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 May 14, 2015
Cuban Streets - Photo by Jim Cline
  


 Greetings from all of us at Jim Cline Photo Tours! Spring is in the air and our early/late spring tours are off and running! I'm on the road in Peru now, leading my Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley photo tour. Karl finished his Vietnam Explorer trip, last month, and is looking forward to his Angkor Photo Workshop coming up in July. Ralph just finished leading his Turkey: Bridging Two continents trip, and will be beginning his Highlights of the Adriatic next week. And, Kat is holding down the fort, answering your questions and keeping things on track. 


We are excited about our tour offerings in the coming year - some that we have run in the past, but we have new ones, as well. We still have spaces available on many of them, there ought to be something to work with your interests and schedule.


 

Cheers,

Jim  


 
 
2015 Photo Tours & Workshops

  

Highlights of the Adriatic: Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro
May 21 - June 2, 2015 with Ralph Velasco


Trip full. To add your name to the interest list for the 2016 trip, click here.
 


  
Angkor Photo Workshop
July 22 - August 5, 2015 with Karl Grobl
Only 2 spaces left!

 
The purpose of this hands-on instructional workshop is to push yourself to the limits of your ability and imagination, to have an outstanding and unusual cultural experience, and to enjoy and learn from the company of others. The workshop includes a multitude of activities including lectures, one-on-one instruction, critiques, assignments, and exploration of all things photographic. During the course of the workshop you will learn new skills and techniques, then apply them in real-life situations. Your results will be reviewed and then you will go back out and improve your craft. If you're looking to improve your photography skills in a big way, this workshop is for you.  
 
To view the itinerary and reserve your spot, click here.  

 
  
Papua New Guinea 
August 6-19, 2015 with Karl Grobl



Trip full - wait list available.  
To add your name to the wait list for 2015 or the interest list for 2016, click here.  
 

 
  
Mexico's Copper Canyon 
August 7-16, 2015 with Ralph Velasco
 
During this special tour, participants can shoot while travelling on one of the greatest train rides in the world; featuring 37 bridges and 86 tunnels along the route. The canyon's beauty abounds with sheer cliff walls and lush landscapes. The layered gorge is akin to America's Grand Canyon, though four times deeper and bigger! During the journey, we'll explore and photograph the areas around the rim of the canyon in the towns of Creel and Divisadero, and photograph locals who inhabit the area. This tour provides a chance to see how daily life operates in a charming town located 6,000 feet below the rim of the canyon. If you enjoy outdoor photography, exploring, trains, and nature - hop on board and join us!

 

To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here. 


 
  
Rustic and Rural Romania 
August 30 - September 12, 2015 with Ralph Velasco
Only 2 spaces left!
  
Traveling the most picturesque regions of Romania with tenured Guide Ralph Velasco - an abundance of people, architecture, landscape, food, animal and other photo opportunities await you. From Bucharest, we'll make our way to the region of Maramures, one of the last truly rural areas in Europe. We'll meet and photograph interesting locals who will be harvesting fresh hay, making traditional hats, building wooden gates and more.
Photographing wooden churches there, and world famous painted monasteries in Moldovita and Sucevita, the area is supremely photographic. We'll also explore and shoot Bran castle, the so-called "Dracula castle," which is in reality, a wonderful medieval castle set in a picturesque valley. Join us, and see why the rustic and rural aspects of Romania are truly a photograph's dream.  

To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here.     
   
 
  
Amazing Myanmar
September 21 - October 5, 2015 with Karl Grobl
Only 2 spaces left!
 
Join us as we explore what is perhaps the least-discovered country in Southeast Asia and is truly one of the few "authentic" destinations there. Our itinerary includes Yangon's Schwedagon Pagoda; the ancient city of Bagan, where the landscape is dotted with more than one thousand temples; and Inle Lake, wherein life is seemingly unchanged for centuries. Each location affords a wide variety of photographic opportunities including street photography, landscape photography, environmental portraiture and still life.

 To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here. 
 
  
Exploring Historic Central Europe
October 1 -14, 2015 with Ralph Velasco 
 
Join award-winning travel photographer, author and international tour guide, Ralph Velasco, as you discover five of Central Europe's most exciting and photogenic cities: Berlin, Prague, Krakow, Bratislava, and Budapest.  Ralph's personal knowledge of these cities will surely make for some great photo opportunities.  
 
To view the itinerary and reserve your space, click here.


 
  
Ensenada/Tecate Photo Tour & Workshop
October  2015 with Jim Cline 
 
There are a great variety of photographic subjects on this trip for just 3 days - the colorful fish market, sea-lions, mariachis, seascapes, vendors and their products, local people, the beautiful Riviera Cultural Center (formerly a casino owned by boxer Jack Dempsey), a boat trip in the morning light in the working harbor, wineries with wine-tasting, a very rustic pottery factory, and finally the tranquil town of Tecate with its typical Mexican plaza. Also during the trip, Jim will give slide show lectures on creating more dynamic photographs and on maximizing your results with digital cameras.
 
For full details or to be added to the interest list for notification when this trip is released, click here.


 
  
Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
October 27 - November 5, 2015 with Jim Cline 
Only 3 spaces left!
 
Join this tour to experience the most Mexican of holidays as we explore and photograph parties held for the dead in cemeteries, elaborately decorated altars, costume parades, colorful markets, splendid colonial churches, the locals and their daily life in Oaxaca. We will also explore villages in the surrounding area, busy marketplaces and the ancient Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban. 
 
To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here.

 

India: Pushkar Camel Fair & Taj Mahal
November 11 - 25, 2015 with 
Karl Grobl

Trip full, wait list available

To add your name to the wait list for 2016 or the interest list for 2016, 


 
 Photo Tours & Cultural Trips in 2016-17
 
 

Cuba: People-to-People Cultural Exchange  

First Quarter 2016 with Jim Cline 
  

Jim will be leading three People-to-People Cultural exchange trips in January, February and March 2016. With 18 years of experience traveling in Cuba, he is ideally suited to show participants the varied and wholly unique sights and experiences Cuba has to offer. 

 
For information or to be added to the interest list for notification when these three trips are released, click here. 

 

Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
 January 20 - February 4, 2016 with Karl Grobl 
This tri-country tour begins in Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital city, where we will explore the Grand Palace, cruise the canals, photograph vendors in the floating markets, and much more! Then it's off to northern Thailand, where we get to know and photograph hill tribes. A two-day boat journey is next, traversing and photographing largely unexplored areas down the mysterious Mekong River, while en route to Luang Prabang, Laos. Once there, we'll photograph its green hills and gold temples, and see hundreds of Buddhist monks take their morning alms walk through town. A flight to Cambodia will position our group in the bustling fascinating capital city of Phnom Penh. Then it's onto Siem Reap, Cambodia to explore and photograph Angkor, a stunning ancient collection of over 100 temples set against the dramatic backdrop of lush jungle greenery and verdant fields.  
 
For more information or to reserve your spot, click here.

 


 India: Gujarat & the Malabar Coast
 February 2016 with Karl Grobl
  
Join Karl exploring and photographing the array of paradoxical and moving events, people and culture unique to India's Malabar Coast.

For full details, click here.

 

 

 


 Vietnam Explorer
 March 15-29, 2016 with Karl Grobl
  
Vietnam is a country rich with photographic opportunities: The diverse landscape includes the roughly 1000-mile-long and beautiful coastline, magnificent mountain ranges and karstic rock formations to capture the eye. Newly developing in the modern world, traditional lifestyles are still very part of the daily life of the Vietnamese.  The robust itinerary for this trip will have our group experiencing and photographing an exciting mix of landscapes, people, places, philosophies, cuisines, crafts, and religions.

For full details or to reserve your spot, click here.

 


Turkey: Bridging Two Continents
 April 2016 with Ralph Velasco
  
This intriguing tour begins in Istanbul, where participants will experience and photograph many renowned sites- including the Basilica Cistern and magnificent Hagia Sophia.  We'll cruise the Bosphorus, visit Ephesus -the largest ancient city ever uncovered and explore  the deep canyons and fertile valleys of Cappadocia (via optional hot air balloon if you'd like), as well as other important, historical sites of the Ottoman Empire. Photo opportunities will be vast; from the local people, farms and villages, to breathtaking landscapes, to the fascinating architecture of the Byzantine era not to mention the world's largest bazaar. This trip is not to be missed.

For full details or to be added to the interest list for notification when this trip is released, click here.

 


Peru, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley of the Incas
 May 2016 with Jim Cline
  
Peru deserves its reputation as a mystical travel destination. From the beautiful colonial gem of Cuzco, to the incredible Inca site at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley with its picturesque towns and majestic Inca ruins, Peru is a place rich with photo opportunities.

For full details or to be added to the interest list for notification when this trip is released, click here.

 

  
Philippines 
May 2016 with Karl Grobl
Filipino Mountains
 
The Philippines is the hidden gem of Southeast Asia. It boasts a fantastic landscape, including its amazing rice terraces, colonial architecture and palm-fringed, white-sand beaches on a scale and beauty that one might have expected to find in Hawaii decades ago. Beyond the scenic beauty, you'll find it's the Filipinos themselves who make the country such a joy to visit. We can expect a wonderful journey full of friendly, smiling and photo-ready locals.
 
For more information or to add your name to the interest list when this trip is released, click here.

 
  
Guatemala, the Living Maya
November 2016 with Jim Cline
 
From the Spanish Colonial town of Antigua, to volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán, to the many wonderful little villages and their energetic markets filled with indigenous locals in colorful dress, you'll find plenty of subjects to explore with your camera in Guatemala. The Mayan traditions are alive and well in this sometimes mysterious, and always captivating country.
 
For more information or to add your name to the interest list when this trip is released, click here.

 
  
 Spotlight on Participants

During our Myanmar Tour this award-winning shot was captured by Laurie Bergner, The image won 'Best in Show' in the 2015 competition of Urbana Park- Champaign 
County (IL) Camera Club.  Laurie received 1st place in the People Category. Our congratulations go out to her!
  
 

Andrew Eio's intriguing monochrome photos are currently featured on the Royal Photographic Society website. The 15 images featured were taken during the 2013 Philippines photo tour with Karl Grobl. They document a homeless community that exist in a space under a bridge that is only 100 yards long, shared with the main railway and local traffic. 
To view all 15 shots, just click here.

  
On our website...

 
Participant Galleries

Many post-trip photo galleries loaded with cool images shot by participants during our tours can be viewed directly from our website. Just click on the word 'Galleries' on top of each page on our website, or simply click on the photo above.  We hope you'll stop by to see the varied experiences which other photo enthusiasts have captured during our photo tours.

  
Chat with us!

In an effort to serve you better, we've added a new "Chat" feature on our website. You'll see a pop--up window located on the bottom right of our website. If we're, online and available, it will read, "Have a question about a tour? Chat with us!". If not, it will read, "Contact Us". 

Rest assured it will be one of us on the other end, standing by to answer your questions. We're excited about this new feature and hope your'll find it helpful!

 





Jim Cline Photo Tours LLC

Who we are:
Jim Cline, Founder/Trip Leader
Karl Grobl, Co-Founder/Trip Leader
Ralph Velasco, Trip Leader
Kat Miner, Logistics Coordinator



Where to find us:
JimClinePhotoTours.com
info@jimcline.com
11387 Ocean Ridge Way
San Diego, California 92130
(858) 350-1314 


Like us on Facebook  
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Follow us on Twitter
@jcphototours
@JimClinePhotoTours


 
 
 
 
 
Testimonials!

We are very proud of 
the testimonials we've received.
I hope you'll take a look at
what some of our participants
have had to say about 
our tours.  Click here to read or take a look below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 
 
 
 
 
Past Newsletters
(click on month to view)

 

February 2015

December 2014

August 2014

June 2014 

 

  

 

 

 

 







Karl's Blog
 
In spite of his busy schedule, Karl does a great job of keeping his blog up to date. You can follow him on his journeys at his blog address:
www.karlgrobl.com/blog


 
 
We're in Rough Guides!

We are already listed in Moon Handbooks and Frommer's guidebooks. Now we have been written up in Rough Guides,  as well! 
See our write-up here

 

 

 

"I thought the trip was excellent with zero disappointments!  Karl did a superb job of guiding, teaching and making everyone comfortable.  My photography improved during the trip and now I will always think 'What would Karl do in this situation'.   Both guides have made this trip so many times that most things seemed "seamless". I would absolutely recommend the tour and look forward to joining another tour."  -Michael Clayton, 2013 participant(India tour) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Copper Canyon has so much to offer and all my expectations for a wonderful time were exceeded.  The planning and attention to detail by Ralph, in advance of the trip, assured that everyone had the opportunity to make the most of the area. Importantly, that advanced planning and the quality of the lodging allowed our group to talk about photography, not logistics ~ Amen.  I started the trip with a set of learning goals and was able to devote a great deal of energy to improving my skill level in a variety of scenic and adventurous settings."  -David Toombs, participant (Copper Canyon)

 

 

 

 

 

"This trip opened up a whole lot of possibilities for me for which I am hugely grateful.  I have struggled about how to get motivated to shoot at home.  With the idea of doing stories and projects vs. random shots, suddenly the world feels like it is opening up. Regarding recommending this workshop, I would unconditionally recommend it to anyone wanting to learn and practice story-telling type photography. I look forward to more trips with Jim Cline Photo Tours"   -Ivy Gordon, 2014 participant (Angkor) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 "Another great trip and Jim was great, as always; he is a pleasure to travel and shoot with.  I thought the photo opps were all good.  I can definitely recommend this trip considering it is a short, less expensive trip that gives you an authentic experience of Mexico and some great photo opportunities."  -Robert Dominis 2014 participant Ensenada tour

  

 

 

  

 

"Thank you for a marvelous trip, it was fantastic! The photo opportunities were excellent and varied; I got some shots that I'm very happy with and my photography improved. Jim did a great job of attending to people's needs both photographic and logistic.   The local guides that Jim works with provided a great deal of information and both were congenial and really seemed to be involved in the group's activities. If someone wants a vital experience with another culture, solid instruction photographing people and places in that milieu and an out-and-out good time, this is the trip to take."  
- Louis Sasso, Peru tour participant







"I would rate this trip a 10 as it exceeded my expectations and feel that it is good value for the cost.  The restaurants were fine, I enjoyed photographing the models and definitely got some great shots."  -Alan Barber, participant Chiapas tour





"Karl, you are an experienced leader and run a great trip. I see why you have a loyal following. i appreciate the help and photo advice. All I had to do was listen and remember when to show up. I think taking people pictures will be easier for me now." 
-Chuck Thompson, participant Vietnam tour










"It was a great trip, Jim was wonderful.  He was well prepared, patient and has a
good sense of humor.  He was very easy to travel with; I feel like I'm traveling with a friend.  The individual attention is so valuable...I learned several things ... that helped me to get better photos.  I really liked the opportunity to interact with and photograph the locals.  Jim's many relationships with locals is what makes the trips special and will keep me coming back again and again. Jim did a great job."  
-Terri Huizinga, Guatemala tour participant





"This trip started me on fulfilling a life-long wish to visit India. I will go back!  I loved the train rides, even (especially) the long one in that funky first-class car.  The Golden Temple was fascinating.  I'm grateful that we had the opportunity to stop at the various villages along our route, which would not be possible without your planning and past experiences. Every place we visited offered something special.   In general, the lodging was very good, and a few places stood out.  Thank you all, and especially you, Karl, for all of your hard work. You are the best...and don't ever give up this day job, Karl! I have a bucket list to complete with you!" -Nancy Brandt, participant India Pushker tour, 2014












"There are many choices for photo tours to India, but I felt this [tour] was well-priced. The locations were ideal for northern India and Karl's photographic expertise and personality made this THE only choice for me."  
-Barbara Colbert, participant








"The tour offers lots to shoot that's out of the ordinary, including many opportunities to think out of the box.  So much of it was just great shooting and I got lots of great pictures!  The workshops [and leader] helped me think in different ways/capture images out of my typical pattern. Thanks so much for putting together a great trip...which exceeded my expectations."  -Rose Schierl, 2014 participant (Ensenada tour)
 






 

  

 

  

 

 

"This is my second time traveling with you [Jim], and as before, I had a marvelous time.  Your planning and execution of the itinerary is excellent.  Your knowledge of the area and the personal relationships with the people there truly make your trips exceptional.  It all adds up to a truly enjoyable travel and photographic experience.  Thus, I always highly recommend you to anyone with interest in the areas that you visit. I'll look forward to traveling with you again at some point in time.  Thank you!" 
-Rita Florea, Chiapas tour participant


 


 

 

 

 

  

"There is no way that this trip would have been so wonderful if it wasn't for all Karl's efforts on all of our behalf; his taking the time to teach, and his ability to be even handed at all times. He opened our eyes to photography in such a way and in such a short time. We feel that we got way more than we expected from the tour and Karl. We were deeply indebted to all the work done to make that trip (and every other trip) as satisfying as possible."
-George & Joan Saba, India Pushkar participants 




...One of the things I love about trips through Jim Cline is the standard of food and accommodation. After a day in the mud or dust of the streets of Asia or bumping over rough rails or roads, it is such a pleasure to retreat to a private and comfortable space!

I don't think you can do better than with a trip with Karl and Jim Cline photo tours."
-Ursula Wall, multi-trip participant 

    
 
"I would rate the trip as an 11 (out of 10)!   Karl could not have been better guide, and the local guide was great.  I definitely improved my photography skills.  I really enjoyed the cultural experience, seeing the sites, smelling the smells, being in the mix as much a big American could be in Myanmar.  I had a great time and received good value for the money."  -Kit Smith, tour participant
 
 



"The Oaxaca trip was incredible. I absolutely loved it and want to do it again in a couple of years." -Becky Wallace, 2013 participant 

 

 


"Karl is a fantastic and great guy whom I respect, with a refreshing approach to travel photography. He is one of the best tour leaders in the business.  He totally focuses on his tour clients so that when we get to locations, Karl is there for us...Karl's group communication is simply "Excellent".   Plus, he makes everything a joy. Before we get to a location, he briefs the group on what to expect provides tips and pointers on the location, light and camera settings, answers questions etc.  By the time the bus stops everybody is up and running, he guides those who seek additional input.."  --Peter Ivicevich, participant Vietnam tour  

 
 
"It was a wonderful trip and it certainly exceeded all my expectations from each photo shoot, every hotel, our local Indian guide, DV, the pace...all contributed to the success of the trip. Best of all, Karl was a most accommodating, patient, instructive, talented, good-natured, entertaining, tireless leader AND definitely well-connected.  My only regret was not going on the extension.  Thanks for everything."  -Sally Bucko Pushkar tour participant
 



"Karl was excellent at resourcing the diverse needs of each and every participant. I Loved Karl's enthusiasm whether it was pouring rain, full sun or anything in between Karl would enthusiastically point out the benefits, and learnt so much from Karl and appreciated his guidance.  The guide was (also) excellent - he shared his knowledge about Myanmar, demonstrated care for each person and resourced their individual needs, and managed the organizational details of the trip with great skill and professionalism." -Cheryl Phillips, participant 2013


 "This trip was fantastic, as well as the photo opps!  The scenes that await capture are beyond anything imaginable! Karl was amazing with his fantastic attitude and enthusiasm, as well as the local guides who were such an important part of this fabulous trip!  The pace/timing of the itinerary was wonderfully exciting!  All the restaurants I found to be enjoyable.  I took the optional extension and, what a treat to be in some really isolated areas.  My main objective in taking the trip was to photograph, photograph, and photograph; and that we did!  This was truly a fantastic trip far beyond any imagination!" -Ann Thompson, participant Myanmar tour 2015 








 
  
 
 


That's all for now! We hope to see you on a photo tour soon!
 

JIM CLINE PHOTO TOURS LLC
 www.JimCline.com

858-350-1314

Toll free 877-350-1314

email: info @ jimcline dot com