Situated in northern Italy, the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites form some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and mountain scenery. Home to diverse landscapes, from the towering mountains to the impossibly clear turquoise lakes and gentle alpine meadows, this UNESCO World Heritage site is, quite simply, stunning.

Featuring razor-sharp pinnacles and jagged ridges, these breathtaking mountain landscapes are reminiscent of scenes from The Lord of the Rings. This is a place to indulge both your senses and your camera as you will be captivated by the mountain scenery, idyllic valleys, and alpine pastures that define this unique landscape.

The positioning of churches is done to perfection there, and there are some incredibly photogenic churches to be found, all with stunning mountain backdrops.

The three jagged limestone peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo are arguably one of Italy’s most iconic mountain views and a highlight of any trip to the Dolomites. The peaks are a marvel, but this area also gives you insanely beautiful views of the more distant mountains with some mesmerising scenes to capture. There will be a bit of walking, but our efforts will be rewarded with wonderful views of the striking pillars of the north face of Tre Cime reaching towards the sky as the sun paints them in shades of gold and red.

We will also explore the beautiful Alpe di Siusi, the largest mountain pasture plateau in the Dolomites, spanning an area of 56 square kilometres. It is also Europe’s highest alpine meadow. You will find rolling meadows dotted with little wooden huts, pine trees and wildflowers there. A backdrop of the peaks of the dramatic Sassolungo mountain range makes for some incredible images.

Striking mountain peaks slash the sky all around, and each day, a glorious natural phenomenon, the ‘alpenglow,’ occurs. The mountains glow in different red, yellow, pink and orange tones at sunrise and sunset – a glorious sight to behold. We will explore the trails and huge variety of views around this incredible area.

And let’s not forget the glorious turquoise lakes, of which there are many, including the incredibly picturesque Lago Federa. We will also take in a sunrise at Lake Misurina to capture reflections of the Tre Cime in its sparkling waters.

This photo tour will be co-led by pro photographer and Dolomites expert James Rushforth, author of the FotoVUE guide to the Dolomites. An internationally acclaimed photographer and author, James has been photographing in the Dolomites for the last fifteen years and knows it intimately.

Together, we will take you to explore classic mountain views, rustic alpine villages, and some hidden gems.

We will stay in two different areas to minimise travelling and allow us to fully explore all the region has to offer. Our time will be split between the stunningly situated Cortina in the Ampezzo region and Santa Cristina in the Val Gardena, South Tyrol. Our accommodations are located in beautiful surroundings with good access to our chosen photo locations.