Canceled

September 25^th - October 3^rd, 2008

10 - day Basque Country Tour & Photography

Workshop with the Edina Art Center

Day one: Thursday evening departure to the City of Lights via Icelandair.  Short stopover in Keflavik airport, then on to Paris.

Day two: We’ll arrive in Paris slightly after mid-day, and our private coach bus will whisk us away to our hotel in the XIIth district, right across from Gare de Lyon.  Registration & time to freshen up.  Put on your walking shoes for our neighborhood orientation and Heart of Paris walk.  We’ll stroll along the Seine River to Notre Dame, the Pompidou Center & l’Hotel de Ville.  Dusk photo opportunities with our photographer along the major landmarks & in rue de la Huchette.

Day three: Early Saturday morning market in our neighborhood with photography lessons. Catch the freshness of the produce, the diversity of the locals milling around.  Watch Paris waking up with its strong coffee aroma and pastry smells wafting from the local bakeries. If photography is not your forte, we can offer an optional morning visit of Paris via bicycle. In the afternoon, we’ll take the high-speed train to the Basque country where mountains & oceans meet. Our home for the next five days will be the old whaling port of ST-JEAN-DE LUZ. Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, right on the ocean, this little town will charm you. Guided historical tour of the city. Dusk photography along the shore, as we follow the bay into the sunset.

Day four: Day trip to San-Sebastian in Spain with its Belle Epoque architecture.  This peaceful city on the oceanfront has been for centuries the summer resort town of Spanish royalty. The old city center with its narrow lanes, churches (Iglesia del Buen Pastor, Iglesia de Santa Maria) and the picturesque old harbor will give you plenty of photo opportunities.  Guided visit of San Sebastian. Hike through the surrounding hills for delicious views. Picture sharing, daily critique and encouragement from our staff photographer. Evening together or in small groups.

Day five: Rise and shine early for those who wish to trek to the fishermen’s quarters, ten minutes away from home for dawn photography with Stephen.  Return back home for our morning breakfast, then early afternoon visit of St-Jean de Pied de Port in the neighboring hills for their weekly market filled with artisan foods. This lovely village filled with color will keep your camera dancing. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port literally meaning "Saint John at the foot of the mountain pass" in French, is a village in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It is the old capital of the Basse Navarre Basque province.

Day six: Today is a free day for you to do as you please. 

·          Optional SPA therapy at l’Helianthal SPA Center on the oceanfront.

·          Basque language lessons.

·          Fandango dance lessons.

·          Jai ‘Alai.

·          ·Exploring quiet neighborhoods for special photo opportunities.

·          Carriage ride in the old city center.

·          Church visits.

·          Work on photo shop if you have that program on your laptop.

·          Savor a fruity sangria in the afternoon with the locals & people watch.

·          Relax and enjoy the day.

Evening get together at the appointed place and time for picture sharing & critique.

Day seven: Another day in Spain as we head to the “new” Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Designed by Frank Gehry, it was probably the most often mentioned new building of 1998 and 1999 in architecture circles. The composition continues a curvaceous, free-form sculptural style that has become a Gehry signature. In addition, you will have free time in the heart of old Bilbao to enjoy its architectural heritage.  Return to St Jean de Luz in the evening to enjoy dinner at the seashore and to share pictures.

Day eight: Last morning in the Basque country.  Take advantage of early dawn hours for our photography lessons with Stephen.  We will then board the high-speed train for a return to Paris.  Afternoon at Sacre Coeur Church &  evening at Painters’ square.  Today will be filled with color.

Day nine: Free day in Paris to do as you please.  Evening farewell dinner at “La Biche aux bois” (the doe in the woods) for a hearty multi course French dinner.  Cruise on the Seine river at the Eiffel Tower, and night photography lesson.

Day ten: Day break shots in the Marais (meaning “the marsh” in French.)  It is a bourgeois area, close to our neighborhood but also well-known historically. In the 12th century, the Knights Templar cleared the marshlands. In the 16th century and onwards, the aristocracy built large residences in the area, a trend which was accelerated by the creation of the Place Royale (which would become the Place des Vosges) by Henri IV in 1605.The departure of the royal court to Versailles led to the decline of the district.  A famous 19^th century French novelist & poet named Victor Hugo made his home on Place des Vosges, and today his home can be visited.  Little cafes and trendy shops occupy the lower level of the Place des Vosges buildings underneath the arcades, and quiet condos occupy the rest of the square. In the center of the Place, a green park provides room to roam for playful children.

After our early morning walk, we’ll head back to the hotel for our last café au lait & croissants.  Time to bid Paris adieu, au revoir and a bientot. Evening return to Minneapolis with your newfound friends.

Tour inclusions:

·          Airfare from Minneapolis St-Paul via Icelandair.

·          Airport transfers while in Paris via private coach bus.

·          High speed train transportation from Paris to the Basque country and back.

·          Day trip to San Sebastian.

·          Transportation to St-Jean de Pied de Port for the weekly market.

·          Transportation to Bilbao’s Guggenheim museum.

·          Guided tour of St Jean de Luz by local historian

·          Historical visit of San Sebastian.

·          All Paris walking tours listed on itinerary.

·          Welcome dinner upon arrival in Paris.

·          Farewell dinner on the last evening.

·          River cruise on the Seine river

·          Daily photography lessons by professional photographer.

·          Tour manager from Bonjour Travel, Tours to France LLC.

·          Hotel with private bath.

·          European breakfast buffet daily.

Not included:

·          Passport fees

·          Travel insurance

·          Meals not listed above

·          Museum entry fees, subway tickets & items of a personal nature

·          Single supplement of $350 if you choose to room alone.

·           

Payment schedule:

$300 at time of registration

$ 1,000 March 1^st, 2008

Balance due 90 days before departure.

Meet our professional photographer and teacher:

Stephen Haynes is an award-winning fine art photographer living in Minneapolis, MN whose own travels have taken him to China, Cuba, Eastern Europe, Ireland, Italy, Guatemala, Scotland and India, always with his camera in hand.  

An intensity and enthusiasm for photography from travel scenes to landscapes, nudes and the performing arts define his work.  

His full-time devotion to the photographic arts still leaves him time to share his extensive knowledge and aesthetics to photography students at the Edina Art Center where he is known for his thorough preparation and personable instruction.  Please view Stephen's work at the following websites to enjoy his varied and notable work.

http://www.shaynes.com/TravelVacation.htm

http://www.shaynes.com/Best.htm