 Image by Daniel Roșca
As the autumn days get longer, we head for the picturesque coast and the brilliant blue waters of southern Greece. Travel is at its best as we discover a fascinating culture, learning about the region through its food, history and the welcoming people of the Peloponnese. Late fall is the perfect time to see the harvesting of the olives, oranges and lemons and to enjoy days around 70 degrees.
Greece of today is forged from the heroic Greece of the past. Understanding this cradle of civilization, local guides will help us imagine the eons of history that shaped the world. Visits to the Acropolis in Athens, to Olympia (the birthplace of the Olympic Games) and other ancient sites will expand our view of the Greek culture and how it shaped our own. The Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece was the location of Sparta, the legendary militaristic city-state of Greece’s Classical Age. Enjoy personal contact with the Greek people where they live, the village workshops and the working farms. The exceptional food will feature the best of the season including the olives, oranges and seafood enjoyed by the local communities. Our visit will reveal the ever-present history in the amphitheaters, the stone paths and the fortress walls of Classical Greece along with picturesque landscapes and brilliant coastal vistas.  Daniel Roșca, Photographer and Guide
Accommodations will be in smaller, boutique hotels and in villages when possible, offering a memorable experience and easy access to exceptional photographic settings. Hotel details can be found on the Trip Itinerary page. While traveling throughout the countryside, our group will enjoy a roomy, air conditioned private bus. Every day and evening will be filled with photo opportunities, both planned and unexpected as unique travel experiences present themselves.
All types of digital photography are embraced: DSLRs, iPhones and mirrorless cameras are all welcome. Dan Burkholder, master photographer, artist and photographic innovator, promotes a lightweight approach to image making where you can shoot with any digital camera that allows you to transfer images to your iPhones and iPads. You’ll discover the joy of editing on your iPhone during lunch or on your iPad in the middle of the night — a dream for the travel photographer! Joining Dan will be Jill Skupin Burkholder and Daniel Roșca, friend, photographer and guide, whose expertise will keep the expedition flowing smoothly. Daniel coordinates all aspects of the trip, ensuring that the days are packed with local experiences that show the full character of the country. All three group leaders will be at your side providing photographic know-how, experience and a light-hearted approach to sharing friendship and making memories during this photographic adventure. |
 Image by Daniel Roșca
 Image from Pixabay
Image by Daniel Roșca
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Image from Pixabay and edited
Trip Overview
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The workshop adventure will begin in Athens Thursday evening, Nov 16th where we will meet for our first delicious Mediterranean dinner. The next morning we begin our travel by visiting the Acropolis and continuing across the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese.
Two nights will be in Kalamata while we fill our days visiting olive groves and learning about the harvesting of these famous olives and olive oil. The Saturday morning farmers' market will give us a chance to mingle with the locals and to photograph. In the afternoon, we will travel to Olympia, the place where the Olympic games took place over 2000 years ago. Traveling along the rugged coastline of Mani, we will see traditional fishing towns and dazzling seascapes. On one stop, we visit the Agios Spyridon church and the Troupakis-Mourtzinos Fortress. Moving on to our next guesthouse, we come to Gytheio, a beautiful town by the water where fishermen dry their catch in the sun. This town was the port for ancient Sparta, the legendary militaristic city-state. Two nights in Gytheio will give us plenty of moments to watch the fishermen come and go in their small boats bringing in the day's catch. The imposing lighthouse, the seaside tavernas and the colorful dwellings up the hill represent Greece at its best. Our excursions include an abandoned stone village, a 5th generation potter's workshop and a cave accessed by boat. Continuing along the coastline, the next day will bring a stop at a shipwreck on a sandy beach on our way to a fascinating town on an island, Monemvasia. This fortified town features houses of stone and a labyrinth of alleys and passageways. Next is Nafplio, a charming town surrounded by farms growing some of the best oranges and lemons of the region. Our trip will take us to an organic farm where we can enjoy a cooking class and try different dishes and deserts from oranges. We will enjoy two nights here before we turn our travel northward. On our way back to Athens, we visit the ancient Epidaurus amphitheater, a well-preserved structure which can seat 15,000 people and still boasts perfect acoustics. Our travels take us through wine country with a landscape dotted with vineyards and olive groves before we end our journey back in Athens. The itinerary is subject to change but will always be planned for the best photographic opportunities. For a friendly relaxed atmosphere and to provide lots of individual attention, the group is limited to 10 participants. The workshop fee is $4700. |
Included: • Nine nights lodging and 10 days of photographic instruction • Various entrance fees, visits and shooting opportunities • Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned bus • Breakfasts included • 2 Dinners on the first and last night in Athens • 1 Dinner and Cooking Class at an organic farm • 1 Olive grove and olive press visit with light dinner, olive oil tasting with Greek Meze cold platter and olives • Fluent, English-speaking local guides at historic sites • Tour Organizer and Photographer, Daniel Roșca • Transfers to and from the airport Not included: • Passport • Covid Vaccinations and Any Required Testing • Airfares and related taxes or fees to and from Athens • Meals not listed above, expect to pay $17-22/per meal on average • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages • Personal expenses, services, or purchases • Transportation after the workshop ends • Travel/cancellation Insurance which includes Overseas Medical Care and Evacuation |