Discover the magic of northern Italy on a 7-night photography adventure around Lake Garda, a journey of iconic waterscapes, medieval villages, alpine viewpoints, and authentic Italian lifestyle. From elegant Verona to the calm shores of Garda, the dramatic cliffs of Riva del Garda, and the turquoise tones of Lago di Tenno, each day offers new atmospheres and creative opportunities.

Throughout the week, you’ll enjoy scenic boat rides to Sirmione, Gardone Riviera, and Limone, sunset sessions in locations like Punta San Vigilio, Torbole, and Rifugio San Pietro, plus visits to charming villages such as Canale di Tenno and Rango. You’ll also explore churches, markets, hidden corners, and take part in a hands-on cooking experience in Arco.

Your team for the week includes as the main instructor Mattia Bonavida, professional photographer and Lake Garda local, and Mauro Riva, your experienced local host and guide, ensuring expert support, smooth logistics, and insider access.

Special Guest: Drake Busath

Suitable for all photography levels, this workshop combines structured lessons, on-location shoots, and relaxed Italian moments.
Prepare for golden light, reflections, medieval textures, alpine sunsets, and a truly unforgettable experience on Italy’s most photogenic lake.

Secure your booking with a $500 deposit. The balance payment is due 120 days prior to your trip departure.

Verona is one of Italy’s most captivating historic cities, where Roman amphitheaters, medieval lanes, and elegant Renaissance palaces coexist with the vibrant rhythm of modern Italian life. As you wander through its piazzas, bridges, and riverside walkways, the city reveals stories shaped by centuries of culture, art, and architecture. From the iconic Arena to its charming cafés and hidden courtyards, Verona offers a rich, atmospheric introduction to northern Italy, the perfect starting point for your journey.

We encourage guests to arrive one or two days early to relax, adjust after travel, and begin exploring this remarkable city at an easy pace.

These are a few hotels we’ve loved that are close to the historic center and within easy reach of the city’s main attractions:

Hotel Colomba d'Oro

Hotel Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel Des Arts

Hotel Aurora

Your journey begins in the romantic city of Verona, a place where Roman heritage, medieval architecture, and vibrant Italian life blend into an inspiring backdrop.
We meet at 2:00 PM in Piazza Bra, right by the majestic Arena, to begin a walking tour with a licensed local guide. Over the next hour, we explore Verona’s most atmospheric corners, elegant piazzas, narrow cobbled streets, Renaissance façades, and lively local scenes, offering your first storytelling and warm-up photographic moments of the workshop.

After the tour, we move to our accommodation, a beautiful relais immersed in nature just outside the city: Musella Winery & Country Relais, an elegant historic estate surrounded by vineyards and peaceful countryside.

In the late afternoon, we gather for a welcome aperitivo and our first photography briefing with Mattia and Mauro. Here you'll get an overview of the week: locations, creative goals, light conditions, and tips to make the most of the diverse landscapes around Lake Garda.

We close the day with a group dinner, a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow travelers and set the tone for an inspiring week together.

Nestled within the peaceful countryside just outside Verona, Musella Winery & Country Relais is a historic estate surrounded by vineyards, ancient trees, and gentle landscapes. Once part of an aristocratic property, the relais has been lovingly restored into a refined rural retreat where nature, history, and comfort blend harmoniously. Stone walls, warm interiors, and timeless architectural details create an atmosphere of quiet elegance, while the surrounding parkland and on-site winery offer a serene backdrop for relaxation and photography. It’s the perfect base to begin your journey before heading toward Lake Garda.

From Garda we set off on a scenic boat ride to Sirmione, admiring the Grotte di Catullo, the white limestone of Jamaica Beach, and the iconic Scaliger Castle rising from the water. After the cruise, we take a short walk through Sirmione’s historic village, a place where ancient stones, soft light, and lake reflections create a timeless, dreamlike atmosphere, before returning to Garda in the afternoon to check in at our hotel in the charming town of Garda.

The next morning we board a boat to Gardone Riviera, on the elegant Brescian shore of Lake Garda. This gentle cruise offers beautiful views of villas, gardens, and the western mountains before we reach Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, the extraordinary hillside estate of poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. Here, terraces, sculptures, and sweeping lake vistas create a unique blend of art, architecture, and landscape, a perfect setting for creative exploration and photography.

After returning to Garda in the afternoon, we end the day with a sunset session at Punta San Vigilio, one of the lake’s most iconic and poetic golden-hour locations.

Our workshop takes you both into the field and into the classroom. On location, you’ll capture stunning images through hands-on assignments, then return to the classroom to share your shots, explore each other’s work, and learn practical editing techniques that bring your vision to life.

Located right on the lakeside promenade in the heart of Garda, La Vittoria Boutique Hotel occupies a charming early-20th-century palace overlooking the Gulf of Garda. The boutique property exudes understated elegance with rooms featuring lake-view terraces, modern amenities, and sound-proofed comfort. With its intimate size, warm service and prime position near the harbor and historic town center, it offers travellers a refined base from which to wander the streets, capture light over the water and immerse themselves in the vibrant yet peaceful rhythm of the lake.

We move toward the northern part of Lake Garda, exploring the charming village of Malcesine before ascending by cable car to the panoramic heights of Monte Baldo. After settling into our hotel in Riva del Garda, the day ends with a beautiful sunset session in Torbole, a paradise for long-exposure photography.

The day begins with a peaceful sunrise shoot in Riva, followed by a workshop and a visit to the medieval village of Canale di Tenno and the turquoise Lago di Tenno. We then head to Rifugio San Pietro for a memorable sunset overlooking the entire lake, followed by dinner in the mountains.

Located a short walk from the lakeshore, Hotel Luise is a charming, family-run property known for its warm, genuine hospitality. The owners and staff make guests feel immediately at home, with thoughtful touches and attentive service throughout the stay. One of the hotel’s highlights is its exceptional homemade breakfast: freshly baked cakes and breads, local products, seasonal fruits, and creative dishes served in a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Hotel Luise will be our home base for four nights, offering the perfect combination of comfort and convenience as we explore the dramatic landscapes, villages, and photographic locations of northern Lake Garda. It’s a place where guests can relax, recharge, and start each day with outstanding energy and inspiration.

We begin the day with a workshop in Riva before boarding a boat to Limone del Garda, a colorful village tucked between steep cliffs and shimmering waters. After exploring its picturesque alleys and waterfront, we continue into the hills to visit Rango, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages, and end the day with a peaceful sunset session at the Fiavé Palafitte archaeological area.

Our final full day blends lifestyle and culture: we start with a visit to the farmers’ market in Arco, followed by a hands-on cooking class perfect for storytelling and reportage photography. In the afternoon, we explore Riva’s architectural gems, the Church of the Inviolata and Piazzetta San Rocco, before heading up to the iconic Bastione for a sunset and blue-hour session overlooking the entire northern lake.

Sunrise in Riva & Farewell

We close the workshop with a peaceful sunrise session in Riva del Garda, capturing the soft morning light and calm waters one last time. After a final photo review together, we check out and transfer back to Verona, where guests can continue their travels or connect to onward flights and trains.

At the end of the tour, we’ll transfer guests to Verona Airport or Verona Porta Nuova train station, where you can continue your travels through Italy or begin your journey home. Whether you’re catching a flight or connecting by train, Verona offers excellent links to major Italian and international destinations, giving you a smooth and comfortable transition after your Lake Garda adventure.

Extend your journey with a three-night immersion into the wine culture and countryside charm of northern Italy. This experience takes you through the prestigious regions of Valpolicella and Franciacorta, discovering celebrated vineyards, boutique wineries, medieval villages, and the authentic flavors that define this land.

For the duration of the extension, guests will be based in the historic Mulini di Borghetto, 15th-century watermills beautifully restored into refined suites!

Over these days, you’ll taste iconic labels such as Amarone, Ripasso, and Franciacorta DOCG, photograph golden vineyards and rolling hills, and experience the storybook beauty of Valeggio sul Mincio and Borghetto. Designed as a relaxed yet enriching finale to your trip, this extension blends wine, culture, landscape, and slow Italian living into an unforgettable autumn escape.

• Three-night stay in the beautifully restored Mulini di Borghetto, historic 15th-century watermills turned into refined suites

• Wine experiences in the renowned regions of Valpolicella and Franciacorta

• Guided tastings of iconic labels, including Amarone, Ripasso, and Franciacorta DOCG

• Scenic golden-hour photography among vineyards, rolling hills, and autumn landscapes

• Exploration of Valeggio sul Mincio and the storybook village of Borghetto

• A relaxed, slow-travel atmosphere combining wine culture, heritage, and the beauty of northern Italy

Set within the historic Mulini di Borghetto, these exclusive suites offer a retreat for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and traditions of the Mincio Valley. Housed in meticulously restored 15th-century watermills, the accommodations combine timeless charm and contemporary elegance, preserving the unique architectural features that make this village so enchanting.

Exposed stone walls, antique wooden beams, handcrafted ceramics, and refined furnishings create an atmosphere rich in character and authenticity. Harmoniously integrated with the surrounding nature, each suite offers picturesque views and the soothing sound of the flowing water that encircles the mills, an experience that feels both serene and suspended in time.

Book your departure flight from Verona/Milan/Venice airports.

We will arrange your transfer to Verona Train Station, Oct. 3rd arriving by 12:00 PM.