Price from:
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*Washington Photo Safari is pleased to offer a special photography training experience with instruction provided by Washington Photo Safari director, E. David Luria--an 8-day Viking Cruises riverboat cruise along the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel on October 9-16, 2019.*
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Rates
**Photographer:**
Photography Instruction: $1500.00
Booked through Dream Vacations:
- Airfare: $499.00
- Stateroom: starting at $2974.00 per person
Total: Starting at $4973.00
Photography Instruction: $1500.00
**Photographer-Companion:**
Photography Instruction: $750.00
Booked through Dream Vacations:
- Stateroom: Starting at $2974.00 per person
- Airfare: $499.00
Total: starting at $4223.00
**Non-Photographer Companion:**
Service Charge: $75.00
Booked through Dream Vacations:
- Airfare: $499.00
- Stateroom: starting at $2974.00 per person
Total: Starting at $3548.00
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Duration
8 Days
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About
**GETTING THERE FOR $499 ROUND TRIP - IF BOOKED BY JANUARY 31, 2019!**
The $499 round-trip air rate is from selected U.S. airports. The airports listed on the Viking website are:
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, DC.
(Clients coming from Canada, Mexico, Central or South America must first fly to one of the cities listed above to take advantage of these $499 RT fares to Amsterdam. Return is from Basel.)
The $499 rate is also for arriving the day of the departure. If someone wants to come earlier and not do pre-hotels through the cruise line, Viking will charge an air deviation fee of $100 per person. This will also mean that the client is responsible for getting transfers on their own.
You can reserve your airfare of $499 and a berth on this cruise with a refundable deposit to the cruise line of just $500. You have until March 15, 2019 to pay the $499 airfare and the balance of the cruise cost.
If someone has to cancel after 6/8/19 and before 121 days prior to the sailing, the cancellation fee is only $100 per person. If you cancel closer than 121 prior to the sailing, there could be a penalty for the air if it is already ticketed as well as the standard cancellation fee schedule.
If you do the Viking air to arrive on the ship departure date, but choose to extend your vacation and fly home later than the cruise end date, there will be a deviation fee of $100 You would get the transfers to the ship at the beginning of the cruise but not to the hotel or airport at the end. If you want to arrive early and do hotel on your own but fly home on the scheduled cruise end date, there would be the deviation fee. You would not get transfers to the ship but would get transfers to the airport at the end.
You can book this air travel and the cruise through our travel agent, Renee Gerber at Dream Vacations, by going here.
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Cancellations
Once there is money on the booking there will be a cancellation penalty of $100 per person as long as the booking is cancelled no later than 121 days prior to departure. Even if the booking is paid in full, the penalty is $100 per person as long as the cancellation request is received no later than 121 days prior to departure.
The penalty increases as you get closer to the departure date. Terms and conditions attached with the cancellation schedule. Air can be deleted from a booking at any time without a penalty as long as it hasn’t been ticketed.
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DETAILS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP RIVER CRUISE
On this unique photo safari limited to 12 participants on one of Viking’s newest Longships, "Sigrun", Mr. Luria will provide individual and group instruction on all aspects of travel and people photography during special sessions onboard the riverboat and at each of the 8 stops along the way. The subjects will include travel and landscape photography, candid portraits of people you know and people you don’t know, architectural, abstract and event photography, street photography, use of external flash, nighttime cityscapes, interior church and stained glass window photography, plus many tips on camera use and photographic composition, making a photo book and printing.
Born in Germany and a resident of France for many weeks as a teenager and as a student of photography in Paris, Mr. Luria speaks German and French, which can help break the language barrier as we meet local residents and fellow ship passengers during the cruise.
In addition to picturesque Amsterdam, the cruise includes visits to Germany’s best preserved medieval castle, culinary traditions of Alsace, a visit to the Black Forest, and a peek inside a workshop where cuckoo clocks are made. We will photograph turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, and the spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine. At each stop along the way local tour guides, included in your fee, will explain the attractions as we photograph them.
Here is the day-by-day itinerary with personal photography instruction provided by Mr. Luria at each location:
**Day 1 Amsterdam, The Netherlands**
The cruise begins in the beautiful city of Amsterdam, renowned for its museums, colorful gardens, abundance of bicycles and its endless lattice of canals. After boarding the ship, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door. (D)
**Day 2 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands**
The cruise takes us to the South Holland village community of Kinderdijk, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its set of 19 windmills and other ingenious technologies built in the 18th century to control flooding. The Netherlands is the world’s leader in developing highly creative techniques to keep the ocean from flooding their below-sea level country. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for lunch begin our cruise to Cologne. We cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
**Day 3 Cologne, Germany**
An intriguing mix of old and new, Cologne, Germany reveals its Roman heritage in the city layout and ancient ruins that lie scattered throughout the town. There is a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your tour, spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne: Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum. Lunch and dinner are served on board; we depart at midnight. (B, L, D)
**Day 4 Koblenz, Germany**
On a breathtaking stretch of the Rhine River that leads from medieval Koblenz,Germany, to Braubach to Ruedesheim. The 11th century Marksburg Castle towers over the Rhine. We disembark to tour the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle. After, enjoy an onboard lunch as you cruise the scenic Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where turreted castles and fortresses overlook the river from their hilltop posts. Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. We depart after midnight. (B, L, D)
**Day 5 Heidelberg, Germany**
Cruise into mid-morning as you enjoy the passing scenery. After breakfast, disembark for a tour of Heidelberg, the home of Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from this hilltop post. Fortunate to escape much damage during the war, Heidelberg is a very picturesque German city. Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. On your way back to your ship, visit the historic town of Speyer and take in views of the imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design influenced Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained-glass window that was installed in the western facade during a later Gothic period. (B, L, D)
**Day 6 Strasbourg, France**
Thanks to its location between France and Germany, Strasbourg, France, boasts a convivial mix of cultural influences and architectural styles. It is also the heart of the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, famous for its white wines! We dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Alternately, join our optional excursion into Alsatian wine country for an informative winery tour and tasting. On board this evening, enjoy a Taste of Germany dinner event. (B, L, D)
**Day 7 Breisach, Germany**
Arrive in Breisach this morning, gateway to the Black Forest, Breisach is a town of 16,500 inhabitants, is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany and is noted for its cathedral and the bridge which links Germany to the Alsace region of France. A website dedicated to the town’s Jewish history, commemorates the names of the Jewish victims during World war II who used to live in the town.Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop to see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, and learn how Black Forest Cake is made. Return to your ship for lunch. This afternoon, perhaps join an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar to discover the storybook charm of its streets lined with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, and visit a fine arts museum. Alternately, choose an optional excursion that explores Colmar’s World War II history. Dine on board this evening and cruise on through the night. (B, L, D)
**Day 8 Basel, Switzerland**
The last stop on our cruise along the Rhine, Basel, Switzerland, sits at the point where French, German and Swiss borders meet, marking the gateway to the Swiss Rhineland. After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 nights in Lucerne or Basel, or 3 nights in Lake Como. (B)
This 8-day cruise celebrates history, art, food, and customs in the region’s most dazzling urbane and pastoral settings, all of it captured in your camera with guidance from Mr. Luria so that you will return with really great images from your cruise.
The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
* Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.
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Here is what is included in your cruise fee:
8-day cruise visiting 4 countries & 7 ports
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- Unlimited free Wi-Fi
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- All port taxes & fees
- Airport transfers on embarkation/disembarkation day with Viking Air purchase
- River-view stateroom
- Hotel-style bed with optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows
- 40" flat-screen LCD TV, with complimentary Movies On Demand
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB port
- Refrigerator; Security safe; Hair dryer
- Spacious glass-enclosed shower
- Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirrors
- Premium Freyj toiletries; plush robes & slippers
- Port taxes & fees
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CRUISE PRICING
The per person cost for the 8-day Viking cruise including the cruise, cabin berth, all meals, and excursion tours, start at $2,974 per person, or $371.75 per day, plus RT airfares of $499. (The per person berth fees go as high as $3,574, or $446.75 per day, depending upon the cabin selected.) A 2-person cabin can be reserved with a $500 per person deposit (or $1,000 for a single cabin. If a reservation is canceled before June 8, 2019, there is a $100 per person fee. If canceled after June 8, 2019, the cancellation fee schedule will apply. Optional (but recommended) trip cancellation insurance ranges from $249 to $399/person.
Pre-cruise and post-cruise options are also available through Dream Vacations
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HOW TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE:
**STEP 1: RESERVE YOUR AIRFARE AND CRUISE HERE.**
Our travel agent, Renee Gerber, with Dream Vacations-Gerber & Associates will process all payments via credit card with Viking Cruises.
All passengers must have a valid Passport. The passport must be valid until 6 months after the return date of the cruise.
Travel protection insurance is highly recommended. This will be quoted depending on the cabin you choose to book. If you have a pre-existing condition that you need covered by insurance, the premium for the insurance must be paid at the time of deposit for the cruise. Once a deposit is paid and space is confirmed, all changes are subject to a $30 charge per change through Viking Cruises.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation received Charges will apply
121 days or more prior to time of departure: $100.00 per person
120-90 days prior to time of departure: 15% of Full Fare
89-60 days prior to time of departure: 35% of Full Fare
59-30 days prior to time of departure: 50% of Full Fare
29-0 days prior to time of departure: 100% of Full Fare
We have booked 12 cabins on the river boat, so you can bring a companion if you wish. The cost of the 2-person cabin ranges from $5,948 to $7,148., depending upon the cabin chosen. If you are not bringing a companion, we can double you up with another participant of the same gender.
If you do not wish to share a cabin, a single person would pay the two person rate.
To book your cabin berth through Dream vacations, go here.
**STEP 2: PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION FEE FOR THE CRUISE**
With daily sessions on board the cruise ship and individual hands-on instruction in architectural and travel photography at each of our stops, Mr. Luria will help you come away with professional quality images of your trip. The cost for this photography instruction is just $188/day or $1,500 per client, $75 per Non-Photographer Companion, and $750 ($93.75/day) for a Photographer- Companion, paid directly to Washington Photo Safari upon registration.
(A Photographer-Companion is a spouse, friend or partner who is also a photographer sharing a cabin with the person registered as a Photographer. This person, with his or her own camera equipment, will receive all the same photographic instruction on board the ship and during onshore excursions but will only be required to pay half of the regular tuition fee and half of the cabin fee.
A Non-Photographer Companion is a spouse, friend or partner who is NOT a photographer, sharing a cabin with the person registered as a Photographer. This person will participate in all the onshore excursions and onboard activities organized by the cruise line but will not be receiving any photographic instruction, and will pay a $75 service charge and half of the cabin fee.)
The photography fees can be paid with a 50% deposit for the photographer and companion, with the balance paid by March 15, 2019, it will be fully refundable up until March 15, 2019, after that a $100/person service charge to Washington Photo Safari would apply.
To pay your photography instruction and companion fees to Washington Photo Safari, click on Book Now.
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To recap: YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THIS CRUISE WITH A FULLY REFUNDABLE $500/PERSON BERTH FEE ($1,000 PER CABIN), PAID TO DREAM VACATIONS, PLUS A REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $750 PHOTOGRAPHY TUITION FEE ($375 FOR A COMPANION-PHOTOGRAPHER, $40 FOR NON-PHOTOGRAPHER COMPANION) PAID TO WASHINGTON PHOTO SAFARI, VIA OUR WEBSITE OR ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS MADE WITH WPS. (PAYMENT OF THE $499. AIRFARE IS DUE WITH THE BALANCE OF THE CRUISE FARE ON MARCH 15, 2019.)
This is a really unique photographic adventure opportunity in one of the most interesting and photogenic areas of Europe. We hope that you can join us!
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About the Instructor:
Instructor E. David Luria, a Paris-trained professional architectural photographer, founder and director of Washington Photo Safari, is a DC-based professional commercial photographer specializing in architecture, landmarks, restaurant and event photography. Trained in Paris at the Parsons School of Design by a protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson, he is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, the Association of Independent Architectural Photographers, and the Society of Photographic Educators. His images of Washington, DC have appeared on 30 magazine covers, on 80 postcards and in over 100 publications, including calendars of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society and in the coffee-table book "Washington DC Visions".
In addition to serving as the prime instructor for Washington Photo Safari, Mr. Luria has also done photography instruction for Capital Photography Center, the National Cherry Blossoms Festival, the National Spelling Bee, the Kreeger Museum, Things to Do DC, Professionals in the City, and many local camera clubs. Mr. Luria has appeared as a photographic expert on WAMU.FM's Kojo Nmandi Show, an NPR affiliate, and also as a luncheon speaker at the National Press Club. An honors graduate of Amherst College, Mr. Luria is a U.S. Army veteran fluent in Spanish, French, and German.
Prior to becoming a professional photographer, Mr. Luria spent a long career as a senior executive with several international non-profit organizations, such as CARE, Partners of the Americas, and World Learning. Since 1996 he has also served weekly as a volunteer information specialist with the Travelers Aid Society at Reagan Washington National Airport.
Washington Photo Safari , founded by Mr. Luria in 1999, has grown to be one of the country’s largest photography training programs, top-rated in all the travel review sites, annually awarded Certificates of Excellence by Trip Advisor and ranked by Trip Advisor reviewers as No. 9 out of 55 outdoor activities in Washington, DC. Washington Photo Safari has trained over 35,500 amateur photographers in camera use and composition (an average of 5 people every day, 365 days a year) on 5,300 photo excursions in and around the nation’s capital and has helped professional photographers in 20 other U.S. cities set up similar programs.
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Reviews:
"I have always been interested in photography but never took the time to learn much about it until now. David Luria is a wonderful instructor. He not only makes the class informative he also makes it fun. The first class I took with David was a night shoot. My camera skills were nonexistent and I was sure I was going to come away from the class with my usual OK looking pictures. Instead, with David's knowledge and patience, I was able to take some beautiful photographs while learning about many of the key features of my camera." ~ C. Boykin, Trip Advisor 2017
Another recent 5-Star review on Trip Advisor by L. G. of Montefollonico, Italy, also recommends David as an instructor: "Outstanding Instruction - David is great. Fantastic information, combined with patience and a sense of humor. If you need to learn how to operate a camera and take pictures, this class is for you. David is extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend this."
Booking Notes
**Where to Meet?**
Meet behind security at National Academy of Sciences Entrance at 2100 C Street NW. Please bring a photo ID for entry.
Parking is available in the NAS parking lot at 256 21st NW, and there are limited spaces along Constitution Avenue and adjoining 21st Street N.W.
Award-winning Washington Photo Safari is now one of the country's leading providers of photography training field trips, offering 4-5 photo excursions every week, all year long, rain or shine, to photographers at any skill level using any kind of camera, film or digital.
Now in our 26th year of operation, we have had over 46,500 people participate in our 6700+ safaris to date, averaging 5 clients every day, 365 days a year for 25 years- over 11,000 of them as repeat clients returning on two or more of the 110+ itineraries that we offer! Due to the volume of favorable customer reviews on our program, we were Top-Rated Best in Class by Viator and we have been awarded Trip Advisor's coveted Hall of Fame Award for having received their Certificates of Excellence every year for the last six years , due to dozens of 5-star customer reviews, ranking us at the No. 1 Photography Tour in Washington DC and in the top 3 of 63 outdoor activities listed by Trip Advisor in DC. For a complete schedule visit us at [http://WashingtonPhotoSafari.com](http://WashingtonPhotoSafari.com)
**Which photography techniques will be emphasized?**
At each point on our Safari I will review techniques of composition, exposure and lighting. Trained in Paris by a protege of the famous French photographer, the late Henri Cartier Bresson, I place a great deal of emphasis on good composition, i.e. aiming the camera in the right direction and pushing the shutter button at just the right time! I also stress doing it right the first time, to avoid unnecessary work in post-production.
**What camera equipment do I need?**
Any camera will do - from point-and-shoot to digital SLR or mirrorless camera. We will even show you how to get the best images out of your smartphone camera. For best results I suggest that your camera have a wide angle lens equivalent to about 28 mm (in 35 mm format), a circular polarizing filter for SLR's, a telephoto of at least 100mm, and enough media and batteries for about 100 exposures.
You should also learn how and when to put your photos into black and white for some of the subjects.
**What if it rains?**
Please don't get discouraged if it is cloudy or rainy that day. Cloudy weather is good for portraits, and rain gives us nice reflections on surfaces. On cloudy days you can get really dramatic pictures by using black and white.
**About Me**
As an architectural photographer, and a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, I have had my images of Washington appear in over 100 publications, including *TIME*, *Prevention* Magazine, the *Entertainment Book*, *Washingtonian*, and on 30 magazine covers. I have been a contributing photographer to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Destination DC, and WHERE-Washington. My images of DC appear regularly in calendars of the US Capitol Historical Society.
For more than 20 years I was the official photographer of the Washington Post's Apartment Showcase Magazine, which was found on every major street corner in the DC area, and in that capacity have photographed over 3,500 apartment complex interiors and exteriors.
I have also been a photography study tour instructor for the Smithsonian Resident Associates, the Kreeger Museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Capital Photography Center, and the contestants of the National Spelling Bee. I am a member of the Society of Photographic Education. Samples of my own photography can be viewed at [www.edavidluriaphotography.smugmug.com](www.edavidluriaphotography.smugmug.com)
Incidentally, Washington Photo Safari makes a great gift item to friends and relatives for birthdays or holidays. You might even consider giving one to a friend or relative who could accompany you on this Safari. We even prepare a handsome gift certificate and email it to you immediately as a PDF. See our Gift Certificate page.
Sincerely,
David L.
E. David Luria, Photographer
Founder and Director, Washington Photo Safari
david@washingtonphotosafari.com
4545 Connecticut Ave. NW #418
Washington DC 20008 Tel: 202-669-8468, Fax: 815-333-0233
visit us at https://WashingtonPhotoSafari.com
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing via email at least 9 days prior to Safari date to: info@washingtonphotosafari.com. Cancellations received 8 or more days in advance of Safari date receive a refund of 75% of amount paid. No refund is made for cancellations received less than 8 days before the Safari date. Washington Photo Safari operates rain or shine. A separate itinerary is followed on rain or snow days, utilizing landmarks with unique photogenic interiors, such as The National Building Museum, Union Station, The National Postal Museum, The Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.
