I design all of my photography tours with one thing in mind. I want the best, the most exciting
photo opportunities possible. This tour is no exception. From ancient Roman ruins to unbelievable
cathedral interiors, and from ultra-modern structures at twilight to impressive medieval castles,
Spain and Portugal will keep your camera smoking! As usual, I will take you to commanding vantage
points to photograph great vistas as well as showing you the best subjects to shoot in every place on
this tour. I spend a lot of time talking about composition, exposure, what lenses best capture the
subjects you photograph, and how Photoshop can embellish your pictures. If you love Europe, Spain
and Portugal seen through a photographer’s eye are not to be missed.

VISIT THE PHOTO GALLERY

TOUR POLICIES:  Please click here to read the tour policies including deposit information.

ITINERARY

PORTUGAL/SPAIN PHOTO TOUR

Day 1. Wednesday, April 4. Depart US for the trans-Atlantic flight to Lisbon.

Day 2. Thursday, April 5. Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to the hotel. After lunch and a rest from
the long flight, we photograph the old town in the late afternoon and at twilight. Lisbon is stunning
at this time of evening, and Jim will explain how to expose for low light situations as well as what
white balance you should use. Overnight Lisbon.

Day 3. Friday, April 6. There are several great photographic subjects on the agenda today. To take
advantage of sunrise, we drive to Pena Palace outside the capital to photograph this fairytale-like
castle in yellow and red. We spend the morning here capturing various compositions and details,
and then we visit the medieval convent Convento da Ordem do Carmo which was destroyed in the
1755 earthquake. It’s a stunning ruins. After lunch, we photograph in the carriage museum, the
dramatic Discovery Monument and visit St. Jerome Monastery with it’s incredible vaulted ceilings.
At twilight, we shoot the spectacular architecture of the Oriente Station – something you’ll never
forget. Overnight Lisbon.

Day 4. Saturday, April 7. This morning we drive to Evora, a town about an hour away, to photograph
the unique Church of St. Francis with its famous Chapel of Bones dating from the 16th century.The
painted rhyme that greets visitors says, in Portugese, ‘Our bones that are here await yours!’ The
main Church of St. Francis is opulently decorated with golden altars and walls of painted blue tile.
We then head toward the south of Portugal to Almancil to photograph the amazing Church of San
Laurenco. The simple white 15th century church standing on a hill houses one of the most impressive
displays of Azulejo ( tile) designs available anywhere. Almost every square inch of the walls and
vaulted ceiling is covered in hand painted blue and white ceramic tiles. Most of the tiles date from
the 18th century and depict biblical scenes detailing the life of St Lawrence. The only part of the
interior not tiled is the carved gilded altar. Overnight Lisbon.

Day 5. Sunday, April 8. We head north today to Porto. Enroute we stop at the impressive abbey in
Batalha and then in Coimbra to photograph a classically beautiful library at the university as well
as a remarkable stand of eucalyptus trees. We arrive in Porto and check into our hotel, and then
in the afternoon we begin exploring this beautiful coastal town. One of the beautiful shots you’ll
take is a breathtaking staircase in a local bookstore. In the evening, we shoot twilight from various
angles. The city reflects beautifully in water from across the Douro River estuary. Overnight Porto.

Day 6. Monday, April 9. We will be out early to shoot sunrise this morning, and then after we return
to the hotel for breakfast we’ll visit the beautiful Porto Cathedral to photograph the cloisters in
particular. You will then have some time at leisure, and then in the afternoon we will continue to
shoot this beautiful city from various vantage points. For sunset, we will be at Miramar Beach for
seascape photography, and later in the evening the Dolce Vita shopping center is beautiful for night
photography. Overnight Porto.

Day 7. Tuesday, April 10. Today we leave Porto and make two nearby stops, at Braga and Guimaraes,
to photograph a cathedral and a castle, and then we head for Leon, Spain. In the afternoon, we
photograph the beautiful underground cave La Cueva de Valporquero. The colors and textures
are amazing. At sunset and twilight, we will photograph the awesome Cathedral of Leon. The
gothic-era structure of gold sandstone is something to behold. Overnight Leon.

Day 8. Wednesday, April 11. After breakfast we visit the Contemporary Arts Museum which is
comprised of brilliantly colored glass windows. If you like color, you’ll be visually overloaded
shooting this unique and beautiful structure. We then head northeast to Bilbao, arriving in the
late afternoon. One of the most spectacular modern architectural marvels is the Guggenheim
Museum, and from every angle and with every lens in your arsenal, this stunning building will
captivate you. We will shoot it at sunset and twilight, and this will be a highlight of the trip.
Overnight Bilbao.

Day 9. Thursday, April 12. We drive south to Segovia this morning. In this famous Spanish
town stands the Alcazar, a stunning castle situated on a rock promontory that is very impressive,
indeed. At sunset and twilight, especially, it photographs beautifully. There is also a 2000-year
old Roman aquaduct that goes right through the town. Overnight Segovia.

Day 10. Friday, April 13. After early morning photography in Segovia and breakfast, we continue
south this morning to one of the most impressive Roman theaters in Europe. Merida was
established in 25 B.C. by the emperor Augustus, and there are more important ancient Roman
monuments here than any other city in Spain. You will use many lenses in capturing the grandeur
and beauty of the columns, the statuary, and the stone arches, but a wide angle lens will be
your favorite when Jim shows you how best to use it here. Overnight Merida.

Day 11. Saturday, April 14. We head back to Lisbon this morning, stopping enroute in
Badajoz, Spain to capture a commanding view of this beautiful town with its traditional
red tile roofs. The afternoon will be at leisure in Lisbon, and then for twilight we will
find a beautiful vantage point on the city. Overnight Lisbon.

Day 12. Sunday, April 15. Depart for the airport and the return flight home.
——————————————————————

TOUR COST: $4350. Includes all lodging in 4 and 5 star hotels, all ground transportation, entrance fees into ruins, castles, etc.,
all breakfasts, the welcome and farewell dinners, and photo and Photoshop instruction.
Not included: international airfare and related taxes and fees, alcoholic beverages, and items of a personal nature.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1175.

If you have any questions about this trip, drop me a note. If you would like to sign up, let me know
and I’ll send you a trip enrollment form. (photos@jimzuckerman.com)