Spring, 2023
“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.”
— Victor Hugo
Did you always want to attend a travel and landscape photography workshop in a beautiful location, but never did, because you have a spouse or partner that isn’t that much into photography?
You might have searched the Web for tours that offer a discount for non-photographer partners, but there aren’t many and the discounts aren’t very appealing.
Worst of all, most photo tours and workshops aren’t designed to cater also to the needs of non-photographers. While you and the other photographers are out in the field, waiting for the best light to illuminate an iconic scene, your partner is left to himself or herself, bored in a hotel room, reading a book, watching TV or having to find something exciting to do on her or his own.
If this is your situation and the prospect of it has always stopped you from booking the photography workshop of your dreams, you have come to the right place!
This tour has been carefully designed to give couples composed of a photography enthusiast and a non-photographer partner a mix of activities that are sure to keep both entertained and amused at all times.
While the photographers are out shooting the things that only a photographer can appreciate, their partners will have the opportunity to take part in other kinds of activities that have been planned specifically for them: museum visits, shopping, wine and food tastings, boat tours, and more.
Depending on the location, there will of course be times when we are all together. A beautiful sunset from a terrace overlooking the Portofino harbour is something that can be appreciated by anyone, whether they are holding a camera or a glass of Prosecco in their hand.
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“Honey, can you take a picture of me?”
Let’s face it. Landscape photography skills are one thing. Portraits are in a completely different ballpark. We’ve all seen competent landscape photographers struggle to get a decent portrait of their partner, spouse or best friend and they will generally claim they have no time for it.
The end result is that the vacation album contains many beautiful sunset photographs and one or two snapshots of the significant other, usually in bad light and with the eyes squinting under the bright midday sun. It will also contain not even a single photo of the couple together, unless they hand the camera to a random passerby, with predictable results.
To end this pain once and for all, we have decided to include in this tour a dedicated portrait session. We will show you how to make the most of available or artificial light to create flattering portraits of your partner that you will cherish forever. You will also have the chance to have portraits of you together taken by one of your instructors or by other members of the group. No more cellphone selfies with arm extended!
Traveling alone?
While this program is designed for couples, it doesn’t mean singles can’t join. Depending on availability, we will be glad to have you on board. Contact us for prices and for all information.
Cinque Terre And The Italian Riviera, October 22-26, 2021
By attending this workshop, you will be able to experience the most beautiful locations on the stretch of coast that goes from Genoa to the Gulf of La Spezia: Genoa, Camogli, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Tellaro. Traditional villages filled with color and atmosphere, beaches, high cliffs, and Mediterranean vegetation.
To accommodate the needs of local and international guests, the workshop will be bi-lingual. Thanks to the one-on-one nature of our teaching, we will be able to offer you instructions in English or Italian, according to your preference.
Per venire incontro alle esigenze dei nostri ospiti locali e internazionali, il workshop sarà bilingue. Grazie alla natura individuale della nostra tecnica educativa, siamo in grado di offrirvi istruzione in italiano o inglese, a seconda della vostra preferenza.
What Is Included
- 4 nights and breakfasts in luxury hotels, double room accommodation.
- Photography instruction in a small group setting by professional photographers.
- Evening processing and critique sessions.
- Transportation in a private minivan with driver. In the Cinque Terre we will use trains also, as it is a much faster and convenient means of transportation, due to the nature of the area.
- 4 dinners in typical Italian restaurants, including drinks.
- Additional activities (Genoa Aquarium visit, museum visits, wine tasting, boat tour, hikes, and more) including entrance tickets and guides.
Pricing
The cost of the whole workshop is 4,400€ (or USD 4,900) per couple (inclusive of VAT). A couple is defined as two people traveling together, no matter whether they are two spouses, fiancées, one parent and one child or just best friends.
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“EARLY BIRD” Discount
All the bookings confirmed before midnight, July 31st, 2021 will enjoy a 15% discount over the price of the tour. In this case, the price will be only 3,740€ (or 4,200 USD) per couple.
(This promotional offer cannot be cumulated with any other offer.)
Workshop Program
We will meet in Genoa at around 10AM and will start the day with a walk through this beautiful city that combines the medieval and the modern in a very compact historical center, dominated by its majestic gothic cathedral.
After a quick lunch and some rest, the photographers in the group will keep exploring the lesser known corners of Genoa, including what was once a fishermen’s village and has maintained all its character, though it is now engulfed in the city, Boccadasse.
Boccadasse, Genoa
Meanwhile, the non-photographers in the group will have the opportunity to visit the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. We will end the day with a dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in hotel in Genoa.
On the morning of the second day, right after breakfast we head to Camogli, one of the most stunning towns in the whole coast, with its colorful houses on the beach. All the activities of this day will take place at a leisurely pace and with the whole group.
Camogli
In the afternoon we will reach the elegant Portofino, with its luxury yachts and the patrician villas. From there, we will move to the harbor of San Fruttuoso and its medieval abbey. San Fruttuoso can be reached by boat, using public transport, while the more adventurous will want to take the easy, one-and-a-half-hour hike through the Natural Park, which offers exceptional views.
We will then have dinner in a nice restaurant in the area and finish the day at our hotel, possibly having a look at and discussing the images taken during the day.
On the third day, we start our exploration of Cinque Terre, starting at Monterosso. While the photographers are busy exploring the village, the rest of the group will be able to do some shopping or, if the weather is fine, just relax on the beach.
From Monterosso we board a private boat for a tour along the coast, affording us view views of the Cinque Terre that are not accessible from land. Of course, we will give you tips on how best to take photographs from a moving boat. There will be lunch and drinks on board and, weather permitting, the option to take a swim (but remember that water can be quite chilly at this time of the year).
We will finish the day in Vernazza. As sunset approaches, we will move to one of the viewpoints above the town, waiting for the best light. Before dinner there will also be the possibility to take some blue hour photographs from another spot, while the non-photographers might elect to have an aperitivo instead.
Vernazza
On the morning of the fourth day, we will do a hike on the trail between Corniglia and Vernazza. This will allow us to get great views of the area from on high. For lunch, you will be treated to a tasting of the best wines from the region, accompanied by local products, on a terrace overlooking the sea. After that, we explore the remaining villages, Riomaggiore and Manarola, walking between the two on the famous Via dell’Amore.
Corniglia
Manarola
Riomaggiore
We will end the day catching the sunset in Tellaro, have dinner and then move to our hotel in Portovenere.
Tellaro
On the morning of the fifth day, we rise early to shoot the sunrise in Portovenere. After breakfast, we will do a session of image processing and critique and finally send everyone on their way home after lunch.
Portovenere
This program is subject to variations, depending on weather conditions.
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Check out what our recent guests had to say about their experience touring and shooting with us in Cinque Terre.
Booking Form
Vernazza
I contacted Ugo for a private two day tour of Cinque Terre. He immediately responded and we met up in Monterosso. Ugo is an easy going and likeable guy and, as can be seen in his website, a good photographer. He knows Cinque Terre very well since he lives nearby and has conducted several tours in the area. If you have only a few days in Cinque Terre, it makes great sense to contact Ugo and he can take you right away to the good spots and at the right time of the day. I had a great time with Ugo in Cinque Terre and would recommend taking his tours.
Manila, Philippines
We had an unforgettable weekend with Ugo in Cinque Terre. He took us around the 5 villages and showed us the good vantage points for photography and gave us very useful tips. I went home with beautiful photos. Highly recommended.
Istanbul, Turkey
If you are planning to travel and love photography at any level Ugo can plan a personal tour to fit in with your itinerary! He has a wealth of knowledge to share with you on any subject of photography. Apart from photography (my passion) Ugo provides a total travel experience looking at Italy through the eyes of a local. A life changing trip leaving me totally hooked to book another! Thank you Ugo and yes I will be returning my dilemma is choosing a destination.
Gold Coast, Australia
After two photo tours with Ugo in Italy, I cannot recommend the experience highly enough – the local knowledge of Italy, partnered with photographic expertise and guidance made for an extremely rewarding photo tour! Ugo guides and mentors you according to your skills, regardless of whether you are a beginner or experienced enthusiast. I have come away with greater understanding of the craft and confidence to build my skill set. I am inspired to continue my learning journey to create beautiful images. Thank you Ugo!!!
Canberra, Australia
My husband and I did a workshop with Ugo in Cinque Terre. It was fantastic. Ugo is not only a great photographer, but he is generous with his knowledge, and he offers a great workshop. The group was international, which made the experience even richer.
Healdsburg, CA
Terms and Conditions
Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two person occupying a double room. All prices are quoted in Euros. In case you are traveling alone and would like a single room, please contact me. The rates are based on current exchange rates and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Eligibility: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey.
Group Size and Booking Considerations
The tour will be confirmed only if a minimum number of 6 participants is reached. In order to keep the group size small and the experience enjoyable for everyone, the maximum number of participants I accept is 12.
Payment Schedule
The payment for this trip is split into 2 installments, due as follows:
- €1,200 deposit is due at the time of booking.
- Your balance payment is due by Aug 31st, 2020.
Cancellation Policy
The booking deposit will be refunded if participant numbers are not reached by August 31st, 2020.
After your group has been confirmed, the deposits are non-refundable.
If you cancel between 60 to 31 days prior to date of departure you will forfeit 50% of your total trip cost, including any applicable single supplement.*
If you cancel within 30 days of the date of departure, you will forfeit 100% of the tour cost. Where the full cost of the tour has not yet been paid, it will be immediately payable on cancellation.*
* Note that if you cancel up to 31 days before the start of the tour and I are able to backfill your place, I may refund recoverable costs at my discretion.
Payment Options
To book your place, click on the "Pay With Card" button above or on the PayPal link. Contact me if you'd prefer to pay by direct bank transfer.
Travel insurance
It is advisable to take out your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. This will therefore provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious accident.
I strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured, providing financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Cover should include medical expenses, as well as repatriation, in the event of accident or illness. In addition, I strongly recommend that you have cover for personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation. If you are undertaking any sports or adventurous activities on your trip, including trekking, you should also make sure that your policy covers these. Please also ensure you read the policy conditions and exclusions.
Responsibility
Ugo Cei will provide education enrichment during photo tours. The other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. Ugo Cei and its designated tour leaders shall not be held responsible for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government, or by acts of nature, strikes, fire, flood, war, terrorism, sickness, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against Ugo Cei and its designated tour leaders for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. Ugo Cei reserves the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on any photo workshop. Ugo Cei reserves the right, without penalty, to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in their judgement, conditions warrants, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants.
You have assumed the responsibility to select an activity appropriate to your physical abilities and interests. You are personally responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake the activity.