Got questions about our tours? We cover a lot on this FAQ page so please check here first for answers to your important questions. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you promptly!
No! Each adventure is described in detail because we accommodate photographers of all levels of experience and in some case… photography is not even involved! Our goal is to create an environment for great experiences to happen and we have some fun trips planned for people who love food, culture, exploring and more! For photographers, we will help you tell your story whether its with a professional DSLR camera or your iPhone. Don’t worry… if you need extra help with your camera, we’ll be there for you… no matter what skill level.
All of the information you need for any specific adventure will be on the sign-up page, so please read carefully because each trip varies. Many tours include transportation, lodging and meals. You won’t have to worry about tips for guides, drivers, servers, or bellhops. We’ve taken care of all of this. But other smaller local tours are meant to keep costs down so only transportation and guides are included. Each adventure is custom-built and all details are noted on its page. Please read it carefully because no two tours are alike. You are always welcome to contact us if you have more questions.
No, these are hands-on experiences in fun locations. The professional photographers on each voyage may give a demonstration of a particular subject or technique and then make themselves available throughout the day to work with each participant when needed. We will always be available to talk camera settings, technique, and process. I believe the best way to learn photography is by doing it. We are there to offer advice whether you need technical or conceptual help. More importantly, we take you to the coolest, most photogenic places so you have nothing to worry about except charging your battery.
Hi it’s me, Spike! I love sharing the world with our guests and I want to make it a personal experience for you. So I lead every tour myself and use local guides in various locations as needed. I also like to bring a professional photographer or two when possible to be sure guests on our photography adventures come home with some new tricks and some very Instagram-worthy photos.
It varies for each destination but we try to limit our tours to a maximum of 8-12 travelers for international trips and up to 20 for regional U.S. adventures so that we can offer guests a more personal experience.
Our group usually includes a combination of couples, singles, friends and family. They are typically more independent travelers who prefer to experience a culture and enjoy seeing more unique places away from the crowds. And did we tell you they like to have fun?
Yes. In most cases, we leave travel open to participants because many choose to extend their stay or continue to other destinations. It’s also cost-effective as many will use points for their own flights. All details will be listed on the trip page and we will help you with the “when and where” of booking your airfare.
We arrange lodging and meals for larger international trips but not for smaller, regional trips. In some cases we handle 100% of your travel needs while other trips offer more flexibility for travelers to customize their own cultural experience within their budget. Just read the description of your specific trip to know exactly what’s included.
Travel insurance is mandatory for larger trips but recommended for all adventures. While we try to be accommodating whenever possible, our trips are non-refundable in most cases and your best way to protect yourself against unforeseen changes in your travel plans is to purchase travel insurance. Last-minute cancellations due to illness, injury, work or family issues will be reimbursed by these policies but not by us. Please see the “Terms & Conditions” of your trip for more information before booking.
We ensure our guests have a wide variety of experiences. We try to pack as much into a day as possible with the understanding that guests can simply skip out if they need a rest. For photography adventures, you can expect early mornings to chase the best light. Practicing photography is very much a physical art form, lots of walking, standing, etc. so a good pair of shoes is essential as is knowing when you need a nap!
Each guest must be a paid participant due to the fact that they are taking up a seat and participating in paid tours, etc. In some cases for international photography workshops, we may be based out of one location and it could be possible for a non-photographer to hang back at the hotel while we are on photography excursions. We’ll help you decide, just ask us.
Each journey has its own age restriction for guests – please read the description carefully before booking. Minors between the age of 18 are not able to join our tours unless accompanied by a parent.
Our trips are designed to be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit. We list the level of difficulty for each trip so you know what to expect. For photography trips. we require that you are able to carry your own camera gear and luggage, and enter and exit the vehicle without assistance. Some adventures can be challenging because of the long days. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make a trip challenging and we can answer all questions. When you send your tour deposit, you certify to us that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions that would create a risk for yourself or for others on the trip or alter the group’s travel plans.
The rule of thumb is: The sooner the better. It’s hard to know if and when the tour will fill up. Our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel, that way your spot is secured and you don’t miss out.
Most trips in the US, you will book your own room. On international workshops, costs are usually based on “double occupancy” which means 2 people per room with your own bed. If you want to be on your own, it will be a higher cost and called “single supplement”. As always, refer to the trip’s description and accommodations when booking.
We pack a lot into each day to make sure that our participants have the most memorable trip possible. That being said, some days are filled with optional shoots and activities as well as some down time. If you want to skip a sunrise shoot and catch up on some precious sleep, have at it. If you’d rather go shopping rather than eat lunch with the group, no problem. Just make sure that you’re back to meet us at times we are going to be in transit. We encourage you to stick with the group for the day because of all the very cool stuff on the daily agendas. Please note that we will delay departure times because someone didn’t return from their own excursion and if you choose to opt out of an included activity, no reimbursement will be made by us. We suggest that you book some extra days if you want to get out to explore and photograph more on your own. Let us know if we can be of assistance if you do choose to arrive early or stay longer. Some of our guests also arrive early for international adventures in order to overcome any jet lag and avoid missing our initial meeting time. We’re happy to make recommendations of hotels, restaurants and sights to see.
That’s a silly question. Of course, we like ice cream.
After receiving your deposit, a detailed letter will be sent out including what to bring in terms of clothes, camera gear and any other essential items needed for your particular workshop. Sometimes an itinerary will also be included and most questions you might have like what kind of weather to expect, clothing needed, eating times, etc. will be answered in the letter. You are responsible for carrying your bags on & off buses and up & down staircases, so pack smart and light.
We will do our best to ensure that you have a great time, no matter the conditions. We can’t control the weather and offer no refunds because of Mother Nature but bad weather often brings great shooting opportunities and we feel there’s always something to shoot! We are ready to change our itinerary when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
We securely retain information you provide in order to book travel (or in order to sell photography products) but we do not share or sell your personal information or data and we will never, ever spam you. In the future, we may email an annual or quarterly newsletter to announce upcoming tours to our previous and existing customers but you can always opt out. You can find our complete Privacy Policy here: https://explorewithspike.com/privacy-policy
