I'd like to get a feel for the level of interest in a photo trip to Ottawa, Canada, including the Thousand Islands area and possibly a day in Montreal.

This trip would be in Spring 2011, most likely May, during the Ottawa Tulip Festival. It would include many of the best photo sites in Ottawa, a trip to a castle in the Thousand Islands region, and, depending on the level of interest, a tour of Montreal (two hours by road from Ottawa.)

Ottawa - Parliament Hill

Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands Region

Montreal from Mount Royal Park

Because of the level of work and effort involved, I would have to charge a fee for this trip, but for Shutterbug Excursion members, it will be less than what's commercially available.

This email is also posted on the group's Message Board - please respond on the Message Board.

Best regards,
SteveR

Steve Rosenbach

George P contacted me to say that he's interested in this trip, and correctly reminded me to mention that a valid passport is now required to enter Canada and return to the U.S. - thanks, George!

This sounds like a great trip. Do you have an approx. cost of the trip and how long the trip will be?

I would love to go on this trip. Cost and time will be a deciding factor. My daughters college is bleeding me dry. But if I can start planning for it I would really be interested.

Would we be meeting up there in our own cars. That might help keep cost down, well for me at least.

Cost of the Passport and pic is around $100.00. People can get the info from their local Post Office, maybe not the quickest way to get a Passport, but cheapest!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for your interest! So far, six people have responded either to this thread or directly to me via email

Here are the basic details:

+ Ottawa for two days - I'm envisioning about 5 to 6 hours per day of actual walking around taking photos - it's a small city but a lot to see, a real jewel! In between photo sessions of 1 to 2 hours, we'll have breaks, instruction/discussions, time for meals, etc., so it won't be 6 hours all at once. On one of the two days, we'll include a photo session from early evening until after sunset, probably near Parliament Hill, as the city is lit up.

+ During the 2 days in Ottawa, in addition to the walking-around photo sessions, I'll be available pretty much the entire rest of each day for group or individual instruction, help on camera operation, composition, and other photo topics. I'll bring a laptop, and we'll make use of it for some "show and tell" of your favorite images as we go along as well as some instruction on basic photo editing. My aim is to make available to you a "total immersion" photo experience that will be both productive and fun.

+ optional trip to Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands region - this is on the way back by car from Ottawa to Baltimore/DC area. I'm thinking 2-3 hours here. The region itself is amazingly beautiful, and the "castle" is actually a large estate, with 2 castle-like buildings and beautiful grounds.

+ I'm not sure anymore if it pays to go to Montreal - that would take an extra day and about 4 hours round trip travel time

+ The cost for the 2 days of photo touring in Ottawa would be approximately $250, and optionally, $50 for the Boldt Castle tour. This does not include transportation to and from Ottawa, lodging and meals.

+ Carpooling would make the trip to and from Ottawa much cheaper and allow for several drivers to a car - the trip is about 10 hours one-way from DC, about 9 from Baltimore. Coming back, for those going to Boldt Castle on the third day, once there you're an hour closer to home. For Boldt Castle, we'd leave Ottawa a bit before 9AM, arriving around 10AM just over the US/Canada border to take the short boat ride to Boldt Castle. Leaving there between 1 and 2 PM, it would still be feasible to drive home that same day.

+I would say you'd have to arrive in Ottawa the night before at lastest. If it would be better for the majority of people going, we can certainly schedule the excursion to take advantage of a Saturday and Sunday to minimize time off from work.

Please ask as many questions as you like! The cost may change very slightly as I clarify a few details, but it won't be more than $20 difference from what I've written above.

I think this sounds great, Steve. I have been on a boat passing Boldt Castle and it was a sight to see from the water. I would love to explore the grounds as well. Does your price include hotel rooms? My passport is ready. :-)

Hi Sarah,

"...Does your price include hotel rooms?...."

I wish, but alas, it's just the fee for the photo tour itself.

I have done a lot of free trips with Shutterbug Excursions, but this one will take a lot more time and effort, so unfortunately, I'm not able to do it for free.

I think it is a good deal, though. There is at least one local person in Ottawa doing these kind of tours, but his are 2-hour sessions at $60 each, and you may not be able to get several sessions within a two-or three day trip. Also, beyond the sessions, I 'll be available for help and instruction pretty much the entire time (well, other than sleeping at night, that is ;-)

Thanks for your interest - if I can answer anything else, please ask.

Best regards,
SteveR

Hi Everyone,

Some people have asked me to clarify the price.

If you want to just do the two days in Ottawa, that will be $250.

If you want to also participate in the tour of Boldt Castle and the island it's on, that will be an *additional* $50, for a total of $300.

Boldt Castle will be on the 3rd day - it's about a 1-hour drive from Ottawa, on the way "home" :-)

Sorry for any confusion.

-- SteveR

I didn't think it would include room prices but thought I would check. -Sarah