Let your photographic journey begin here. Elevate your photography skills to the next level on carefully crafted and immersive worldwide photography workshops. Join us on our travels to luxurious destinations and challenging expeditions as diverse as Greenland, the American Wild West, Provence, Ecuador, Iceland, the Amazon and Madagascar. Change the way you see the world through the eyes of Leica, your photography tutors and fellow aficionados. Inspiration, technical expertise, advice, photography assignments and portfolio reviews are all included. Check back here for updates on all destinations for the coming twelve months. You will have the exciting opportunity to try out the Leica M (TYP 240), the M Monochrom and the S-E (Typ 006). A selection of legendary M lenses and Leica binoculars will also be on hand for you to experience. Let us know in advance if there are specific Leica camera models you would like to get your hands on for the duration of the trip.
Where will your Leica take you?
DESTINATION PROVENCE - AFICIONADOS AND CONNOISSEURS
Experience the pleasures of photographing Provence accompanied by fellow Leica photographers and the finest food and wine. Tackle photography assignments set by Leica tutors in evocative Avignon and the renowned vineyards of Gigondas and the Côtes du Rhône. An exclusive residence and wine estate will be your sublime home away from home.
DAY ONE - Saturday 30th May
Depart London on the Eurostar accompanied with a champagne toast in First Class seats to send you on your way to Avignon - one of the South of France’s most fascinating medieval walled towns. Wander the atmospheric streets and squares with your Leica tutors and enjoy a gourmet picnic in the park. Keep an eye out for trompe l’oeil windows, elegant mansions and the meandering River Sorgue along the hauntingly bohemian Rue Des Teintures. Arrive at La Verrière - the elegant setting of your exclusive residence for the trip - a magnificent, medieval 9th century priory restored to the highest standards of luxury, nestled within 350 acres of private forest in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere. Your private chef will prepare a welcome gourmet dinner to be relished with your tutors and fellow Leica photographers for an evening of fine cuisine and bonhomie. There will be an opportunity for an image review in the lounge. Sleep peacefully amongst your private vineyards.
DAY TWO - Sunday 31st May
Creativity Intersects with Culinary Prowess.
Combine photography assignments and gastronomic discoveries in the covetable environs of the La Verrière estate. You will be encouraged to improve your photography skills in a tutor led image review throughout the extensive private grounds and gardens. Seasonal produce from the land will accompany a convivial lunch by your own private chef. As the sun goes down, familiarize yourself with the bucolic vineyard landscapes of nearby Roaix with views of Tour de France favourite Mont Ventoux, and master the essence of landscape photography. After a walk amongst the vines, enjoy a leisurely five course provencal dinner under the stars at a Roaix residence, exclusively catered by a Canadian/Parisian chef duo.
DAY THREE - Monday 1st June
Documenting Viticulture Among the Dentelles.
Early rise to catch the morning light and striking views from the sophisticated nearby village of Gigondas - a bastion of world class wine and contemporary art in Provence. Take a stroll among the world class vineyards of Domaine des Tourelles, followed by a tour of the terroir and a discussion on wine philosophy and viticulture, before your landscape photo assignment set on a dramatic hilltop with an aperitif in hand. Savour a light lunch at the appropriately named Nez wine bar. Explore the charming backstreets and alleyways of Gigondas on a street photography mission. Make your way to the welcoming tasting rooms of your choice, and sample the numerous delights from highly acclaimed local wine makers. Your driver will circle the limestone formations of the Dentelles de Montmirail - popular with rock-climbers, walkers and landscape artists. Viewpoints along the way offer the ideal opportunity to perfect your landscape photography. Return to your stylish home away from home for dinner prepared by your private chef, followed by a one-to-one photography review with after dinner drinks.
DAY FOUR - Tuesday 2nd June
Indulge Your Senses in Enchanting Surroundings.
A short drive takes you to bustling and cosmopolitan Vaison-la-Romaine to tackle a market day street photography assignment in the morning. A splash of wine will accompany a delightful lunch prepared by an epicurean food truck owned by affable locals.With appetites satisfied and thirst quenched, saunter to Vaison’s charmingly elevated old town dominated by the 12th century chateau for a travel photography shoot. Returning to La Verrière, you will be introduced to the wines produced by La Chene Bleu on the estate during a unique ‘Art of Blending’ course. Here you will be introduced to the skill of blending grape varieties, such as Grenache, Syrah and Viognier, and have the opportunity to create your own blend. After enjoying this bespoke activity, a feast awaits at L’Oustalet, an intimate restaurant owned by the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape family, the Perrins. In the heart of Gigondas, L’Oustalet’s seasonal menu offers modern Provencal dishes created by genial Chef Laurent Deconinck. The workshop draws to its conclusion, and a parting gift will accompany final photographic musings.
DAY FIVE - Wednesday 3rd June
Leaving the Sanctuary of La Verriere.
Arrive in Avignon in the mid morning for your First Class return journey to London by Eurostar.