Q. Are these photo tours for professional photographers?
Q. What exactly will I learn during the photography classes?
Q. Are the classes aimed more at digital photography?
Q. What level are the language classes that are part of your tours?
Q. What if I don’t want to take the language classes?
Q. Are your tours kid-friendly?
Q. Do you offer any discounts on the tour prices?
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
Q. Do I need to purchase trip insurance?
Q. Can we purchase this insurance through you?
Q. What do I need to bring on my tour?
Q. Once I book my tour, what communications will I receive?
Q. What if something is not going according to plan during the tour?
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Q. Are these photo tours for professional photographers?
A. No, our tours are for people who enjoy taking pictures and want to bring their knowledge of the craft to the next level. They are for people who understand that, in order to capture better images, they need to learn to see the world the way the camera does and are willing to take the time to do so.
Having said this, both beginners and more advanced participants will improve dramatically the quality of photographs they take by the trip’s end. We accomplish this through coverage of each topic that starts at the basic level and moves steadily up from there. After that, one-on-one time on the field with the instructor further addresses each participant’s individual interests and allows for more in-depth, custom coverage of specific areas.
Q. What exactly will I learn during the photography classes?
A. The short answer to that is that you will learn to see the world a bit more like the camera does and you will understand what makes a good photograph from the perspective of what is pleasing to the human eye.
The long, detailed answer takes a whole page and you can find it here.
Q. Are the classes aimed more at digital photography?
A. No. The course teachings applies to both digital and film cameras. Having said that, it is worth to mention that the tours include daily review/feedback sessions, which require the ability to view the photographs taken that day. Photographers shooting film would not be able to have their photographs developed in time to have them critiqued.
Q. What level are the language classes that are part of your tours?
A. The language classes are entry-level. We don’t claim to run a foreign languages program along with our tours. They are more like informal discussions about the language of the country we visit. You can learn words and phrases, but we are more interested in showing you how the language connects to and influences the culture, so that you can have a deeper understanding of how the people think. This, in turn, we feel, will allow you a deeper overall experience.
Q. What if I don’t want to be part of the language discussions?
A. You don’t have to. You can take the time to try out the photography teachings you have learned, take a nap, read a book, etc. Some tours allow you to even go out and do some exploring on your own, others might require that you stay close to the group to move on with it when the discussion is done.
Q. Are your tours kid-friendly?
A. Our tours are primarily designed for adults and include classes where a calm, quiet environment works best. Therefore, small children would be a distraction to both the parents and the other tour members, so we do not allow children under 12. Having said this, our Activity Level 1 and 2 tours are perfect for teenagers who want to learn about photography, another language, and take in the diversity of another culture. The activity level of each tour is listed under the Tour Levels section on the right side of that tour’s listing page.
Q. Do you offer any discounts on the tour prices?
A. Yes. Most tours offer Group, Senior, and/or Student discounts. The discounts available for each tour are listed under the Tour Cost section on the right side of that tour’s listing page.
But why bother with discounts when you can go for FREE. Simply put together a tour group of 7 people or more (not including yourself) to register and come on the same tour and the cost of your tour will be on us.
Q. What is your deposit refund policy?
- 120 days or more prior to departure date: refund of 50% of deposit
- 91–119 days prior to departure: loss of deposit
- 45–90 days prior to departure: 50% of the tour cost
- 44 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of the tour cost
Q. Do I need to purchase trip insurance?
A. Trip cancellation insurance is optional and at an additional cost to you. We recommend that you purchase this insurance so that your investment in the trip will be protected. Trip cancellation insurance covers trip cancellation and interruption, it has varying dollar amount coverage for Medical Expense/Emergency Evacuation and Assistance, and protection for baggage and personal possessions. You should sign up for trip cancellation insurance within 15 days of booking your trip to ensure maximum coverage.
Q. Can we purchase this insurance through you?
A. No, but you can purchase it online very easily. There are many companies that offer travel insurance policies, below are a couple that make it very easy.
Q. What do I need to bring on my tour?
A. A few weeks before your trip, we will send you and email with specific packing suggestions and information regarding baggage weight restrictions, if any. We recommend that you match your packing to the Comfort Level of your tour. The comfort level of each tour is listed under the Tour Levels section on the right side of that tour’s listing page.
Q. Once I book my tour, what communications will I receive?
A. Once you book one of our tours, you will receive one or more mailings with specific information about your destination; packing and reading suggestions.
Q. What if something is not going according to plan during the tour?
A. One of the great things of dealing with a small business is that you know whom the buck stops with at all times. You don’t have to make long distance calls when you feel something is not what you signed up for. Lou Gurgitano is the tour director. He signs you up for the tour then travels with you and oversees the photography instructor and the local tour manager. His sole job during the tours is to make sure things go as planned. Period. This means that if you ever feel something is not right, you go to Lou and the matter is addressed immediately.