Overseas Adventure Tour to Northern Italy: Has anyone taken this tour by OAT? It includes Dolomites, sections of the alps, etc. We are going late June with an extended trip to Venice.

russjc001 Loc: South Carolina

Has anyone taken this tour by OAT? It includes Dolomites, sections of the alps, etc. We are going late June with an extended trip to Venice. Looking for suggestions on “not to miss” photo opportunities. Doing a lot of research on the route but personal experience is best. Thanks!

berchman Loc: South Central PA

russjc001 wrote:

Has anyone taken this tour by OAT? It includes Dolomites, sections of the alps, etc. We are going late June with an extended trip to Venice. Looking for suggestions on “not to miss” photo opportunities. Doing a lot of research on the route but personal experience is best. Thanks!

I have gone on twelve OAT tours and the main problem is not *what* to photograph; it's *how* to photograph as the group keeps walking on. In Israel and in Spain I got overly absorbed and got left behind. I knew enough to stay put and got found. I know this is inconsiderate to the group and I try not to let it happen, but unless you travel independently, there is a conflict between a group tour and wanting to take worthwhile pictures. By the way, if it's not too late I recommend that you also take the pre trip to Genoa and Cinque Terre. The latter is especially photogenic.

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

The photo opportunities come to you as everything is scenic. You can see by checking out the album I prepared from our Northern Italy trip in August with Overseas Adventure Travel.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32015893@N04/albums/72157698798129222.
Best viewed full screen as a slide show via the symbol on the upper right. Or double click on an image to make it larger and move at your leisure.

Venice is also very scenic. We spent three days there first and also a day at Lake Garda. Both beautiful!

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Have not been on tour but wonderful photo area in Venice is Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) with its cafes, kids chasing pigeons, parked blue tarped gondolas, churches, etc. But now always so crowded with tourists*. Also be ready to catch police, fire, ambulance, garbage, delivery, gondolas, etc. vehicles aka boats on the canals.

* My first visit 1967 I have an early Sunday morning photo of a sole old man walking across the square - only he and I there.

russjc001 Loc: South Carolina

berchman wrote:

I have gone on twelve OAT tours and the main probl... (show quote)

Yes, I am well aware of that. We took the OAT Iceland tour and I was always the last one back at the bus and generally hustled out to the spots I had researched. Never really held them up except once when I was maybe 3 minutes late - they knew I was interested in photography! 😊

Photocraig

russjc001 wrote:

Has anyone taken this tour by OAT? It includes Dolomites, sections of the alps, etc. We are going late June with an extended trip to Venice. Looking for suggestions on “not to miss” photo opportunities. Doing a lot of research on the route but personal experience is best. Thanks!

Aside from whatever you do on your tour, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como and Lago di Garda are fabulous, especially the woodie speedboats by Riva. Ascona Switzerland at the North end of Lago Maggiore is a University town and host Music studies and festivals all summer long.

I'd go back in a heartbeat. I suggest pre arriving or overstaying the tour dates for exploring on your own. And oh yeah, the food and wine ............. Enjoy,
C

russjc001 Loc: South Carolina

philz wrote:

The photo opportunities come to you as everything ... (show quote)

Thanks! Looks like a good time. Is there a preferred side to sit on the train when going through the alps for taking pictures? The Dolomites look grand. Did you spend a night there?

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

russjc001 wrote:

Thanks! Looks like a good time. Is there a preferred side to sit on the train when going through the alps for taking pictures? The Dolomites look grand. Did you spend a night there?

Whatever side you are not on is the preferred side. Seriously, there is gorgeous scenery on both sides and it changes as the train moves along, sometimes on your side sometimes not. But you can change sides coming back down and get a good view of what you may have missed on the way up. Note, however, that the light will be different as you go up in the morning and down in the afternoon. If it is not crowded, you can switch as needed, though.

We visited the Dolomites from Brixen/Bressanone, which is kind of in the Dolomites but not the spectacular part like the Sella Pass. We did stop in a couple neat towns where one could stay, mainly for skiing and hiking in season. Just lovely.

Mainiac65 Loc: Maine

In Venice,make sure that you go out to Burano island. The houses are very colorful and there are many Photo ops there.

philo Loc: philo, ca

berchman wrote:

I have gone on twelve OAT tours and the main probl... (show quote)

I know what you mean and why it is better to take a photography tour. I will be going with them to Costa Rica in Oct. Since I'm a solo traveler sometime it is better to go with a group.

ANSRMAN

russjc001 wrote:

Has anyone taken this tour by OAT? It includes Dolomites, sections of the alps, etc. We are going late June with an extended trip to Venice. Looking for suggestions on “not to miss” photo opportunities. Doing a lot of research on the route but personal experience is best. Thanks!

I would second Mainiac's recommendation for Burano Island where the brightly painted houses identify your house from the neighbor's for the tax man. Their bell tower really does lean that much, it wasn't just a case of a drunk photographer.

Inglese

I never do tours but go to Italy independently. I do, however, know the areas that you are visiting very well. If you can, get lost in Venice. The obvious, and grossly overcrowded places, are St.Mark's Square (don't take coffee there!!!) and Rialto. You have to see these but wander away if you can, find the original ghetto which is usually quiet and serene. A trip up the campanile right outside of St.Mark's will give views over the whole of Venice with Lido in the south and the wonderful Dolomites to the north.

Inglese

Torcello is a much better island as Burano and Murano have become very close to theme parks.

williejoha

OAT does a great job with their tours. I was raised in Germany and know that part of Europe like the back of my hand. There is not enough time in a day to tell you about all the photo ops for this trip. All I can say is have plenty of batteries and keep them charged. The area you will be visiting has great towns and fantastic scenery. Enjoy the trip and keep the finger on the shutter.
WJH

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

Go on your on . Find a local guide here and there and have more fun for less.