Experience the Sandstone Mountains in Saxony with Foto Magica

February 25–28, 2027

Physical demands: Low/Moderate

Price range: 80 (Sweden 100, Spain 81)

With daytime temperatures around 10 degrees, winter has loosened its grip here among the sandstone mountains along the Elbe—also known as the Saxon Switzerland National Park. A beloved child has many names. We’re setting out on this trip to Saxony in the former East Germany, on the border with the Czech Republic. Here lies one of the most beautiful places in Europe. We’re visiting this photographic gem—relatively unknown to most people—for the third time in late February 2027.

With its majestic sandstone cliffs, the area offers us photographers a fantastical landscape that we’re unlikely to find anywhere else in Europe—and, above all, it stands out from what we find in our part of the world.

Starting from the small town of Bad Schandau, we’ll take various excursions on both sides of the border with the Czech Republic. For example, to the iconic Bastei viewpoint. Of course, we’ll also get to experience the local culture through food, drink, and fascinating history.

You can get there either by flying to Dresden or—why not?—by taking the overnight train to Berlin and then continuing on to Dresden.

This is classic terrain that experienced a huge boom in the early 1900s but has since fallen into obscurity. The sandstone in the area has been shaped into a multitude of imaginative formations and is often shrouded in fog thanks to the humid river valley and the Elbe River. The surrounding terrain isn’t too high, so hiking here is more of a pleasure than a chore.

Tentative Schedule

Day 1

Those of us flying will be picked up at the Dresden airport; the rest of us will meet at the hotel. We’ll go on our first photo excursion that very afternoon.

Day 2, 3

We’ll meet at the reception area about an hour before sunrise for the morning’s adventure and return around 9 a.m. for breakfast. After that, we’ll have some free time before heading out again to explore the landscape. We’ll be out for 8–10 hours on these days, making the most of the light. If the weather is better suited for other activities, we’ll take a break and edit photos. It might therefore be a good idea to pack a laptop.

Day 4

Just like on Days 2 and 3, we’ll meet up early. Depending on the departure times, we’ll head to Dresden after lunch.

A few weeks after the trip, we’ll meet again—this time via Zoom—to review the photos.

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,

• Supervision and guidance by Mattias Sjölund

• Help with your photos on location, both in the field and in the digital darkroom*,

• Private room at the Lindenhof Hotel in Bad Schandau,

• Free print of your favorite photo from your trip (max size 30x40 cm)

• Breakfast,

• A 1-hour one-on-one session during or after your trip (via Zoom if after the trip) on any photography-related topic of your choice. We can discuss topics such as digital processing, editing, camera techniques, composition, and more. Book it here

• A photo review and critique session held several weeks after the trip ends. The entire group will reconvene via Zoom.

Participants & Price:

19,900 SEK per person.

Min. 6 / Max. 7 participants

The trip does not include:

• Transportation costs to and from the destination or to the location that serves as the starting and ending point of the trip. This is typically an airport or train station.

• Meals (in addition to those listed),

• Personal insurance that covers any unexpected costs and needs. Generally, standard home insurance is sufficient.

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 AB will be fully responsible for ensuring that the package tour as a whole is performed correctly. In addition, Foto Magica AB 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. According to the applicable terms and conditions, your expression of interest becomes binding 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 to cancel more than 6 months before departure. Read more about cancellation policies in the terms and conditions below. The trip does not include flights, trains, or other transportation to and from the destination other than what is specified above. Nor does it include personal expenses, cancellation protection, etc. 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.

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