Discover Umbria - Italy's green heart

 Villa Accommodation set in five acres of olive grove, private pool, gourmet food and fine wines with the atmosphere of an exclusive house party at Casa Fontana near lake Trasimeno.

Expert tuition with photographer Roger Taylor:  customs, landscapes, mediaeval villages and more.  The course is aimed at the digital enthusiast covering many subjects - lighting, depth of field, exposure, composition, fill in flash, and editing. We shall be out to discover Umbria from the serenity of the lakes to the adrenaline rush and religious fervour of the Tre Ceri in Gubbio (a test for your action skills).

Roger Taylor began his photographic career at 15 years of age with a Fleet street News Agency where he learned his trade over 14 years covering News, Fashion and Sporting events. In the 70's he was with the Daily Telegraph covering News Fashion Sport and Features, then in the 80's he assisted the Financial Times during the Thatcher campaign and after that remained on the staff for a further 8 years. He then spent several years living in Umbria Italy, where he he indulged his love of painting and working as a freelance for the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, the Independent, the Guardian, and the Mail on Sunday. On returning to the UK Roger was offered a weeks work at the Millennium Dome as part of a team of Associated Newspaper journalists producing the Daily Dome newspaper.  When the Daily Dome closed Roger was asked to stay on as Press and Publicity photographer for the remainder of 2000.  On leaving the Dome Roger renewed his association with the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, Financial Times and Time Magazine. During his career Roger has had  several exhibitions of his work notably one at St Paul's Cathedral opened by the Queen Mother and another at the Connaught Centre in Hong Kong

The course is structured by Roger to bring maximum benefit to the participants in acquiring new photographic skills and opportunities to shoot the dreamy Umbrian and Tuscan landscapes. The week will include at least one unique event (such as the Tre Ceri in Gubbio)

Besides the photography there will be an opportunity to get to know this lovely part of Italy, rich in culture and history. Non photographer companions are also well looked after with a special programme of their own, they have the opportunity to explore more of the Umbrian countryside, go to the nearby lake Trasimeno the fourth largest lake in Italy, and visit such treasure troves of art and architecture as Sienna, Panicale,and Orvieto, or one can just relax by the pool.

There will be long leisurely meals and good wines taken at Casa Fontana's panoramic terazzo.

One to one tuition will always be there if needed and any levels catered for. Bring whatever equipment you have:  a digital SLR,  filters, ie polariser and or ND grads if you have them, spare batteries, memory cards, tripod, cable release, a laptop with photoshop,(if pos) if you do not have all of this then not to worry there will be equipment for you to use. Remember that the course is flexible and you will be able to choose your prefered locations.

Your accommodation is a private apartment in an Umbrian villa, Casa Fontana (www.casafontana.net). It is a recently converted farmhouse set in five acres of olive grove with secluded pool offering panoramic views over valleys and mountains.

Each comfortable apartment is subtly individual in style, they all have lounge/kitchen, double bedroom, shower room with WC,and outside patio dinning area. Your apartment is also equipped with cooker , fridge and dishwasher.

Your apartment contains breakfast provisions, and the main meal in the evenings is taken on the spacious loggia, the sunsets are magnificent.                                                                                                                  

Sourced from fresh local ingredients dinners consist of several courses such as

BRUSCHETTE CON PEPPERONI

chargrilled roast pepper toast, dressed with a hint of garlic and Casa Fontana's own cold pressed extra virgin oil

INSALATA DI FAGIOLI  E SEDANO

A salad of rich borlotti beans with crisp celery and aromatic mild red onions.

FETTUCINE CON FINOCCHI

Home made fresh pasta with fennel in a creamy saffron sauce.

FARAONE CON ROSMARINE E PANCETTA

Locally farmed guinea fowl baked with rosemary and smoked bacon on a bed of fluffy potato pure and leaks.

PANNA COTTA ALLA FRUTTA DI BOSCO CON LIMONCELLO FRAPPE

A cream mould with vanila seeds, served with berries and leaves of mint, accompanied by limoncello liqueur on crushed ice

WINES

Sparkling prosecco del Veneto; white Grechetto della cantina; red Nero d' Avola

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TOUR DETAILS - go to top of page and click on 'about'