UMBRIA WITH RICHARD MARTIN
May 16 –25 2007
6 participants + Richard and Elisa
Includes 9 nights accommodation based on double occupancy, breakfast each morning and ground transportation from Rome.
$3790.00 Can. (plus $80.00 G.S.T for Canadian residents)

Richard’s love for Italy takes us this year to Umbria, which is considered to be Italy’s green heart. Being also Italy’s most rural region, Umbria is Tuscany’s wild cousin with jagged rock formations and snow-capped peaks. The birthplace of St. Francis makes this province Italy’s mystical heart as well, and this becomes quickly evident with the hundreds of churches and monasteries scattered on the hilltops, grassy valleys and within the confines of the medieval towns.

Elisa Paloschi joins Richard in Umbria to organize and co-ordinate this 10-day tour which will be jam packed with photographic opportunities and of course plenty of time to explore the wonderful food, wine, landscape and history of this region.

The tour itinerary has been designed specifically for serious photographers; to ensure that more concentrated time is spent in the most photogenic areas. We believe in the idea of applying photography to curiosity and desire, a mixture, which can make a highly productive atmosphere of sharing ideas and making photographs.

TOUR ITINERARY
The tour begins at 11 am on the first day at our meeting point at the Rome train station.  From here we begin our journey towards Todi.  The first 3 nights will be spent in this ancient small town perched upon two hilltops that was founded by the Umbri in 8th-7th century before Christ. This central location is perfect to explore southern Umbria and for morning townscape photographic opportunities. Field trips will be to Orvieto with its breath taking views from the city perched precariously on a cliff. And the majestic town of Spoletto with it’s Bridge of Towers, St. Pietro’s church and winding alley-ways.  As well, we will explore a number of tiny sleepy villages and the agricultural and rugged landscapes in between.

From Todi we move on to Perugia for the next 4 nights to explore the Northern reaches of Umbria.  Perugia is one of Italy’s most spectacular and well-preserved medieval hill towns and is perfect for early morning and evening photographic opportunities. From our base in Perugia we will day trip; to Assisi, with it’s incredible pink and white buildings shimmering in the sun; to Gubbio, Elisa’s favourite Umbrian town, of white stone dramatically perched on the side of Monte Ingino; to Spello a wonderful pink limestone town of cobblestone passageways opening into intimate closed squares and courtyards - with a unique rosy hue, particularly at sunset; and through the landscapes of wheat fields and wild flowers and the many small towns close by.

And having come this far, how could we not stop in Tuscany,s most photogenic area. For the last 2 nights we stay at farmhouse in the Val d’Orcia area in order to explore this part of Tuscany where single trees dominate the rolling landscapes and geraniums flourish in the sleepy cobbled towns. 

While we believe the tour must have a definite outline and format, a flexible itinerary may be adapted as required to accommodate for the unexpected opportunities, and the serendipitous twists, which often transpire during tours. Ultimately the emphasis throughout is on seeing, and our priority is to ensure good creative photography, providing an ample amount of time each day so participants will have the opportunity to explore without being rushed.

The tour will end on the last day at 4pm at the Rome train station.

TOUR FOCUS
The purpose of this 8 day tour is to offer an intensive learning experience for a small group of passionate photographers who want to live, learn and photograph with Richard Martin in Umbria. The overall format includes a balance of early morning, day and evening field trips to a diverse range of scenic locations in Umbria and Tuscany.  Richard will accompany participants every day to give suggestions and advice on working with natural light, composition, color and shadow. There will be critiques throughout the week of the work in progress from a technical, compositional and aesthetic point of view. There will also be free time to allow for personal exploration.

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. As instructor, Richard’s greatest challenge is to help participants see the world in new, active and deeply meaningful ways.

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 RICHARD
Richard Martin has been leading tours and teaching workshops for 16 years. He is a deeply committed instructor who guides participants on a voyage of personal rediscovery. His passion and insight help the student in opening up the creative doors and to reflect on the special qualities that dwell within them. Richard has the ability to move people, to connect them with their emotions and to encourage seeing and expressing.  

NOT INCLUDED
return airfare from your point of origin to Rome
meals where not specified
cancellation and medical insurance
transportation to and from the airport and transportation outside of the scope of the organized tour event.

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION
Please contact Elisa Paloschi at tours@richardmartinphoto.com to request a booking form or for further information. We will email or fax you the application forms, which must be return with your payment. Your booking will be confirmed only once we have received your forms and payment. Payment may be made by cheque, cash or direct Internet banking deposit.

DEPOSITS AND CANCELLATIONS
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit secures a place on the PHOTOGRAPH UMBRIA WITH RICHARD MARTIN. The balance is to be paid by March 16th 2007. If the total balance is not received 60 days before tour start, we reserve the right to treat this reservation as cancelled and charge the cancellation fee.

Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to departure will be subject to a $800 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations received less than 59 days prior to departure will be subject to the following forfeit of tour cost; 59-29 days, $1895.00 per person; within 30 days 100% of tour cost. If at the time of your cancellation, we have a waiting list and are able to make a confirmed booking, the cancellation fee will be $350 to cover administration costs.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS reserves the right to cancel this tour prior to the departure date for any reason including that of insufficient enrolment. Alternatively, PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS may offer to operate a smaller tour if all customers agree to a supplemental charge due to the low number of tour members (less than 4 people). If customers do not accept to pay the supplement, PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS will refund their payment in full, which will constitute the full settlement. PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS reserves the right to alter the time, context, or format of this tour in the event circumstances so require. If it is necessary to cancel this tour, all registered customers will be informed immediately, and will receive a full refund of all deposits and fees. Notification of cancellation will be made at least fourteen days prior to the departure date. In the event that the tour is cancelled, PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS is not responsible for refunding costs incurred by the customer including but not limited to non-refundable airfare or any costs separate from the tour fee. For this reason PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS encourages all participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance or to purchase their tickets ONLY after they have received confirmation from PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS that the tour has sufficient enrolment to run. PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITIONS is not required to make refunds once tour-travel package commences regardless of the reason for the customer being unable to complete his or her tour.