JOIN KATHLEEN in Bella Italia

ALL NEW ITINERARY!

Just imagine…learning from an award-winning photographer and renowned workshop leader, while being surrounded by the unique and spectacular beauty of Tuscany and Umbria. The stunning, spring flowers of these breath-taking regions are your subjects, and your inspiration. This exceptional destination workshop is both a journey into flower photography and an in-depth experience of authentic Italian culture.

ABOUT Kathleen Clemons

Kathleen Clemons is an award-winning photographer, teacher, speaker, author and workshop leader from the coast of Maine. Primarily a nature photographer who specializes in photographing flowers, Kathleen is known for her creative use of natural light and unique, artistic photographs.

Lensbaby has named her the “Georgia O’Keeffe of Lensbaby Flower Photography” and her work is represented world- wide by Getty Images and several other agencies.

Kathleen teaches online classes as well as many location workshops and seminars, including her popular, all-inclusive workshop in Italy. She has also filmed instructional classes for Craftsy, CreativeLive, and Lensbaby University and is the author of “All About Textures”.

With a background in education and a passion for both photography and teaching, Kathleen loves to teach others how to improve their photography skills and to see beyond the obvious. See more of her at work at kathleenclemons.com

IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY WORKSHOP You’ll Learn How to 

• Choose the right equipment
• Select a subject
• Simplify your compositions
• Control natural light
• Use natural light to create unique, artistic photographs
• Work around less-than-desirable lighting
• Use a reflector and diffuser
• See beyond the obvious in your photography
• Decide where to focus
• Use selective and critical focus
• Choose the correct point of view
• Avoid the dreaded blob blur
• Select the right aperture
• Understand depth of field
• Isolate flowers
• Get even closer!
• Deal with backgrounds
• Recognize distractions
• Embrace the joys of bokeh and blur
• Create double and multiple exposures
• Approach post-processing techniques
• Use textures in post-processing and in the field
• Create your own textures

ITINERARY… New for 2026! 

Day 1 – Monday, May 18: Benvenuti

• Highlights: Arrival, welcome, workshop overview with Kathleen
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check-in, you’ll take a fascinating walking tour of the historic center of the village, followed by a workshop overview with Kathleen. This evening you’ll enjoy a delectable welcome dinner prepared by chef Jordy.

Day 2 – Tuesday, May 19: Flowers of Spello

• Highlights: Excursion to Spello, instruction with Kathleen
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, it’s off to Spello – a hill town with ancient roots, situated in the heart of Umbria, along the southern flank of Monte Subasio. With sweeping views over the valley below, and named one of the “borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages of Italy), Spello is known its spectacular flowers – especially those that line its unspoiled medieval avenues. Here you’ll enjoy  onsite instruction with Kathleen, followed by lunch at our favorite local bistrot. 

After lunch, it’s back to Città della Pieve, where you’ll join Kathleen for an afternoon of hands-on instruction. This evening we head to a nearby cafe for an informal aperitivo and light dinner.  

Day 3 – Wednesday, May 20: Flowers & Biscotti

• Highlights: Instruction with Kathleen, biscotti-making lesson
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join Kathleen for a full morning of instruction, as you learn a number of her photography techniques, while using spectacular, seasonal blooms. After lunch at a local cafe, you’ll have some time on our own to relax and recharge. 

This afternoon we make our way to our friend, Cristian’s, cozy restaurant where you’ll take part in an oh-so-fun biscotti making lesson, including your choice of local ingredients. Afterwards Cristian will take you on a tour of his historic wine cantina, followed by a delicious dinner featuring all local products – plus your freshly baked biscotti.

Day 4 – Thursday, May 21: Poppies & Vino

• Highlights: Instruction with Kathleen, excursion to Tuscany winery
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we’re off to tour a number of local churches that boast extraordinary works of Renaissance art, along with extraordinary wall designs and textures –  such lovely inspiration for floral photography backgrounds! For the remainder of the morning you’ll join Kathleen for both individual and group instruction – featuring local flowers and Kathleen’s gorgeous backgrounds. Lunch today is on your own, followed by some time on your own. 

This afternoon it’s off to a beautiful Tuscany wine cantina, with a stop along the way to photography irresistible fields of red Tuscan poppies. Upon arrival at our friends’ cantina, you’ll be treated to a private tour around the historic property with its spectacular views and sweeping vineyards. Afterwards we’ll gather around the outdoor pizza oven for homemade focaccia drizzled with the estate’s exceptional olive oil, followed by a delicious dinner featuring Tuscan specialties. 

Day 5 – Friday, May 22: Flowers & Farewell Celebration

• Highlights: Instruction with Kathleen
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after another delicious breakfast, you’ll join Kathleen in the studio for image review and discussion, as you review and reflect on the fabulous techniques you’ve been learning. Lunch today is served up at Stefania’s cafe.

In the afternoon, you might grab some last shots in the village, or maybe get in some shopping, before joining Kathleen for a final, wrap-up session. This evening you’ll enjoy a celebratory aperitivo, followed by a farewell dinner prepared by Chef Jordy.

Day 6 – Saturday, May 23: Departure 

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport

VENUE Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

VIEW the Photo Gallery

WHAT’S INCLUDED

•  5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve
• Group transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 4 dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by local wines
• Biscotti-making lesson
• Excursion to Spello – the village of flowers
• Excursion to Tuscany winery
• Guided walks
• Daily instruction and hands-on practice with Kathleen, both small-group and individual
• Entrance fees to all sites included in trip itinerary
• Daily accompaniment with a Strada Toscana team host or guide

Not included: Airfare or transportation, outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and hotel staff

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES & PRICES

• Dates:
  • May 18-23, 2026
• Trip Price: $3,995 USD – $4,495 USD per person (choose room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single Occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Deluxe: Single Occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe Double: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• $700 deposit is required to secure your space on this workshop
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our terms and cancellation policy here

OPENING SOON