Laurie will help you tap into your passion as a creative. She will help you to understand your style, what jazzes you and what motives you to take photographs. Laurie will give one-on-one instruction and photographic critiques daily. You will have opportunities to work with models and we will conclude our time with a wonderful student show, showcasing your favorite images of the week.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to attend this amazing Workshop!
May 15-21, 2016
Available for up to 10 Adventurers!
Day One—Sunday
We pick you up in the early afternoon at the Chinon train station and transport you by private van to the amazing Vineyard Manor, your home for the week . Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Laurie with homemade hors d’oeuvres and locally produced wines, followed by a tour of the Manor. Laurie will discuss with you what your creative goals are during this incredible adventure. Then relax until it is time for a welcome dinner. (Dinner by “chef” Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures)
Day Two—Monday
After breakfast, Laurie will guide us through exercises for tapping into your creativity. She will discuss what to look out for during our travel day, and how to gain clarity on what we want to communicate in our images. Laurie will be available for “one-on-one” on-site instructions. Then we are off to visit a local English-speaking wine expert and her husband who is a viticulturist. The day begins with coffee and a french pastry, and includes a comprehensive tasting and lunch in the comfort of an old barrel cellar, followed by a leisurely trip along the river in a beautiful wooden boat. Dinner at the Manor. In the evening, Laurie will discuss the art and techniques of infrared photography for all those who are interested. (Breakfast/Gourmet Lunch/Gourmet Dinner included)
Day Three—Tuesday
Morning breakfast at the Manor. Laurie will briefly share her work and her photographic journey which began with her studies with Ansel Adams. We then drive through the French countryside of the Loire, where we will picnic by the river. We then continue on to our destination of Angers, capital of the ancient province of Anjou. You will have the opportunity to explore the city of Angers on your own. Highlights include great shopping, eateries, and the beautiful Castle, home of the Fourteenth Century Apocalypse Tapestry, the largest tapestry in the world. Don’t miss a great opportunity for gift-shopping. Dinner in Angers on your own. (Breakfast/Gourmet Picnic Lunch included)
Day Four—Wednesday
Awake rested and ready to go. We will enjoy breakfast and head to the village of Beaumont-en-Veron, in the appelation of Chinon. Here we will meet a local representative, sample the local wines, tour a vineyard, then enjoy a scrumptious lunch (prepared by a local chef) in a Troglodyte Cave. We then drive on to the beautiful castle town of Chinon, famous for the legend of Joan of Arc. Laurie will be alongside you photographing, talking about storytelling with your images while tapping into your passions and feelings. Dinner in Chinon on your own. (Breakfast/Gourmet Lunch included)
Day Five—Thursday
After a leisurely breakfast, we will get a mid-morning start to Martin de Candre, maker of hundreds of artisinal soaps (savonnerie artisanale), great for gift-giving. After, we will travel a short distance to Fontevraud, home of Fontevraud l’Abbaye, burial place of King Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their son, Richard the Lionheart (also made famous in the modern era by the movie, “The Lion in Winter”). Explore this charming town on your own (tour the Abbey, have lunch in one of several restaurants, from bistro to gastronomique). Today you all have the opportunity to be photographed by Laurie, become her muse, a time to play and be a part of the Laurie Klein Photographic Experience. She will include you in the behind the scenes process she uses when working with models and clients for her fine art and commission work. At day’s end, we make a leisurely drive via the breathtaking Saumur Champigny vineyard region, on our way back for dinner. (Breakfast/ Dinner included)
Day Six—Friday
Early breakfast, then visit Chateau de Chenonceau, located in a pretty setting literally on the Cher River. Gourmet Picnic lunch in the Chateau gardens. Laurie will be along side you photographing and available for consultation. Arriving back for a Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast/Gourmet Picnic Lunch/Dinner included)
Day Seven—Saturday
Breakfast at the Vineyard, then transportation to Chinon train station for your return home (or your next destination). (Breakfast included)
**Itinerary subject to changing.
2016 Adventure
- $3600 pp single occupancy
- $350 off! If Adventure Paid in Full by September 30, 2015
- $200 off! If Adventure Paid in Full by January 1, 2016
- $3450 pp double occupancy
- $350 off! If Adventure Paid in Full by September 30, 2015
- $200 off! If Adventure Paid in Full by January 1, 2016
- The Adventure cost covers round trip rail by high speed TGV train originating at CDG airport or central Paris, ground transfers to and from the Chinon rail station, daily ground transportation by air conditioned van, all breakfasts, most lunches and most dinners, accommodations and wine and soft beverages with meals at our accommodations.
- Work shop cost is included.
- Airfare is not included.
- Airport meet and escort by host is available for additional fee of $500 per group.
- Travel Insurance is HIGHLY recommended.
- Nonrefundable deposit of $750 pp due upon booking.