Abruzzo Italy Workshop 14th-19th May 2024 With Matt Bishop and special guest Luigi Nespeca

Price

£1895 with a £300 non-refundable deposit required to secure your place. (Shared Accommodation) The remaining balance will be due By the beginning of April 2023

*Single Supplement Available upon request £400 Extra on Total price*

Included:

• 5 Nights Accommodation

• Breakfast

• Packed Lunches

• Evening Meal

• Transportation While In Italy in a private van

• Tuition and Guidance by three experienced Photographers

  Not Included:

• Flights ( To Rome Ciampino Preferably early morning arrival so we can make the most of the day)

• Drinks (Alchohol)

• Travel Insurance ( Mandatory we will require a copy of this for the trip)

About the Workshop

Nestled amongst the Apennine Mountains, 2 hours drive from the ancient city of Rome,

exists Italy's most fascinating and wild landscapes. With the mighty Gran Sasso

mountain peak dominating these landscapes, our local knowledge and photographic

skills will take you into some of the most amazing wilderness and medieval surroundings

that not even your imagination could fathom.

This June, Paul, Luigi and Matt will be heading a workshop for 6 days in the areas

dominated by the Grand Sasso mountain. This is a unique opportunity for international

photographers to visit these locations and our expert knowledge in the area will

guarantee an epic landscape photographer adventure never seen before.

This is a six day five night tour comprising of Three nights at Rocca Calascio (Little Tibet) and Two nights spent on the other side of the mountain (Gran Sasso National Park)where you will see the North face and beautiful beech and larch forests.

(All-inclusive trip including all transport around Abruzzo and all meals)

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE OF SIX PARTICIPANTS

Rocca Calascio was initially built as a watchtower in the 10th century or earlier, the fortress developed in size and complexity over a period of time, particularly in the 14th century under Leonello de Acclozemora, and subsequently the Medici family in the late 16th century. Studies have shown that it would only ever have been designed, unusually, to accommodate a military garrison, rather than proffering shelter and protection to the local civilian population (perhaps partly explaining why it was one of the first sites of Peasant Revolt in 784!). An earthquake badly damaged the fort in 1703, after which it was left in its ruined state as it no longer served any strategic purpose.

With some of the most stunning views in all of Italy, Abruzzo is becoming increasingly popular amongst visitors. Located along the centre of Italy’s east coast, Abruzzo is one of the greenest regions in the whole of Europe, with swathes of natural land leading into serene rivers and out towards the stunning Adriatic Sea.

Initially, the region was known as Abruzzi, a result of its administration during the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, when Abruzzo was divided into three parts (known collectively as the Abruzzi). Abruzzi included the modern regions of Abruzzo and Molise to the south, and the two were not split until 1960, which makes Molise the youngest region in Italy. The administrative areas of Abruzzi went on to influence the modern regions of Abruzzo we see today: Abruzzo Citeriore is now Chieti Province in the south; Abruzzo Ulteriore I encompassed modern Teramo and Pescara provinces, and Ulteriore II is now the province of L’Aquila.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - 3

We will arrange pickup at a designated location in Rome, then we will head directly to the location in the Apennine Mountains with private transportation. Dominating this vast area, known as “The Emperor’s Field” you will be immediately blown away by epic landscape opportunities from every corner we visit over the next few days. Here, we will spend the next 3 nights residing in our private apartments situated amongst an ancient medieval town at the base of the mysterious and epic fortress of Rocca Calascio. In this village, all meals will be cooked for us here and this will be a good opportunity to taste local Abruzzo Cuisine and stroll through the old villages nearby. We will have direct access to the fortress and its breathtaking views and the opportunity to capture the vast mountainous scenery of The Emperor’s Field all within a 15 minutes drive.

Day 4-5

We will then venture 2 hrs to the north face of Gran Sasso. Here this mountain peak at 3000 meters in height dominates its surroundings of green vegetation, rolling hills and ancient oak forest that during spring will be certainly prominent in green foliage. Plenty of photography opportunities, somewhat diverse to Emperors Field. Here we will be staying in warm and cosy private apartments on location and close by our restaurant will make all our delicious meals. In this area, if time permits, and depending on weather conditions, we may have the opportunity to do some brief hiking into local forests, and a nearby waterfall. Mountain photography can offer light that is not only pleasing during sunrise and sunset, but even at midday, so there will be plenty of time to dedicate to being out on field. If we have some downtime during the day this may be a good opportunity to explore the local villages and even do some 1 to 1 post-production lessons.

Day 6

Today after an early morning breakfast we will pack our luggage into our private vehicle and begin an early departure back to Rome. This trip will take us more than 2.5 hrs depending on whether you are leaving directly that day via the airport or into Rome City.

Important Information

Pre Workshop: we highly recommend that prior to workshop commencement you arrive at Rome the night before to avoid a late arrival, and as a consequence affect the early morning departure on day 1. Our meeting point will be at a Hotel in Rome, so it is highly recommended that you book your stay here overnight. Follow this link to the Borgo Palmieri Orto di Roma, which offers very cosy apartments and a delicious restaurant, or by request, we can book it for you.

https://www.borgopalmieri.com/

Travel Insurance: It is mandatory that you obtain travel insurance for this trip, and evidence of the insurance must be provided.

Physical Activity Level: The workshop does involve some low/medium level hiking on some occasions. We do ask that the right hiking equipment ie, suitable footwear, backpack for camera gear, and thermal wear, be taken with you. Luggage advice will be provided prior to the commencement on group chats