A WEEK IN ITALY

Rome—Florence—Siena

May 19—25

We will spend these wonderful May days discovering the magnificent cities of Italy – Rome, Florence and Siena. We will see the biggest sightseeing attractions of Rome and feel the spirit of the Roman Empire in every ancient stone. We will see Florence in all of its romantic charm. In Siena we will get a sense of the spirit of the ancient city with its paved narrow streets and spacious squares. Together with our group we will enjoy the spring views of Italy and learn about photography.

Together with the instructor, Ksenia Isakova, we will travel and analyze photos, share our impressions and experience.

After the tour we will gather once again to view the best of our work.

Photo tour program

May 19. Flight from Moscow.

Arrival in Rome. Hotel check-in. The capital of the Roman Empire, with a vast number of places of interest. We will see the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Coliseum, in all of its glory - the largest monument to Roman civilization. This arena was used to hold tournaments, mock sea battles and a variety of spectacles.

We will have a chance to see the Coliseum illuminated at night.

A walk around the city.

Introductory photo tour class in the evening. Night accommodation at the hotel.

May 20

In the morning we will take a walk to Saint Peter's Square, truly one of the most impressive places in Rome. If you like, we will visit Vatican City and see the famous frescoes and sculptures created by the geniuses Perugino, Pinturicchio, Signorelli, Rosselli and Botticelli.

And, of course, we will see the Sistine Chapel, which was frescoed by Michelangelo.

We will take a walk along the Tiber and see the magnificent Castel Sant'Angelo, an ancient castle which is one of the most famous and captivating buildings in Rome.

The castle received its name in 590 AD after an angel is said to have miraculously appeared atop of it, a sign of the end of the plague.

Night photo shoot in the city. Night accommodation at the hotel.

May 21

Train ride to Florence. Hotel check-in.

We will visit the pearl of Florence, the focus of every postcard with a view of the city – the Florence Cathedral (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore), its red dome towering over the very heart of the ancient city.

We will take a walk along the river and cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the oldest bridge in the city. We will see the Pitti Palace, one of the most colossal palaces in Florence. We will hold a photo shoot at one of the most beautiful squares in Italy – the Piazza della Signoria in front of the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace). Many magnificent sculptures decorate this square, among them a copy of Michelangelo’s famous David. If you like, we will visit the Uffizi Gallery – one of the most famous art museums in the world, which houses a vast collection of masterpieces from many schools of painting. The gallery has halls dedicated to antique sculpture and tapestries. We will go to the Basilica di Santa Croce – a unique monument of exceptional historic importance not only thanks to the purity of its Gothic style, but also due to the value of the works of arts that it holds.

Return to the hotel in Florence. Preparation for the evening class.

Evening class with the instructor.

May 22

Train ride to Siena, the medieval capital of the powerful Republic of Siena. We will travel along the most beautiful valleys and vineyards of Italy, through Tuscany. We will walk around the amazing city and feel its air of antiquity. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo was the center of life in Siena. The piazza is overlooked by the town hall, which is decorated with frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Maestà by Simone Martini. The town hall is completed by the symbol of medieval Siena’s power and independence — a graceful 102-meter-tall tower. We will then walk through the picturesque old streets of the city. In the center of the historical part of Siena, at the Piazza del Duomo, stands a 13th-century cathedral, which is the city’s main cathedral. The Cathedral of Siena is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy. The enormous building is constructed of shining black and white marble, crowned with a tall bell tower and decorated with an extraordinarily beautiful façade and a multitude of sculptures, bas-reliefs and mosaics.

Return to the hotel in Florence.

May 23

Trip to Rome.

A walk around splendid Trastevere – the district favored by artists and poets. It is one of the most romantic and unique districts in Rome.

Free time for individual work and shopping.

Evening class with the instructor.

May 24

At the Piazza di Spagna, near the Spanish Steps, we will have a chance to eat hot chestnuts and sit by the fountain. This stairway is considered to be the most beautiful in Europe. From the Trinità dei Monti church we will see the magnificent panoramas of Rome.

We will walk to the Trevi Fountain – a breathtaking masterpiece and a favorite spot for lovers.

This colossal and monumental fountain was built at the spot that marked the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, constructed by Agrippa in 19 BC.

We will take an evening stroll around the Piazza Navona, which is surrounded by Renaissance baroque churches. It is the most beautiful square in Rome. We will see the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Fountain of Neptune and the Fontana del Moro.

Free time for individual work and shopping.

May 25

Check-out from the hotel. Departure to Moscow.

Photography program

We will study:

~ architectural photography,

~ landscape and panoramic photography,

~ genre photography,

~ street portrait,

~ peculiarities of evening and night photography,

~ theory and practice in composition for traveling,

~ shooting in difficult lighting conditions.

Daily practical exercises during joint photo shoots.

Cost and additional information

Cost of the photo tour: 945 euro, Central Bank exchange rate.

Regular customers will get a discount!

Application end date: April 28

The cost includes: accommodation in a 3 star hotel, room for two, breakfast.

Transfer Rome—Florence—Rome and Florence—Siena—Florence. Practical and theoretical classes in photography during the photo tour and the final class after the photo tour with the instructor, Ksenia Isakova.

The cost does not include: airline tickets, subway and city bus transportation, lunch, dinner, medical insurance, visa, other expenses.

Single room is available upon request.

Regular customers will get a discount!

Would you like to join? Contact us at kellynow@narod.ru.

Upcoming tours:

- Weekend in Istanbul – September 13-16, 2012;

- Photo tour to Japan for the red maple leaves season – November 10-17, 2012;

- Venice – November 28 to December 2, 2012.