La fioritura: The 'flowering' of Umbria & Assisi

Post-tour image review and editing tutorial
Following the tour and upon receiving three RAW files from each attendee, a recorded critique and Lightroom/Photoshop tutorial will be supplied. There'll no need for anyone to be present during this process so you needn't worry about setting any time aside. Receiving the recording will not only give you valuable feedback and a chance to see others' work but it will, I hope, also provide ideas for processing your photos. 

Set in the heart of Italy and often overlooked by its more famous neighbour, Tuscany, Umbria is a relatively undiscovered region which, as a result, retains much of its old-world charm. With its steep wooded valleys, flower-rich meadows and remote upland villages, Umbria is host to some of Europe’s most captivating scenery and it is here that we will photograph the annual floral display known as the 'fioritura' or the flowering. Each year, for just a short period, high in the Apennines, surrounded by the towering Monti Sibilini mountains, lentils are grown on the stony plateaus of the Piano Grande, Piano Perduto and Piano Piccolo. Being a small, delicate white flower and therefore tricky to keep track of their development, poppies and cornflowers are sown as indicators in the pesticide-free soil and when they finish flowering the lentils are ready to be harvested. Genius! Interspersed with other 'spontaneous' wildflowers including ox-eye daisy, vetch, viper's bugloss and common spotted orchid, the result for as far as the eye can see is a multicoloured, explosive patchwork! It truly is a wonderful sight so, understandably, during this time it's extremely popular among sightseers so I have planned the tour to visit during the week. 

Highlights
• Incredible mountain and forest scenery
• Small group of just 6 photographers
• 4 nights in lovely rural accommodation
• 2 nights in Assisi
• Riot of wildflower colour
• Landscape and macro photography
• Charming hilltop villages
• Minibus transportation
• Photographic tuition
• Image appraisals

With overseas tours requiring a minibus, I don't do the driving. My focus is on taking care of the day-to-day running and tutoring, which takes up enough energy without doing all the ferrying around, too! It's also a much safer way of working, particularly when dealing with Italy's winding mountain roads. I'm therefore extremely pleased to announce that my good friend, Dirk, will, once again, be both assisting me and acting as the driver for this tour. Residing in Finland as a wilderness guide and professional driver, those of you that have previously attended my overseas tours will know how capable he is and what great fun he is to be around. I can assure you that you will be in very safe hands! 

As well as photographing the fioritura, we will explore The Valnerina or Little Valley of the Nera which, until the construction of a 4km tunnel in 1998, was relatively inaccessible. This 'forgotten corner' is regarded as being the most beautiful part of Umbria and we will wind our way through spectacular scenery and pass through stone-built villages perching precariously, high up on hillsides. We will also visit the nearby walled town of Norcia, famous throughout Italy for its speciality pork and wild boar butcher shops - the 'Norcineria'. And, finally, to round off a week of inspiring photography, two nights will be spent in the enchanting town of Assisi - the birthplace of Saint Francis. With several previous early starts and late finishes, the intention here is to give you the chance to explore, wind down and take in the Italian culture. Of course, there will be opportunities for photography including panoramic night shoots of Assisi and the Basilica and take part in optional cultural excursions which might include visiting the caves where Saint Francis lived and nearby lavender fields. But, ultimately, aside from meeting for meals, the time, should you wish, will be your own. I sense a sigh of relief! 

END NOTE
The consequences of the earthquakes of 2016 and 2017 severely damaged many of the region's towns and villages (including Norcia) and completely devastated the plateau's hilltop village of Caselluccio di Norcia. Signs of the earthquakes are still very much in evidence with restoration ongoing. The resilience of the residents, shopkeepers, hoteliers and restauranteurs is clear to see and I am excited to introduce you to them and the remarkable beauty of Umbria.

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE

FINALLY...
Thank you for considering this tour. If you have any questions, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help and ensure that you have a wonderful week filled with adventure and inspiring photography.