Day-by-Day Snapshots
Day 1: Kickoff & First Shoot
Land at Arra Dolomiti, where the Alps are your welcome mat. Check into your cozy room—wooden beams, soft linens, and a balcony begging for sunrise pics. At 5 p.m., meet your group for a welcome drink (local Pinot Grigio, anyone?) and a 1-hour workshop on landscape basics. Head out for a quick golden-hour shoot near Ortisei, capturing the alpenglow on Rosengarten. Dinner’s a farm-to-table Italian spread: think ravioli with sage butter and apple strudel. Sleep tight—you’re in for a week of beauty.
Day 2: Workshop & Alpe di Siusi
After breakfast (fresh bread, cheeses, coffee), dive into a 1.5-hour workshop on composition and light. Then, hop a 15-minute shuttle to Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s largest alpine meadow. Spend 3 hours shooting rolling hills and peaks, with your guide tweaking your settings. Lunch is a picnic—prosciutto, focaccia, fruit. Afternoon’s free—edit shots or stroll Ortisei. Dinner’s at the hotel: roasted pork, polenta, and tiramisu that’s basically art. You’ll be itching to shoot more.
Day 3: Golden-Hour Glory
Post-breakfast, join a 1-hour workshop on golden-hour techniques. Then, head to Passo Gardena for a 3-hour evening shoot—think dramatic cliffs and fiery skies. Your guide’ll help nail exposure and filters. Lunch is back at the hotel (minestrone, yum). Afternoon’s yours—nap, tweak photos, or grab a gelato in town. Dinner’s on you tonight; we’ll suggest spots like Concordia for canederli. Pro tip: their red wine’s ace.
Day 4: Vallunga & Editing Tips
Fuel up with breakfast, then a 1.5-hour workshop on editing (Lightroom or phone apps). Head to Vallunga valley for a 2.5-hour morning shoot—wildflowers, streams, and peaks galore. Lunch is a hearty spread of lasagna and salad. Afternoon’s free—practice edits or chill by the hotel’s fire. Dinner’s a group feast: veal scaloppine, grilled veggies, and panna cotta. Your portfolio’s looking legit now.
Day 5: Final Shoot & Farewell
One last breakfast, then a 1-hour wrap-up workshop to polish your best shots. Head to Col Raiser for a 3-hour farewell shoot—panoramas and maybe a marmot or two. Lunch is light: antipasti and fruit. Afternoon’s for final edits or relaxing. The big dinner’s a Dolomite bash with live guitar—tagliatelle with truffles, roasted lamb, and a chocolate torte to die for. Swap Instagram handles with your new photo pals.
Day 6: Sayonara
Grab breakfast—extra strudel for the road—and check out by 11 a.m. Hang in the lounge if your train’s later. You’ll leave with a memory card full of stunners.
Why It’s a Shutterbug’s Dream
This retreat’s perfect for amateur photographers (or phone snappers) who want to capture the Dolomites’ wow factor. Workshops are hands-on but chill, covering basics to pro tricks—DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone, you’re covered. Guided shoots hit the best spots at the right light, and the editing tips help your pics pop. Arra Dolomiti’s a gem—15 rooms, a cozy vibe, and meals that fuel your creativity. Small group means real mentorship, not a lecture hall. It’s inspiring and fun, with South Tyrol as your muse.
