Calling all camera clubs and groups of photography enthusiasts:

Photo Tours Abroad is pleased to now offer a sponsored series of photography tours especially for groups.  

Benefits include:

-Fully researched and supported trips with a strong photography focus

-A bonding experience for your members

-Reduced costs for larger group sizes

Visit our website or email us for more details about how we can cooperate with your organisation.

The samurai ("ones who serve") were an elite class of highly skilled warriors of feudal Japan, with each serving his own master.

They were bound by an unwritten code that combined elements of discipline, morality, Zen Buddhism and Shintoism, among others. This Bushido Code - The Way of the Warrior - is still studied today in modern martial arts training, as well as by aspiring CEOs, and many of the principles continue to underpin Japanese culture. Some of the most important principles included:

Rectitude: Moral rectitude and the power to take a correct course of action is one of the foundation virtues of Bushido, upon which everything else rests.

Courage: Obviously an important quality for a warrior, but is also applied to one's moral behaviour as well. As Confucius said "Perceiving what is right and doing it not, reveals a lack of courage."

Benevolence and Mercy: With the power of being able to kill and destroy comes the responsibility of knowing when to use that power, and a great warrior is not judged so much on his acts of violence but on those of compassion.

Honesty: In Western thinking we have the idea that a "man is only as good as his word", and so too in Japan. One's word carried such weight that written contracts were not needed, as it would indicate doubt as to the veracity of the word of the other party.

Honour: Honour was such an important virtue, that to lose it would require an act of seppuku - ritual suicide, thus restoring honour to the samurai's master and family.

Loyalty: Loyalty to their master was paramount, and sometimes required acts of vengeance to prove the samurai's loyalty, as well as maintain their honour.

For your chance to follow the Way of the Samurai along the Nakasendo Trail you can join our Guest Artist Clyde Heppner this May, as he introduces you to the photographic variety of Japan. (Samurai armour not required). 

China's diverse population is made up of 55 nationality groups, who are culturally and linguistically distinct from the majority Han Chinese. Two groups of particular interest are the Miao and Dong minorities of southern China, who are famous for their architectural and musical heritage, as well as their elegant traditional dress and folk crafts. Our Guest Artist Robert van Koesveld accompanied a group of Photo Tours Abroad participants to this region last year, and is looking forward to repeating the journey in 2014.

The Dong are renowned for their wooden architecture, traditionally constructed without the use of nails. Two of the most famous structures are the Drum Towers and Wind and Rain Bridges. The Drum Tower, with its gorgeous pagoda-shaped roof soaring into the sky, lies at the spiritual and literal heart of a Dong village and functions as meeting place, celebration hall, and the seat of local government. The Wind and Rain bridges obviously provide protection from the elements, and are also a reminder of some of the animistic beliefs in the Dong spiritual system. Both structures are feature beautifully carved intricate woodwork, and for photographers offer many interesting perspectives.

Like most of the minority groups, the Miao do not have a written language, and so have relied on the oral tradition of songs and storytelling to pass on their culture from generation to generation. The songs of the Miao describe everything from the creation of the universe to seasonal farming guides, and provide an encyclopaedia of Miao customs and beliefs. Songs are used to express grief and joy, and feature in funerals as well as weddings, and in the past were an important aspect of the courtship rituals of the young people.

May is one of the best times to visit this region of China as it is when the Siyueba festival is held in Guizhou - a spectacular event in which all the local minority groups in the area convene for the revelry and their local culture is on show in full colour. Photographers are rewarded with the sight of traditional costumes, dancing displays, and folk singing contests. After a successful festival last year, Robert van Koesveld will be back to introduce you, and your camera, to this fascinating part of China.