Name: Switzerland Photo Adventure
Item: Switzerland Photo Adventure
Author: Photo Workshop Adventures

Join us for our Switzerland Photo Adventure

Historic towns, Mediterranean coastal landscapes, Alpine mountain regions, business hubs and four different languages. Switzerland is not only at the centre of Europe, but also the heart of the Alps and a country of great versatility. It’s almost entirely covered with spectacular mountain ranges and, together with 208 mountains, there are more than 1,500 lakes, very close to each other, like gems on a crown. Which makes it simply the perfect location for landscape photography.

And it get’s more interesting. Here they speak Italian but the trains are always on time, they have the best chocolate, but the chocolate fondue is a no no (it was invented in New York) and their cows climb mountains at the beginning of the summer and come back down in early fall. Instant coffee was invented here, as was the wristwatch, the world wide web, and the famous Einstein’s equation. Maybe it’s all the pure air of the mountains that makes the brain work faster.

Switzerland is also famous for its clocks, cheese, banking system and pocket knives. 43% of Swiss households have at least one pet, usually a cat, and the country has the lowest crime rates in the world. Here luxury and tradition go hand in hand, as yodel competitions still call large crowds. Did we mention the glaciers? Switzerland has the most of this dying beauties in the Alps. A million year old ice, sparkling in all tones of white and blue, is an incredible sight. Unfortunately, due to climate change, it might not be there for long, so capturing it while it’s still with us should be on the must do list of any photographer.

Day 1 | Geneva
We meet at our hotel in the morning at 11am to discuss PWA’s “10 Guiding Principles to Great Photography” as well as our “THE ART OF SEEING” photographic technique. After getting to know each other, we will have a group “ Welcome” lunch and an informal discussion on what every guest is trying to achieve in terms of photography, subject matters, styles and techniques. We will then dive into night photography and learn everything about the camera setting and focus for our first night out.

In the afternoon we will explore the lake of Geneva by boat and then go on a beautiful walk along its coastline, exploring also one of the world’s highest water fountain and the old city of Geneva, before heading back to the hotel to rest. (L)

Day 2 | Zermatt
After breakfast we leave Geneva, stop by a special castle on the way and head to the most spectacular location in Switzerland: Zermatt. We will then take the train to go up to 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) at the Gornergrat, where we will enjoy not only a great view of the famous mountain the Matterhorn, but also of Monte Rosa, a spectacular snow covered mountain range and its glaciers. We will spend two nights at the Kulmhotel, at 3000 meters of altitude (9,842 feet) to enjoy all the stunning views this area has to offer.

During the sunset we can simply photograph from our terrace and enjoy the view of white ice fields turning red in the last glow of the sun. The Gornergrat is also one of the darkest places in Switzerland and famous for its spectacular night sky! If the sky is clear, those who need less sleep are invited to spend some more time outside for astrophotography.

Day 3 | Zermatt
After enjoying the sunrise at the terrace and hopefully catch the famous Alpenglow on the Matterhorn and, of course, a good breakfast, we will return to Zermatt by train and take the highest cable car of Europe to reach the “little Matterhorn”, at 3,880 meters (12,729 feet) above sea level, where we can enjoy a spectacular view of its bigger brother and its surrounding glaciers.

After spending some time visiting the picturesque mountain village of Zermatt, we will take the train back to the Gornergrat.

The sunset hour will be spent at the Riffelsee, a perfect mirror for the Matternhorn. After sunset we will take a walk around for about one hour and then get back to the Kulmhotel. You will have another chance to discover the spectacular night sky of the Gornergrat.

Day 4 | Grimselpass
We will leave Zermatt in the morning and travel to Obergoms, passing by the beautiful valley of Binn, where we will stay in a hotel with a great wellness area.

In the afternoon we will drive to the Grimsel pass. There is a spectacular mountain road which leads to a stunning landscape made of five lakes, many rocks and a glacier that seem to be from another world. We will first visit the marmots that have found home in this area, then the ice cave of the Rhone Glacier on the Furka Pass and its famous hotel Belvedere. As the glaciers are melting so fast, every year there is a chance that the cave is gone forever. During the sunset we will go to one of the lakes of the Grimsel to enjoy the view of a spectacular glacier.

Day 5 | Eggishorn and Grindelwald
Today we will have to get up very early (around 4am). After a short drive to Fiesch we will take a cable car to arrive at Eggishorn before sunrise. From here we will be able to admire the stunning peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. After a delicious breakfast in the Panoramic Restaurant, we will visit the Glacier with a mountain Guide (the equipment will be rented). The Aletsch Glacier is one of the safest glaciers with easy access, even for those who have never walked on a glacier. Standing on the ice and photographing an accumulation that is millions of years old is unforgettable!

In the afternoon we will drive to Grindelwald, the village in the famous shadow of the Eiger North Face and head to Grindelwald First with a cable car. We will sleep here in this typical Swiss chalet and we can enjoy the first cliff walk by Tissot. We can also take sunset, sunrise and night photos here with the stunning view to Grindelwalds mountain view of the Wetterhorn and Eiger. And we can walk about 50 minutes to the Bachalpsee (optional). When there is no wind, here you find the perfect mirror for Grindelwalds stunning mountains.

Day 6 | Lucerne
Today we will drive to the colorful and romantic Lucerne. We will have the pleasure to see this stunning city with a very well preserved medieval architecture, wooden covered bridge originally built in 1333 and many towers, all surrounded by mountains and facing a beautiful lake. We will spend the night here and will have the chance to see Lucerne by night with its photogenic lights.

Day 7 | Lake Geneva/ Vevey
Today we will travel back to Lake Geneva, but on the way we will take the cable car to visit Mt. Pilatous and hopefully see the ibex colonies that live there. From up here you will have the most spectacular view of Lucerne and its surroundings.

Once we arrive in Lake Geneva, we will enjoy looking at the view from the other side, from the pearl of the Swiss Riviera, the small city of Vevey and home of Charlie Chaplin for 25 years. The area is surrounded by wineries, so we will have the chance to try some Swiss wine during our Farewell Dinner. (D)

Day 8 | Lake Geneva
Unfortunately today we have to say good bye. But we will enjoy our last breakfast together and have a photo discussion before we depart. (B)

May all who come as guests… leave as friends®

INSPIRE. LEARN. CREATE. All while vacationing, experiencing beautiful locations, enjoying amazing food and having great fun. Learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity. Our Photo Adventure Vacations offer a casual structure of discussions and inspiration without any boring classroom lectures.

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