Seductive Siracusa Sicily 
Photography Adventure with Mary
7-Night Retreat February 16 to February 23, 2027 
​$2700 includes Accommodation

*Register by August 15, 2026 to book our hotel

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Discover this tantalizing, scrumptious island in Southern Italy!

Exploring Sicily will thrill you to the core, I've visited 7 times and go back every year. Why?

Because Sicily is a breathtaking brew of Greek, Arab, Norman, and Roman cultures.

​You'll walk to spectacular places:  the sparkling sea is your new front yard, dazzling daily strolls and vibrant views where you'll receive one-on-one guidance on how to take exquisite photographs. 

Your photography guidance is hands-on training as you're shooting which is the way I learned how to do it 45 years ago.

Are you wondering how to compose a shot, choose an angle, and identify your light then this is your creative retreat. 

You'll take incredible photographs with any camera or phone even if you've never picked up a camera before.

We'll see every sunset from this gorgeous island of Ortigia on Sicily.

Stunning Siracusa, on the island of Ortigia where we will stay, is the pearl of the Mediterranean. Sparkling Baroque architecture, delicious seafood, and local wine.

Friendly residents and easy to walk or bike on this gorgeous island.

Want to get naughty? The food here is thrilling. 

Pistachio is the passion of Sicily, and luscious chocolate, sinful arancini, divine bread, lusty gelato, and the shameless cheese and wine!

The vivacious Ortigia food market with colorful street vendors announce their wares with gusto. 

You'll be ecstatic seeing the breathtaking beaches and ancient temples where we'll be shooting; both in town and in nature.

And then Taormina, the perfectly preserved Greek Amphitheater is better than Greece!

Gems you'll discover: sunsets over the Mediterranean, fountain of Diana in a gorgeous piazza and the robust food market of Ortigia. Sunsets melting you in bliss, and the fresh seafood caught locally.

Exquisite views, spectacular food, and Baroque architecture towering over a cobalt blue sea. 

And still time for shopping, eating, massages, and visiting ancient ruins if you like.

Bonus: you'll eat heavenly Sicilian delicacies you've never tasted before and their wine is absolutely yummy: lower alcohol content, high value and low cost.
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Going solo?
Almost 100% of retreat participants are solo so it's perfect if you are too!
6 People only so let me know by August 15.

Here's the thing;
Every photo walk is an adventure, carefully curated to ignite your creativity and spark incredible photos taken by you! Guaranteed. 

What it includes:

7 Nights Accommodation at the Gutkowski Hotel, with 
7 breakfasts at the hotel.

This place is wonderful, it's right on the Mediterranean Sea. You can safely walk all over the stunning island of Ortigia. 

All photography and travel guidance from my 7 times in this fabulous Baroque city. Only 6 people.

​Sicily Itinerary
Meet Feb 16 to have a drink together and get acquainted.

February 17 Day 1:
Explore the central piazza of Siracusa and the breathtaking architecture. Sunset and dusk shooting in the early evening.

Street photography in the center of town. You'll capture candid moments of people, practicing your timing to nail the shot. There's an art to capturing stealth photos.
Sicilians in this town have been known to playfully participate in your photo captures. 

February 18 Day 2
Siracusa architecture is why this is a UNESCO World Heritage site: but the food is better in Sicily so during our shoot we'll be stopping at a vetted seafood cafe to revive ourselves. And taking photos at the Ortigia Market
Full day of shooting and instruction in video too.

February 19 Day 3
Day Trip to Noto, this UNESCO world heritage site is stunning.

February 20 Day 4
Morning shooting of how to get a great photo of a person in 1 minute or less. And you'll receive in depth commentary on your photos. This will help you see what makes some of your photos remarkable and exactly how you can improve other photos the next time you're out shooting so you can continue your success at home. 
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February 21 Day 5
Taormina day by train from Siracusa. This stunning town will captivate you with amazing views and a gorgeous beach.
We'll be walking in the historic center taking stealth shots of people and the breathtaking landscape.
Greek Amphitheatre, stunning botanical garden with views, patisseries, and fun shops. 

February 22 Day 6 
Bonus day, do what you like and I'll make recommendations for massages or shopping. Or relax and reflect.

​February 23 Day 7
​You can catch your plane in Catania or add on more days with a trip to Palermo. You'll get detailed plans on how to do this in our call.

Here's what Shirley McClintock, a participant in my Sicily workshop has to say about it:
"Your real talent is the care you bring to everyone you meet. You have a special sparkle that most people don’t have."

​Book a Discovery Call Now
Email me at [email protected] and I'll immediately send it to you.
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Is this for you?

This is for you if you don't want to agonize over which island to visit in the Mediterranean.

​Sicily will captivate you with its seascapes, ravishing architecture, and friendly residents.

And I'll be with you every step of the way! I've fallen in love with its charm, beauty, seafood, and people from 7 journeys. 

Here's why you should book now and why this retreat is unique:
1. Only 6 people, so once all seats are reserved, no more availability until next year. Book by August 15.
2. You'll return home with stunning photos and new skills you've learned so you can photograph your future travels and your own backyard, capturing people, architecture, and nature. 
3. No single supplement for your private room. You get your own space in a boutique hotel, I've discovered for you.

Where to stay?
Gutkowski Hotel is the perfect place for you in the center of Ortigia, Siracusa so you can walk everywhere. Breakfast included.


Siracusa, Taormina, and Noto are bursting with fresh seafood and Sicilian delicacies, wonderful local artisan shops and relaxing strolls around town.
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You'll be invigorated by the salty air and ancient piazzas on a white pebble beach.

You're free to reserve your spot now by clicking below and I'll contact you the same day.

$2700 per person includes all photography guidance, advice, recommendations, your hotel for 7 nights, breakfasts at your hotel. And 1:1 guidance on how to add more days of fun to your itinerary on your Sicily Adventure. 

Payments are through Venmo. Paypal and credit cards are also available. Let me know what you prefer.

Lunch/dinner and day trips are additional. Most people have their own diets so I've kept the price lower rather than inflating the price to include meals. 

​You'll be able to walk to all cafes and bars from your lodging.
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See what Donna and Shirley say about their retreat experience in Sicily with me in the videos below 
Book A Call to get more info on how you can join us 


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Paris and Reims Itinerary

Day One
9:30AM to 2PM Luxembourg Gardens
1. We start with a two-minute meditation. Then!
2. Guidance on your specific camera or phone.
3. Exact instruction on composition, angle, lighting, and timing
4. We'll go to a nearby bistro for lunch or plan to meet up for dinner
Day Two
9:30AM to 2PM Street photos at the Sorbonne or Pere Lachaise Cemetery
1. Specific advice about how to take candid photos of people while being invisible
2. Pere Lachaise is romantic, full of famous Art Deco tombs and is gorgeous in the Fall
3. Dinner at Casimir Paris 
Day Three
Lunch at Galerie Vivienne, gorgeous vintage covered couvert in above photos.
Exquisite detail shooting of the most famous tower in the world. This art deco elegant crown of Paris is remarkable. We'll  arrive pre sunset at the Eiffel Tower so we can get the sparkly lights illuminating the sky of this magical city. Or we can see it in the day.
It's a Paris tradition.
Day Four
Take the train to Reims to the champagne region of France
4 nights
Ruinart and Veuve Cliquot Caves
Day Trip to Epernay by train (cave to be announced)

Only 4 to 6 Participants 
6 Days of Shooting and Commentary on your photos
Advice on onward travel or travel before the workshop