For photography and nature lovers
The Paradores Photowalk is an activity intended for photography enthusiasts during which participants are offered a photographic experience in a privileged setting. On this occasion, we visit the Parador de Artíes, in the Aran Valley, and the photo session will take place in the lush beech forest of Carlac. We will be accompanied by the photographer Javier Vallhonrat, winner of the National Photography Award and a great connoisseur of the Pyrenean environment, after 30 years creating photographic projects in nature.
The Photowalk consists of a three-day workshop for a group of up to 15 people. During the workshop, Vallhonrat will examine the various phases of the creative process from an artistic point of view to enable participants to develop their personal vision of the environment. The photos resulting from the workshop will be displayed in a gallery on the Paradores website and social networks.
To complete the experience, the Photowalk includes two nights' accommodation at the Parador de Artíes and a gastronomic menu specially created by Paradores for the participants. Pre-register now and, if selected by Javier Vallhonrat, enjoy this wonderful experience at the Parador de Arties.
Information about the Paradores 2023 Photowalk
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What does it include?
To complete the experience, the Photowalk includes two nights' accommodation at the Parador de Artíes, with menus specially created for the occasion. The schedule for the activity is detailed below.
Travel is not included. The photographic activity requires own vehicle.
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Programme
FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER (accommodation + dinner)
17:00 – 20:00. Presentation of the activity by Javier Vallhonrat.
21:30. Dinner at the Parador de Arties. Traditional Aranese menu.
SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER (accommodation + full board)
08:00. Breakfast at the Parador de Artíes
10:00. Departure to take photos. The itinerary will be set by J. Vallhonrat the day before.
14:30. Lunch: picnic provided by the Parador de Arties.
16:30. Workshop continues
21:30. Dinner at the Parador de Artíes. Landscape menu.
SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER (breakfast)
08:30. Breakfast at the Parador de Artíes
10:00 a 12:00. Review of photos
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Profile of participants
The photographer Javier Vallhonrat will be responsible for selecting the participants from among all those who have pre-registered. Those who sign up must have the following skills:
- Have your own photographic equipment and technical knowledge of how it works.
- Appropriate footwear and clothing for the practical outing.
- You must have your own vehicle. The activity does not include transport to the area where the practical outing will take place.
- Physical level required: intermediate-low. Ideal for people in good physical shape, not suitable for people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems, operations or recent injuries.
- A desire to enjoy a unique experience in a privileged environment.
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How to participate
Places on the Photowalk are limited to 15 participants. The activity cannot be booked without reservation of the accommodation and board package at the Parador de Artíes. The photographer Javier Vallhonrat will be responsible for selecting the participants from among all the candidates presented.
Those interested in participating in this Photowalk should fill in the form on this page with their personal details before 25 September at 23:59 hours (CET). We recommend attaching a portfolio with 10/12 photos that are representative of your work, together with a letter of motivation.
The names of the selected participants will be announced on Wednesday 4 October. The selected participants should formalise their reservation for the activity before 9 October (inclusive) by e-mailing [email protected].
Participants who wish to be accompanied may pay a supplement of 130 euros per person (for board and accommodation for both nights).
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Prices and booking conditions
Standard double room for single use (participant only): €575
Standard double room for double occupancy (participant + accompanying person): €705
Booking exclusively through [email protected]
Cancellation and modification free of charge up to 7 days before arrival. After this period, the customer's credit card will be charged 100% of the amount of the reservation.
The activity is subject to the weather conditions on the dates on which it takes place. In the event of adverse weather that make it impossible to carry out the activity, the dates may be modified.
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Carlac beech forest
Carlac beech forest is about 30 km from Artíes in Bausen, the last village in the Catalan Pyrenees before entering France. Under the lush foliage of this magical forest, follow a circular route that is considered to be one of the most beautiful among hiking enthusiasts.
The thousand-year-old beech forest is also known as the enchanted forest of Carlac, as the trees seem to come to life thanks to the twisted shapes they have adopted over time and the action of nature itself.
The route, about 7 km long, passes through a variety of landscapes, from winding paths under the thick forest to the impressive views of the Aneto-Maladeta massif from Coret de Pan, crossing pastures covered with ferns or walking past the traditional Sacrotz huts.
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Special menu
Two special menus have been designed for the occasion: a "traditional Aranese menu", consisting of a journey through the traditional and regional cuisine of the Val d'Aran, and a "landscape menu", with a gastronomic tasting that connects us to the nature of the surroundings, visiting the different places in Val d'Aran with produce such as sturgeon or salmon, the traditional "xolis de Pirineu", a local sausage, or artisan cheeses made at the highest point of the Valley.
Javier Vallhonrat
For three decades, Javier Vallhonrat has been creating projects in natural environments, with which he establishes a close and permanent relationship. For the last ten years, his artistic activity has focused on the Pyrenean valley of Benasque, where he lives and works.
This multidisciplinary artist creates his projects in a slow and reflexive manner, working with a large format camera. After taking the photographs, for which he pays detailed attention to the selection of subject matter, as well as to the composition, light, chromatic and editing resources, the final result is enriched with subtle interventions to the image, of an objectual nature.
During the workshop, Javier Vallhonrat will examine a selection of his own work and that of other artists who, like him, create their projects in natural environments, where they discover and develop different frameworks of intention that give meaning to their projects. The artist will offer participants the chance to explore their own frameworks of intention during the Photowalk sessions that will take place in the privileged natural environment of Val d'Aran.
PRIZES AND AWARDS GIVEN TO JAVIER VALLHONRAT
- • Silver Award of New York Times Magazine, 1994.
• Award of Excellence. The Society of Newspaper Design, 1995.
• National Photography Prize, Ministry of Culture, 1995.
• The Art Directors Club 76th Annual Awards, New York, 1997.
• Bartolomé Ros Prize, PhotoEspaña, 2007.
• Villa de Madrid Photography Prize, 2009.
• Community of Madrid Photography Award, 2009.
• Enaire Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019.
Parador de Arties
If there is one place in Spain that guarantees spectacular views of the natural surroundings, it is undoubtedly the Val d'Aran. The imposing presence of the Pyrenees, the green landscapes, the bucolic villages that make up the valley... Everything in this beautiful valley seems to be made to be photographed. The Parador de Artíes, just a few minutes from Baqueira Beret ski resort and Carlac beech forest, is the perfect starting point for discovering thousands of details to photograph. Forests, rivers, mountains, picturesque houses and Romanesque churches of incalculable historical value are waiting for you to give free rein to your creativity. The Parador itself is a point of historical interest in the area as it is located at the birthplace of Gaspar de Portolá, the 18th century discoverer of California.
