Three romantic lakes in northern Italy – Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta where artists and royalty have vacationed for inspiration since medieval times. This workshop is a favorite of our regular workshop attendees. Spilling from the Italian Alps, these freshwater lakes are dotted with quaint villages that blend Italian and Swiss history.
As a photographer, there’s no more image-rich location in Italy.
We’ll begin with 3 nights on famous Lake Como, exploring and photographing its small villages and spectacular villas. Our next 4 nights are spent in one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, the village of Orta San Giulio on picture-perfect Lago d’Orta, with a day trip to Lake Maggiore.
This tour has a minimum group size of 6. In the rare instance that the minimum is not met at least 90 days before the departure date, the trip will be canceled and a full refund will be made. You will receive notification.
Please consider waiting to book flights until the tour is confirmed. (Or book refundable tickets)
You can always check here to see who's going. Or you can inquire here.
Gabriele Angelini is an Italian photographer and publisher who makes his home in Imola, not far from the Tuscia region. His passion for photography is infectious and it’s a pure pleasure to shoot alongside him. The first thing you’ll notice is his big smile and his unbridled enthusiasm for every place we photograph.
Also infectious is his love for the history of Italian photography. Gabriele taught photography at the University of Bologna (founded 1000AD) and shares his studied insights about how photographers see and present the landscape over the last century.
Randy is a fine-art photographer known both for his beautiful landscape work and as an exceptional instructor. His most recent ventures include EarthLight Gallery in Park City, UT and Master Your Workflow, a digital coaching business for photographers.
He's currently based in Sugar City, ID on the backside of the Tetons, but travels extensively to shoot and teach.
Randy has played a key role in Italy Workshops instructing at dozens of events in Italy and France. He and Drake have been friends over 30 years.
3 nights 4-star waterfront hotel on Lake Como, 4 nights 3-star waterfront hotel on Lake Orta
All travel during the workshop by ferry and private drivers
Master Photographer instruction both in the field and classroom editing sessions
Local guide for the entire tour who knows intimately the area and can show you behind the scenes locations and tend to your travel needs
Fresh breakfast each day at our hotels plus 4 special meals in characteristic local restaurants
Welcome "aperitivi" social hour in the vibrant historic center of Como
Transfer by private car directly to the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) on the final day of the workshop
Arrive to Como, Italy a day or two early on your own. From Milan MXP airport you can take a train or private driver
Arrival to Milan Malpensa MXP airport is recommended, October 3rd or 4th. Enjoy the elegant city of Como, booking a hotel on your own. Saturdays the street market is expansive and beautiful in Como.
Arrive to Como by train (station is in Terminal One of the Milan Malpensa airport). Here's a good website to show arrival options. Rome2Rio
Here are some hotels we've enjoyed near the historic center and convenient to our meeting point:
Borgo Antico Hotel (10 min walk to the center but a nice neighborhood)
Stay at our favorite family run hotel, Hotel Lenno on the waterfront. Explore villages one the lake by ferry including famous Bellagio and charming Varenna, both with wonderful lakefront photographic opportunities.
Visit the elegant Villa Balbianello, a place you may recognize from James Bond and Star Wars films. Soak in the peaceful village of Lenno.
We'll workshop at times in the field, giving you assignments to fulfill, and the classroom as we view each other's images and demonstrate editing techniques.
Stay right on the lakefront in uber-charming Orta San Giulio as we explore this village (called Little Venice because of the absence of cars) and the island of San Giulio home to a monastery founded in the 4th century as legend has it.
Day trip to Lake Maggiore and visit two of it's islands, Isola Bella with its grand Palazzo Borromeo and the quiet Isola dei Pescatori (fishermen island)
Workshop sessions in the field will discuss waterscape, architectural still-life and street photography. Editing sessions at the hotel will show you new ways to make your images reach their potential.
As is our tradition, the last day is relaxed with time to explore on your own. Taxi boats await for another cruise to the island or a neighboring village.
Hike up the hill for a perfect lunch with views over the lake, then explore Sacro Monte, a pilgrimage site with 20 chapels devoted to St Francis of Assisi.
A farewell dinner together and final night at our hotel perfectly positioned in the piazza and overlooking the Lake Orta.
After a relaxed morning and farewell breakfast we check out and drive to Milan Malpensa MXP airport, arriving by 12:00 noon.
Book your departure flights after 3:00 to be safe. Since most US flights leave early, you may choose to stay another night near the airport or take the Express Train into Milan for the evening.
Randy is an award-winning fine-art photographer and exceptional instructor, celebrated for his breathtaking landscapes and his patient, welcoming teaching style. He founded EarthLight Gallery in Park City, UT, and Master Your Workflow, a digital coaching program for photographers. Randy has played a key role in over a dozen Italy Workshops events across Italy and France, collaborating with Drake, his friend of over 30 years. His extensive career includes running a successful studio in Idaho, teaching college classes in photography and Photoshop, and mentoring hundreds of photography enthusiasts through his Meet Up group. Randy’s vast knowledge and gentle humor make his lessons engaging and enjoyable, helping every student feel comfortable and inspired as they learn.
Gabriele Angelini, Italian photographer and publisher from Imola, near Bologna, is known for his big smile, infectious passion for street photography, and deep knowledge of Italian photographic history. Former photography instructor at the University of Bologna, he has worked extensively on assignments around Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, capturing their unique light and atmosphere. He enriches every journey with unique cultural insights, local connections, and a love for Italy’s traditions. Living in Emilia Romagna, the heart of classic Italian cuisine, he’s the perfect guide to pair unforgettable images with equally unforgettable food and wine.
Spend three enchanting days with Mauro and Gabriele, your passionate guides, discovering the hidden treasures and timeless traditions of Piedmont. Beyond the familiar sights, you’ll wander through rolling vineyards, charming medieval villages, and elegant castles, breathing in the scents of blooming fields and tasting the flavors of the region’s finest wines and artisanal delicacies. Meet local winemakers, cheesemakers, and artisans who carry centuries-old traditions forward, and capture unforgettable moments with Mauro’s photography tips.
This journey is more than sightseeing, it’s a sensory immersion into Piemonte’s heart, culture, and picturesque landscapes, leaving memories that linger long after you return home.
Mauro is a travel professional and passionate photographer, raised in the heart of the Dolomites. Surrounded by towering peaks and breathtaking landscapes from an early age, he developed a profound connection to nature, hiking, and capturing the beauty of the mountains through his lens. Beyond his alpine roots, Mauro knows the treasures of Piedmont: from the elegant streets of Turin to the rolling vineyards of Le Langhe and Monferrato, lands of fine wines, truffles, and timeless traditions. His true passion lies in discovering cultures and landscapes that enrich the soul, making every journey a source of inspiration, growth, and unforgettable moments in some of Italy’s most extraordinary regions.
