THE TRIP:

We start our journey in one of the worlds most unique and romantic cities of Venice, renowned for its canals, wine, food, and romance. Venice provides many opportunities to photograph and experience the Venetian way of life. We will spend two full days touring the city on foot. Staying at locally owned accommodation will not only be beneficial to the pocketbook, but also gives us an incite into the unique Venetian culture and the chance to explore lesser known places. We of course also photograph the famous sites, go to a few museums, churches and market places and relax at a cafe in the Piazza San Marco.

After two days in Venice we will board our train to the small Italian mountain town of Tirano . Here we board the Bernina Express to St Moritz and wind through the mountain switchbacks of this UNESCO listed mountain area into Switzerland. We have 2 days and 3 nights in the chic, elegant St Moritz. There is a a huge variety of adventure sports, unlimited fun in the snow – this is Engadine St. Moritz. Switzerland's largest snow sports region is the heart-throb of every true winter sports adventurer and photographer with options to ski, snowmobile, snowboard and hike.
Spend an exciting day enjoying Snowmobiling* Snowmobiles are the perfect mode of transport for taking great mountain landscapes as we can cover a lot of ground quickly and position ourselves for the best composition.

After two snow filled days we will head to Zermatt via the famous Glacier Express. Arguably the best ski resort in the world, the scenery will leave you in awe. It is easy to be dazzled by the mountain world around you, being surrounded by 29 peaks over 4000m (13,100ft). These are the highest mountains in Europe. We take the highest cable car in the world to the top of the Matterhorn where you will be able to photograph the breathtaking views. Besides photographing the world of ice and snow, there are the gorgeous chalets and Hamlets serviced by helicopters. Always with spectacular views and very often in cosy clusters of ancient sun browned barns... Zermatt's mountain restaurants exude a natural charm and offer wonderful food - they really are second to none such as the tiny hamlet of Findel and Tuftern where we can enjoy a Glüwein (Spiced warm wine) or delicious Apfelstrudel. the atmosphere invites one to linger long after the sun goes down, before a laughter filled descent under moonlight either back on the cable car or on your hired skis.

trip highlights:

• Venice. This stunning water city is a mecca for serious photographers

• 7 days of sheer pleasure capturing some of the very best Swiss and Italian alpine scenery, culture, great food, wine and architecture

• Italy to St Moritz on the Berlina Express through world heritage listed snow covered mountain landscapes

• 3 nights and 2 days in the winter wonderland resort of St Moritz

• Snow photography landscape workshops. Action, winter sports photography workshops

• A relaxed, unhurried pace by train. Meaning we can move around with dining cars with photography instruction throughout.

• The car free town of Zermatt with stunning alpine scenery and views of the Matterhorn from every aspect

• Its affordable! The Australian dollar in currently on par with the Swiss Franc

ITINERARY:

• DAY 1   Arrival Venice

• DAY 2   Venice

• DAY 3   Venice

• DAY 4   Venice-St Moritz

• DAY 5   ST Moritz

• DAY 6   St Moritz-Zermatt via Glacier Express

• DAY 7   Zermatt

• DAY 8   Departure Day

INCLUSIONS:

• All in country transport

• 7 nights accommodation

• Farewell Meal in Zermatt

not included:

• Personal expenses such as phone calls, beverages, laundry, etc

• International Airfares

• Any other services have not been mentioned in our offer

• Travel insurance

tour style:

Visiting regions of the world famed for their culture, antiquities, history, art, architecture and unique picturesque landscapes.  Switzerland is a ‘classic photography tour’ in the truest sense of the word. We can control the agenda, the pace, the itinerary - so we can take the best photographs, seek out the hidden gems, or wait for the perfect light. These tours are not just for expert photographers. In fact, we attract an eclectic mix of people who blend other interests with photography - the lover of wildflowers, the skier, the naturalist, the antiquities buff, the painter, the wine and food lover - the normal traveller looking to expand their horizons. During the tour, beginners learn technique and camera handling, composition, lighting and much more. Travelling by train is perfect for photographic instruction.

Serious amateurs will revel in the fantastic photographic situations throughout the week. There is literally something for everyone on this tour....people, landscapes, mountains, snow and ice, architecture.. lifestyle photography. You need a certain level of physical fitness as there is walking involved to see the sites and around the two resorts and surrounding areas. Winter sports are optional in St Moritz and Zermatt... You will just enjoy being in this winter wonderland.

instructor(s):

Andrew Thomasson - the Director of Focus 10 will be your instructor throughout. You will be picking up invaluable tips and technique from a master trainer and a professional travel and commercial photographer.  Andrew is a fun loving instructor who can assess and sniff out great photographic opportunities anywhere, anytime and create the dynamics and control the shoot so you get those brilliant photographs. Andrew is an intermediate skier with much experience of photography in snow and Alpine regions having lived in Canada, winter trekked in the Himalaya and photographed in many ski resorts around the world including all of the major ski resorts in Chile and Argentina.

departure date:

Departs Friday 26 March 2011 (ex Venice)
We generally use Emirates or Singapore Airlines and can add extended stop- over stays or connections with other tours.

tour cost:

Land arrangements: Minimum 6 persons, Maximum 12 persons per person sharing twin/double
Single supplements extra.
 $2490 (ex Venice)

This cost includes photographic tuition throughout and is the estimated cost per person for food, accommodation, transfers and train travel. Excluded are winter activities in St Moritz and Zermatt and items of a personal nature.

Airfares from Sydney/ Melbourne return are approx. $2000 extra
There are some good deals currently on Emirates and Singapore Airlines into Venice and out of Geneva

TOUR OPERATOR:

Focus 10 using a fully licensed tour agent Real Travel

MORE INFO/
to book:

For further information, please contact FOCUS 10 on info@focus10.com.au or call +61 407 278 809

We require a deposit of $500 to secure your booking.  This is fully refundable if we do not get 6 persons to make the trip viable. We are looking at a variety of accommodation options in Venice, St Moritz and Zermatt. All will be in the 3 star category in places of style and local character.  Please call email with expressions of interest now as hotels in St Moritz and Zermatt get fully booked out.