May 27th - June 7th, 2014
Who would not love to go to beautiful Italy? Any photographer or non-photographing spouse will enjoy! A trip to experience Italy’s scenery, culture, wine and culinary along with the Amalfi coastline, full of colorful villages and alluring turquoise waters. We aim to catch the season of Tuscany’s red poppy fields – nature’s palette of color. Dan and Tanya will be the main tour leaders and we’ll also have a local photographer part time helping us with the best locations for sunrise and sunset shoots and at other times a city guide will join us. Guests will have personal time to explore on their own.
Meet Daniel and Tanya Cox
2014 Italy Photography Tour Travel Plans
Looking down on to the rocky coast of Positano, Italy.Tuesday, May 27
Depart U.S. or Canada and fly to Florence, Italy.
Wednesday, May 28
Arrive Florence, Italy any time of day. Overnight San Gallo Palace. This 4 star hotel is only a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral of Florence, Michelangelo’s David, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi gallery and the romantic Ponte Vecchio, the unquestioned symbol of the capital of the Italian Renaissance.
Thursday, May 29 (B, D)
This morning we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast in the jewel of the Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany before departing for Cinque Terre, about a two-hour drive in our private Mercedes minibus. Along the way, we’ll stop in Pisa and visit its famous leaning tower and nearby area. Once we get settled into our rooms, we’ll have a little time to freshen up and explore the the nearby area before our group welcome dinner. Overnight Hotel Porto Roca
Friday, May 30 (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we head out on an all day guided photography tour. We’ll explore and photograph the five villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. We’ll also learn about the history of this picturesque area known as the Italian Riviera. We’ll scout locations for the best photography view points and for this evening’s sunset shoot. As we hike through the villages we will truly experience the magic of the Cinque Terre, wandering through vineyards and olive groves, over stone walls and along a spectacular coastline. Each village has distinct character, and all share alleys, arches, and steep stone steps, are best explored on foot. An idyllic snapshot of old-world Italy, the villages are surrounded by sunny beaches, narrow lanes lined with shops and stalls, brightly colored fishing boats, seaside promenades, and sleepy piazzas. Cinque Terre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and includes a protected marine park and national park. As the sun begins to drop, we’ll set up for our sunset shoot and capture Cinque Terre in the alluring light. We have included a pesto demonstration before dinner. The Ligurian region is famous for their pesto and you can enjoy an aperitivo while watching and then a dinner of local products/ingredients. Overnight at Hotel Porto Roca.
Saturday, May 31 (B)
The day is yours to explore local hiking trails, ramble along the beach, or wet your whistle with wine tasting. Wander through local shops or spend the day taking in the view. Sample some of Italy’s finest food for lunch and dinner. We’ll have a lot of suggestions for you or feel free to blaze your own path. A sunset cruise on small traditional style boats from the village of Vernazza will take us along the coastline past the five villages. Drinks, snacks, and music add to the ambiance as we photograph the cliffside villages. Overnight Hotel Porto Roca
Sunday, June 1 (B, L, D)
We bid goodbye to Cinque Terre and take a three-hour drive through the rolling hills of Tuscany to Siena. The historic center of Siena has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Italy’s most visited tourist attractions and famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. We’ll take a two-hour walking tour of the city and have lunch in a scenic café. For those interested, we’ll climb up the Mangia Tower (400 feet)for an over all bird’s eye view of this beautiful area. After lunch it’s just an hour to Montepulciano, a medieval and Renaissance hill town in southern Tuscany. It sits high on a limestone ridge, 1,985 feet above its surroundings. A private chef prepares our BBQ dinner at the villa estate where we’ll spend the night, Relais San Bruno.
Monday, June 2 (B, L)
Today is a full day photography tour. Have your camera ready for our first stop in Pienza. Here we will give have the opportunity to taste pecorino cheese. The pecorino cheese of Pienza is one of the best in Italy, especially the version “sotto cenere” or “under ashes.” Pecorino cheese is thought to have been produced in the area since people first settled here. Our next stop is the town of Montalcino. The town takes its name from a variety of oak tree that once covered the terrain. High on a hill, the town offers stunning views over the Asso, Ombrone and Arbia valleys of Tuscany, dotted with silvery olive orchards, vineyards, fields and villages. The lower slopes of the Montalcino hill are dominated by highly productive vines and olive orchards. We’ll stop in at one of the wineries to taste the local varietals. Onwards to the Val d’Orcia valley, one of Tuscany’s most iconic photographed regions. Cypress lined roads. The day will finish with a wine cellar photo shoot. Dinner is on your own and we’ll spend another night at Relais San Bruno.
Tuesday, June 3 (B, D)
We leave mid morning to travel from Montepulciano to Sorrento. After a scenic four-hour drive we stop in the Pompeii area for a quick lunch on your own. We’ll take a private, guided tour of Pompeii. On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the nearby town of Pompeii in ash and soot. About 3,000 people died, but the rest of the population of 20,000 had already fled. The city was preserved just how it was, everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Pompeii is now an excavation site and outdoor museum. After our tour, it a 30-minute jaunt to Sorrento. We’ll reminisce about the day in the ancient Roman city with a welcome drink on the rooftop terrace of the Plaza Hotel.
Wednesday, June 4 (B, L)
Sleep in this morning or get in a sunrise photo shoot before our 10:30 am “Food and Culture” walking tour. This tour will tantalize your taste buds and expand your culinary horizons. Enjoy the old world charm of Sorrento, a cliffside city dotted with lemon and olive groves with majestic Mt. Vesuvius as the backdrop. On this fun culinary adventure we’ll experience life like a Sorrentine, savor authentic dishes, sip local libations, and visit specialty food shops and family owned favorites. Dan will lead us in an evening photo shoot at the picturesque Port of Marina Grande. There is a photographer guide for this portion as well We’ll spend a second night at the Plaza Hotel.
Thursday, June 5 (B, D)
We’ll start early with a sunrise photo shoot, then you can spend the rest of the day on your own. Take a cooking class, admire the history and architecture of Sorrento, or take a ferryboat to the Isle of Capri. We’ll meet up for a four-course dinner with wine at Buco Ristorante, a Michelin starred restaurant. The Plaza Hotel is our home for the night.
Friday, June 6 (B, L)
Our last full day in Italy! Our day will be enjoyed with a driving tour along one of the most scenic drives in the world. The Amalfi Drive is a narrow road that threads along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian, and of course, we’ll be stopping to take photos along the Amalfi Coast, as well as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, three of the most beautiful towns in southern Italy. These towns are world-famous for their charm and colorful architecture. The charm lies not only in the towns themselves but also in their history and rich legacy of fine churches, villas and monasteries. Photography stops throughout the day. Overnight at the Eden Roc Hotel in Positano
Saturday June 7
Transfers to Naples as a group early AM. Depart for home.
Guest Limits
Maximum 10 – 14 guests (depending on how many singles book – limited accommodations available)
Trip Cost
$5510 per person, based on double occupancy (pricing in USD – approx. 4100 Euro)
Book after December 1, 2013, add $300
Single Supplement: $850
(limited single supplement available)
Deposit
$500 Per person due at time of booking
Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check acceptedDeposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are necessary, we require this request in writing. We will do our best to resell your space. Only if we can resell your space, we will refund (minus deposit and discounts given to sell your space). No partial refunds are possible for unused services.
Installments
January 15, 2014: $2500 First Installment
March 1, 2014: Final PaymentCheck only for first installment and final payment. Please make check payable to Natural Exposures and mail to:
Natural Exposures
810 N. Wallace, Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715Included
- All accommodations
- Meals where indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Individual taxi transfers upon arrival in Florence to hotel. Group transfers from hotel to airport on return.
- Daniel will be with you throughout the tour to help with your photography needs, and Tanya will help to organize any additional excursions or answer logistical questions you may have.
- Local photography or walking city tour guides will be meeting us at different times and locations throughout the tour.
- Sunset cruise in Cinque Terre
- Pompeii Tour
- Food and cultural walking tour in Sorrento
- Pesto-making demonstration
- Wine tasting opportunities
- Full day photography tour of Positano to Ravello – we’ll drive along the Amalfi Coast and stop for photography along the way
Not Included
- International flights
- Meals not indicated
- Miscellaneous expenses such as laundry, phone calls, Internet
- Transfers if not on scheduled day of departure
- Gratuities for guides, bus driver and room staff
Flights to Book
May 27, 2014
Depart U.S./CanadaMay 28, 2014
Arrive Florence, Italy (FLR) any time of dayJune 7, 2014
Depart Naples, Italy (NAP) any time of dayPlease Note : Arrival in Florence and departing from Naples.
Travel Insurance
Travel/emergency evacuation insurance is not required for this photo tour, but we always recommend purchasing it for any trip. We recommend one or more of the following, depending on your needs:
Global Rescue
(use code natexp)Allianz Global Assistance
(use travel agency ID F203564)Terms & Conditions
Natural Exposures cannot control nor is responsible for abnormal weather, natural disasters, or any other disaster that might affect the trip. Travel insurance should be purchased to cover any missed flights or medical problems that may affect/delay your travel. National Parks have the right to change our itinerary.
By booking a trip with Natural Exposures, you agree to the following CANCELLATION AND LIABILITY POLICY
Accommodations for 2014 Italy Photography Tour
May 28, 1 Night
San Gallo Palace
The San Gallo Palace hotel, a new 4-star residence in the heart of medieval Florence, offers the best services for the leisure tourist who wishes to discover the beauty of Florence. Served by efficient public transportation, the San Gallo Palace provides quick access to Florence’s trade fair and convention district, where you ‘ll find all the spaces of the Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo degli Affari and Palazzo dei Congressi. The hotel’s reception desk will provide all the information you need to discover the old town center of Florence, with its marvelous architecture and shopping in elegant boutiques. Complimentary bikes available.May 29 – 31, 3 Nights
Hotel Porto Roca
Perched above Porto Roca, you’ll feel like you are sailing above the sea, all the while surrounded by fragrant flowers and chirping birds. Our rooms have sea views (6 sea view rooms available – first to book this tour will have these seaside views) and include a breakfast buffet. Amenities include bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV, minibar, telephone and safety box.June 1 and 2, 2 Nights
Relais San Bruno
We’ll sip wine overlooking the vineyards and olive trees of the Tuscan countryside. The Relais San Bruno is set on a patch of grass below the town walls of Montepulciano, and within a few minute walk of the church of San Biagio, built in 1518 by Antonio de Sangallo – one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture.June 3 – 5, 3 Nights
Plaza Hotel
Our rooms have balconies, wi-fi and include a breakfast buffet and use of the pool and sun bed.June 6, 1 Night
Eden Roc Hotel
Our rooms have sea views and furnished balconies in this hotel in Positano.Helpful Information for 2014 Italy Photography Tour
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Testimonials from Natural Exposures' Explorers
"If you ever want to travel to another country and you want to go first class, travel with Natural Exposures. They are number one in showing their guests the best time ever in the classiest way. I would recommend Natural Exposures Tours to everyone. If you want to go in style, go with NE!"
Michelle Duggan, Massachusetts
"Tanya and Dan’s logistic skills provide a seamless photo tour where one can truly enjoy the experience. With unlimited photographic opportunities Dan’s instruction has taken my photography to a higher level."
Linda Henry, Oregon
"What a trip
What a group
What a fabulous everything
To our next encounters with nature"Maud and Leon Soriano, Florida
"I just wanted to again thank you for a wonderful week of photography and relaxation away from the office. It was a really a good group."
Sue Wolfe, Texas
