Kim kindly sent us a testimonial that you can read below and allowed us to post some of her best shots from the September tour.

Booking the tour with Adriatic2Alps was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Initially, I had my concerns. While I had a desire to develop my photography skills, I had very limited experience. In fact, I only owned a point and shoot and didn’t have any clue about how to take my camera off the automatic settings when I sent in my trip deposit. I managed to procure a new DSLR, a new lens or two and some filters, but I was a long way from being proficient, let alone skilled, with a camera. I was worried that other more experienced photographers on the tour would be annoyed and that I was in over my head. As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. Luka brought me up to speed on the use of my new camera so much quicker than I expected. It certainly didn’t hurt that the tour provided the opportunity to focus on photography without the distractions of everyday life. The trip was a transformative two weeks for me and gave me a solid base of knowledge to start a serious photographic hobby. The other photographers on the tour were also generous with their time and happy to share their expertise with me; I could not have asked for a better group of travel companions. Then there is the gorgeous scenery: colorful coastlines, dramatic waterfalls, lush river valleys and the rugged Alps. You could not ask for more engaging subject matter. In addition to being a wonderful photography teacher, Luka conveys a love for Slovenia and Croatia and a passion for nature and architecture. He has a way of instructing that is accessible and never preachy. We learned about photography, but also about the history of the region and each of the sites we were visiting. Luka certainly has a gift with organization and seamlessly transported the group from one magical location to another. The accommodations, a mix of bed and breakfasts, hotels and apartments were unique and charming, adding to the overall quality of the tour. The restaurants, cafes, teahouses and even the ice cream stands where Luka took us were all exceptional. There was no aspect of the tour that I would change. There was time to see all of the popular locations, time for special requests and even plenty of time set aside for everyone to explore on their own. In addition to the photography, I was able to swim in the Adriatic, walk the city promenades at night and even to engage in one of my personal passions…shopping! I returned from my trip with wonderful memories, thousands of the best pictures I have ever taken, and new skills that I look forward to sharpening.
- Kim Allegretti, Denver, Colorado.

Thank you Kim for everything! It was a pleasure to travel and laugh with you!

What can we say Donna? Thank you so much for writing this article and for giving us a credit!

UPDATE: Donna’s article is now officially online at ITN website.

Open the images below to read the article (to view full size click on the icon at top right corner of the image):

From the first moment I disembarked in Dubrovnik I was in love with the Adriatic. My breath was taken away with the sheer beauty of the city and the coastal landscape. This was the first of many times that my breath was taken away on the Adriatic2Alps tour as Croatia and Slovenia are some of the most spectacular countries that I have visited. From swimming in the crystal clear Adriatic, to eating ice-cream watching the sunset over the ocean, to climbing hills and mountains to discover hidden waterfalls, this trip has it all.
Luka was the perfect host sharing both his love of these places and his love of photography. His enthusiasm was completely infectious and was a joy to be around. There were photo opportunities everywhere I looked and Luka was there to help me make the most of these. Lukas intimate knowledge of the region allows you to maximise your time in a place to get the most amazing shots in the best possible light. With his passion and natural teaching ability, Luka helped me improve my skill, knowledge and photography dramatically during this trip.
I feel privileged to have met Luka and I look forward to planning my next trip through the Balkans with Adriatic2Alps.

All above images by Debbie Watson.

Thank you Debbie for sending your testimonial and hope to see you next season on our Balkan Photo Adventure!

For all of you who are interested in travel with us next season a short notice; tour dates and prices will be announced in the beginning of November. Stay tuned!

January and February are quiet months in terms of tourist season but we’ve been very busy nonetheless. Here is a short summary of what we have been doing, In January we went on a study tour to Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. We were researching great photographic locations for our future tours. We are working on an outdoors oriented tour as well as a wildlife photography tour. In February we had two photo outings already – both to the caves. Firstly we went to Krizna cave with Michelle and Debbi and last week we’ve been on real caving adventure to Planinska jama. And lastly – we’ve been busy answering all your emails and reserving all tours for 2011 season – so far we have 9 confirmed tours – check out our tour calendar to see availability.

As I mentioned below, my photographer friend contacted me over the weekend and said

As soon as I followed his link, I knew I was going, and I forwarded the information to my friend Debbi. She was just about as excited as I was. We both have a love for photography, adventure and not to mention FABULOUS husbands, that were willing to partake in plan B for school pick-up…which was great, since we needed plan B .

Luka picked us up after drop-off [we had to do some mom duties for the day ]. We then drove about an hour outside of LJ, and arrived at a very basic “base camp” for Krizna Jama. (Slovene lesson of the day: Jama=cave). Inside the building, heated (very nicely I might add) by a wood burning stove, our guide Lojze outfitted us in head-to-toe cave gear. We already had on 3 layers of clothes, including 3 pair of ski socks and our 90s stirrup ski pants (that YES we both still owned, but came in very handy because we needed the warmth, but not the bulk of other ski pants under the cave suit…NOW congratulate this mother of two, and Debbi, a mother of 4, for still fitting into our 90s pants!). Inside the cave the temperature is a constant temp (right above freezing) and wet, so we needed to be prepared. Lojze also provided us with helmets, geared with headlamps and battery packs. (I’ll spare most of you the “where do we go to the toilet” story, but just ask…it’s a good laugh).

We then entered inside the most beautiful cave/underground lake world you’ve ever seen. We hiked, climbed and rowed our way through a maze of just a speck of God’s wonderful creation. There were areas where we were walking along an edge no wider than 4-6 inches as we hung onto a climbing rope that was bolted into the side of the cave’s wall. We then would enter into a small inflatable boat (British lesson for the day: small inflatable boat=dinghy), and row our way from one lake to the next. In between each lake was a “dam;” a shallow part of the lake (less than an inch deep), where we would exit the boat, cross by foot, and then place the boat down on the other side (quick confession: Lojze carried the boat from side to side).

The entire trip underground was more than 5 hours. Every so often, Lojze would stop the boat on the edge of the lake, and we would set up our tripods and cameras while Luka explained different lighting techniques, including light painting. One of our stops (to photograph the “pirate ship”), we were perched on a ledge about 6-8 inches wide, in about 6 inches of water. We then had to place our tripods and cameras, all the while wearing our camera backpacks.

Lojze was also an amazing cave guide. He explained that there we about 12 different cave species that lived there. We were fortunate to see 4, which was amazing in and of itself because they are TINY. We did see one cave worm, which apparently is rare to see because they are usually hidden in the mud; and that was the largest one (about 6 inches long). He could spot them meters away! I’ve thanked him many times, but it deserves one last thanks…THANK YOU LUKA! Without your invite, I probably would have never seen or experienced Krizna.

All text and images by Michelle Kirmse Michaud.

First of all there is a video about Mary and her photography. She was our guest in June. That was her second visit and this time we traveled to Dalmatia and Montenegro.

If you like the video and would like to help Mary promoting her cause , please do share it! We all will be grateful!

Secondly we want to share Bonnie’s testimonial. Bonnie and her husband Tames joined us for a trip to Krizna cave where we did some cool techniques with light-painting and catching the water drops. See her Slovenia gallery on Picasa.

And lastly – a few interesting web links:

• Vivian Maier – ever heard of her? Neither did we… Watch this amazing story on Chicago Tonight to learn who she was and if you like what you saw check out her work on this blog too!
• Troubles finding cheap & convenient flight? Not anymore! Try out this innovative flight search engine at Hipmunk.com. We tried it and loved it!

I have limited experience in photography, and dabbled a bit in high school and college.  I’m now in a place in my life where I can focus more on photography.  Right from the first communication, Luka impressed me with his efficient, professional manner – an approach that not only showed me his enthusiasm and passion for photography, but resulted in instilling confidence in my work behind the lens. During the Ljubljana Photo Walk tour, Luka showed me functions of my camera I wasn’t confident in using, as well as taught me to be confident in my photo taking ability.  He is a very patient teacher, who answered all my questions (even the ones I asked more than once).  I was able to see a city I’ve lived in for almost 2 years, in a new way.  Luka gave me a new, fresh perspective on photography.  I can not wait for him to show me new tricks and trade secrets. -Michelle Michaud

Michelle, thanks for your kind words and see you next time!

I stumble across the Adriatic2Alps Autumn Leaves Tour whilst looking for something completely different.   As an independent solo traveller all I can say is that this was the best stumble of my all my travels to date.    Even though mother nature didn’t play its part with the leaves, I got to see a very beautiful country in the best way possible under the expert guidance (both from a photographic and tourist perspective) of Luka Esenko.  Although I felt more like a guest than a tourist.  The combination of organise and free time was perfect.  So many highlights in the twelve days, the light painting in the Krizna caves, the small plane flights over, Lakes Bled & Bohinj, Triglav National Park, and surrounds, the food, the wine and I could keep going.  On a personal note I would sincerely like to thank Luka for all his help and guidance and professionalism and now his friendship.   I would thoroughly recommend anyone including non photographers to use Adriatic2Alps and see “Luka’s Office”.

Mary thank you for your nice words!

And here are some beautiful photos Mary captured: