Travel from North to Central to South Viet Nam: Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hoi An and Saigon.
Travel in Viet Nam with a photographer who speaks the language and learn how to take better pictures from photographer Vi Bottaro. We will photograph the People, the Culture and the Landscape. We will dine on authentic Vietnamese food of different regions, and we will learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes, and visit galleries. We will visit the villages of different ethnic groups in North VietNam. We will enjoy the beautiful, rugged and tranquil landscapes of Ninh Binh, my birth place. Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hoi An are all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Detailed itinerary will be sent out close to travel time. Photography training will start 3 months before departure time.
Total cost: $4,500. All breakfast, all lunches and most dinners are included. All private vans, airfares within the country are covered. Accommodations will be mostly private. Air fares to VietNam and back are not included. This trip is limited to 6 participants only.
PARRY MURRAY. I cannot imagine a better, or more memorable, way to explore the fascinating culture of VietNam than to do so under the guidance of Vi Bottaro. With the advantages of a small group size, a native speaker, who additionally shares her love and knowledge of culinary and other cultural arts, and a palate of territory and ethnicities in which to immerse oneself….from urban and seaside to the high mountains of indigenous territory, I found no end to the unfolding sense of discovery around me. There was ample diversity in the itinerary to satisfy the interests of each and every one of us, due to Vi’s meticulous attention to quality, and details, in arranging a well researched balance of activities. I was deeply moved and returned home very inspired to visit VietNam again someday.
LINDA BANCKE. In the Autumn of 2013, I visited Vi’s Art exhibit during the annual Napa Valley Open Studios event because I love her haunting, beautiful Art Photography. Her work was special as always…then what caught my eyes was a flyer announcing she was going to conduct a 16-day photographic travel workshop to VietNam in 2014. I know immediately this was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a part of the world I’d never visited in the best way to travel….with Vi, a native of VietNam and professional photographer who would not only guide just a few of us but also teach us how to improve our own photography. Our trip was extraordinary! VietNam is a stunningly beautiful country with a rich culture, friendly people and some of the best and most delicious cuisine I’ve ever tasted. We visited spectacular mountain landscapes, met ethnic tribal folks, sailed in breathtaking bays and waterways, and wandered through ancient temples, historic sites, and wondrous markets in this unique and lovely land. Expect to be enchanted!
RICK DE BERNADI. I had a great trip and am thankful I had such wonderful travel companions. I loved the food, the people, and all the experiences. There was a great variety from North to Central to South VietNam, from the mountains to the sea, from cold to hot, and high end lodgings to home stays. Honestly I enjoyed the home stay in Hoi An, where of course I had the best room in the house on the fourth floor. As I recall, we had dinner at a food court in Hoi An where I happily got to try silk worm salad, pigs ear salad, and jelly fish salad among other delicious dishes. Watching traffic and crossing the streets was fascinating! I enjoyed the boat trip in Hoi An where Vi rented a small boat and we got to go out and photographed the fishermen throwing the net from his boat, or in Mui Ne where we taxied to a fishing village and photographed villagers, fishermen, boats, etc…All in all, I had a great time and am really glad I got to see all that we saw. Thank you, Vi!
DEBRA KLOOT. I can say the trip ranks as one of the best in my life. I enjoyed it on many different levels. I was very happy with Vi’s itinerary, choice of lodgings, people, eating arrangements, transfers, etc….It all seemed to work out very smoothly. Our small group, with experienced travelers probably helped to make it work well too. I think the diversity of areas, weather, food, Vi’s enthusiasm all helped to make it very interesting. I am forever grateful for Vi’s fabulous hosting of the trip, the great photography classes and coaching, and of course the introduction to many of the fine Vietnamese food dishes I was not familiar with.
