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.
Mauro Riva will host this tour and be your guide. Mauro is a professional guide based in the nearby Dolomite mountains. He is also Director of Operations for Italy Workshops. His enthusiasm for photography and love of the lakes region is infectious and will help to create lifelong memories from your visit.
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 "aperativi" 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.
Join Mauro Riva as he shows you the best of Venice behind the scenes. Visit the most photogenic sites, meet local artisans and indulge in local cuisine as you can only do with a local friend like Mauro.
