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Here are a few of my favourite shots from my recent trip. Each photo tells a unique story and has a special place in my heart.
Calabria is a truly ancient principality, in south west Italy, (the toe of the boot). A region that has been subject to invasions for centuries by the Greeks, Spanish, Byzantines and Normans. It is both remarkable and enticing for the opportunity it presents to capture Italy at its most authentic and interesting. Surrounded by water; the Ionian Sea to the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Strait of Messina off the south western tip, which separate it from Sicily. We will be staying in the northern Provence of Cosenza at the Grand Hotel San Michele. Our hosts, Andrea and Ornella, are the third generation to run this family-owned hotel. They have created a warm, welcoming and friendly environment in their hotel, which is nestled up against the cliffs, from where you gaze across lemon, orange and olives groves to the Tyrrhenian coastline, a 100 ft below.
Dates
Saturday 30 September to Thursday 5 October 2023
Duration
Six days and five nights
The Cost
£980.00
Where we will be staying
Grand Hotel San Michele, Cetraro, Calabria
https://www.grandhotelsanmichele.it/en-gb
The price includes:
Photographic tuition, half board at San Michele, a local wine tasting, aperitifs on early Tuesday evening, transport during the workshop and transfers to and from Lamezia airport if travelling from on the recommended flights:
Ryanair
If you prefer to fly from London Gatwick you will need to go to Naples where you will be met, however it is approximately a 3 hours’ drive to the hotel so there will be an extra surcharge for the transfers.
Easyjet
Not included:
Insurance
This is mandatory for the trip. You will need to arrange your own
personal/travel and photographic equipment insurance for the week.
You will met by taxi or minibus at Lamezia or Naples airport and I will be waiting for you at the Grand Hotel San Michele. There will be ample time to unpack and settle in, take the lift down to the hotel’s beach, enjoy a light lunch and maybe a swim. Late afternoon Ornella will show us around the hotel and farm followed by tasting some of the local wines and chatting about photography.
After a leisurely breakfast we will visit the sleepy hilltop towns of Belvedera and Maiera. We will meander through the narrow alleys, across the piazza and go into the late baroque churches, surrounded by a huddle of houses. The lanes are steep, but once you get to the top there are some magnificent views of the mountains and the Tyrrhenian coastline. We will return to San Michele mid-afternoon to allow time to download and review everyone’s pictures.
We will spend most of the day photographing at the hotel and their organic farm. When I visited in the spring, they were cutting asparagus and artichokes and the ripe lemons and oranges were ready to be picked. In October they will be busy gathering olives, picking grapes and the last of the summer tomatoes. Late afternoon, we will go to Diamonte, a coastal resort to photograph the street art.
After breakfast we will visit Cetraro, a local town. There are two parts: the old town nestled up amongst the hillside and the modern part, stretching along the coast. We will explore the ancient town, its narrow streets, churches and if there is time visit the Museum of Brettii. Early afternoon there will be time to download your images and look through everyone’s photos. Late afternoon we will go to Villa Cirimarco, situated in a small hamlet in the mountains with magnificent views of local terrain. We will have aperitifs before returning to the Grand Hotel for dinner.
On our last full day, we will visit the medieval town of Altomento, in the heart of the province of Cosenza. We will focus our attention on the vernacular architecture, with its narrow houses, ancient churches with their fresco paintings, monasteries and cloisters, the modern open-air theatre and the views of the Pollino massif mountains. We will leave straight after breakfast and return by mid-afternoon. There will be time to relax and download your pictures before supper.
In the morning, your flights permitting, we’ll have a look at your favourite images taken during the trip before heading off the airport and home with a camera full of wonderful images and head full of memories. Please note the itinerary maybe subject to alteration. To reserve your place contact me on the email below.
