
Best of Northern Italy May 20-June 3, 2024


Guest Price
$9,500.00 USD
Per person double occupancy
International Airfare INCLUDED
Single Supplement
$800.00
Deposit
$2,400.00
Tour Guest Limit
10 Guest Maximum
Registration Deadline
90 Days before departure
This price is inclusive of Round Trip economy airfare from USA gateway city. See below for more details.
Tour Pricing Info
The Best of Northern Italy tour with Italian acclaimed guest pro photographer Ugo Cei combines the top iconic locations of Venice, Florence, The Cinque Terre, Milan, The Dolomites, and Lake Como while introducing you to several hidden gems of each area and more. The time we'll spend in each location will you leave you desiring to come back often and explore more.
About the Tour
M&M Pro Photographer
Mike Gulbraa
Guest Pro Photographer
Ugo Cei
https://ugoceiphotography.com/about


Tour Leaders
Included
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International RT economy airfare
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All airport transfers
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Italy Rail Pass
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All other ground transportation
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All lodging
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All meals mentioned in itinerary
Not Included
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Tips to drivers
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Meals outside of the itinerary
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Passport and visa fees & applications
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Airport taxes
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Additional drinks and other personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, laundry, phone calls etc.)
Tour Highlights
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Milan
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Venice
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Florence
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Cinque Terre
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Dolomites
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Lake Como
Accommodations
We use local boutique hotels and other establishments that give us excellent access to great photos, transport, and food. Lodging is TBD.
Tour Itinerary
May 20, 2024 | Fly from USA to Milan
This day will be spent on the plane traveling to Italy.
May 21, 2024 | Milan
Arrive in Milan and transfer to our hotel. Please plan on arriving in Milan before Noon if possible. After check-in and a brief time to relax, we'll meet for our first photo shoot: an afternoon walk in Milan with Ugo showing us his hidden gems. We'll find a nice spot for Blue Hour shots. B/L/D
May 22 & 23, 2024 | Cinque Terre
After an early breakfast we’ll catch our train to The Cinque Terre! The Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 main towns/villages that hug the coastline and are connected by milk run trains. Over the next 2 days and nights we’ll shoot the best of Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and more. Blue Hour, sunrises, sunsets, street scenes, and landscapes are the order of the day. B/L/D
May 24 & 25, 2024 | Florence
Over the next 2 days and nights we’ll explore the best of Florence. In Florence we’ll wander the narrow side streets, shoot the Duomo (Cathedral), visit awesome interiors of chapels, and work the Blue Hour from Piazza Michelangelo which overlooks Florence and the Duomo. Tickets to museums in Florence are NOT included in the tour. B/L/D
May 26 & 27, 2024 | Venice
Our 2 days in Venice will be spent shooting the canal scenes, some local landscapes, Blue Hour, and more. Ugo knows Venice like the back of his hand and will share his hidden gems with us so we come home with many unique images and classic shots that scream Venice. B/L/D
The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a vast area (about 16,000 square kilometers or app. 6,200 square miles) comprising many mountain groups, valleys, meadows, and lakes.
May 28, 2024
Morning: transfer from Venice to Cortina and hotel check-in.
Afternoon: tour of Lakes Misurina and Antorno and excursion to Tre Cime. The latter requires a 1-hour hike that is along an easy unpaved road for the first part but climbs a bit near the end. Doable for people who have no problems walking, but keep in mind we're at altitude (about 2,400m or app. 8,000 feet) so air is thinner and those who have breathing issues might find it difficult. Stay in Cortina. B/L/D
May 29, 2024
Today we'll visit locations such as Cinque Torri, Passo Falzarego, Lake Limides, Colle Santa Lucia, Passo Giau. We may do a sunset shoot at Passo Giau, which will require walking up a small grassy hill (10-15 minutes). Short walks on easy terrain might be required at some locations. Stay in Cortina. B/L/D
May 30, 2024
Morning: Transfer from Cortina to Val Gardena. Visit Lake Dobbiaco and Lake Braies along the way.
Afternoon: excursion to Val di Funes and sunset shoot at Santa Maddalena. Easy 10 min walk along a road to reach viewpoint. Stay in Ortisei or Santa Cristina. B/L/D
May 31, 2024
Morning: excursion to Alpe di Siusi and Lake Carezza. Visiting the Alpe will require some walking on roads or easy trails. Afternoon: excursion to Seceda, IF the cableway is open. Alternatively, excursions to Passo Sella, Passo Gardena and Val Badia. Stay in Ortisei or Santa Cristina. B/L/D
Please note that this is subject to change, depending on weather conditions. The weather in the mountains is always unpredictable, so we'll have to be flexible and ready to change our itinerary at the last minute.
June 1 & 2, 2024 | Lake Como
We will take the train to the Lake Como area. Landscapes, lake scenes, and more await us here. B/L/D
June 3, 2024 | Return home from Milan
Free time until your flight home.
Helpfull Info
What To Take (These are only suggestions, they are NOT required!)
Our list of Recommended Gear for your Photo Tour
· 2 camera bodies—the same manufacturer that will fit all your lenses
· Camera battery charger and cords
· Bring as much memory as possible
· Card Reader for file transfer
· External SSD drives for back up (we recommend a minimum of a 1TB)
· Black Rapid camera strap
· Extra batteries
· Lenses Medium telephoto, Fixed, Wide angle & Macro lens that give you a wide range
of length. 10mm to 400mm if possible
· 1.4x or 2x teleconverter for the telephoto—same brand as lens
· Tripod and head
· Flash—strobe with automatic TTL fill flash capabilities or Reflector
· Photo backpack
· Lens cloth and cleaning fluid
· Blower ball for dust
· Circular polarizing filter
· Grad ND filters
· Rain sleeve for camera and lens
· Cable or electronic shutter release
· Laptop
· Current version of Photoshop or Lightroom
· International power adapters
· Multiple plug international power strip & adaptor
· Sensor cleaning supplies
Make sure to pack a warm layer or two for our time in the Dolomites as temps can change quickly and mornings and evenings can be COLD. A rain jacket, warm (wool or wool blend) socks, gloves, a hat, and good hiking shoes are essential too.
GUESTS SHOULD PACK LIGHT. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO CARRY, ROLL, SCHLEP, AND/OR OTHERWISE TRANSPORT YOUR OWN BAGS AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL PLACES ON THIS TRIP. LAUNDRY SERVICES ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
M&M RULE OF THUMB IS ONE BAG FOR CAMERA GEAR AND ONE 20-22"" ROLLER FOR YOUR CLOTHES AND TOILETRIES. INVEST IN A TRAVEL TRIPOD - BENRO HAS MANY OPTIONS.
MEDICAL DEVICES SUCH AS CPAP MACHINES ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECOMMENDATION. PACKING LIGHT WILL MAKE YOUR TRIP MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE.
Tour Difficulty = Moderate+
Easy = less than 2 miles walking/day and little climbing; Moderate = up to 5 miles walking per day with some climbing; Strenuous = more than 5 miles/day of walking and several climbing/hills/rough terrain expected. You should know your health and ability to carry your gear in hot, cold, humid, and dry conditions and be able to walk 5 miles or more per day and make climbs in elevation of up to 1000 feet in gain and be OK climbing many steps or steep terrain.
Cancellation Policy
Pursuant to Clause 2 under Enrollment: If you need to cancel within a stated refund period, M&M Photo Tours, Inc. may allow you to apply all monies paid to a future trip, within 12 months. We must receive written notification (E-mail is accepted) of your cancellation and your desire to apply the funds to a future trip.
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance as this policy is strongly adhered to. The purchase of travel insurance covering baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation is highly recommended. M&M Photo Tours, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible and a full refund of trip payment will be given. It is agreed by registering for any M&M Photo Tours, Inc. tour that M&M Photo Tours, Inc. assumes no responsibility for refund or additional expenses incurred in preparation for a trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is suggested. We recommend www.insuremytrip.com
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Booking Terms & Conditions