WILD PHOTOGRAPHY H O L ID AY S WILD SEA SCAPES OF NORTH SPAIN

HIGHLIGHTS INTRODUCTION The whole of North Spain’s Asturian and Galician coast • Outstanding seascapes This workshop is for those of us who love being close to is littered with outstanding sea-landscapes comprising • Wild empty beaches the sea. Most photographers have a deep fascination and wild beaches, fabulous rock formations, sea stacks, • Sea stacks and arches connection to these vast expanses of water that stretch arches, caves and turquoise seas. We will concentrate on • Picturesque fshing villages endlessly, seemingly to the edge of the world. This mag- a relatively small but very scenic part. Although this area • Authentic working harbours netic draw often begins as a child, exploring an exciting is very accessible, it is a total enigma outside of Spain. • Lighthouses world of mysterious rock pools with darting sea The beaches are in many cases are quite hard to access • Abandoned villages creatures, collecting shells, dancing in waves and mar- without local knowledge. The whole area has a gentle • Eo River estuary velling at patterns in the sand; it is a totally absorbing simplicity and in many ways seems like a land that time • Macro photography activity. The nostalgia, and sense of possibility of the forgot. The local people are kind, laid back and fun lov- • Low light photography seashore has for many of us a deep emotional pull that ing. English is very little spoken and the Spanish spoken • Long exposure photography can lead us to some tremendously inspired and inspiring here has either an Asturian or Galician dialect. We have • Well located hotels images. chosen three lovely hotels that are very well placed for • Delicious traditional food our best wild seascape locations. First stop is Cudillero,

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com Low Light and Long Exposure Photography The ebb and fow of the sea is such a hypnotic motion. There will be many opportunities capture the gentle ghostly movement of water that many photographers love. We will teach you how to capture the movement of the sea in a way that is both creative and pleasing to you. The opportunity for low light and long exposure pho- tography will present itself at sunrise, sunset and some- times cloudy days. We will learn how to effectively com- pose seascapes using ND flters and cable release com- bined with all the appropriate camera settings. known within Asturias as one of its most picturesque DAILY ITINERARY fshing villages. Our second base is a stylish and pretty Day 1–3: Arrive and Transfer to Hotel in Cudillero LOCATIONS hotel close to the fshing port of Luarca. Our third Bar- Our frst meeting as a group for introductions and a trip The itinerary below does not give a day by day account of reiros is just over the border in Galicia. Here our hotel is briefng will be at our hotel in Cudillero at 19:30. The our photographic locations. We will be very fexible and quiet literally overlooking the sea. This coastal workshop local airport is Oviedo, Asturias (OVD) and is well served are to a large extent dependent on the tides, weather, has been an absolute joy for us to create and we are truly with fights from Europe. Please contact the offce if you sunrises and sunsets. Needless to say our main focus as excited to share it with you. require further information. We will include transfers to always is lots of photography in as many great locations the hotel meeting fights coming into Asturias Airport as possible during this workshop. There will be quality ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHY between 11:00 and 18:30 on Day 1. If you are arriving tuition in the feld and help with post processing. We are Macro Photography outside of these times taxis are available at the airport always happy to return to locations more than once if There will be great scope for macro photography. In addi- and cost around 25€. needed. tion to the spring fowers adorning the cliffs and mead- Cudillero is known within Asturias as one of its most pic- ows, the beaches are rife with opportunities for macro turesque fshing villages. Colourful houses are squashed and creative abstracts. As the tide recedes the exposed together and piled on top of each other. Topped with rust rocky bottom creates a labyrinth of rock pools which are coloured terracotta roofs they are built on a mishmash of teeming with sea life. Walking over the rocks, you will steep terraces that tumble down to a tiny harbour with encounter anemones, starfsh, sea snails, aquatic plants, turquoise water and bobbing boats. Many of these tradi- fsh, barnacles and more. The strikingly coloured rocks tional Asturian houses are crumbling and abandoned. with various coloured strata and smooth pebble beaches Essentially a fshing town, late afternoon the boats come will give hours of absorbing macro photography. back in with their catch and they head to the market to auction them off. Along the walls by the harbour we sometimes fnd lines of fsh called ‘curadillos’ stretched

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com and hanging in the sun to dry. The village is famous for Days 4–5: Luarca, Asturias is just a couple of minutes walk from one of our most eating fsh and drinking Cider. Our lovely traditional hotel This morning after sunrise and breakfast we leave for our striking beach locations. Portizuelo beach is surrounded is right here in the midst of the village just a stones second base close to the fshing port of Luarca. The har- by really high vertical cliffs with superb rock formations throw from the harbour. We spend our frst three nights bour facing buildings in this pretty little town have white and the most iconic rock structures to be found any- here and return for the last night making it very straight- rendered facades and grey slate tiled roofs giving Luarca where. The locals call it “El óleo furao” which means forward to transfer to and from the airport of Asturias an orderly but "old world" appearance. Away from the “The pierced rock” A few miles along the coast we fnd which is just 15 minutes away. port area and into the heart of the old town, Luarca has Campiecho Beach where we have literally spent hours We are very well placed for the excellent photography in some narrow and winding streets with the occasional exploring. The most striking features are natural caves, and around the village. Close by are several beaches and plaza plus some very old buildings. Our small hotel, loc- pointed sea stacks and fabulous rock pools. seascapes for us to explore and photograph including ated just outside the town is a tastefully restored farm Hotel (B,D,L) Playa de Silence and the rocky and little visited beach of house with cool marble foors and elegant relaxing Day 6–7: As Catedrais, Galicia Gueirúa. The latter has some outrageous rock architec- rooms. Set in its own steep pretty valley this small hotel Our third base and hotel is in the municipality of Galicia ture, the most photographed look remarkably like Godz- is surrounded by trees and open pastures where owner close to the lively port town Ribadeo. The Ría de Rib- illa rising from the sea. Daniel’s sheep roam freely. The food is delicious, organic adeo separates Galicia from Asturias. The old town of Hotel (B,D,L) and local. We will be lucky enough to have the hotel to Ribadeo between Plaza de España and the harbour is an ourselves. We could not ask for a better located hotel, it

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com attractive mix of handsome old galleried and stone a fnal exploration of Cudillero harbour and a glass of houses. Praia As Catedrais ten kilometres away, is one of wine before our last celebratory dinner together. Galicia’s most spectacular strands. It has been described Hotel (B,D,L) as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is Day 9: Homeward Flights certainly very popular. In high season and during Easter This morning our trip fnishes after breakfast. Your return this beach requires a permit. We have timed our trip fights will probably be at different times today. You will carefully to fall after Easter and before the summer sea- be free to leave at any time during this day, although son starts when permits are not required. Our modern there will be an 11:00 AM checkout from the hotel. If hotel sits atop a small cliff and overlooks a lovely beach. you have homeward fights mid morning then we will Each of our rooms will have a terrace looking out to the transfer you to the airport. If not then you will need to sea. It is just a fve minute drive from our hotel to the get a taxi. main attraction which is the rock formations on As (B) Catedrais beach. The weird and wonderful rock forma- tions are magical and they do resemble Gothic cathed- SPECIAL FITNESS CONSIDERATIONS rals. Our photography here will be to a certain extent It is important to note that guests signing up for this trip dictated by the tides. We have chosen neaps moving into should be relatively ft, the paths down to some of the springs allowing us some good photographic windows at beaches are steep. The beaches themselves are often the right time of the day. Wellingtons (waterproof boots) rocky and it will sometimes be necessary to move around will be a must. We have enjoyed and had success photo- on uneven and rocky terrain with camera bags and tri- graphing from both the beach and from the cliffs above. pods. For advice and clarifcation contact the offce. Hotel (B,D,L)

Day 8: Los Oscos and Cudillero JOINING ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSFERS This morning we will start our journey back to Cudillero The local airport is Oviedo, Asturias (OVD) and is well with a detour into the heart of the Asturian countryside served with fights from Europe. Please contact the offce where we fnd Los Oscos a forgotten land of abandoned if you require further information. We will provide trans- villages and architecture that seems somewhat medieval. fers to the hotel meeting fights coming into Asturias There is a defnite Celtic infuence here. On the way back Airport between 11:00 and 18:30 on Day 1. down to the coast we visit the estuary of the Eo River If you are arriving/departing outside our offcial transfer which has been declared a reserve for its marine ecosys- times, taxis will be available at both the airport and the tem and is one of the most important wetlands in the hotel. They cost around 25€ each way. North of Spain for its concentration of birdlife and water- fowl. We arrive back at our hotel early evening in time for

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com substantial picnic lunch on most days making good use of local bread, cheeses, meats and salad. Dinner is usu- ally three courses with a starter, main course, dessert and wine.

SPENDING MONEY Depending on whether or not you intend to buy presents, souvenirs we would suggest around 150 Euros. There will be many ATM machines.

TRAVEL INSURANCE WHAT’S INCLUDED It is recommended that you take out appropriate insur- HEALTH • 8 nights accommodation ance to cover personal accident, medical costs, repatri- We will have a frst aid kit to hand at all times. Please • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners ation, holiday/fight cancellation and loss of baggage. We bring with you any personal medicines and a very simple • Wine with dinner will need a copy of your travel insurance policy. kit with plasters etc. • All in country transport • Photographic tutors PASSPORT & VISAS CLIMATE • Airport transfers For those resident in the European Union, only an EU Northern Spain is known for its changeable weather. Al- passport is required. For those outside the EU, please though most of the region’s precipitation occurs in WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED check with you embassy about Visas. winter, it can rain at any time of the year. Conditions will • International fights A passport with 6 months remaining validity is required. sometimes be comfortable for shorts and short sleeved • Alcoholic beverages except for some wine with meals Visas are not required by UK or EC passport holders. shirts. As with any coastal area there is the risk of some • Snacks, soft drinks and hot beverages Other nationalities should check with the Spanish Con- poor weather, with rain and even mist/fog. • Travel Insurance sulate in their own country. TRAVEL INFORMATION HOTELS Spain is 1 hour ahead of GMT (Greenwich mean time). Our accommodation is in small family run hotels chosen Electricity is 220 volts and electrical sockets have two for their locations and our long connections with the loc- round pins. The currency is Euro and the language Span- al owners. ish with local dialects just to make it interesting.

FOOD SUGGESTED CLOTHING The food will be Spanish, wholesome and flling local Generally we would hope that the weather will be warm dishes. Breakfast is taken in the hotel. There will be a and sunny, but in mountain areas it can rain and become

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com a little chilly at times so a few items of warm clothing should be brought along in addition to your normal casu- al clothes for travel and the hotel! • Lightweight trousers • Long sleeved shirt/tee-shirt for sun protection • Light warm jacket • Lightweight waterproof jacket/trousers • Pair sturdy walking trainers/boots/shoes (either) • Wellington boots (rubber boots) • Sun hat • Shorts • Light warm hat • Pair of light gloves • Scarf (cotton/silk) for protection against sun on neck

Useful Extras: • Very small basic frst aid to include plasters, and any personal medicines • Litre water bottle • Small penknife

SUN PROTECTION Temperatures during the day can be warm and the sun can be quite penetrating on the beaches so please en- sure that you have some sort of sun protection. • Any extra equipment that doesn’t fit in your camera zoom. For crop format cameras: 10–20mm wide-angle, Sun Lotion with an SPF for UVA & UVB of 15+; a light- bag/hand luggage will need to go in a hard case that 17–50mm mid-range and a 70–200mm or longer tele weight hat to protect your head and neck from the sun; can be put in the aircraft hold. zoom. good sunglasses with high quality non-tinted lenses and • A camera with interchangeable lenses such as a digital • Spare camera (highly recommended) high degree of UV protection. SLR or a compact system camera/mirrorless camera. • Sturdy tripod – not only useful for low light photo- • A set of lenses to cover the whole range from wide- graphy but also for accurate framing and composition PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT/INFORMATION angle to telephoto, for example… of landscape and close-up images.

• Camera bag or backpack such as the Flipside or Trek- For full-frame cameras: 16–35mm wide-angle, 24– • Cable release – mechanical or electronic remote to ker series designed by LowePro. 105mm mid-range and a 70–200mm or longer tele avoid shake on long exposures.

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com • Neutral density, graduated filters and polariser, if you OUTDOOR TRAVEL use these. At least one neutral density filter in the This is an outdoor travel photography holiday and the range of 4–6 stops would be a good addition to your itinerary will be dependent on the vagaries of the weath- kit. er, local conditions and other variables. Wild Photo-

• Lens cloth graphy Holidays may use their discretion to change the itinerary should conditions dictate this; your health, • Sensor cleaning device (optional) safety and enjoyment will always be our primary concern • Lightweight ‘trekking’ absorbent towel for drying cam- when making such changes. eras and equipment

• Rain cover for camera and camera bag. MORE QUESTIONS?

• Sufficient memory cards for the whole holiday as it may While we hope that this information has answered most not be possible to buy more during the trip. of your questions about the holiday, we know it will not give you all the information you need. If you have any • Film users should bring enough film, as it may not be more questions, please get in touch. Talking to us on the possible to buy in many places. phone (we will always call you back) can often be a • A laptop with the image editing applications of your quick way of sorting out individual questions. It also choice, essential for checking and presenting images helps us to get to know each other before the holiday. during the trip and for one-on-one sessions with the

tutor. All of the places we stay in have Wi-Fi. BOOKING THIS HOLIDAY • Backup storage device (optional) Contact us through our website where you can also fll in

• Spare batteries and chargers the online booking form, or phone +44 (0)7432 808777.

• All the electrical sockets are European two-pin, so you LINKS might need a travel plug adapter. View images and information for this tour on the website. Read about our approach to teaching photography PARTNERS Non-photographer partners will be very welcome al- though this is primarily a photography holiday. We also visit some very beautiful and relaxing places. If any par- ticipants do not wish to join the walks/photographic ses- sions they will be able to relax in and around the ac- commodation. The cost will be the same for photograph- ers and non-photographer.

© Wild Photography Holidays – www.wildphotographyholidays.com