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Weekend Photography Holiday

Highlights

  • 20 hours of hands on tuition and excursions to capture the diversity of the area
  • Stay in a 14th Century Italian Palazzo in the historic centre of Orvieto
  • Small groups of no more than 6 to enhance your photography learning experience
From £682 pp*
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3 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Learn the art of photography on this adventurous photography weekend in Orvieto in Umbria that promises not just a photography course but also an Italian cultural immersion as you explore the regions of Umbria, Tuscany and Latium.

2025 Dates:
4th – 7th April
2nd – 5th May
6th – 9th June
4th – 7th July
1st – 4th August
5th – 8th September
3rd – 6th October
31st October – 3rd November

Learn the art of photography on this adventurous weekend photography course in Orvieto, a stunning hill top city in the heart of Umbria, famous for its white wines and even whiter gothic cathedral.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, taking a weekend to discover this stunning area of ​​Italy on a photography holiday promises a unique learning experience that will stay with you long after the holiday is over.

Get out and about in a 4×4, explore the delights of Umbria, Latium and Tuscany and capture as many spectacular landscapes, dramatic seascapes, beautiful buildings, lakes and stunning sunsets as you can in a weekend.

Learn photography on this fun weekend course and take home images from this beautiful area that you will be proud to show to others.

If you like this itinerary but would like to a longer duration course please see our 6 night itinerary by clicking here.

*From price is based on two people sharing a room.

Arrival - Orvieto and environs, Umbria

On arrival you will be collected from Orvieto train station* in the morning and transferred to your accommodation as your course starts after lunch.

Your course will start early after lunch with a wander around the beautiful city of Orvieto, the home of your photography tutor and famous the world over.

Orvieto like most of the towns in Umbria is an Etruscan city overlaid with Roman, Mediaeval and Renaissance buildings. The mediaeval quarter is so picturesque film crews often shoot here. The city was painted by William Turner who was struck by its site on an outcrop of rock above the Tiber valley and the cathedral is one of the wonders of Italy.

This evening is free to enjoy at leisure.

*Orvieto station is just 50 minutes from Rome Termini station.

Alternatively you can arrive on Thursday evening and add an extra night or nights to your trip – please contact us directly if this is required.

Lake Bolsena

Your course starts early after breakfast.

You’ll take a trip in the 4×4 to the dramatic Lake Bolsena only 20 minutes away, to capture the stunning scenery around its shores.

You’ll focus on shooting the working fishing villages with their boats, nets and gnarled fishermen ideal for experimenting with depth of field, vivid color composition, movement and portraiture. There are Etruscan tombs overlooking the lake where we practice high definition photography, balancing the gloom within, to the bright Mediterranean light outside.

Dinner will be at a lakeside restaurant.

 

Tyrrhenian coastline

You’ll have the morning in Orvieto to review the results of your photography from yesterday and will work with your tutor who will provide an overview of how to use Photoshop.

Using a tripod to catch the motion of the waves and take an abstract approach as you photograph bleached white skeleton trees washed up the shore.

This evening is free to enjoy at leisure.

 

The hill towns of Tuscany - departure

Today is the last day of your photography course and you’ll check out of your accommodation after an early breakfast.

After a short drive, you’ll spend a relaxing morning on the shores of Lake Bolsena.

After a picnic lunch on the shore in the early afternoon, your weekend photography holiday  finishes and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you will be taking home new found photography skills and pictures to be proud of.

 

 

What's included

Included

  • 4 day photography holiday course
  • 3 nights accommodation in a 14th Century Italian Palazzo
  • Transfers from Orvieto train station
  • Breakfast and lunch daily (lunch is taken out on location)
  • 1 dinner with the group
  • All transport to each photography shoot location in a 4x4
  • An afternoon’s Photoshop training
  • A map of the area

Accommodation

Local Traditional B&B

Your accommodation is located in the historic centre of Orvieto. Orvieto is a lively town and a pleasure to stroll in as it is almost completely pedestrianised

All rooms are located in the attics* of an ancient noble palace of the 14th century which is located right in the heart of the city in Piazza del Popolo, adjacent to the palace of the same name.

The rooms are all equipped with TV, kettle, free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, hairdryer, heating, air conditioning and some with ceiling fans.

*If you have restricted mobility or concerns on the accommodation please contact us about alternative accommodation options, depending on availability.

Your local host

Patrick

Passionate about photography, British photography tutor Patrick has lived and worked in Italy since 1983 and knows the area intimately. With over 25 years experience working as a professional photographer, Patrick has worked in fashion, portrait and advertising, with his work published in magazines worldwide. Since 2007, he has run his own photography gallery in Orvieto, specialising mainly in landscapes.

Passionate about photography, British photography tutor Patrick has lived and worked in Italy since 1983 and knows the area intimately. With over 25 years experience working as a professional photographer, Patrick has worked in fashion, portrait and advertising, with his work published in magazines worldwide. Since 2007, he has run his own photography gallery in Orvieto, specialising mainly in landscapes.

Patrick image

Location

Based in Orvieto, at the corner of three regions each with their own history and traditions, Latium (the region of Rome), Umbria and Tuscany, this photography holiday gets you out and about around this stunning region of Italy and promises not only a photography holiday but an Italian cultural immersion.

Accommodation is included in the price and you’ll stay in a beautiful 14th century palazzo in the historic center of Orvieto which is almost entirely pedestrianised.

Nearest airport: Rome or Perugia – please note that Rome has 2 airports, either airport is fine and you need to take a train from the center of Rome to Orvieto for your course.

A complimentary pick-up is included in the price from Orvieto train station. Orvieto is just 50 minutes from Rome Termini station (in the center of Rome) and trains run hourly.

What our travellers are saying...

Patrick N is a British born photographer who lives in Orvieto. He is a charming fellow and is very knowledgeable about Orvieto and the surrounding regions. He is also a capable professional photographer. Patrick met us at the train station and then gave us an overview of Orvieto. The next day we started early in the morning and he took us to many photography spots. The following day, we went to Bagnoreggio. We came away from both days with many,

Vance Z

FAQs

Is Wi-Fi available?

Wi-Fi is available in the B&B but not in all the rooms (it's possible to go to Orvieto where cafes have a free connection).

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18
- Courses have a maximum of 6 persons in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography
- The course is mainly focused on digital photography using a digital SLR camera and you will need to bring your own DLSR with you

Can I bring a non-participating partner?

- If you wish to accompany a friend who is taking the photography holiday but not take the photography lessons, that is not a problem
- Non-participating partners will share a twin/double room with their friend for 3 nights
- The price includes breakfast daily and 2 evening meals also
- If there is space in the Land Rover, non participating guests can join a day trip at no extra cost (subject to availability)

When can I start?

- All arrivals are on set monthly dates from April to October.

What will I learn?

- As you are learning in a small group of no more than 6 people, you’ll have expert guidance and tuition will be adapted to each client’s needs
- You will get to know the basics such as composition, depth of field, lens choice and exposure tips
- Working in manual and Raw as well as use of flash, reflectors and technical tricks
- Tuition in downloading and editing your images using Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom
- High Definition photography (variable exposure) and photo stitching
- An overview of Fine-Art printing known as Giclée

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- We generally do not recommend this location for those with restricted mobility
- This holiday is based in a mountain village with steps and cobbled streets
- Accommodation is on the 3rd floor of a hotel without a lift
- If a person is able to walk but has 'some' restrictions then we would need further information concerning their needs, and they could perhaps stay in an alternative hotel nearby with a lift, depending on availability

Weather conditions and itinerary

- Your photography tutor Patrick will alter the itinerary if the weather doesn’t offer the best conditions for photographing the area

What should I bring?

- Bring your own camera (with manual), charger, memory cards, tripod, filters and flash if you have them, film if you use it
- Point and shoot if you have one
- You can borrow some photographic accessories such as tripods, flash guns, filters
- Please bring suitable footwear for walking as you will be spending a lot of time exploring the different areas and a sun hat
- A swimming costume is recommended as there will be a chance to swim in the lakes during the shoots

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