Discover the magic of northern Italy on a 7-night photography adventure around Lake Garda, exploring 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 waters of Lago di Tenno, each day offers new atmospheres and creative opportunities.

Enjoy scenic boat rides to Sirmione, Gardone Riviera, and Limone, sunset sessions in breathtaking locations like Punta San Vigilio, Torbole, and Rifugio San Pietro, and visits to charming villages including Canale di Tenno and Rango. The experience also includes hidden corners, local markets, and a hands-on cooking class in Arco.

Instructor: Italian Photographer Mattia Bonavida 

Host and guide: Travel Designer and Local Guide Mauro Riva

Partners are welcome!  The warm climate, the delicious foods and fascinating history of this region make it a rich experience whether you're photographing or not.

Designed for all photography levels, this workshop blends structured lessons, on-location shoots, and relaxed Italian moments—an unforgettable journey of golden light, reflections, mountain sunsets, and the extraordinary beauty of Lake Garda.

We recommend arriving a day or two early to acclimate to the time zone and enjoy the historic city of Verona at your leisure.

Here are some hotel recommendations for your pre-workshop nights:

Hotel Colomba d'Oro - 4 star

Hotel Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel Des Arts - 4 star

Hotel Aurora - 5 star

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.

Overnight: Musella Winery & Country Relais

We settle into the lakeside town of Garda, beginning with a scenic boat experience to Sirmione, exploring its historic village and iconic shoreline. After a workshop session and a relaxing evening in Garda, the next day takes us by boat to Gardone Riviera on the Brescian shore, with time to visit the stunning Vittoriale degli Italiani. We return to Garda for a golden-hour shoot at Punta San Vigilio, one of Lake Garda’s most evocative sunset locations.

Overnight: La Vittoria Boutique Hotel, Garda (VR)

We travel north to explore Malcesine and ride the cable car up to Monte Baldo for sweeping alpine views, ending the day with a sunset long-exposure session in Torbole. The following morning begins with sunrise in Riva del Garda, followed by a workshop and visits to the medieval village of Canale di Tenno and the turquoise Lago di Tenno. We close the day with a memorable sunset and dinner at Rifugio San Pietro, overlooking the entire lake.

Overnight: Hotel Luise, Riva del Garda (TN)

We begin with a workshop in Riva, then board a boat to the colorful village of Limone del Garda before heading into the hills to explore the medieval charm of Rango and enjoy a peaceful sunset session at Fiavé Palafitte.
Our final day blends culture and lifestyle photography: a visit to the farmers’ market in Arco, a hands-on cooking class, and afternoon stops at the Church of the Inviolata and Piazzetta San Rocco. We close the experience with a sunset shoot at the Bastione, overlooking the entire northern lake.

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.

Return to Verona airport by mid-day. .  

Book your departure flight after 3:00PM Sept. 30th.  

Extend your stay with our Wine & Heritage Extension ( 4 days/3 nights)

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.

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

Born and raised in Riva del Garda, Mattia Bonavida is a landscape and travel photographer known for his ability to transform natural scenes into emotional, vibrant visual stories. His work is characterized by a refined use of color, strong atmospheres, and a constant pursuit of unique perspectives.

Mattia has collaborated with Nikon Japan for the Nikon D5600 and Nikon Z5 product tours, and he currently serves as Social Ambassador for Garda Trentino, representing the landscapes he knows best. Passionate about the outdoors, he often hikes for hours across mountains and remote trails in search of the perfect light and composition.

With a strong presence on Instagram and Facebook, Mattia has built a wide community of followers who appreciate his distinctive style, technical skill, and deep connection to the Lake Garda region.

View Mattia’s portfolio.

Mauro is a travel professional and passionate photographer, raised in the heart of the Dolomites and deeply connected to the landscapes of northern Italy. Over the past years, he has explored Lake Garda extensively, from its dramatic cliffs to its quiet medieval villages, developing a strong understanding of the region’s culture, rhythms, and hidden photographic opportunities.

Surrounded by majestic nature since childhood, Mauro cultivated an early love for hiking, storytelling, and capturing the spirit of a place through his lens. His true passion lies in discovering cultures and traditions that enrich the soul, making every journey a source of inspiration, growth, and unforgettable moments in some of Italy’s most extraordinary environments.

As your local host and guide, Mauro combines logistical expertise, cultural insight, and a warm, welcoming approach that helps guests feel supported, inspired, and fully immersed in the beauty of Lake Garda.

View Mauro's Portfolio