Italy Starstruck Tour

7 days, July 3-9 2016

Join us on an exploration of Italy’s beauty – by day and by night. Starstruck is Sean Parker’s European debut and is dedicated to showing adventure-lovers a side of Italy unlike any other. By day soak in the beauty of Italy’s culture through off-the-beaten path excursions in an area still largely untouched by tourism. By night experience the magnitude of the night sky in an intimate and hands-on Astrophotography course with Sean Parker wrapped within the Italian hillside. Starstruck is limited to 8 participants.

Day 1 Arrival (*Bologna, BLQ is the recommended airport). Transport from airport to hotel in the charming village of Sant'Angelo in Vado - a part of Italy frozen in time! Settle in, unpack and explore the city before joining the group for a leisurely welcome aperitivo. We will then head to a traditional Marchigiano dinner - amazing view included!

Day 2 Panoramic shooting of Italy's unique country side. We will travel through the village towns along the Metauro River to experience the beauty of nature with a local guide and botanist. This day will include shoots of Italy's iconic sunflower fields. Other scenes will include rolling landscapes, remnants of a historical village - Castello della Pieve, and concluding in a walk through the Metauro River itself. Trek through blue lagoons and navigate miniature waterfalls as we get our feet wet and learn the histroy of the area. Bring your swimsuit and water shoes! Traditional Italian merenda to follow in a truly off-the-beaten-path location. That evening gear up for your first astrophotography shoot in some of the darkest skies Italy has to offer.

Day 3 Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely morning of coffee and pastries, or join us on an outing (see below). We will meet in the afternoon for a post-processing workshop of your first astrophotography shots. We will then depart for a private dinner in the vineyards of Terracruda winery.

Day 4 Local festival and dinner in the streets with great opportunities for timelapse street photography.

Day 5 Traditional pizza dinner followed by a second astrophotography shoot.

Day 6 Post-processing workshop in the afternoon. That evening we will attend another local festival with more opportunities for street photography followed by an authentic farewell dinner. Prepare to over-eat.

Day 7 Departures (We recommend afternoon flights. Please contact us for questions.) *Due to the early planning of this event, the dates and order of local festivals may change. Thank you in advance for your flexibility.

OPTIONAL DAY ACTIVITIES (per request upon booking)

Day Two: Breakfast in a local cafe followed by a stroll through the open-air market

Day Three: Guided tour of Urbino. This fun yet extensive tour will take you through the Ducal Palace, the underground chambers, and Raphael's childhood home.

Day Four: Day trip to Gradara Castle with falcon show in the historical open-air theater, lunch included

Day Five: Day trip to Cartoceto - the city of cheese and olive oil and famous for the best and only DOP olive oil in Le Marche. We will visit the inimitable Vittorio Beltrami - "The Einstein of Cheese," says Lydia Bastianich, and not just because he looks like Albert Einstein but because Signore Beltrami is a genius cheese maker. His pecorino di fossa - a sheep's milk cheese wrapped in grape leaves and buried under stone for 90 days - is indescribably intense, earthy and like nothing you have ever tasted. From the cheese cellar, we'll walk over to his shop where Signora Beltrami will prepare us an in depth sampling of their most prized products.

Day Six: Visit to Domus del Mito, the Roman archaeological ruins in Sant'Angelo in Vado. We'll see the mosaic treasures of this ancient Roman Villa with an archeologist. This will be followed by a private visit to the small vineyard on a hill, La Montata, known for producin Sant'Angelo in Vado's Passito Affumicato, or Smoked Passito. This sweet, smoky dessert wine is a local version of Vin Santo (Holy wine). Each autumn at the end of Holy Week, this producer lights a fire and literally smokes all the moisture from the grapes. This is an ancient tradition practiced by the people of Sant'Angelo in Vado who pick grapes from their home vineyards and string them from kitchen ceilings through the winer where the fireplace would be lit day and night to warm the house.

ACCOMODATIONS

Enjoy your stay at Hotel,Trattoria, and Pastry Shop Taddeo e Federico nestled in the heart of Sant'Angelo in Vado. Just steps from the main piazza, Hotel Taddeo e Federico offers both a classic Italian experience (wake up to the smell of fresh pastries being made each morning below your window!), as well as the charm of being in the center of village life. A traditional restaurant serving lunch and dinner resides on the first floor. Shops, pharmacy, supermarkets and bars are all within comfortable walking distance. Single, Double, Triple and Family-style apartments available. Reservations are secure only after deposits have been received. Single supplement applies.

Equipment You Will Need:

-A DSLR Camera that can perform in Manual (M) Mode and user manual. -At least 2 batteries and 32GBs of memory card storage. -A WIDE angle lens that is at least 24mm with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster. Lens Rental is available through borrowlenses.com if necessary. -Shutter Release or Intervalometer (Please email Sean camera make/model so he can find the right one for you) -Headlamp -Warm Clothes Already in Italy? Join us for the Astrophotography Workshop only: $475