The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
Often it is the price tag that hinders many amateur photographers and budding enthusiasts from embarking on a photography tour abroad. But in addition to staying local and participating in U.S.-based trips, there are several organizations that offer economical and affordable options. All of the following are priced under $4,000 land-only for one- to two-week programs -- even in the Euro-friendly countries.
If I had my life over again, I would almost certainly want to be a photographer -- but not just any shutter bug. My dream would be to work for National Geographic, the magazine that has inspired me to travel and discover since I was just out of diapers. Realistically though, there is a way that you can capture some of the allure and grandeur of the National Geographic photographic experience by participating in one of its photography expeditions. National Geographic Expeditions (tel. 866/797-4686; www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com) offers a selection of nine photogenic and culturally rich destinations accompanied by its professional photographers providing instruction and expert guidance.
Its San Miguel de Allende, Mexico workshop is a chance to uncover the town's colonial charm plus its international community of artists, writers, and sculptors. The seven day trip also visits the historic village of Queretaro and the 16th century UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Guanajuato and the old silver mining town of Pozos. The program is geared toward digital photographers featuring additional instruction on downloading, saving, organizing, archiving, cropping, sizing and manipulating images. Departure dates are November 2 and 9, 2008 and the second trip will be led by Photographer Jim Richardson, who has produced more than 30 stories for National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Traveler. The trip cost is $2,795 per person based on double occupancy (add $300 for single supplement) and includes six nights' accommodations at La Posada de la Aldea in San Miguel, local transportation and most meals. International airfare is additional.
National Geographic's Barcelona workshop lets participants experience this vibrant Catalan capital, explore medieval mountaintop monasteries, wander through colorful fishing villages and join in the celebration of a local festival. The eight-day program from September 14 to 21 and again from September 21-28, 2008 (this second departure includes the La Mercè Festival whereas the September 14 departure will take in Barcelona's Gothic quarter instead) is priced at $3,790 per person based on double occupancy (add $500 for single supplement). The tour will be led by accomplished photographers David Alan Harvey and Raul Touzon. It includes seven nights' accommodations, transportation and most meals.
Spend half a day discovering the mastery of Antoni Gaudí's - the monumental Sagrada Familia cathedral and Parc Güell with its imaginative animal sculptures and mosaics. Visit the city's major pedestrian arterial, Las Ramblas; be captivated by a flamenco show at the famous Tablao Cordobes; tour a cava cellar and sample cava, Catalonia's celebrated sparkling wine; walk through the medieval Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat; take a private tour of the Museu Picasso; join in the celebration of the Fiesta de la Mercè, honoring the Virgin of Mercy, patron saint of Barcelona; travel along the Costa Brava to Cadaqués, a whitewashed fishing village; explore the imposing 9th century monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes and the fishing town of Port de la Selva; and step back in time in the medieval village of Perelada with its maze of narrow lanes set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees while sampling local vintages at the magnificent Castillo Perelada.
Strabo Photo Tour Collection (tel. 866/218-9215, PIN# 2678; www.phototc.com/tours) has a wide choice of mainly international destinations ranging from Bhutan to Iceland. Their Journey to Peru trip (April 24 to May 3, 2008) will be led by photography and expert Ron Rosenstock, who specializes in the subtleties of nature photography, capturing the grandeur and uniqueness of the land. Travel overland through the Sacred Valley and discover many sites often missed by the casual tourist, including local markets and local Quechua communities. Walk the ancient pathways through. the passageways and mysterious Inca stonework of Sachsayhuaman and the ruins of Machu Picchu with Quechua native, Marcos Farfan whose knowledge of the mountains, the language and the people enables the group to visit traditional Andean villages.
Meet and photograph shamans, healers, herders, farmers and weavers -- all in remote areas of the Andes. Highlights include Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, San Pedro market, the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Willoq community, Salinas, Moray, and the Vilcabamba Mountain range. The tour land cost is $3,295 based upon minimum of ten participants (there is a small group surcharge of $300 the group is smaller). Single room supplement is $895. The price includes transportation in the tour van; nine nights' accommodations; services of driver, cultural guide and photographic leader; most meals; park entrance fees, day tours and excursions. Domestic and international air fares are additional.
Photo Explorer Tours' (tel. 800/315-4462; www.photoexplorertours.com) owner, award-winning photographer Dennis Cox, leads photography journeys to some of the world's most exotic, remote and fascinating regions. His new Explore Croatia trip is a two week tour of scenic Croatia, from Zagreb to Dubrovnik from May 17 to 29, 2008. The group will be kept small, from six to sixteen photographers, to insure maximum freedom for individual photographers to explore and shoot with the group or on their own. Whenever possible, special photo opportunities are arranged and a flexible itinerary allows photographers to take advantage of the best light for photography and to make impromptu stops for spontaneous photo opportunities.
The experience is priced at $3,795 per person based on double occupancy (single supplement is $535 additional), and includes 12 nights; accommodations (two nights each at the Arcotel Hotel in Zagreb, Hotel Astoria in Opatija, the Hotel President in Zadar; Hotel Riva on Hvar and the Hilton Imperial in Dubrovnik and one night each at Hotel Spongiola on the island of Krapanj and the Hotel Biokova in Makarska); breakfast daily, one lunch and farewell dinner; all ferry, boat and land transportation; admission fees; and the services of an English-speaking photographic guide throughout. The tour is limited to twelve participants. Estimated prices for international airfare from the U.S. to Zagreb and returning from Dubrovnik start at $924 based on fares currently available,
and Photo Explorer Tours can provide interested participants with travel consolidator details. Highlights include the historic cities of Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Rovinj and Skradin; Plitvice and Paklenica National Parks and the Krka waterfalls; Istria, the "Second Tuscany;" the island of Pag in the Zadar region; castles, monasteries and cathedrals; the islands of Hvar and Krapanj; and Imotski and the Makarska Riviera.
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