Krakow. City and Landscape. Led by Robert Canis and Marek Kosinski. Group size: 6. Price: 485. Flights = Circa. 170 with easyjet

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1 Krakow City and Landscape October 5 th 9 th 2015 Led by Robert Canis and Marek Kosinski Group size: 6 Price: 485 Flights = Circa. 170 with easyjet Price includes: Tuition, guiding, accommodation and breakfast (first two nights only), all transportation within Poland. Price excludes: Flights, accommodation in Krakow (2 nights), meals not mentioned, entrance tickets into places of interest. Transfer from hotel to Krakow if staying longer in Krakow once workshop has finished. We have decided to conclude in Krakow and exclude the cost of the hotel in case you wish to stay on a day or two longer.

2 Approximate pricing Flights: 170 with easyjet from Gatwick. This includes 20kg of hold luggage and Speedy Boarding which means you are one of the first to get onto the plane thereby guaranteeing your camera bag goes on with you. Accommodation: We will be staying in two places. At the first location, in the Uplands region, (1 hr from Krakow) we will be staying in a very comfortable hotel in a beautiful location at the foot of a castle! Each room has en-suite. In Krakow our accommodation will be a very comfortable 3* hotel, a 10 minute leisurely walk from the historic centre. This is in a perfect location and at an excellent price, too, at between just 45 and 55 depending on whether you require a single or double. It is a condition of booking that you stay at this hotel so we all stay together. You are required to pay for the 2 nights. Details will be given upon booking. We have decided to run the trip to conclude in Krakow in case anybody wishes to stay on a day or two longer once the trip has finished. Since the hotel is so close to the centre it gives you this option so that you may explore on your own even after the workshop concludes each day without the need for public transport. Such places that may be of interest include the famous Salt Mine (just 9 miles away) and, of course, Auschwitz. This is similar to how I run the Prague trip and works very well as you won t be under any duress to return to Gatwick at the end of the workshop. Meals: Food and drink is reasonably inexpensive here at, around, 10 which includes a drink. Airport transfers: Only applies if you stay on longer. Taxi fair approx. 20. Introduction As one of Europe s most beautiful cities, Poland s original medieval capital is a wonderful place to explore and photograph. But first, our attention is drawn to the stunning Uplands region, referred to as the Polish Jura. We will spend two nights here photographing rocky landscapes and castles. A highlight of this part of this trip will be night photography and painting castles with torchlight and if we get clear skies, astro photography too! I have considerable experience in this field and will demonstrate how to obtain the very best from the night sky. The dates have been chosen to avoid the peak tourist season, busy weekends and the emerging autumn colour. From here we will travel just one hour south to the Royal City of Krakow for a further 2 nights. Time will be spent wandering the cobbled lanes, photographing the castle and Krakow s centerpiece the medieval square Europe s largest, set in the heart of the Old Town. Our guide for the duration of the trip will be my good friend Marek Kosinksi. Born and bred in Krakow, Marek was once a lecturer at its university so who better to show you around than a native! As you can see, this is a short break, so why not stay on for a further day or two? After all, once we have shown you around Krakow you'll know where to go for the remainder of your visit!

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4 Highlights One of Europe's most stunning cities Stunning landscape not often visited by those outside Poland offering unique images Hand-picked locations Led by two professional nature photographers Local guide Tuition in cityscape, landscape and night photography All levels catered for. Suitable for beginners and advanced Single rooms - All en-suite with Wi-Fi No single-supplement Small group size of 6 maximum Day 1. Picked up by Marek and transferred by minibus to our accommodation in the Polish Jura, a distance of under an hour. After settling in we will have an early dinner and spend the remainder of the day shooting landscapes. Day 2. Dawn till mid-morning photography. Sunrise is at hrs and we will be out from so when we return, we will have breakfast then rest or, if you wish, take a nap. However, since we are right next to the castle you are welcome to wander around and photography it. We will reconvene at around hrs, have an early dinner and set off for the reminder of the day. With sunset at 18.15, weather permitting we may not return to the accommodation until hrs or even later if we are shooting the night sky. An evening snack will be arranged in the form of a sandwich or restaurant/café stop which you will be required to pay for. Please note that dawn shoots are optional and if you d rather rest and stay in bed, you are of course welcome to do so.

5 Day 3. Dawn till mid-morning photography. As the previous day, when we return we will have breakfast and rest a while before heading to Krakow. Afternoon and evening will be spent photographing the Old Town and parks. The workshop will conclude at hrs but you are welcome to continue shooting into the night if you so wish! Alternatively, you may like to relax or have a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants situated around the town square. Day 4: Dawn till mid-morning photography in and around the Old Town square. Return to the hotel have breakfast and relax (or sleep) and reconvene around hrs. Since the hotel is so close to the centre you are welcome to go back out and take a wander into the centre or relax in the gardens that surround the Old Town. Rather than staying in Krakow we will head to a national park just 45 minutes away. Upon arrival we will have a meal at a restaurant and walk down the valley photographing the emerging autumn colour set against the pale limestone rock faces. As the sun lowers, we will shoot a castle set on a hill from a vantage point and as dusk approaches an illuminated chapel beckons. But, we don t finish there! As night falls we will photograph the castle silhouetted against the sky (hoping for clear skies and lots of stars!) and with the aid of a powerful torch I will paint the castle with light. Day 5. Optional dawn till mid-morning photography. Return to the UK.

6 Accommodation in the Uplands Reproduced through permission from the hotel. Pretty spectacular eh?!

7 Our hotel is situated at the base of this castle!

8 Equipment required. A more comprehensive check-list will be given upon booking but below will give you an idea. I will be happy to advise so drop me a line should you have difficulty in deciding. 2-3 lenses will be more than sufficient. For example (for full frame sensors) a 16-35mm, 24-70mm and mm. For those with a cropped sensor; 12-24mm, mm and a mm. Lightweight tripod. Essential for those dawn/sunset/night-time shoots. Fitness level Moderate. For the first part of the trip walking up slopes will be required and occasionally on rocky ground. We will not be rushing and will take our time. In Krakow, the walking is easy and flat with break and lunch stops. This will be done at a leisurely pace. Food Krakow is a very cosmopolitan city so there is something to cater to all tastes, including vegetarian. However, we shall be eating at Polish restaurants. Polish food is, typically, quite simple and hearty where soups, dumplings and stews dominate. Lots of other dishes available.

9 We re not always this serious honest!

10 About Marek Kosinski Some of you will, already, know of Marek and indeed would have met him on other Poland trips. Marek is a professional photographer who has received numerous awards in both the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions. A trained biologist (PhD in plant ecology), Marek held the position of lecturer and scientist for 12 years at Krakow university. He is the author of several books and has had more than 15,000 images published. A certified tour guide for 15 years, Marek has also guided general nature tours for various travel agencies. From a personal standpoint, I must say that I thoroughly enjoy doing tours with Marek. Not only is an ace photographer and guide but he is a damn nice fellow with a wicked sense of humour too, ensuring you not only leave with fantastic images and bundles of information, but you have a fun time taking them, too! mobile: rmcanis@msn.com