Through The Lens Photography Alpine Photographic Holidays
Spectacular alpine scenery. Beautiful flower filled meadows. Serene brilliant blue lakes. Historic medieval towns. Chic lakeside resorts. A photographer’s dream.
You’ll immediately see the potential for achieving the dream on the drive from Geneva airport to your luxury accommodation in a spacious penthouse apartment on the edge of Morzine, a vibrant Savoie town nestling amid forested slopes and dramatic peaks. The picture right was taken from our main balcony after a September storm.
With all excursions, wonderful cuisine and wines included, all you need to do is enjoy yourself. You’ll be in select company too – Through The Lens group sizes are between 4 and 8 guests maximum.
You’ll also have on hand the expertise of Ken Skehan ARPS, a professional photographer with extensive training experience. Both for formal sessions and on location shoots, you’ll be guided on the skills that will improve your photography. We’ll even make sure we know beforehand exactly what you’d most like to address during your trip.
We’ll provide valuable lessons in working with your images on the computer too. Making the most of the shots you’ve taken is where a lot of photographers tell us they have most trouble. Call 01285 860069 or e-mail greatholidays@throughthelensphotography.net
Itinerary 4 nights, 5 days We've taken great care to make sure any accompanying non-photographers will enjoy a fabulous holiday too. The locations selected are wonderful to visit with or without a camera. Alternatively, there are a huge amount of activities to entertain everybody in and around Morzine. Your hosts can help with any request.
Day 1 arrive Geneva, transfer to Le Cheravaux, Montriond, Morzine.
Welcome discussion to review the learning objectives of the group members, so we make sure you all get what you’d most like from your trip.
Walk into Morzine town via the forest trail if weather permits. By road in the car if necessary
Dinner.
Day 2 visit historic Annecy. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Annecy sits on the northern tip of the lake that bears its name, and boasts:
· a 12th century jailhouse that is amongst the most photographed monuments in France
· a cathedral from the same era
· a 16th century castle
· 17th century archways house a host of small shops, café’s and restaurants
· A network of canals through the town linking to the 22 mile long lake
Weather permitting we will return cross-country via the Aravis mountains, through the spectacular Col de Colombiére. We’ll review the day’s pictures in an informal evening session that concentrates on composition and exposure, before dinner is served.
Day 3 After yesterday’s busy itinerary, a day spent closer to home. We start at Lac Montriond, only a couple of miles from the apartment. Bordered by huge steep sided mountains the lake offers classic reflection landscapes by the bucketful.
The famous ‘goat village’ of Lindarets is a couple of miles further on. A fun opportunity to see how a community lets its population of goats wander freely around.
We’ll then cross the Col de Joux Vert towards Avoriaz, a traffic free purpose-built ski resort. Weather permitting we’ll take the chair lift to lunch at the restaurant which straddles the French Swiss border at the Pointe de Mossettes. Alternatively, we’ll continue to our next port of call at Super Morzine, where marvellous views above Morzine town towards Mont Blanc are to be enjoyed from the terrace of a favourite mountain retreat.
An early evening meal gives us time to review and work on the landscape shots you’ll have taken today, with the rest of the evening free to do as you wish.
Day 4 French villages. A chance to capture the essence of life in the Alps with a tour taking in some of our favourite villages. We start with Samoens, a pleasant drive across the Col de Joux Plane from Morzine. We’ll continue to Sixt Fer de Cheval, officially one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France, where the double spout Cascade de Rouget waterfall is known as the Queen of the Alps.
We’ll return via Morillon and Taninges, stopping in both for a wander and refreshment.
Day 5 We’ll take our luggage with us as we drive down the mountains to Evian on the shore of Lake Geneva. We think its promenade is one of the most relaxing places on earth. From the public swimming pool at one end past the Marina at the other, the spectacular buildings of the town vie with the lake for your attention, as you stroll along a pathway bordered by immaculate topiary and impressive sculptures.
We’ll move on to historic Yvoire for lunch in this remarkably preserved walled village on the point where Lake Geneva is divided between ‘little lake’ and ‘great lake’. Over 700 years old, like Sixt Fer de Cheval, Yvoire is classified as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France.
A perfect way to finish your trip en route to the airport for your evening return flight.
Additional trips for 7 night stays
Chamonix Mont Blanc – the highest mountain in the Alps is so close to town you feel you can touch its snow clad slopes – even in the height of summer. A cablecar ride up to 3877metres is available at a supplement of €40 for a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif. It’s likely to be freezing at that height even in high summer.
You can go only to 2317m if you prefer, from where it’s possible to walk back to town through Alpine pastures. (You can return by cable car too).
Montreux – Swiss doesn’t come much swisher than this striking resort on the opposite end of the lake from Geneva. Spectacular flower arrangements line the entire length of its promenade, while paddle steamers ply their way between here and other lakeside towns. A bronze statue of Freddie Mercury dominates the central quay. He owned an apartment and studio here. A tour of the remarkable 13th century Chateau de Chillon is included – Byron’s The Prisoner of Chillon was inspired by its dungeons. Contrasting hugely with them is the glory of the upper rooms.
At £475 for 5 days and £675 for 7 nights including food and wine these are fantastic value breaks. We think you'll find most other photography holidays charge much more money for much less. Prices include breakfast, high quality evening meals with wines, lunch on the final day, all transport in France and all tuition. Flights and insurance are not included. Prices are based on 2 sharing either twin or double room. We recommend easyjet to Geneva. As of 17 Nov 2008, flights for 2 June 2009 to either 6 or 8 June 2009 from Bristol are available at excellent rates. Other dates available. CALL 01285 860069 OR E-MAIL greatholidays@throughthelensphotography.net BEFORE booking flights
