Our photo tour will traverse the stark ridges of concrete and steel, exploring how these monuments interact with the land and the skies—giants rooted in the earth, yet untethered from their original purpose. Through the lens of two extraordinary mentors, Canon Ambassador Luka Vunduk and National Geographic photographer Matjaz Krivic (both born in Yugoslavia) we will delve into the heart of brutalism creating friendly and truly unique photo and cultural experience that you will never forget.

These structures, often situated in remote and challenging landscapes, aimed to reflect the ideals of the emerging nation.

The Spomeniks, a term which translates to “monuments” in English, became the most iconic expression of Yugoslav brutalist architecture. These abstract and avant-garde structures were designed by prominent architects like Vojin Bakić, Dušan Džamonja, and Bogdan Bogdanović. Each Spomenik featured a unique design that aimed to capture the essence of the event it commemorated. The Memorial to the Revolution in Podgarić, Croatia, for instance, takes the form of an abstract representation of Partisan fighters rising from the ground, symbolizing the rebirth of the nation through their sacrifices.

Itinerary:

1. Zagreb – Podgarić – Jasenovac – Kozara
2. Kozara – Bravsko – Smrike – Travnik
3. Travnik – Tjentište/Foča
4. Foča – Kadinjača – Užice
5. Užice – Popina – Bubanj – Kosmaj
6. Kosmaj – Belgrade (airport)

Detailed itinerary will be sent to you when you make the booking.

We travel in one or two very comfortable SUV’s (very likely Japanese land cruisers) or 1-2 minibuses/vans for groups of 10 or more.

Minimum number of participants 5, max 12

Detailed itinerary will be sent to you when you make the booking.

And last but most certainly not least: when we travel from one monument to another, there will be the wonderfully stunning Balkans with their fantastic cuisine, remote villages, wonderful valleys, gorgeous canyons, laid-back towns, greenish rivers, Bosnian coffee in a džezva, hospitable people who will very often open their hearts to you.

Embarking on a journey through the enchanting lands of the Balkans with the three of us is not merely a venture; it’s an odyssey infused with cultural richness, historical depth, and a tapestry of languages woven seamlessly across diverse landscapes. As we, three seasoned travelers, born amidst the vibrant tapestry of ex-Yugoslavia, set foot on this expedition, we find ourselves uniquely equipped to unlock the treasures hidden within this mesmerizing region.

Our linguistic prowess stands as a beacon, illuminating the path to authentic experiences. With fluency in the myriad tongues that echo through Balkan valleys, we transcend mere tourists, seamlessly integrating into the fabric of local life. Whether bargaining in the bustling bazaars of Sarajevo or conversing with villagers in the tranquil highlands of Montenegro, our linguistic dexterity serves as a bridge, fostering connections that transcend borders.

Yet, our affinity with the Balkans extends beyond language; it’s deeply rooted in our shared heritage. Born in ex-Yugoslavia, we carry within us the echoes of its tumultuous past and the resilience of its people. Our understanding of its nuances and intricacies grants us unparalleled insight, allowing us to navigate its labyrinthine streets with the confidence of seasoned explorers.

Moreover, our extensive experience as travelers imbues us with a discerning eye for the extraordinary.

Crucially, our network of friendships woven across the Balkans serves as a testament to the bonds that unite us. In every town and village, we are greeted not as strangers, but as kinfolk returning home.

In essence, traveling with the three of us to the Balkans is not merely a sojourn; it’s a transformative experience that transcends the boundaries of time and space. Guided by our linguistic fluency, cultural affinity, and boundless curiosity, we embark on a voyage of discovery, weaving together the threads of history, heritage, and friendship that define this enchanting region. Together, we write a new chapter in the timeless saga of the Balkans, forging memories that will linger in our hearts long after the journey’s end.

• Price: 3900€/person, all inclusive (390€ – single supplement)
• Promotional price: 2900€/person available for bookings till June 15, 2024
• Legal & all the relevant financial details will be sent to you if/when you make the booking.
• Non-refundable deposit 900€.

DAY 1 (Oct 11): Arrive at Lake Bled

On the first day of our Slovenia photography tour, the group will meet at the airport of Ljubljana at 2 p.m. If you arrive earlier or a day before we can also meet at the lobby of our hotel at lake Bled at 2:45-3 p.m. upon check in. We don’t want to waste any time, so we will immediately head north towards one of the country’s most iconic sights, Lake Bled. The emerald lake is arguably Slovenia’s most popular tourist spot, and after a few minutes, walking around you’ll quickly understand why. The water shines with dazzling green and blue tones, a charming church rests on a tiny island in the centre, and the imposing peaks of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke offer the perfect backdrop for photography shoots.

We are sure that it will be a magnificent start to our six-day adventure. In the evening we will gather together for food, spend some time getting to know each other and discuss the trip to come.

DAYS 2-5: Lake Bled and Julian Alps

Over the next 4 days during this photography tour, we will be exploring the Gorenjska region, including the area close to Lake Bled and the nearby Julian Alps. There will be sunrise shoots on the shores of lake Bled, a trip up to the castle that overlooks the water, and plenty of time spent shooting the spectacular church in the middle of the lake.

We will also spend time at one of Slovenia’s hidden gems, the Vintgar Gorge. This 1.6km trench cuts through the Hom and Bort hills, and there are is a variety of waterfalls, rivers, and rapids to capture with our cameras. We will certainly make time for some long exposure shots.

We will also spend some time exploring the local culture through our lenses. There are plenty of charming villages close to the lake, where we will capture traditional agricultural architecture and the famous hayracks of Slovenia. Rural village life offers a wonderful contrast to the epic natural scenes that will dominate our sunset shoots.

True gems of Slovenia are amazing churches! We photograph iconic Jamnik and St Tomaz churches, St John at Bohinj lake – with stunning mountains backdrop.

DAY 5

Today we are enjoying our final sunrise at lake Bled – and moving forward to Plitvice lakes national park. It is a dream destination for many photographers. You can capture hundreds of cascades and waterfalls framed by autumn foliage. With turquoise waters beneath and gentle autumn light your photos will look like medieval paintings.

DAY 6

We spend one full day at Plitvice NP exploring and enjoying autumn splendour.

DAY 7 (Oct 17)

Departure day. We will photograph our final sunrise at the park – and head to Zagreb international airport. We plan to be at the airport around 12 to 1 p.m. So please feel free to book your flights after 3 p.m.

DAY 1 (Oct 18)

We meet you at the Venice airport (Marco Polo) at 12:00 noon. You may stay in Venice a couple of days before our trip will begin. Anyway the meeting will be in the afternoon at the airport. We can also arrange pick-up at the train station of Bolzano. Please have your lunch (or packed lunch) before we start driving. Note that roads have lots of switchbacks and serpentines in Dolomites, so don’t try hard with your lunch.
Sunset location: Passo Rolle and Baita Segantini. At sunset we will shoot tremendous mountain landscapes of Passo Rolle. The road will be spectacular this day.
After sunset we have another hour to drive to our hotel located near Carezza lake.

Overnight in Carezza.

DAY 2

Sunrise location: Carezza lake. Carezza lake is the little gem of Dolomites. This small lake located under the feet of beautiful mountains with slopes of tall pines and golden larches. Following the sunrise shooting will be a breakfast in our hotel. After the breakfast we are packing and driving towards our next base – Val di Funes. That is a picturesque alpine valley with little cozy tyrol houses and famous churches. We base at St Maddalena village for 2 nights. Afternoon and sunset shooting at St. Johan church and St Maddalena church. Dinner and stay at St. Maddalena village.

DAY 3

After the sunrise shoot in val di Funes or passo delle Erbe, we will get back to the hotel for breakfast. We have some rest and enjoy enigmatic landscapes with teeth-like peaks of Odle range in Val di Funes at our hotel. Post-processing tutorials and instructions. After the lunch we will head towards La valle Wengen, a beautiful chapel located in this village at the slopes of alpine pastures.
After the sunset we return to our hotel at Santa Maddalena village.

DAY 4

Sunrise shoot in val di Funes or passo delle Erbe. After the lunch we move to Alpe di Siusi area, beautiful mountain resort. You hardly encounter even a few cars here in October, it’s very calm and serene place. In october golden larches are lit up by the warm low autumn sun.
Sunset location at the Alpe di Siusi area.

DAY 5

We meet the sun at Alpe di Siusi enjoying south Tyrol landscapes. We have a high chance to shoot the misty landscapes in autumn mornings, while valleys are shining with gold. After the breakfast we are packing and moving towards to the eastern part of Dolomites, to famous Tre Cime area. We will stay at Cortina D’Ampezzo for the next 2 nights. Visit Passo Giau for sunset:

DAY 6

This morning we drive to Lago Antorno, a wonderful little lake, one of the iconic spots of the Dolomite mountains. We have breakfast on the way back to Tre Cime park. We spend the second half of the day hiking under the tall walls of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It takes 1,5 hours easy hike to get to famous location in front of Three Sisters (Tre Cime) to shoot in low evening sun here. Back to the cars late in the evening and continue to our hotel for the final dinner.

DAY 7

Sunrise location: Cinque Torri, massif rock formations.
Early in the morning we will drive to the Rifugio Scoiattoli, located near Cinque Torri, a beautiful group of rocks. This area is also called open-air museum because of many signes left from the World War I by italian troops. After the session we return to our hotel for breakfast.
Check out from our hotel at 11:00. Expect to be at the airport of Venice no earlier than 14:00, so you can take 17:00 flights and later.

DAY 1 (Arrival)

We recommend you the flight which arrives around 13:00 to Ilulissat. Please check AirGreenland for available tickets. Flights via Copenhagen are usually with one change at Kangerlussuaq. If you fly from North America you can take Air Iceland flights.
They have regular direct flights from Reykjavik Domestic airport.
It might be amazing idea to combine Greenland + Iceland summer trips together with stopover in Iceland! The arrival time to Ilulissat is flexible but make sure it’s before 5 p.m.! Our Arctic hotel provides airport shuttle – you will need to tell us your inbound flight.

After the dinner we load to our vessel and depart to the Icefjord. You meet with greatest icebergs in the world tonight! The magic light usually lasts around 2-3 hours. Sun slightly touches horizon, giving incredible colors, and roll on distant mountains. All these 3 magic hours we photograph icebergs , cruising around the fjord. Our trip is constructed for photographers, unlike touristic cruises you may book on solo trip to Ilulissat.

We finish the cruise around 2-3 a.m. in the night. We have a spare time until breakfast. If you feel you can endure some more, you are welcome to walk around the Ilulissat after the breakfast, observing how the settlement wakes up and starts its normal everyday life.

After the dinner we load to our vessel and depart to the Icefjord. You meet with greatest icebergs in the world tonight! The magic light usually lasts around 2-3 hours. Sun slightly touches horizon, giving incredible colors, and roll on distant mountains. All these 3 magic hours we photograph icebergs , cruising around the fjord. Our trip is constructed for photographers, unlike touristic cruises you may book on solo trip to Ilulissat.

We finish the cruise around 2-3 a.m. in the night. We have a spare time until breakfast. If you feel you can endure some more, you are welcome to walk around the Ilulissat after the breakfast, observing how the settlement wakes up and starts its normal everyday life.

DAY 2

it’s worth planning our nights instead of days as we will have a lazy afternoon after the breakfast and processing/photography instructions during the daytime when the light is harsh. After the dinner we sail again through the icefjord. Today we start earlier, as we want to take you to small settlements south from Icefjord Kangia, to Qasigiannguit and/or Ilimanaq. Our final choice will depend on ice conditions. Both settlements have beautiful colorful old buildings dating from the colonial time. On the way back we photograph icebergs of Icefjord, and open-water icebergs. Some of them may look like castles! Arches, mountain shapes, towers – it’s even hard to imagine these masterpieces the nature creates! village.

DAY 3

Following the breakfast we’ll have some sleep and after lunch we load to our boat to travel to Oqaatsut or Rodebay, a small settlement located to the north from Ilulissat. Here we have a little excursion through the village with just 45 inhabitants. Although they have a church, shop, school and church!
We have dinner at the settlement in the “whalehunter’s pub”, the small local restaurant H8. We may also go for lunch instead dinner to H8, depending on their weekly schedule. After the lunch or dinner we head back to Ilulissat and hike in the night to Sermermiut settlement and Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, the birthplace of amazing Disko bay icebergs. We begin at the old part of Ilulissat at the outskirts of the town, past Seqinniarfik, the hilltop where local people meet first rays of sun on January, 13. The path is very simple, in most places made with wooden paving.

This is a pleasant 1 hour hike (each way) on a great path, suitable for all levels of activity. We have many stops on the way, enjoying the midnight sun and looking for wildlife. In the night we spend at least 2 hours taking photos of beautiful Icefjord. It is possible to take long exposures and take photos with tripod tonight.

DAY 4

We finish our hike late in the night again, so our comfortable bed in 4* hotel waits for us!

During the daytime we have post-processing lessons. We never give up on our active nightlife, so we start our midnight sun sailing approximately at 23:00. We sail around Icefjord in search of best compositions and light. Icefjord is included in UNESCO world heritage, so it’s worth visiting multiple times! We return back to hotel late in the night.

DAY 5

After the breakfast we have discussions and critique session. By that day you’ll definitely have a large luggage of photos needed to be arranged and criticized. You will always have 2 professional award-winning photographers “at hand” during the tour. In the night we sail again through Icefjord and Disko bay.

DAY 6

We have breakfast and farewell-meeting. Transfer to the airport is included. Or you may plan your journey further to other Greenlandic settlements (Nuuk, Tasilaq, Aasiaat etc). We aim to assist you in planning your wonderful vacation!

DAY 1

very likely Saturday, November 11, 2023; we’re still waiting for the Paris-Djanet flights to be confirmed:
Meeting point Paris Airport – 3h before departure for Djanet
Arrival at Djanet Airport, transfer to a local 3* hotel, accommodation in single rooms with private bathroom.

DAY 2, 3, 4

(Three nights of camping in the desert)
The Tadrart Rouge, also known as the Tadrart Acacus, is a mountain range located in the Sahara Desert in southeastern Algeria. It is a part of the larger Ahaggar Mountains system. The Tadrart Rouge is renowned for its stunning rock formations, dramatic landscapes, and prehistoric rock art.
The region is home to several ancient cultures that have left their mark in the form of rock paintings and engravings. These artworks depict various scenes of everyday life, hunting, and wildlife, providing valuable insights into the history and culture of the early inhabitants of the area.
The Tadrart Rouge is a popular destination for adventure travelers, hikers, and rock climbers who are drawn to its unique geological features and the sense of isolation it offers. Exploring the area requires careful planning and adequate provisions due to its remote location and extreme desert conditions.

The rugged beauty of the Tadrart Rouge, with its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and vast open spaces, attracts visitors seeking a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience in the Sahara Desert. It is a place of natural and cultural significance, offering a glimpse into the ancient past and the harsh yet awe-inspiring environment of the desert.

DAY 5

Long drive back to Djanet, overnight at our Djanet hotel.

DAY 6

Drive to Tikobaouine & Essendilene, Jardin Rocheux d’Adrait (Stone Forest).
The Stone Forest, also known as the “Rocky Plateau,” is characterized by its unique rock formations that resemble a forest made of stone. These formations were created over millions of years through erosion, weathering, and the geological processes that shaped the region.
The Stone Forest in Tassili n’Ajjer is a popular destination for photographers, geologists, and archaeologists due to its stunning natural beauty and also historical significance. Visitors can explore the region’s rock formations, hike through the plateau, and admire the rock art. Camping.

DAY 7

Jardin Rocheux d’Adrait & drive back to Djanet, overnight at “our” hotel

DAY 8

Flight to Paris/Algiers-EU/USA