Pay the full price now or a deposit with the balance payable 8 weeks before the workshop starts.
24 – 31 October 2026
Places available
Max 5
7 nights / 8 days
Low to Medium
Smart Hotel Saslong; Cortina d'Ampezzo area
Venice Marco Polo (VCE)
Join me for a fabulous Dolomites photo tour in October 2026. The photography tour will be based in two separate areas so that we can maximize the photo locations of this beautiful area of northern Italy. The photo opportunities in the autumn months up in the Dolomites include images of high-jagged mountains, misty mornings, vineyards and forests full of colour.
During October, we start to see the first colours of autumn as well as those beautiful misty mornings. We will endeavour to make the very best of the morning and evening light during the photo tour of the Dolomites. You will be taken to some of the very best photo locations such as the Alpe di Siusi and Santa Maddelena but I’ll also lead you to explore lesser-known hidden gems, so you can photograph a wide array of classic landscape imagery, from breathtaking landscapes and vineyards to lifestyle and close-up photography.
There is the possibility that we will use one or two cable cars to get us up high to photograph some of the mountain vistas. These average around 20€ or 30€ for a return trip and are not included in the fee. However, I can assure you that the views are incredible and well worth the extra expense.
Our stay is based in three or four-star hotel accommodation. The hotels provide us with breakfast in the morning.
Day 1
24 October 2026
Arrival into Venice Marco Polo (VCE) airport.
I will collect the workshop attendees at Venice Marco Polo airport at around 130PM. From here we will drive northwards to our hotel in the Val Gardena. If there is time, weather permitting, we’ll head out to do a sunset shoot before enjoying an evening meal at a local restaurant.
Days 2, 3, 4 morning
25 – 27 October 2026
Every day we will be out in the morning for a sunrise shoot before heading back to our hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day will be spent shooting out on location until sunset. Both lunch and dinner will be in local restaurants.
During this half of the tour, we will cover some of the iconic places such as Santa Maddalena and San Johann in the Val di Funes and the Alpe di Siusi (1-hour walk).
Days 4 afternoon, 5, 6, 7, 8 morning
27 October – 31 October 2025
In the afternoon of day 4, we’ll make our way over to the Cortina d’Ampezzo area. After checking in at our hotel, we’ll head out to shoot in the evening.
In the second half of the tour, we will of course visit some of the iconic places such as Lago di Braies and Lago di Misurina but I’ll also take you to some lesser-known locations.
The rest of the days will be spent shooting out on location from pre-dawn until sunset. Both lunch and dinner will be in local restaurants.
After breakfast on day 8, we’ll drive back to Venice Marco Polo airport.
It’s worth noting that a number of photo tours stick to an itinerary giving you a day by day breakdown of where you are going. As the Dolomites is a mountainous area where the weather can be very changeable I prefer to have a degree of flexibility built into my photography tours.
Venice Marco Polo is served by a multitude of international flight operators from budget airlines to commercial airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada and Air France. My own flight arrives around 12-1PM and if you would like to join the photography tour and need a recommendation on a flight then please do get in touch.
We will all meet at the arrivals lounge at Venice Marco Polo on 24th October 2026. Please ensure that you arrive in good time and have eaten lunch as we will be headed straight off to our first hotel. Aim to arrive by 1 – 2PM as my own flight will be at this time.
The last day of the photo tour typically includes a dawn shoot and breakfast on Saturday before we head back to Venice Marco Polo airport.
Walking shoes are perfect for the countryside. Do be aware that during those misty mornings that the grass will be full of dew and it would be wise to have boots that are waterproof to keep your feet dry. As we will visit towns and villages, a pair of trainers/ sneakers will help keep your feet cool and will make walking easier.
A wide-angle lens (16-35mm), medium zoom (24-70mm) and a longer zoom (100-400mm) will be ideal to cover most compositional eventualities but don’t forget the macro lens if you have one. The most used will be in the 24-70mm range as a super wide-angle doesn’t always translate, so make sure this focal length is covered. It’s best not to weigh yourself down, so why not bring an airport-style bag for all your kit and a smaller day bag, which you can decant equipment into throughout the day.
Although not essential, it’s a great idea to bring a laptop computer with you so you can discuss imagery with myself and others in the group. It is a great learning experience, so it’s highly recommended to bring a laptop to learn and for personal entertainment.
I try to make a point of tutoring digital photography to all my clients, to help complete the learning process. It helps to have a computer session when tiredness takes hold, or inclement weather persists.
What’s included in the tour?
Photo tuition from Julian Elliott
Double room single occupancy accommodation with ensuite bathrooms in Cortina area
Double room single occupancy accommodation with ensuite bathrooms in Val Gardena area
All rooms are provided on a single occupancy basis
Breakfasts
Transport during the tour
What’s not included
International flights to and from Italy
Airport taxes
Entry visa, if required, to Italy
Early/ late check in/ out service at hotels
Travel insurance and trip cancellation (highly advised)
Lunch and dinner
Medical expenses
Personal expenses such as telephone charges, laundry etc
Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel porters
Services and transportation are for listed activities only
Charges will be applied for any additional requests
All other services which are not mentioned in the Inclusion section
My tours fill up quickly but sometimes spots open up due to cancellations.
If the tour you are interested in is currently full and you would like to be added to the waiting list then please fill out this form
