Made to Measure
To experience the heart and soul of a place, you need to get under its skin.We know the ins and outs of every Dolomite valley we recommend and are able to bring an insight and create the perfect bespoke trip that few can match.Our time is spent digging up the best ways to get the vibe of the area you choose to explore: from recommending the best guides, outdoor activities, panoramas and inspired regional cuisine to the perfect hotel /rifugio for your trip. We can design trips, for 2 people or more, from scratch or customize one of our sample itineraries for inspiration with personal flourishes or dates that suit you better.
Dolomites Photo Safari
What is this about, you ask? …A walk in the mountains? A photography workshop? A gourmet food sampling? A Photoshop class? A self-realization seminar?
Yes! Yes! Yes! This adventure simply cannot fit into a typical tour category. Indeed, this is a combination event -- part mountain trek, part hands-on photography workshop, part software skills lab, and part artistic self-discovery!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the majestic Dolomites with your photographer’s eye – travel with other photographers and instructors where you’ll have plenty of time to pause to capture the perfect image!
- Learn from world class photographers and imaging experts including camera artist Randy Jay Braun
- Explore the majestic Dolomite mountains and discover its hidden valleys where the architecture, cuisine, and language reflects a delightful blend of Italian and Austrian and Ladin cultures that make this region so unique
- Capture – or just sit back and enjoy! – the sunset and sunrise from a Farm House with marvelous views of the Pelmo Massif
Indulge your senses while photographing one of the world’s most scenic regions – the Dolomites – the crown jewel of the Alps. Sights, sounds, and flavors of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy will awaken your passion for art. We have assembled a team of world-class leaders who are sure to bring you to a heightened level of creative t hinking and suc cess with your digital photography!
Daily excursions will include walks through charming mountain villages and hikes on trails to a few of the most spectacular vistas on Earth. No need to feel rushed, as you will be among other photographers who understand that a great image takes some time to capture. Short evening classes will teach you current photo-finishing techniques using the latest Adobe software on your own laptop computer. All levels of photographers are welcome, yet basic operating knowledge of your digital SLR camera, and of your laptop computer is required. As a participant you must be prepared to hike on trails while carrying your own camera gear.
VENICE EXTENSION (Click to download Itinerary)
About Your Instructors and Guides
Randy Jay Braun www.randyjaybraun.com
Randy refers to himself as a professional “camera-artist”. After graduating from Occidental College, Randy landed a job as a corporate photographer, but soon he realized his desire for more creative expression. Over the past twenty years, Randy has achieved success with his own fine-art photography gallery on the Pacific island of Maui, Hawaii. His classic images of the native Hawaiian people are widely published, and recognized worldwide.
Recently, Randy has developed a passion for wilderness backpacking with his camera. In July 2010, Randy trekked through the Dolomite mountains. He fell in love with this photogenic region and vowed to return. During that excursion, his professional trail guide was Karin Pizzinini, also an avid photographer. During long discussions on the trail the two of them dreamed up the concept for this exact event!
Karin Pizzinini
Karin is a certified professional trail guide born and raised in a village named Colfosco, in the very heart of the Dolomites. This woman knows how to live! Karin is an accomplished parachuter, paraglider, and rock climber, and loves to explore the mountains in the winter on telemark skis. Karin produces television documentaries, teaches high-school science, has traveled the world, and loves to sing along with her guitar music! Her camera is ubiquitous. Recently, Karin started a small business teaching digital photography skills in her region. She speaks five languages, including Ladin, the historical native tongue in the Dolomites, and loves to share her personal insight with visiting guests. She says with her infectious smile, “I am happiest when I am touching the mountains”!
INFORMATION REQUEST
Ready to take the next step? Just complete and return our Trip Questionnaire, or contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!
Check out our high definition videos in: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!
TRIP DETAILS
Length: 7n/8d
Start / Finish: Marco Polo Airport, Venice, Italy
Activity Level: For anyone interested in photography that is in good and active physical health. As a participant you must be prepared to hike on moderately difficult trails while carrying your own camera gear with limited personal gear.
Cost: €3580 with minimum 10 persons
Includes: Private transfers to/from Marco-Polo International Airport, accommodations in luxury hotels in classic double rooms, 1 night accommodations in agriturismo (farm house) with shared rooms and bathrooms, all meals (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), 2 internationally renowned photography instructors, local English speaking guides, local private ground transportation, lifts and cable cars in the area, luggage transfer from Corvara – Corte degli Elfi – San Cassiano, map of the area, local and medical evacuation insurance.
Single supplement (double room single use): €595 (only in Hotel Posta Zirm & Rosa Alpina)
ITINERARY
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide.
Day 1 ~ Welcome!
Arrive at Venice Marco Polo airport, transfer to Corvara in Alta Badia situated in the heart of the Dolomites, and check into your hotel. Meet with your photographer guides for a trip briefing, followed by a welcome dinner – your first taste of the Dolomites’ incredible regional cuisine and wine!
D… Hotel Posta Zirm (4-Star)
Day 2 ~ Val Gardena and Alta Badia Vistas
Ascend into the Dolomites, and enjoy marvelous views of the Sella Massif from different vantage points throughout the day. After a hearty breakfast, hike up to Colfosco and on to the Edelweiss hut, situated right beneath the Puez High Plateau. Continue to enjoy the views of the Sella Massif and the other surrounding mountains like the Conturines and Santa Croce mountains as we hike. We’ll stop for lunch at the Jimmy Hut, descend to Colfosco by gondola, and hike back to Corvara. (4 hours hiking 9 km / 5.5 miles, 2,000' elevation gain with cable car plus 800' hiking descent.)
B,L,D… Hotel Posta Zirm (4-Star)
Day 3 ~ Ladin Cultural Day
Today you’ll have plentiful opportunities to photograph the cooking, landscape, and animals of a traditional Ladino working farm, Maso Runch. This dairy farm situated at the foot of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park is surrounded by meadows and woods above the village of San Leonardo in Alta Badia. We will explore the farm and its facilities, including the farmstead, the mill, the stable, and the hayloft, with the opportunity to learn first hand about the daily life at the farmstead and capture images of this way of living. Tonight we will delight in a typical Ladino dinner at the Maso Alfarei, which the farmhouse is famous for, inside typical Ladin residence dating back to 1200.
B,L,D… Hotel Posta Zirm (4-Star)
Day 4 ~ The Elves’ Court Agritourismo
Today we have a short hike from the village of Ornella to an agriturismo. La Corte degli Elfi – “The Elves’ Court” – is an old farm house reconstructed by the owners with attention to detail and love for tradition. Inside you’ll find lots of curiousities to explore and photograph – ranging from old skis to antique books. Outdoors you can experience this rustic setting which includes a number of animals on the property, and marvellous views of the Pelmo Massif which are incredible to capture at sunset and sunrise!
(3 to 5 hours hiking.)
B,L,D… La Corte degli Elfi (Agriturismo)
Day 5 ~ Pralongia High Plateau
Hike through the Ladin vllages of Livinallongo, Corte, and Contrin to reach the marvelous Pralongia High Plateau. From here you have impressive views of the surrounding mountains including the Marmolada with its famous glacier (the only glacier in all the Dolomites!), the Sella Massif, Santa Croce, and the Sassongher. We’ll stop for lunch at the mountain hut of the Hotel Rosa where the staff of this 5-star hotel will prepare a special lunch for you. In the afternoon hike down or take the gondola which will bring you to San Cassiano in Alta Badia where you will spend the remaining nights of your trip. (5 hours hiking 12 km / 7.5 miles; 671m / 2,200’ vertical climb with cable car descent.)
B,L,D… Hotel Rosa Alpina (5-Star)
Day 6 ~ Armentara Meadows
In the morning take the chairlift to Santa Croce Sanctuary and hike to the Armentara Meadows, famous for their spectacular spring flowers. Hike through these colorful meadows to Ranch da Andre, an old farmers hut converted into a little restaurant serving typical Ladin dishes. Enjoy lunch here with fantastic views of the spires of Puez-Odle mountain range and Sass de Putia. After lunch, descend to San Leonardo and transfer back to San Cassiano.
(3-4 hours hiking 9 km / 5.5 miles; 122m / 400' vertical climb, 762m / 2500’ hiking descent.)
B,L,D… Hotel Rosa Alpina
Day 7 ~ Settsass Mountain
Transfer to Passo Valparola (2,192m / 7,192') to see the sunrise. Superb panoramas of Dolomite Mountains. Breakfast at rifugio Valparola from where we hike below the Piccolo Settsass (2,429m / 7,969') and continue to Pralongia (2,106m / 6,909'). The early start will give us the opportunity to capture the magical morning light in the Dolomites. Following a good jeep track we reach the Rifugio Biok (2,078m / 6,818') where we can stop for lunch. After lunch, descend to San Cassiano (1,513m / 4,964').
(3 hours hiking 11 km / 7 miles, 305m /1,000' vertical climb and descent.)
In the afternoon we’ll attend a cooking demonstration in the Michelin 2-Star Restaurant St. Hubertus. Farewell dinner tonight at the St. Hubertus!
B,L,D… Hotel Rosa Alpina (5-Star)
Day 8 ~ Depart
Breakfast and transfer to the Venice Airport for departure.
B…
VENICE EXTENSION (Click to download Itinerary)
Don't want the trip to end?
We offer a Venice Extension on request! Venice is an incredible destination with unbelievable photographic opportunities.
Why not put all that new inspiration and education to use and continue your creative adventure in Italy!
Channels of Venice
Just complete and return our contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!
