CLASSIC TOUR - ROME, AMALFI COAST & TUSCANY (14 DAYS).
ROME
Our hotel in Rome is housed in an elegant 17th century building in the historic centre of Rome and is within walking distance of the city’s many famous landmarks (four nights).
DAY ONE
Welcome dinner: join your hosts and fellow travellers for a welcome aperitif followed by dinner together at a local ristorante.
DAY TWO
Campo de’ Fiori:
this noisy, vibrant flower and vegetable market dates back
to the 1800’s.
Piazza Navona:
the most famous and arguably the most beautiful of Rome’s
Baroque piazzas.
The Pantheon:
an ancient temple built in 27BC and one of the most
beautiful buildings in Rome.
Santa Maria sopra
Minerva: with its vaulted nave painted with
brilliant red ribbing and blue and gold gilded stars it is
one of Rome’s rare Gothic buildings.
The Spanish Steps
and Piazza di Spagna: where we take in the
cosmopolitan atmosphere.
DAY THREE
Back-alleys and
Winding Cobblestone Streets: to hidden
piazzas and fountains.
The Trevi
Fountain: where the noise of rushing water
dominates the small Piazza di Trevi.
The Colosseum:
the symbol of the eternal city.
The Roman Forum:
the heart of ancient Rome.
The Campidoglio:
with wonderful panoramas of ancient Rome.
DAY FOUR
Morning:
free time.
St Peter’s: late afternoon we capture the sun setting behind its magnificent dome and the colonnades and fountains of St. Peter's square.
AMALFI COAST
DAY FIVE
The hotels we choose have all
the architectural features typical of the Mediterranean,
from graceful arches to the sea view terraces brimming with
colourful flowers
DAY FIVE
Travel to
Positano: First-class train with
air-conditioned van transfer.
Orientation Walk:
along narrow paths and winding stairways, where incredible
views and scenes from daily life fuse together. We pass by
artisan shops selling shoes and clothes, ceramics, and
limoncello.
DAY SIX
Photography walk: capturing the local
produce and seasonal fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, pasta,
wine and cheese.
Spiaggia Grande:
we take advantage of the vivid morning light to take
stunning seaside pictures of neat rows of brightly coloured
umbrellas, beach beds, deck chairs and boats.
DAY SEVEN
Free Day: if you wish your hosts can recommend an itinerary suitable to your interests.
DAY EIGHT
Early morning photography walk: we take advantage of the softer light and capture the sea glimpsed through narrow passageways, terraces behind wrought-iron gates and locals getting ready for their day.
Church of Santa
Maria: with its distinctive gold tiled Dome
and interior.
Private boat trip: Positano from the water in the late afternoon.
Dinner: we dine together and say farewell to Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
TUSCANY
Our hotel is a lovingly restored Tuscan farmhouse complex with a large salt-water swimming pool and beautiful rustic grounds. It is on four acres and is just outside the walls of Siena (six nights).
For those with an interest we offer the opportunity to visit the cellar doors of wineries and olive producers to taste their products.
DAY NINE
Travel to Siena:
First-class train with air-conditioned van
transfer.
On the way to Siena
we visit:
Pienza: this beautiful little Renaissance hill-town is a delight to visit.
The Val D’Orcia region: we stop at vantage points to photograph this classic Tuscan landscape.
DAY TEN
The Duomo (the Cathedral of Siena): with it's magnificent facade and its interior of black-and-white striped pillars.
Orientation walk:
through the streets of Siena, one of the
most beautiful cities of Tuscany
DAY ELEVEN
San Gimignano: a hill-town famous for its many towers dominating the skyline. We take a photography walk around the outside of its 13th century wall with wonderful vistas of the Tuscan landscape.
Volterra: the medieval character of this walled hill-town has changed little since the 16th century. We are here for the evening passeggiata (a slow stroll) and capture this Italian tradition.
Dinner: we dine together in Volterra in the local tradition.
DAY TWELVE
Free day: you may like to do a cooking class in the true Tuscan style.
DAY THIRTEEN
Val d'Orcia Region: a day that takes us from isolated abbeys to hilltop towns and ancient thermal baths all with wonderful vistas of olive groves and cypress lined roads and lanes.
Abbey of Sant'Antimo: a beautiful Romanesque church that dates back to the 12th century.We time our visit for the Gregorian chanting of the resident monks.
Montalcino: a walled hill-town of narrow cobblestone alleyways and there is time to explore its main piazza with its lovely porticos lined with cafes and shops.
Bagno Vignoni: with its ancient roman thermal baths in the centre of town.
DAY FOURTEEN
Chianti Region: enjoy the classic Chianti landscape as we sit back and experience a fabulous lunch together at a renowned local Ristorante.
Greve: a small town of quaint
streets and piazzas.
DAY FIFTEEN
Departure: over breakfast we swap details and say goodbye to our new friends.
VENICE TOUR
(This tour can be included as an option to the Classic May Tour)
Day One
Orientation walk:
We stroll
through the famous Piazza San Marco and canal-sides and
introduce you to the city’s many famed landmarks.
Day Two
Art in Venice: We are joined by David Hendenson, an Australian artist who works and lives in Venice for 6 months of the year. David takes us “off” the tourist track to “inside” his Venice and how, as an artist, he sees and uses the distinctive light that is Venice.
Day Three
Rialto Fish and
Produce Market: see and photograph stevedores
unloading crates of product from barges, vendors hawking
their wares, delivery men pushing handcarts laden with fruit
and vegetables.
Afternoon:
free time
Day Four
Murano:
a short boat trip across the Venetian
Lagoon this island is famous for its glass making.
Burano: this island, with its cheerful cosiness, thanks to the Buranese custom of painting their houses in bright colours, is a delight to photograph.
Dinner:
we dine together and say farewell to Venice.
Day Five
Departure:
over breakfast we swap details and say goodbye to our new
friends.
For more information or a copy of the complete itinerary, including the photography lessons and concepts covered in each location (click here).
Testimonials
"Lisa has inspired me. Not only do I now know what all those buttons and dials mean, I know what I need to do, and think about, to take great photos for years to come. Thank you for a wonderful two weeks." - Lynne, Sunshine Coast, Australia
“This holiday was everything I had hoped for and more. A blend of photography, culture, history and wonderful food and people. I thought I knew everything there was to know about photography but have come with some really handy tips.” - Allan, Melbourne, Australia
“This tour will not disappoint...we picked up some valuable skills and Lisa has fired our passion for great photography. A really inspirational experience.” - Ray and Anne, Sydney, Australia
“I first met Lisa when she was travelling and photographing Canada about ten years ago. Last year I was finally able to join her on a Capture Italy tour. What can I say? It was a fantastic two weeks and I not only improved my photography but made new friends as well. The group was great, and we all shared a common goal - to make great photos and have fun.” - Kellie, Toronto, Canada
“Lisa’s tuition has changed me from a happy snapper to now looking at photography as an art form. Her knowledge of the history of the places we visited added to my wonderful holiday. The visits to the medieval hill-towns were the highlights for me.” - Annie, Brisbane, Australia
“We loved the tour! Lisa and Dianne are great teachers and hosts. Their love and knowledge of photography and Italy is amazing. We would recommend this tour to anyone looking for a really special travel experience.” - Anthony and Louise, London, UK
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