Expedition Details
Rome is endowed with an incomparable combination of color and light, monuments and sculptures that have defined the history of art, and a gusto for the good life that’s palpable. For a photographer, the effect is pure magic. Immerse yourself in Rome’s vibrant spirit, setting out on shoots from our base at the Regina Hotel Baglioni in the Via Veneto neighborhood. Delve into the food and flower markets at Campo de Fiori with your camera in hand; photograph intimate piazzas, the gardens of Villa Borghese, and the legendary ruins of Palatine Hill and the Colosseum.
This workshop is led by a National Geographic photographer and a professional instructor and is designed for amateurs who are interested in improving their digital photography. All participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images. The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
The following is our planned itinerary; however, the schedule is flexible to allow for spontaneous photographic opportunities.
Itinerary - 7 Days
Day 1 — Rome, Italy
Arrive in Rome and settle into the Regina Hotel Baglioni in the Via Veneto neighborhood. Gather for a reception and dinner with your instructors at a local restaurant.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (D)
Day 2 — Trastevere
This morning, learn how images for a National Geographic magazine article are conceived, photographed, and selected. Then venture into Trastevere to capture its charming streets and laundry-draped windows. Climb nearby Janiculum Hill to shoot Rome's spectacular skyline in the afternoon light. This evening, gather for an image presentation by one of your instructors.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (B)
Day 3 — Piazza di Spagna
Spend the morning editing and critiquing the photos you took yesterday. Later, meet at Piazza di Spagna, one of Rome's most popular meeting places where the 18th-century Spanish Steps present an architectural feat of stunning grace and beauty. Shoot the bustling piazza and nearby Via Veneto, the location for Fellini’s classic film La Dolce Vita.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (B)
Day 4 — Campo de Fiori
Set off this morning for Campo de Fiori, an open-air market and veritable feast of color and texture. Shoot bright flowers, fruit pyramids, and lively vendors who are continuing a tradition that dates back to 1869. Return to the classroom this afternoon for an edit-and-critique session. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the neighborhood’s outdoor cafés.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (B)
Day 5 — Ancient Rome
On today’s assignment, shoot Rome's iconic monuments in new and compelling ways. Capture the play of light on ancient stone in the Roman Forum. Explore the Colosseum's vast arena, which once hosted lavish gladiator spectacles. Share a leisurely Italian lunch together while discussing the day’s adventures, then return to Campo de’ Fiori in the afternoon and photograph its transformation from outdoor market to lively social hub.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (B,L)
Day 6 — Villa Borghese/St. Peter's Square
Explore and photograph the 17th-century Villa Borghese, an elegant park with shady lanes, fountains, and statues. Then wander along the magnificent boulevard of Via della Conciliazione towards Vatican City and capture Bernini's stunning architecture in St. Peter's Square. After a final edit-and-critique session, enjoy a festive farewell dinner.
Regina Hotel Baglioni (B,D)
Day 7 — Rome/Home
After breakfast, gather for a final discussion and presentation of the week's best images. The workshop concludes at noon.
(B)
For questions on this workshop, please call 1-866-797-4686.
Related Trips
National Geographic Expert
Massimo Bassano
Born and raised in Italy, photojournalist Massimo Bassano has published his work in National Geographic Traveler and on the National Geographic website, plus in numerous European publications. His acclaimed photography book The Color of Silence detailed the 12 weeks he spent in a little-known Italian monastery. He regularly teaches photography workshops in Italy.
Massimo will join the following departure:
Nov 14 - 20, 2012Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
What To Expect
This workshop is led by a National Geographic photographer and a professional instructor and is designed for amateurs who are interested in improving their digital photography. All participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images. The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
