NORTHERN ITALY - A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR
with Elisa Paloschi and Sonia Ter Hovanessian

September 25th to October 4th (Veneto and Bologna) FULL
Venice Add-on Oct. 4th to Oct. 8th (Venice) FULL
6 participants

For bookings and more info

BOLOGNA - 4 nights (Sept. 25, 26, 27, 28)
Bologna La Grassa (The Fat) is Italy’s culinary capital. Although our main goal is to explore hidden photographic gems, you can’t go to Italy with Elisa withought her excitement of the amazing local food and wine (so start your diets early because Veneto food is very different but just as amazing). Beyond the truffles, spaghetti Bolognese and porcini mushrooms, Bologna is home to Italy’s oldest university. Red is everywhere in Bologna La Dotta (The Learned) from the famous spaghetti sauce, to the red brick towers and the red tiled roofs that tumble upon the city like scattered dominoes. Unlike the rest of the world where all roads lead to Rome, here all streets lead to Piazza Maggiore. The city’s lively pulse point is dominated by the unfinished Basilica di San Petronio, work was halted in the 16th century when it began to outdo the Vatican’s St. Peters cathedral. The large and exceptionally well-preserved pedestrian friendly historic center is considered one of the largest intact historic centers in all Europe, and is a potpourri of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and modern architecture. This city is charming, bohemian and often ignored by visitors who flock to Florence to its south.

From Bologna we will explore Dozza, the surrounding hills and wine regions and Ferarra.

VERONA - 3 nights (Sept. 29, 30, 1)
Verona, known as “piccola Roma” for its importance in imperial days, truly came into its architectural glory under the Scala family in the 31th and 14th centuries. The violence of  that feuding family was immortalized by Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliette. Today, the city of love is scattered with picturesque palaces, elegant squares and medieval gems. Piazza delle Erbe, where the Roman forum once stood, bustles with a permanent market by day, and cafes by night where the locals go to be seen. Amongst Verona’s most famous landmarks is the pink marble Roman Arena which was built in the 1st century AD and the red and white striped Romanesque/Gothic duomo.

From Verona we will explore Lago di Garda and the Valpolicella wine region.

PADOVA - 2 nights (Oct. 2, 3)
In 1222 Padova founded it’s university, the second oldest in Italy. As such the city was the academic heartbeat of the Venetian Republic - and far before that, an ancient Roman stronghold. For this reason it is one of the most important medieval and Renaissance cities in Italy where Dante studied and Galileo taught. When you wander the narrow, cobbled, arcaded side streets in the timeless neighborhoods surrounding the historic center you can still feel the energy of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as a center for learning and art. There is a dynamic energy here where people get around by bicycle and the squares host flea markets famous for antique prints and photographs. A city forgotten by tourists who side step the city for the fame of Venzia.

From Padova we will explore Vicenza

VENEZIA – 4 nights (Oct. 4, 5, 6, 7) (add on)
Venezia has been referred to as the most beautiful city in the world, and architecturally it is arguably the richest city in Europe. The French impressionists were drawn to Venice and found inspiration among her many treasures and the endlessly changing effects of light.
One of the great pleasures of exploring Venice is walking in the absence of traffic. The Piazza San Marco, in the heart of the Venice, is dominated by two of the city’s most important historical sights: the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. The sestiere of San Marco remains the major attraction for many visitors today and can be crowded at times. Yet, only minutes away from this concentrated tourist area there is a labyrinth of alleys to explore and escape the crowds. Many of the photographic opportunities exist behind the scenes and can be found in the network of side canals and alleys, courtyards, cloisters and secluded gardens, statues and carvings.
From Venezia we will explore Burano and the San Michele Cemetery

Tour cost includes all ground transportation starting at the hotel in Bologna to the a drop off point (tba) in Venezia.  9 nights accommodation based on double occupancy. 1 Dinner (first night) and 9 breakfasts.

Venice add-on includes 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts and a 4 day vaperetto (water bus) pass

THE PARTICIPANTS
This tour is for anyone interested in photography, from novice to experienced amateur or professionals, who want to expand their vision, improve technical skills, and change the way they see. This tour will provide an opportunity to meet with people who are totally immersed in photography, exchange ideas and share enthusiasm with others involved in the medium. Time spent as a group can be a journey both visually and emotionally - a time for the soul to get away from the daily routines and refresh the creative energies.

ABOUT US
Elisa Paloschi is a Toronto based filmmaker and photographer who spends much of her time traveling far from the city, including a 10 year stint in Italy. She is fluent in Italian, has a deep understanding of the nuances of Italian culture and in particular knows when yes means no and that a green light does not always give you right of way. She has taught photography in India to help empower trafficked women and children and she is currently working on a number of character based documentary films. Her work is fuelled by an impetuous desire to partake in the stories that unfold around her and she is consistently drawn to a world of new relationships, new beginnings and most importantly, stories with a human face. She has designed and led photography tours to Italy since 2005. View her website

Sonia Ter Hovanessian, originally from the U.K. and who is of Franco-Armenian descent, came to Italy whilst still at university studying French and Italian. Almost ten years on and Sonia has made a home for herself in this intriguing and beautiful country, setting up camp in the Red City of Bologna, home to Lasagne and Tortellini. To keep herself out of trouble she divides her time between playing, teaching music & photography as well as designing and guiding biking tours and photographic tours in Europe. These include: Street Photography in London for Italians, and Tours around Italy. For Sonia photography means observing with heightened curiosity the surrounding world, an excuse to people-gaze, to explore landscapes from all angles, to get up close and personal all the while remaining invisible. She is also a singer and flautist and is currently working on her first collection of original music. What do all of these different activities have in common? Simply a love for working with people and for communication through language, through photography, through music! www.soniaterhovanessian.com

INCLUDED
Surface transportation from Bologna to Venice
1 dinner, 9 breakfasts, 9 nights accomodation based on double occupancy
Venice add-on includes 4 nights accomodation, 4 breakfasts, 3 day vaperetto pass

NOT INCLUDED
airfare from your point of origin to Italy
meals where not specified
cancellation and medical insurance
transportation to and from the airport and transportation outside the scope of the organized tour event.
additional fee for less than 6 participants

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION
Please contact us to request a booking form or for further information. We will email the application forms, once they are returned with your deposit, your booking will be confirmed. Payment may be made by Canadian cheque, cash or by Paypal (additional fee).