustic mountain huts, rolling hills, forest surrounded by giant mountain and unblocked panoramic views over the Dolomitic Alps.
(Day4) You can’t go pass a sunrise photo session at Lago di Braies, one of the most photogenic locations in the Dolomites, and well worth the early morning start, followed by an epic sunset at the mesmerising Passo di Giau. This is one of our favourite spots on this tour to shoot during sunset and twilight... as well as stargazing and astrophotography. All been good, we'll stay there a bit longer and attempt to capture the valleys down below with the imposing milky Way towering over Dolomites peaks - a classic!
Time allowing we’ll visit the ‘Piramidi di Terra’ an earth pyramids natural site in Ritten on our way.
(Day5) The Five Towers ‘Cinque Torri’ situated in the Nuvolao mountain group, is only a short hike outside Cortina D’Ampezzo, this is the most epic spot to shoot the sunrise. Let not forget the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo region with its jagged peaks and unique landscape, making this small rock formation a very interesting ground for both dawn and dusk photography.
(Day6) Lago Antorno and Lago di Misurina - keeping two of the most picturesque lakes in the South Tyrol for last. We will set-up early to catch the first light, and immortalise the landscape picture perfect reflections in the lake during sunrise. There, we’ll enjoy a relaxing morning photography session working our image composition and water photography skills. Free time in Cortina D’Ampezzo (late morning to mid-afternoon). Sunset session at chosen location TBC.
(Day7) Sleep in or join us on our version of The Three Lakes Walk (we'll be doing it the easy way), providing superb views of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites, spectacular ravines and waterfall. Weather conditions can change quickly in the Alps, but this should be a very exciting early morning photo session and it would be foolish to stay tucked in under the doona this morning.
After breakfast we will be leaving the Province of Belluno and start our journey back south via Selva di Cadore and Caprile, than following the picturesque Torrente Cordevole to Lago D’Alleghe and onto the Province of Trento. We’ll spend our last night in the mountain, where we will have our last opportunity at capturing the sunset and perhaps a few frames of the night sky... but above all we’ll make sure to enjoy a last group dinner together!
Day 8
Our last morning in the Dolomites, and the final day of this Dolomites in Spring/Autumn photo tour. But before packing, we'll head up to Passo Rolle at first light to capture the sunrise over the South Tyrol’s Dolomitic Alps, one last time.
After breakfast, we’ll checkout and make our way back to Venice Marco Polo Airport where we’ll say our final goodbyes. Our ETA back at Venice airport is planned for 2 - 2.30 PM, allowing you can catch your flight later that afternoon or in the evening if you are flying back home today. If you are staying with us and join the Venice 'City Of Bridges' 5-Day photo tour or planning on joining us later, on the Tuscany in Spring 7-Day photo tour, we will contact you individually for a smooth transition between the tours. A second drop-off at Venice Train Station is available if you are planning to catch a train out of Venice today.
This Landscape & Travel Photography Tour gives you the opportunities to learn all the inside tips and tricks you need to know on how to take striking landscapes, breathtaking nature and flora images, and capture night photograph out of this world, as we explore the iconic Italian Dolomites.
* This is a sample itinerary, our itineraries are subject to change depending on weather and other circumstance beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide our guests the best possible experience, in a secure and professional way.
A perfect add-on before your DOLOMITES PHOTO TOUR, is our 4-DAY PARIS STREET & TRAVEL PHOTO TOUR or OUR 4-DAY ZERMATT - SWISS ALINE LANDSCAPE or following straight after our DOLOMITES TOUR join us on our VENICE 5-DAY PHOTO TOUR, CINQUE TERRE TOUR or 7-DAY TUSCANY TOUR extension.
Photography Outline
Landscape, nature and night photography
In addition to great daily photo opportunities and night excursions, we will also touch on the following photography topics, including:
- Understanding your camera
- Working with available light [read & understand the light]
- Dare to go manual Vs Auto camera settings
- How to read your histogram and how to fine-tune-it
- Adjust your image exposure in relation to your subject
- Depth of Field calculation
- What lenses should you use?
- Camera settings to take the perfect shot every time
- Image composition, the golden rules and how to break it!
- Filters, Neutral Density and Neutral Density Grads
- Long exposure and waterfalls
- Night photography tutorial
- Capturing raw
- Introduction to Photoshop & Lightroom Post-processing
Personal Items and Weather Conditions
Temperature range for this time of year: 3C to 12C in May and 5C to 14C in Sept – early October, but it can get down to sub-zero degrees as well
Average monthly rain for this time of year: 12 day/ May and 9 day/ Sept
Two pairs of shoes: One sturdy pair for in the field that you can get wet if we have a rain day. One pair for evenings or the next day in case the first pair is not dry.
Light weight rain jacket and rain pants. You don’t have to go all out here, but it will also help you to keep warm at night. * I really suggest a rain jacket if nothing else, the rain gear will keep you dry when walking in the countryside in the early hours of the morning. I have a pair of Teflon rain pants & jacket, super light and perfect to keep in you camera bag in case of a sudden change in the weather.
Hat and sun screen protection.
Be organised and pack smart. Sturdy shoes, hat and sunscreen are essential. We will email you a more detailed and updated recommendation list on what to bring with your booking confirmation depending on the time of the years and weather conditions. I recommend packing a basic easy to grab jacket or lightweight rain coat, etc. in a smaller backpack or in your camera bag in case the weather changes suddenly.
A warm jacket, long trousers and a jumper as well as a beanie and gloves to keep your hand warm for those early morning s and late outings is a must. It can get really cold late afternoon, early evening when the sun goes down all year round.
Please pack light, as we have limited amount of luggage space in the Van - one piece of luggage plus a camera bag per person. I usually travel with a 40x60cm case including my close and personal items, plus a backpack style camera bag. Laundry service is usually available in most hotel and accommodations. Some airlines are also now charging for more than one piece of checking luggage.
Equipment
Camera Equipment
Your favourite DSLR camera, a multi focal lens (i.e 18-70mm) or fix lens, the wider the angle the better (i.e 14, 18,20mm full frame camera and 10, 12mm cropped sensor camera), and a medium to long-range lens (i.e. 80-300mm), plenty of memory cards and fully charged batteries. A small steady tripod & cable release for long exposure is essential. Don’t forget to bring your camera manual if you are not 100% sure about your camera functions.
Please note that for better results a recent DSLR digital camera is preferable (0-5yrs old) as technology changes. Polariser filter, Neutral Density and grabs filters are not a prerequisite but are great tools to have for long exposure and colour saturation.
This workshop is suitable for beginners and advanced photographers of all ages, however a good sense of humour and minimum fitness is recommended. Sturdy shoes, suitable warm cloths, drink bottle, a head torch and a good camera bag… remember, you will be the one carrying your own photography gears!
Tour Extensions
A perfect add-on before your Dolomites Photo Tour is our popular Zermatt 4-Day Swiss Alpine Landscape photo tour or Paris 4-day photo tour or after your Dolomites Photo Tour to join us on our 5-Day Venice tour followed by our 7-Day Tuscany photo tour.
Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for a second European Tour or TWO+ participants.
Paris (France)
April 20 to 23 | 2023 (3 nights)
Click here for more information »
Zermatt - Swiss Alpine Landscape
April 20 to 23 | 2023 (3 nights)
Click here for more information »
Venice (Italy) | Queen of the Adriatic
May 11 to 15 | 2023 (4 nights)
Click here for more information »
Tuscany (Italy) | Tuscany in the Spring
May 15 to 21 | 2023 (6 nights)
Cancellations, Refunds, Guides & Weather Policy
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation Policy: A 25 – 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat depending on the tour that you have selected - refer to individual itinerary. Seats to be paid in full at the time of booking or within 4 weeks of departure on all Australian tours except all extended tours; 8 weeks for Karijini, Exmouth to Broome, Golden Outback & Southwest WA, Margaret River, Kalbarri Coral Coast 5-Day and Wave Rock, and 12 weeks on all extended European & USA tours including: Paris, Zermatt, Venice, Tuscany, Italian Dolomites, Swiss & French Alps tour and USA Canyons & National Parks. Cancellations less than 30 days on day tours no refund; 12 weeks for all extended tours, including: Karijini, Exmouth to Broome, Golden Outback & Southwest WA, Margaret River, Kalbarri Coral Coast 5-Day and Wave Rock, it also includes all our international tours & workshops: Paris, Zermatt, Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Italian Dolomites, Swiss & French Alps tour and all the North American tours. Deposits non refundable except tours cancelled due to sever weather, mechanical failure or minimum numbers not met; full refund will be given. Minimum and maximum numbers are at the discretion of the operator. Tours already commenced no refund. No refund for tours missed due to lateness & sickness. Travel insurance and public liability (in the even you accidentally damage someone else property) are mandatory on all our extended tours and highly recommended on day tours as well. Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure. Maximum 1 baggage* per person i.e. Camera bag water bottle jumper (Extra luggage* allowance on all extended tours (1 pp – personal effects) NOTE: We cannot guarantee that you will see kangaroos emus or any wild animals on our tours nor wildflowers as they are seasonal. For MasterClass workshops extended tours and international travel policy please check our website or individual tours.
Tour Guides
Our tours leader is Martial Fatton – Blue Tongue Tours Owner/ Operator, however we reserve the right to provide a photographer of our choosing, which we guarantee is competent of their position. Your assigned photographer might change from initial notification until the tour departure due to illness, engagements or any other reason deemed necessary by Blue Tongue Tours, not limited to the photographers listed on this site. While we do our best to match you with a photographer of your choosing if requested, for these reasons we cannot guarantee a specific photographer for an individual tour.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, before the tour commences, you have the option of a) continuing the tour as planned and we’ll do our best to concentrate the tour to areas sheltered from the elements. At prior request, we can provide an umbrella. Or b) rescheduling the tour at no additional cost (availability permitting).
Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather and other circonstances beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide the best possible experience and safety of our clients!
