Moravia with Martin Rak & Foto Magica
April 7–10, 2027
Physical demands: Low
Welcome to the Tuscany of the Czech Republic! In southern Moravia, in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, one of Central Europe’s most fascinating cultural landscapes unfolds. Here, farmland rolls across gentle hills, where the contours of the fields, winding roads, solitary trees, and small villages create a landscape that is almost reminiscent of Tuscany in Italy. But Moravia has a character all its own—and for the landscape photographer, the area offers endless opportunities to explore the interplay between nature, people, light, and form.
Join our guides Martin Rak and Bengt Ahlberg on a photography trip to a landscape that is at its most beautiful in the spring. As nature comes to life, the trees burst into bloom, and the first shades of green sweep across the hills, the landscape transforms into a palette of soft colors and subtle contrasts. The early morning light can cause veils of mist to linger over the valleys, while the sun’s low rays highlight the contours of the hills and cast long shadows across the fields.
It is a landscape that invites a more contemplative photographic expression. Here, it’s not just about documenting a beautiful place, but about discovering the compositions that are already there: a solitary orchard on a hilltop, a road that disappears behind the next hill, or rolling fields that form abstract patterns when viewed from the right vantage point. Small changes in light, weather, and season can give the same subject completely different expressions.
During the trip, we’ll head out when the conditions for photography are at their best. We’ll work with the early morning light, return to the landscape during the day, and continue photographing as the evening shadows slowly take over. Between photo sessions, there will be time for rest, photo editing, and discussions about the images and the photographic process.
Our goal is to give you time to truly get to know Moravia through your camera—to discover the rhythm of the landscape, find the small details, and create images that convey both the beauty of the place and your own experience of it.
Welcome to a few days filled with landscape photography, the colors of spring, and that special sense of calm that comes when you get to do what you love.
Approximate daily schedule
Day 1 – From Prague to the rolling countryside of Moravia
We’ll meet at Prague Airport in the morning and then begin our journey eastward toward southern Moravia and our accommodations in Kyjov. There, we’ll check in at the highly regarded Penzion Longus, which will serve as our base during our stay.
After arriving and holding a brief orientation, we’ll head out into the surrounding countryside. Already on the first afternoon, we’ll begin to familiarize ourselves with Moravia’s characteristic hills and open farmland. We’ll search for interesting vantage points, work with the landscape’s lines and shapes, and make the most of the light that the afternoon and evening have to offer.
We’ll continue taking photos as dusk falls, when the colors change and the landscape takes on a softer look. This will be our first chance to get into the swing of photography and start discovering the subjects we can then return to over the coming days of our trip.
In the evening, we'll eat at one of the restaurants near our lodging in Kyjov.
Day 2 – Morning light, veils of fog, and rolling hills
The day starts early. We meet at 5:00 a.m. and head out into the countryside to capture the first light of dawn. It is during these hours that Moravia often reveals one of its most atmospheric sides. If the weather conditions are right, fog can settle over the valleys, while the sun’s first rays highlight the gentle contours of the hills and add depth to the landscape.
We work with the subjects and conditions that the morning offers. Perhaps we’ll find a solitary tree silhouetted against the horizon, a road that guides the eye through the image, or fields whose undulating patterns create almost abstract compositions. Here, both the vast landscape and the small details have their place.
Around 8:00 a.m., we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast. Afterward, we’ll have a few hours to rest, do some spontaneous photo editing, and chat with our guides and the other participants. There will be time to review the morning’s photos, reflect on compositions, and let the impressions sink in before the next photo session.
At 11:00 a.m., we’ll head out into the countryside again. Throughout the day, we’ll continue to explore Moravia’s varied farmland and look for subjects where colors, shapes, and lines come together. We’ll adapt our photography to the weather and light and keep going as long as conditions offer interesting opportunities.
We'll stay out until nightfall and then return to Kyjov for dinner.
Day 3 – New Perspectives on a Familiar Landscape
This day, too, begins before sunrise. We set out while the landscape is still resting in the stillness of the morning and work with the light and conditions that the day offers.
One of the advantages of spending several days in the same area is that we can return to places we’ve discovered before. A scene that didn’t quite work the day before can suddenly come to life when the fog is thicker, the clouds change the light, or the sun shines from a different angle. At the same time, we continue to look for new vantage points and compositions.
After this morning’s photo shoot, we’ll return to the hotel around 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and a little rest. The morning will give us time to work on our photos, share experiences, and discuss photographic choices.
Around 11:00 a.m., we’re back out in the Moravian countryside. We continue to immerse ourselves in what the area has to offer, letting the weather and light guide our work. Perhaps we’re drawn to the sweeping lines of the fields, perhaps to the graphic patterns that emerge where different crops meet, or perhaps to a single tree that becomes the obvious focal point of the image.
We'll be taking photos until dusk and will wrap up the day with dinner in Kyjov.
Day 4 – One Last Morning in Moravia
The last day of the trip begins, just like the previous ones, early. We set out to make the most of the morning light one last time and get another chance to experience the hills of Moravia before the day really gets underway.
Perhaps we’ll return to a favorite spot from earlier in the trip, or maybe we’ll find a new subject that entices us to stay a little longer. We’ll keep taking photos until breakfast, making the most of our final hours in the countryside.
After breakfast and the conclusion of our stay, we’ll leave Kyjov and head back to Prague. From there, we’ll continue on our way home after a few intense days filled with photography, new experiences, and—hopefully—plenty of photos to work on.
We leave Moravia with new experiences, new perspectives, and memories of a landscape that shows that the most expressive photographic subjects don’t always have to be dramatic. Sometimes all it takes is rolling hills, a solitary tree, and the right light.
About the Trip
The trip begins and ends at the destination. There is always an agreed-upon meeting point, which is determined closer to the departure date (approximately 4–6 months in advance). For example, the train station or airport where you arrive. If you do not have an agreed-upon meeting point, please contact us at info@fotomagica.net. The trip ends when the final activity of the last day or its equivalent has been completed, or, where applicable, upon drop-off at the airport or equivalent.
The trip includes:
PTM - Pre Tour Meeting. Here you will meet us and all your fellow travelers. We will exchange experiences, go through the appropriate equipment, and answer your questions. The meeting will take place via the Zoom platform, and you will receive an invitation some time before departure.
All local transportation,
Private room at Penzion Longus Kyjov with breakfast
Supervision and guidance by Martin Rak and Bengt Ahlberg
Photo Review - Every day, we’ll have a casual session where we look at a photo that each of us has submitted. These will be presented anonymously with the aim of improving our understanding of, for example, composition as well as film processing. Participation and submitting a photo are completely voluntary.
Check out our top tips for digital photo editing. Bring your computer and take the opportunity to learn new tips and tricks in Lightroom, ACR, and Photoshop. Tailored entirely to your needs, you’ll have plenty of opportunities throughout the trip to learn new things.
Free print of your favorite photo from your trip (max size 30x40 cm)
The group will meet again a few weeks after the trip ends, when the entire group will reconvene via Zoom.
Participants & Price:
23,900 SEK per person.
Min. 6 / Max. 7 participants
Packing list:
The link below offers some suggestions and ideas on what else, besides your camera gear, might be worth bringing along. To the packing list
Passports & Visas:
You should always travel with a valid passport when flying. Also, make sure your passport has plenty of time left before it expires, as some countries do not accept passports with less than 90 days remaining. If a visa is required, we will provide you with the necessary information. Don’t forget any other documents that may be required, such as a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.
What other customers say about us
What our past customers think of us is important both to us and to you. Among the reviews you’ll find on Google, Foto Magica has a rating of 4.9 out of 5. Below, you can read a selection of these reviews.
“This was my first workshop with Foto Magica, but it won’t be my last. They handle everything with flair and take great care of the participants.” -Lotta Lund
“I’ve been on a couple of Foto Magica tours. They’re always well-organized and well-prepared. Foto Magica’s in-depth knowledge of the areas and suitable subjects is a major plus. There’s always time for questions and discussions about photography, and I think that’s important” - Christer Johansson
Important Information
Foto Magica has taken out a statutory travel guarantee with the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency.
YOUR RIGHTS
Standard Information Form: The combined travel services offered to you constitute a package tour within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2015/2302. Therefore, you are covered by all EU rights applicable to package tours. Foto Magica will be fully responsible for ensuring that the package tour as a whole is performed correctly. In addition, Foto Magica is legally required to provide protection to refund your payments and, when transportation is included in the package tour, to ensure your return transportation if the company becomes insolvent.
More information about key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302
Expression of Interest
To express interest in this trip, please fill out and submit the form below. Below the form, you can read the full terms and conditions. Your expression of interest becomes binding under the applicable terms and conditions once we have confirmed it in writing via email. The right of withdrawal does not apply to package tour agreements. However, it is always free of charge to cancel more than 6 months before departure. Read more about cancellation policies in the terms and conditions below. If you wish, you can purchase additional cancellation insurance for added peace of mind through Gouda Travel Insurance. The cost is 6% of the purchase price of the trip. You can read more here, where the full terms and conditions are also listed.
Terms and Conditions
As a customer, you are responsible for any equipment you bring to a workshop or course. You are also responsible for arriving on time at the pre-arranged meeting points and adhering to all other schedules. Foto Magica is not liable for any damage that may occur to your equipment. This also applies to any other personal belongings you bring to the course or workshop.
For certain destinations, a valid passport is required, along with any necessary visas or alternative documents, such as a COVID-19 vaccine certificate. Always make sure you have valid documents on hand, as well as any documents required for entry. For example, many countries require that your passport have at least 180 days of validity remaining in order to be accepted.
This trip is subject to the general terms and conditions established by the Swedish Travel Agency and Tour Operator Association, as well as the tour operator’s specific terms and conditions, which are set forth below.
Binding Agreement
The agreement becomes binding on the parties once the organizer has confirmed in writing the traveler’s expression of interest.
Terms of Payment
The organizer charges a registration fee of 20% of the trip price. The registration fee must be paid upon receipt of an invoice no later than six months before departure. The remaining portion of the trip price must be paid upon receipt of an invoice no later than one month before departure. Invoices must be paid no later than ten days after receipt. When booking a trip close to the departure date, the full price of the trip must be paid at the time of registration.
Cancellation
Cancellations must be made in writing to info@fotomagica.net. The organizer reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee as follows.
If you cancel more than six months before departure, no cancellation fee will be charged
For cancellations made later than six months but earlier than 91 days before departure, a cancellation fee of 50% of the trip price will be charged.
For cancellations made later than 91 days but earlier than 61 days before departure, a fee of 80% of the trip price will be charged
If you cancel 60 days or fewer before departure, you will be charged the full cost of the trip.
In the event of a cancellation, purchases made by the traveler in connection with the trip, such as airline tickets, will not be reimbursed. Travelers are always advised to purchase refundable airline tickets or cancellation insurance.
The organizer's right to cancel a trip due to insufficient bookings
For each trip, a minimum number of participants is required for the trip to take place. The minimum number is specified in the itinerary for each trip. The organizer reserves the right to cancel a trip if the minimum number is not met. In such cases, travelers who have booked the trip are entitled to a refund of the amount paid for the trip. The organizer is not responsible for any purchases made by the traveler in connection with the trip, such as booked airline tickets. Travelers are therefore advised to always book a refundable airline ticket or purchase cancellation insurance.
The organizer’s right to cancel a trip for other reasons
The tour operator reserves the right to cancel the trip if it cannot be carried out due to reasons beyond the tour operator’s control, such as sudden illness of the tour leader or guide. Travelers who have booked the trip are entitled to a refund of the amount paid. The organizer is not responsible for any purchases made by the traveler in connection with the trip, such as booked airline tickets. Travelers are therefore advised to always book a refundable airline ticket or purchase cancellation insurance.
Health
The organizer arranges photography tours, which means that the trips typically involve hiking in various types of natural settings and environments. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they are in good physical condition and health so that they can participate in all aspects of the trip.
If you’d like, you can download or print all the terms and conditions as a PDF here