2027 Dolomites Grand Tour

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Overview

2027 Dolomites Grand Tour
Dolomites, Italian Alps
Sep 22 - 30, 2027
Group size: 7 - 12
Italy Workshops image
Italy Workshops
$5,750
Deposit: $500

About this trip

Possibly the most photogenic mountains on earth, this is a dream tour for landscape photographers. 

Just north of Venice, this region is infused with Italian-Austrian foods and wines, along with Alpine lodge hospitality.

DON'T BOOK FLIGHTS UNTIL CONFIRMED

This tour has a minimum group size of 6. If the minimum is not met at least 90 days before the departure date, the trip will be canceled and refunds will be sent.  You will receive a notification. 

You can check the DOLOMITES PAGE to see if the minimum has been met and who's going.  Or you can inquire here. 

YOUR HOSTS

Wendy Janssen - Landscape Specialist and Adobe guru 

Mauro Riva - Professional guide and Travel Designer

What's included

9 days / 8 nights

Accommodations

4 star hotels, 8 nights

Meals

Everyday breakfast plus 5 typical group meals during your tour

Beverages

Wine, beer and soda at group meals

Workshop

Individual instruction in the field along with short classroom sessions where possible

Travel

All ground transportation beginning and ending in Venice

What's not included

Flights

Travel to and from workshop origination point

Insurance

It's highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance on your own

Day 1-4

Day 1-4 image

Welcome to the Dolomites

Your journey begins in Venice, where we leave the canals behind and travel by comfortable minivan into the heart of the Italian Alps. Over the next four days, we’ll explore some of the most iconic and photogenic locations in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area—each a masterpiece of light, color, and texture.

From the sweeping curves of Passo Giau, where every turn reveals a new dramatic vista, to the towering stone sentinels of the Cinque Torri, these landscapes seem made for a photographer’s lens. We’ll capture the mirror-like reflections of Lake Misurina, framed by peaks and forests, and experience the awe of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, whose jagged silhouettes are among the most recognized in the Alps.

We’ll also visit the Lago di Braies, a stunning alpine lake with crystal-clear emerald waters set against a backdrop of steep, forested mountains, a true jewel for both photography and quiet reflection.

Mornings and evenings will be dedicated to the golden hours, chasing perfect light across ridges and valleys. Between shoots, there will be time to enjoy the warm atmosphere of alpine villages, taste local specialties, and immerse yourself in the unique rhythm of mountain life. These first days set the tone for an unforgettable photographic adventure, where every frame tells a story of the Dolomites’ grandeur.

Day 5

Day 5 image

Cinque Torri & Passo Giau

Today unfolds as a journey through two of the Dolomites’ most iconic landscapes, each offering a very different visual and emotional rhythm.

Our morning and early afternoon are dedicated to the legendary Cinque Torri. Rising from alpine meadows at 2,236 meters (7,336 feet), these monumental rock formations create a natural open-air stage framed by the peaks of Averau and Nuvolau. We’ll explore a network of scenic trails and remarkably preserved World War I trenches, where history, scale, and strong graphic lines come together to create compelling photographic opportunities. This slower, exploratory pace allows time to work compositions, details, and wide perspectives as the light shifts across the landscape.

In the late afternoon, we’ll leave the Cinque Torri behind and make our way to Passo Giau, one of the most breathtaking high mountain passes in the Dolomites. As the sun lowers, the surrounding peaks gradually ignite with warm tones of gold, rose, and deep crimson, offering an entirely different mood, wide, open, and profoundly cinematic. The expansive views and ever-changing light make this sunset session one of the most memorable photographic moments of the journey.

After sunset, we’ll descend back to the valley and return to our hotel in San Vito di Cadore, where a relaxed dinner and a comfortable night’s rest await, closing a day rich in contrast, light, and inspiration.

Day 6-8

Day 6-8 image

Exploring the Western Dolomites

After the dramatic peaks of the Cinque Torri, we turn west to discover another side of the Dolomites, equally spectacular but with a distinct character. Over the next three days, we’ll immerse ourselves in sweeping alpine panoramas, charming villages, and iconic viewpoints that feel almost otherworldly.

Our journey begins with the Passo Pordoi, accessible via a scenic cable car that brings us to the Terrazza delle Dolomiti. From this vantage point, the surrounding peaks stretch endlessly, offering unparalleled photographic opportunities and a chance to truly appreciate the scale and grandeur of these mountains.

Next, we explore Ortisei, the heart of Val Gardena. Here, the majestic landscapes of the Seceda and the rolling meadows of the Alpe di Siusi provide endless frames for your lens, from dramatic ridgelines to soft, pastoral scenes dotted with traditional alpine huts.

Finally, we visit the enchanting Santa Maddalena, a picture-perfect village with small chapels nestled in the forest at the foot of the Odle peaks. This area, with its delicate interplay of light, shadow, and iconic alpine architecture, creates a truly fairytale-like setting to close our Dolomites adventure.

Each day balances exploration with moments to savor the alpine atmosphere, pause for coffee in mountain cafés, enjoy local specialties, and let the breathtaking scenery leave its mark on both your camera and your memory.

Day 9

Day 9 image

Arrivederci

As our Dolomites adventure comes to a close, you have two options. You can return to Venice (or continue to other Italian destinations) to conclude your journey, taking with you unforgettable memories and a rich collection of photographs.

Alternatively, extend your experience with us for three more days exploring the charming villages of South Tyrol: Bressanone, Vipiteno, and Merano, where relaxation, culture, and gentle alpine scenery await, offering the perfect complement to your Dolomites adventure.

Venice Extension

Venice Extension image

Optional Venice Extension Sept 30 - Oct3, 2027

Spend three unforgettable half-days with Mauro Riva, your local guide, discovering Venice beyond the postcard views and experiencing the city through the eyes of those who call it home.

Together with local friends, you’ll uncover hidden corners, quiet canals, authentic neighborhoods, and some of Venice’s most fascinating secret gems. You’ll venture across the lagoon to colorful Burano, immerse yourself in Venetian culture and traditions, and taste the city like a true local with cicchetti and wine, moving from one traditional bacaro to another

.

More than a visit to Venice, this is an invitation to slow down, wander, taste, meet people, and experience the unique rhythm of the lagoon, discovering the stories, flavors, and everyday life that make Venice unlike anywhere else in the world.

Wendy Janssen

Wendy Janssen image

Instructor

Wendy Janssen lives in The Netherlands. Born and raised on an inland ship, traveling the Rhine, Waal and Maas rivers, adventure is in her veins.

A world traveler, photography has been a fascination from a young age, always with a desire to discover new places and new travel stories. With her eye for detail, strong compositions and her patience, she sees things most people pass by.

She’s also an engineer and has her own company advising civil contractors working with government and housing associations. Photography plays a part in her projects and she has recently built a new studio.

Wendy has been a part of several Italy Workshops, in the USA and Italy. With great pleasure she is now part of the Italy Workshops team. She is looking forward to meeting you and taking your photography skills to a higher level, always with a dose of her great sense of humor.

See Wendy's portfolio

Mauro Riva

Mauro Riva image

Local Host and Guide

Mauro is a travel professional and passionate photographer with a love for nature and exploration. Born in the heart of the Dolomites, he has an intimate knowledge of their majestic landscapes, traditions, and culture. His true passion lies in uncovering places and stories that inspire, connect, and transform.

See Mauro's images

Map of the trip locations

A. Dolomites, Italian Alps

Dolomites, Italian Alps

About your organizer

IW
Italy Workshops
Italy Workshops, since 1999, provides immersive week-long experiences for aspiring to advanced photographers and their partners.

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2027 Dolomites Grand Tour