ESCAPE FROM THE NORTH - DELTA DEL PO, RAVENNA AND VENICE

Transfer by car to the accommodation. Hotel Ulisse, Marina Romea.

The hotel is located beside an ancient Roman pine forest, close to the seashore and right next to the Piallassa Baiona wetlands. From the hotel it is easy to reach several excellent bird photography locations.

Check‑in, dinner in a local restaurant – flavours of Emilia‑Romagna, introductions and a relaxed start to the week.

(Light snacks, coffee, tea and fruit are available in the hotel throughout the day. Breakfast is served until 10:00.)

Morning coffee and a small snack – followed later by a more substantial breakfast, available in the hotel dining room until 10:00.

The photography program begins early at 5:30, with cappuccino and a light breakfast.

Opportunity to photograph the first flamingos.

The birdlife of Piallassa Baiona includes great cormorant, black‑winged stilt, great egret, avocet, black‑necked grebe and flamingo. Other species include wigeon and mallard. Among waders you may encounter ringed plover, northern lapwing and common redshank. The area also hosts the kingfisher.

Walk back to the hotel (approx. 1 km). After breakfast, a short break and then a daytime walk to the nearby pine forest and the seashore.

In the Marina Romea coastal pine forest you step into woodland planted during Roman times. The paths weave through a soft carpet of needles, and the light filtering through the tall canopy creates an almost magical atmosphere – a perfect hint for an early‑morning photography session later in the week. When the forest opens onto the sandy beach, the wide horizon of the Adriatic appears. Waves roll in gently and gulls circle above the shoreline.

Breakfast, boat trip to the lagoon and to Comacchio.

Valli di Comacchio – guided boat excursion: flamingos, great ibises, little egrets, waterfowl, fishing terns and a variety of waders.

Comacchio, the “little Venice”, is a charming lagoon town: friendly, authentic, and deeply rooted in respect for its history and surrounding nature. The wide, open brightness reminds you of the nearby sea – its light floods the urban spaces and shimmers on the calm surfaces of the canals. Today considered the capital of the Po Delta Park, Comacchio is a small town born and living between land and water. It is a true treasure chest of natural beauty and historical heritage.

Saline di Comacchio – close‑up photography of flamingos.

Venice – a four‑hour photography walk through the city.

Transfer by car to Venice, approx. 2 hours.

By the end of the day, you will have a collection of images that tell the story of Venice – from grand monuments to the smallest details.

Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge

A vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal: palace façades reflecting on the water create beautiful compositional opportunities. At the Rialto Bridge, capture the lively atmosphere and the views stretching across the canal.

St Mark’s Square & Basilica

Piazza San Marco offers wide perspectives and a chance to photograph the dialogue between people and architecture. The mosaics and façade of St Mark’s Basilica glow in the light – perfect for detailed shots. The square’s pigeons and arches add movement and character to your images.

Doge’s Palace & Bridge of Sighs

The courtyard and ornate details of the Doge’s Palace provide numerous angles and textures. Indoors, you can experiment with contrasts – the interplay of shadow and light. The Bridge of Sighs is an iconic subject; photograph its silhouette against the lagoon’s brightness.

Alleys, Gondolas & Lunch Break

We continue into the smaller alleys and canals: gondolas, laundry hanging from windows and colourful doors create authentic scenes. A stop at a café for a cappuccino – a moment to capture everyday Venetian life.

Walk back to the starting point. Along the way, we may pause at small boutiques and photograph the final views.

Transfer by car back to the hotel, approx. 2 hours.

In the evening, there is an option for a calming walk in the soft evening light near the hotel.

Early breakfast and transfer by car to the Mesola Nature Reserve.

A walking tour in Bosco della Mesola, with the option to choose routes between 3 and 12 km in easy terrain. The aim is to observe birds and the rare Mesola deer – the original deer of the Po Valley – in beautiful late‑morning light.

The vast Mesola Forest is a protected area of 1,058 hectares and represents one of the last and best‑preserved lowland forests. It is a reminder of the ancient woodlands that once stretched along the Adriatic coast centuries ago. We walk quietly along easy marked trails, where deer, forest birds and, near the rivers, nutria can often be seen.

Bird species mentioned in the area’s introduction include blue tit, great tit, blackcap, nightingale, brambling, golden oriole and hawfinch. The forest also hosts lesser and European green woodpeckers, hoopoes and a local colony of woodpigeons. Five nocturnal birds of prey frequent the forest: barn owl, long‑eared owl and tawny owl.

In the afternoon, excursion to San Vitale.

The Roman‑origin San Vitale pine forest spreads across a landscape where wet lowlands alternate with ancient coastal dunes. This variation has allowed Italian Stone Pines and Maritime Pines to thrive on the higher dune ridges. The area offers diverse photography opportunities: wetland birds, views from bird towers and quiet forest paths.

A beautiful day in nature, with time for observation and photography.

Breakfast. Transfer to Ravenna, approx. 45 minutes.

Guided or independent tour in Ravenna, choosing UNESCO sites according to your interests. For example:

Basilica di San Vitale

A magnificent Byzantine church featuring the famous mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora.

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

A small yet striking mausoleum with a deep‑blue mosaic ceiling depicting stars and animals.

The atmosphere is calm and intimate. The mosaics show sheep, gardens and pastoral landscapes – visually captivating for nature‑minded visitors.

A light afternoon with time for shopping or a café break.

In the evening, an optional independent nature photography walk near the hotel.

Wild horses, wetland birds and wide open lagoon landscapes.

Camargue horses live here freely, in harmony with their environment.

The Boscoforte peninsula preserves remnants of an ancient Etruscan dune system. Thanks to its ecological characteristics, the area attracts a rich birdlife well adapted to both fresh and brackish water. It is an important stopover and breeding site for wigeon, avocet, great egret and flamingo. Boscoforte is widely regarded as a paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers.

In the evening, a festive dinner to conclude the photography holiday.

- After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Bologna Airport, marking the conclusion of this spectacular Italian nature and culture photography week.