• class instruction on creative and technical photo techniques

• instructor lead photo field trips, atleast one each day, thru neighborhoods, villages, markets and more

• lunch, dinner and cafe breaks with lively discussion - a chance to savour the culinary delights

• museum, gallery or studio visits

• reviews and instructive critiques of the images

• a full day of photographic activities - morning to night

• time to enjoy the cuisine, the shopping, the history

• Provence and Italy may include a vineyard visits & wine tasting or olive oil tasting

• accomodations are at 3* & 4* properties, from city hotels to countryside villas

• group travel by mini-van or private car, metro & train.

Luggage size guidelines: One - 9 x 22 x 14 inches or close. *
*Larger sizes CAN NOT be accomodated - please note - your luggage will not fit in our van, and will be left behind.

While the above numbers are a good guideline, don't panic if your bag is a 'little bit' larger - I mean a little bit larger. The main point is that you are able to comfortably handle all of your luggage by yourself at all times and be able to carry it up lots of stairs, carry it thru the airports and train stations, and have it fit in the van/car. We find that soft-sided bags made of rugged Cordura fabric work best. Backpack straps are handy, as you may need to walk several blocks from the car to the hotel and up 1-4 flights of stairs in historic lodging locations. Wheeled bags have been successfully used, but make sure you are able to carry it up several flights of stairs and/or over rough ground and uneven cobblestones. (Some wheeled bags also come with backpack straps.)

*This will also insure that your luggage will fit in the car/mini-van for transport with the group.

Should I carry on my luggage or check it through?

Always* carry your camera gear and media/film on the plane and a few personal items
*(1 full change of clothes, all perscription medication, glasses/contacts).

When you can carry your luggage on the plane, it's less likely to get lost, damaged or stolen. You don't have to worry about it and when you arrive, you can leave the airport immediately. Keep in mind that most airlines limit your carry-on size and weight*. Most airlines allow a height, length, and width combined of 45 inches and a weight limit ranging from 13 to 70 pounds. *Check with your airline for their specific restrictions. If you do check your bag, make sure you keep certain essentials with you on board the plane: all valuables such as money, passport, tickets, etc. (which should be secure and safe); all necessary and perscription medications; cameras and media/film; glasses and contact lenses, etc. It's also a good idea to carry on your small toiletries kit and one change of clothes in case your bag is delayed or lost. Finally, don't forget to label your bag inside and out with your name as well as the name, address, and phone of your first hotel. Many people also find it helpful to tie a colored ribbon on their bag or have some unique way to distinguish it from other look-alike bags.

Tripods & flash unites should go in the checked luggage or inside the carry-on. Tripods attached to the outside of carry-on bags are not allowed on many airlines - you will be required to check it and it will most likely be lost!!!

How strenuous are the workshops?

Our workshops are physically active with lots of walking (2 to 10 miles a day), standing while sightseeing, carrying camera gear, stair climbing and walking on cobblestone streets in hill towns, which can be somewhat strenous at times. Although these are not an action/adventure workshops, some degree of physical activity is needed to walk and carry equipment and luggage. Age is not a concern as long as you are physically fit and a strong walker. You must be able to carry ALL of your own luggage and camera gear all of the time. The workshop ground transportation is not always able to pull up directly in front of the hotel so be prepared to walk up to 15 minutes with your luggage. In some cases, we leave our car/van and use public transportation to reach the hotel/lodging. Whether you are 18 or 80, before you leave for Europe, get in shape. Walk at least an hour every day and hike up lots of stairs. (you may want to practice with your luggage and photo gear)

Do you have age restrictions for your tours?

We have no official age restrictions for our tours, but we do have some guidelines. All travelers must be at least 18 years of age to travel unaccompanied by an adult. The Workshops are heavy on "adult things" (photography, art, history, architecture, museums, dining, shopping, etc.) and very photo-centric, things non-photographer companions find very boring. (photo field trips, discussions, etc.)

How much money should I bring?

This is largely determined by which workshop you take, your pre- and post-tour plans.

Workshops include some group sightseeing admissions, all breakfasts, 1-2 group meals, plus all hotel, guide and driver tips. You will need to bring enough money to pay for your extra meals, beverages at meal times, snacks, souvenirs, any personal shopping, plus transfer transportation from airports, additional transportation costs and entrance fees during your free time.

On a typical Workshop, plan to bring between $40-$60, per person, per day.

An ATM card or Credit Card with cash advance - with a 4 digit (number) PIN is the best choice for getting additional money. Arrange this one month before the start date of the workshop. You should have at least TWO - 2 different options for an ATM or cash advance Credit Card, only one of mine works at any one time.

The AMEX - travellor's card (replaces travellor's checks - no one wants to take these anymore), works like an ATM or credit card. Cash and travellor's checks are discouraged - it can be difficult or time consuming to have cash exchanged, and the exchange rates or not favorable. The group is not required to wait for anyone needing to find an exchange office - you will be left behind.

Do I need to have a visa, shots, or an International Driving Permit?

US & Canadian citizens do not need visas for Western Europe, except for Turkey.

No shots are currently required for travel in Western Europe or Turkey. You should, however, check with your doctor to see if you're up to date with regular immunizations such as tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.

If you're renting a car before or after a workshop, an International Driving Permit is not required in most countries, just your regular US driver's license. Some exceptions are Austria, Spain, and Hungary (you can get an International Driving Permit from AAA for $10). Check with any car rental agency for other country-specific requirements such as highway-use windshield stickers or theft insurance.

Do I need to speak a foreign language?

While it's not necessary to be fluent, it is nice to master a few basic courtesies such as "Please," "Thank you," and "Where is the toilet?" Language Phrase Books are available at most bookstores and online for about $7.

Safety precautions - do this now!

• Have a Xerox copy or two of your passport and airline tickets, (do not carry your passport & tickets around with you).
• Never use an unmetered taxi from any airport or train station, always wait in the taxi line!
• Beware of pickpockets and gypsies in airports, train stations, and tourist areas - you can easily lose everything. (pickpockets can be 12 year olds in groups, teen-agers, and cleanly dressed adults, beware; keep you money and other valuables closely gaurded, lock/secure your bags and backpacks).
• Bag snatching is also popular - use a simple backpack, or a bag that can be worn across your body (not a shoulder bag). Backpacks are more comfortable for an entire day of photography and site-seeing.
• Do not leave your baggage, backpacks and camera bags alone for any reason - ever, do not let a kind stranger watch them for you. You may not see them again.
• Make a list of your camera gear and serial numbers, bring 2 copies with you.
• Europe is relatively safe, petty theft and pickpockets are the biggest hassle.

What should I pack? *

You will definitely want and need to pack light*. Each workshop member is allowed to bring only ONE airline carry-on-size bag or wheeled bag of approximately 9" x 22" x 14", plus a day bag/backpack and your camera bag. Remember that you'll always carry all of your own luggage. Some hotels and most villas do not have elevators.

CAMERA. Bring what you want, but make careful consideration of what you will use, and extra camera body is optional, but will help if you have an equipment failure. Put in new batteries before you go and bring another set of batteries along, and battery rechargers. Serious photogs will want to bring a protective and polarizing filter, midrange zoom lens, wide-angle lens, mini-tripod or light weight tripod, and lens cleaning cloth. (Clean your camera thoroughly 2 days before leaving for the workshop.)

Plan on shooting 100-200 images per day - plan a trip's worth of memory cards or film.
Digital fans will need plenty of memory storage (or a digital storage device for downloading memory cards or laptop) or a plan for e-mailing images or burning CDs abroad, plus adequate batteries, chargers, cordes, voltage and/or plug converters.

Digital = 1GB - 2GB memory card or equivalent per day (based on 10MB file size, plan accordingly). You can download to digital storage device or laptop daily.
Digital: 2-4 / 1 GB - 2 GBmemory cards or the equivalent (minimum of 2 memory cards), 2-4 rechargable batteries, charger and converter plug.

Film = 3-6 rolls of 36 exposure/35mm film per day.
Film: 25-40 rolls of film for 1 week.

Store everything in a low-profile backpack or roll-on, not an expensive-looking camera bag. Label your gear with your travel e-mail address in case a good Samaritan finds it before a thief.

On a daily basis, take only that which you can carry comfortably. As a test, put everything you want to carry daily in a backpack (or other camera bag), go for a good 30 minute to 1 hour walk. Make adjustments to your gear and/or bag.

Tripods should go in the checked luggage or inside the carry-on. Tripods attached to the outside of carry-on bags are not allowed on many airlines - you will be required to check it and it will most likely be lost!!

CLOTHING & PERSONAL ITEMS - suggestions

• SHIRTS. Bring up to five short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts in a cotton/polyester blend. Arrange mix according to season.
• SWEATER. Warm and dark is best for layering and dressing up. It never looks wrinkled and is always dark, no matter how dirty it is. Some people prefer fleece jackets or cardigans with buttons or zippers.
• PANTS. Bring two pairs: one lightweight cotton and another super-lightweight for hot and muggy big cities, and churches with modest dress codes. Jeans can be too hot for summer travel. Non-wrinkling linen or tencel is great. Many like lightweight pants/shorts with zip-off legs. Buttoned pockets are safest for your small, daily stash of cash.
• SHORTS. Take a pair with plenty of pockets — doubles as a swimsuit for men.
• SWIMSUIT. For women, who probably won't be comfortable in just shorts.
• UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS. Bring five sets (lighter dries quicker).
• SHOES. Take one well-used, light pair, with Vibram-type soles and good traction. I like shoes by Rockport, Ecco, Easy Spirit, Sketchers, any good comfortable walking shoe. Sturdy, low-profile-colored tennis shoes with a good tread are fine, too. (If you bring a second pair, make them light, such as sandals.)
• JACKET. Bring a light and water-resistant jacket with a hood. Gore-Tex is good if you expect rain. For summer travel, I wing it without rain gear, but always pack for rain in Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia. I have needed a coat in Paris in July, and only a sweater in Italy in the winter - it is difficult to predict.
• TIE OR SCARF. For instant respectability, bring anything lightweight that can break the monotony and make you look snazzy.
• MONEY BELT. It's essential for the peace of mind it brings. You could lose everything except your money belt, and the trip could still go on. Lightweight and low-profile beige is best.
• MONEY. Bring your preferred mix of a credit or debit card, an ATM cash card, an emergency stash of traveler's checks (optional - I do not recommend, they are difficult to use), a couple of personal checks, and some hard cash. Bring American dollars for situations when you want to change only a few bucks. I rely on an ATM card with a credit card and $200 in cash as a backup. Make sure your ATM or CASH ADVANCE CREDIT CARD has a 4 number PIN. Informing your Credit Card company you are travelling outside the US can be helpful and avoid your card being temporarily put on hold. 2 credit cards are helpful in this case. Most European places prefer VISA or MC.
• DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOCOPIES. Bring your passport, airline ticket, railpass or car rental voucher, driver's license, student I.D., hostel card, and so on. Photocopies and a couple of passport-type photos can help you get replacements more quickly if the originals are lost or stolen. Carry photocopies separately in your luggage and keep the originals in your money belt.
• RESERVATIONS. You'll want a careful record of all reservations (bring the hotels' written confirmations) along with a trip calendar page to keep things up-to-date as your trip evolves.
• SMALL DAYPACK/Backpack. A small daypack is great for carrying your sweater, camera gear, literature, and picnic goodies while you leave your large bag at the hotel or train station. Fanny packs (small bags with thief-friendly zippers on a belt) are a popular alternative but should not be used as money belts. I use a regular backpack as a daypack/backpack/camera bag. I highly recommend any type of backpack over a shoulder style camera bag, easier on the body.
• ZIP-LOCK BAGGIES. Get a variety of sizes. They're great for packing leftover picnic food, containing wetness, and bagging potential leaks before they happen. The two-gallon jumbo size is handy for packing clothing.
• WATER BOTTLE. The plastic half-liter mineral water bottles sold throughout Europe are reusable and work great.
• WRISTWATCH. A built-in alarm is handy. Otherwise pack a small *travel alarm clock. Cheap-hotel wake-up calls are particularly unreliable.
• EARPLUGS. If night noises bother you, you'll love a good set of plugs such as those made by Sleep-well.
• FIRST-AID KIT. A small kit with Band-Aids, blister kit, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, thermometer in a hard case, Tylenol or equivalent, cold and diarrhea remedies, etc.
• MEDICINE and VITAMINS. Keep in original containers, if possible, with legible prescriptions using generic drug names. Put all prescription meds in your carry-on!
• EXTRA EYEGLASSES, CONTACT LENSES, AND PRESCRIPTIONS. Many find their otherwise-comfortable contacts aren't practical while traveling. Bring your glasses and lens prescription just in case. Contact solutions are widely available in Europe.
• TOILETRIES KIT. Sinks in cheap hotels come with meager countertop space and anonymous hairs. If you have a toiletries kit that can hang on a hook or a towel bar, this is no problem. Put all squeeze bottles in zip-lock baggies, since pressure changes in flight cause even good bottles to leak. Consider a vacation from cosmetics and perfume. Bring a small roll of toilet paper or tissue packets (also sold at European newsstands).
• SOAP. Not all hotels provide soap. A plastic squeeze bottle of concentrated, multipurpose, biodegradable liquid soap is handy for laundry and more.
• CLOTHESLINE. Hang it up in your hotel room to dry your clothes. The handy twist kind needs no clothespins.
• TOWEL. You'll find bath towels at all fancy and moderately-priced hotels, and most cheap ones. Although $30-a-day travelers will often need to bring their own towel, $60-a-day folks won't. Washcloths are rare in Europe - bring one if you want to use one. I bring a thin hand towel for the occasional need. Many travelers also recommend thin, quick-drying, synthetic towels such as Travel Towels (various sizes available at travel stores & places like Target & Walmart - look in the travel or camping sections).
• SEWING KIT. Clothes age rapidly while traveling. Your flight attendant may have a freebie for you. Add a few safety pins and buttons.
• TRAVEL INFORMATION (MINIMAL). Rip out appropriate chapters from guidebooks, staple them together, and store in a zip-lock baggie. When you're done, give them away.
• MAP. Get a map best suited to your trip's overall needs, and pick up maps for specific local areas as you go.
• ADDRESS LIST. A list of e-mail addresses and mailing addresses will help you keep in touch. Taking a whole address book is not packing light. Consider typing your mail list onto a sheet of gummed address labels before you leave. You'll know exactly who you've written to, and the labels will be perfectly legible. Or just send mass e-mails as you go (bring a shrunk-down print-out of your e-mail address book in case you can't access it online).
• NOTEPAD AND PEN. A tiny notepad is a great organizer, reminder, and communication aid (for sale in European stationery stores).

Optional Bring-Alongs - I rarely bring these, as I opt for more photo gear instead.

• PICNIC SUPPLIES. Bring a small tablecloth to give your meal some extra class (and to wipe the knife on), salt and pepper, a cup, a washcloth (to dampen and store in a baggie for cleaning up), and a Swiss Army-type knife with a corkscrew and can opener (buy the knife in Europe if you plan to carry your luggage on the plane), *picnic ware for dining in a civilized manner. A plastic plate is handy for picnic dinners in your hotel room.
• SUNGLASSES AND SUNSCREEN. Depending on season and destination.
• ROBE, OR NIGHTSHIRT. Especially for women.
• INFLATABLE PILLOW for snoozing on trains, planes, and beaches.
• HAIR DRYER. People with long or thick hair appreciate a hair dryer in the off-season, when hair (and laundry) takes a long time to dry and it's cold outside. Look for a small, lightweight model with a built-in voltage converter; you'll also need the appropriate *plug adapter. Hair dryers are generally provided in $100-plus hotel rooms.
• SPORT SANDALS OR FLIP-FLOPS. Good for avoiding dubious shower floors as well as beach-combing.
• SLIPPERS. Great for the flight and for getting cozy in your hotel room.
• FLASHLIGHT. A small one is handy for late night trips down the hall, exploring castle dungeons, and hypnotizing street thieves. Don't forget fresh batteries and a set of spares.
• BOOK OR MAGAZINE. There's plenty of empty time on a trip to either be bored or enjoy some good reading.
• POSTCARDS FROM HOME, FAMILY PHOTOS or a PORTFOLIO OF YOUR PHOTOS. A zip-lock baggie of show-and-tell things is always a great conversation piece with Europeans you meet. (Don't bring irreplaceable photos.)
• JOURNAL. An empty book to be filled with the experiences of your trip will be your most treasured souvenir. Use a hardbound type designed to last a lifetime, rather than a spiral notebook. Attach a photocopied calendar page of your itinerary.
• RADIO, CD or MP3 PLAYER, or TAPE RECORDER. Partners can bring a Y-jack for two sets of earphones. Some travelers use microcassette recorders to record concerts, church bells, tours, or journal entries.
• COLLAPSIBLE CUP.
• OFFICE SUPPLIES. Bring paper, a highlighter pen, envelopes for receipts and ticket stubs, and sticky notes to mark your place in guidebooks and novels.
• DUCT TAPE. You never know when a small roll may come in handy!
• FOLDING UMBRELLA for photogs, check out the ones that can be clamped onto a camping chair, they attach nicely to tripods.
• TINY LOCKS. Use to lock your backpack and daybag zippers shut, also any luggage left in the hotel room. Cable clamps and zip-strips are also good for securing bags.
• SPOT REMOVER. Bring Shout wipes or a dab of grease remover in a film canister.
• INSECT REPELLENT. Especially for France, Italy and any place near water or coasts..
• GIFTS. Local kids love T-shirts, trading cards, small photos; gardeners appreciate flower seeds. Small enamel pins from your hometown are also popular.
• RAIN PONCHO. Hard-core vagabonds use a poncho as protection in a storm, a ground cloth for sleeping, and a beach or picnic blanket.

Packing List for Women - from Rick Steve's

For many years, Rick Steves has included his packing list in his budget European travel skills book, Europe Through the Back Door. Women wrote and said his list didn't consider their travel needs.

Tour Diva Joan Robinson teaches one of our most popular travel classes, "Packing Light 101." She has created this packing list for women.

Clothing - Black is a good travel color, it can be worn more than once.

• 1 pair of walking/comfortable shoes
• 1 pair of sandals (weather permitting)
• 1 rainproof jacket
• 2-4 pairs of shorts/capris/skorts
• 2 pairs of pants (one dressy, one casual), 1 belt
• 1 swimsuit (packed in a plastic bag)
• 5 pairs of socks (cotton blend)
• 5 pairs of underwear (silk, lace, or micro-fiber dries quickest)
• 1 extra bra
• 4-6 shirts (long/short-sleeved, various colors)
• 1-2 light cardigans for layering
• 1-2 skirts (wrinkle-resistant)
• 2 dresses (optional)
• 1 hat
• scarves (to wear with clothing or hat)
• 2 vests (optional)
• 1 pair of pajamas (or long shirt to get you to the bathroom down the hall if necessary)
• Toiletries/Medicine
  Body soap/puff (washcloth); most European hotels do not supply washcloths
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Brush/comb
• Lotion
• Vaseline (for feet)
• Razor (non-electric)/shaving cream or soap
• Sunscreen, insect repellent
• Prescription drugs (in original container with your name and your doctor's name, write down generic name)
• First aid kit/moleskin/blister kit
• Feminine hygiene products
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers/file/tweezers
• Spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, or contact lenses and supplies
• Hand sanitizer - I like the individual packets
• Vitamins
• OTC remedies (whatever works for you): Pepto, decongestants, benedryl, etc.
• Clothesline, sink stopper, soap
• Baby powder (dry shampoo for hair)
• Money and Security
• Moneybelt: Passport, plane ticket, debit card, credit cards, traveler's checks, railpass, driver's license (if you're renting a car)
• Security: Bury copies of your passport, plane ticket, and prescriptions in the bottom of your luggage

Packing Essentials

• Pack light, wash frequently, buy it if you need it - great shopping options almost everywhere.
• Your pack should weigh about 20% of your body weight, preferably no more than 20 pounds.
• Limit yourself to one carry-on size bag: 9" x 21" x 14". WE CAN NOT HANDLE ANY MORE IN OUR TRANSPORTATION (VAN/CAR) !
• And of course your camera gear.
• A week before your trip, pack your bag with everything you think you want to take, and carry it around for a day. Is it comfortable? Too heavy? Better to know now, than later!