Testimonials

A couple of years ago, I came across an image of Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes. At that time, I knew very little about photography, but the striking contrast of landscape, shapes and light completely captivated me. That moment sparked a relentless curiosity and research journey.

Since I don’t drive, I quickly realized that navigating the Dolomites would not be easy. While searching for local photographers who shared my passion, I accidentally came across one of the best discoveries of the last several years — Federico Antonello.

Federico is a brilliant photographer, a true gentleman, articulate, empathetic, and at the same time incredibly resilient. During the trip we developed a genuine bond, and I never stopped admiring his deep knowledge of the mountains, terrain and light conditions.

One story from that journey will always stay with me. While hiking toward Tre Cime, we were caught in record snowfall. The trail had almost completely disappeared beneath the snow during the 5 km ascent, with steep drops surrounding us. We quickly realized we were among the very few people attempting the hike in those conditions.

We slipped, climbed, struggled and eventually made it to the summit. And in the end, some truly incredible images followed.

But the adventure was far from over. Shortly after taking one of my favorite photographs, the beautiful golden light vanished behind heavy storm clouds, leaving us in near total darkness with little visibility and almost no signs to guide us back.

Our celebratory toast at 2:00 a.m., over a fine Italian grappa, remains one of my favorite memories from the Dolomites.

I will always owe this unforgettable experience to my dear friend Federico Antonello — not only one of the finest photographers I’ve met, but also a genuinely good person. If you travel with him, I can guarantee memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

— Som, India

I warmly recommend Federico Antonello for any photography hike in the Dolomites, thanks to his deep knowledge of photographic conditions in the area, as well as his friendliness and willingness to help with specific requests.

I visited the Dolomites with my family during the summer of 2019 and contacted Federico a few weeks in advance to ask whether he would be available for a couple of outings while my family was busy with other activities.

From the very beginning, he prepared a tailor-made program based on my available time, my location during the stay, and the kind of images I wanted to create, using examples from photographs he had previously taken in the area.

He also advised me on the gear to bring and provided very precise information about each hike, including driving distance, hiking time, trail difficulty, and conditions.

I joined him for two hikes and, each time, he personally picked me up at my hotel and drove me back afterwards. I still keep wonderful memories — and some great photographs — from those two evenings.

Federico also suggested several additional locations that I could visit independently, always providing very accurate directions and useful advice.

We are still in contact today, and I will certainly reach out to him again the next time I return to the Dolomites.

— Hélène, Belgium

This was my first real mountain adventure, both for hiking and photography, so I was a bit nervous at the beginning. However, Fed never made me feel uncomfortable for even a moment during the entire trip.

He is a true gentleman and, above all, a genuinely good person. He felt more like a friend than a tour guide — always polite, approachable, and happy to answer any question.

He knows the Dolomites inside and out and took us to breathtaking locations at exactly the right time of day. The accommodations felt warm, welcoming, and very cozy.

Throughout the hikes, he always stayed with the group and even went back and forth multiple times to help other hikers during both the ascent and descent.

Federico is also extremely knowledgeable about photography and camera techniques, and I learned a lot during the experience.

I would absolutely recommend Federico to my friends, and I hope he will guide many of my future photography trips — from the Dolomites to Lofoten, Iceland, and beyond.

Thanks Federico, and wishing you all the best always.

Cheers mate… Ciao!

— Mike, Oman

I joined Federico’s two-day tour in early November and had a wonderful experience throughout the trip.

Federico is a very sincere and thoughtful person. Even before I arrived in Italy, he communicated very clearly and provided detailed suggestions about the locations we could potentially visit during the tour.

Although we encountered very poor weather conditions and some roads were closed, Federico did everything possible to take me to the best locations available under those circumstances. At times, this required long drives and considerable flexibility, and I truly appreciated the effort he put into making the experience special despite the conditions.

During the tour, Federico also shared many useful photography tips and practical demonstrations on how to improve landscape photography techniques.

Overall, the experience was extremely memorable, and I am already considering joining another photography tour with Federico next year.

Highly recommended.

— Ivan, Hong Kong

Federico, you did an incredible job throughout the entire experience. We could not have hoped for a more generous, knowledgeable and passionate guide to show us around the wonderland of the Dolomites.

Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and for sharing so much of your knowledge and love for the mountains with us. Your deep understanding of the landscape, weather and photographic conditions made every day feel special and thoughtfully planned.

What we appreciated most was not only the photography guidance, but also the genuine care and enthusiasm you brought to the journey. It never felt like a standard tour, but rather a shared experience built around adventure, discovery and connection with the landscape.

We returned home with wonderful memories, beautiful photographs and a much deeper appreciation for the Dolomites.

Wishing you all the best for the next steps of your journey, Federico — and we truly hope to stay in touch.

— Roger & Charlie, New Zealand

Visiting the Dolomites had been one of my dreams for a very long time. I had been fascinated by these mountains for years and eventually decided to save specifically for this journey and travel there on my own from Madeira.

From the moment Federico picked me up at the train station, I immediately felt comfortable and welcomed. Since he also speaks a bit of Portuguese, we quickly connected and became friends during the trip.

Over the following days, we explored some truly incredible places together and created many beautiful photographs. Federico’s knowledge of the mountains, light conditions, and hidden locations made every day feel unique and carefully planned around the best possible experience.

One of the most unforgettable moments was spending the night in a tent at Seceda. At sunrise, with the first light touching the peaks and marmots wandering quietly nearby, it felt like something out of a dream. It is a memory I will always carry with me.

After the Dolomites, I joined Federico again for another photography journey in Slovenia — which says a lot about the trust, friendship, and experience built during that first adventure.

More than just a photography guide, Federico creates experiences that feel personal, authentic, and deeply connected to nature.

— Catarina, Madeira (Portugal)

Travelling through Slovenia and the Dolomites with Federico was a truly memorable experience. From the very beginning, the atmosphere of the trip felt relaxed, friendly and genuine, making it easy for everyone in the group to connect and enjoy the journey together.

What I appreciated most was Federico’s passion for the mountains and photography. He always knew how to adapt to the conditions and guide the group toward the best locations and moments of light, while still keeping the experience enjoyable and stress-free.

Beyond photography, Federico is simply a kind and thoughtful person to travel with. Throughout the trip he was always attentive, patient and willing to help whenever needed, making everyone feel comfortable and welcomed.

The entire experience felt much more personal than a standard photography tour, and I returned home with wonderful memories, beautiful photographs and a deeper connection to the landscapes we explored together.

— Sahnita, Australia

In October 2018, I was deeply struck by Federico’s photographs, so I contacted him to organize a private tour. In June 2019, we finally met in the field, and I spent three truly unforgettable days exploring the mountains with him.

First of all, Federico is a genuinely wonderful person. He deeply loves nature, draws energy from the beauty of the mountains, and always makes you feel comfortable and at ease throughout the experience.

He is also an excellent photographer who generously shares his knowledge, techniques, and experience without hesitation. But beyond technical skills, what impressed me most was his constant curiosity and dedication in the field. Even after reaching a location, he would continue exploring, searching for new perspectives, compositions, and hidden details — and the results were often extraordinary.

Thank you, Federico. I’m truly glad our paths crossed.

— Paolo, Italy

During my time in Italy, Federico showed me a much more authentic side of Venice and the surrounding areas than I would have experienced on my own.

From the very beginning, he helped me understand how to move around the city using ferries and water buses, making everything feel easy and stress-free despite Venice being quite overwhelming at first.

We explored local places, shared good food and drinks, visited wine cellars, and spent several memorable evenings enjoying the atmosphere of the city together.

What I appreciated most was how natural and relaxed the experience felt — less like a tour and more like discovering Italy with a local friend.

— Israel, United States

It was an incredibly well-organized photography trip, and I must thank Federico for making it happen.

Federico knows the locations extremely well and always took us to the right place at the right time, allowing us to capture some truly beautiful images.

I would also like to mention the personal care and attention Federico showed throughout the entire trip. At one point, I had to travel alone from Venice to Switzerland, and he carefully organized every small detail so efficiently that I never experienced any problems, despite being in an unfamiliar place.

Thank you again, Federico. I am truly looking forward to joining one of your future photography trips.

— Keya, India

From the moment Federico picked me up at Venice Airport, the entire experience felt smooth, relaxed and very well organized.

We spent four unforgettable days exploring the Dolomites together, combining breathtaking landscapes, beautiful mountain villages and great local food. The accommodations were excellent throughout the trip, especially our stay near Lago Antorno, surrounded by incredible scenery.

What I appreciated most was the balance between planning and flexibility. The main locations were carefully prepared, but Federico constantly adapted the itinerary according to weather and conditions, making every day feel natural and enjoyable rather than rushed.

The trip never felt like a standard tour, but more like travelling through the mountains with someone who genuinely knows and loves these places.

— Robert, Philippines

Desde o momento em que Federico nos buscou no aeroporto, nos sentimos acolhidos e muito à vontade.

Foi nossa primeira viagem fora do Brasil, e poder conversar em português tornou toda a experiência muito mais leve, natural e especial desde o começo.

Durante os dias juntos, conhecemos Veneza e outros lugares lindos da Itália de uma forma muito autêntica, vivendo o país mais como locais do que como turistas. Veneza foi um lugar inesquecível para nós — a atmosfera, o ritmo da vida, a cultura e os pequenos momentos do dia a dia tornaram tudo ainda mais especial.

Mais do que apenas mostrar lugares bonitos, Federico compartilhou conosco um lado verdadeiro da Itália, e levaremos essas memórias conosco para sempre.

— José & Anax – Brasil

I have travelled to different parts of Italy across many seasons since the 1990s. Over the years, I experienced both good and difficult weather conditions, but nothing compared to the extreme conditions I encountered in the Dolomites during my visit in late October and early November 2018.

Having Federico as my private guide during that trip was truly a blessing. Due to the severe weather, some of the locations originally planned were no longer accessible, yet he constantly monitored road conditions and adapted the itinerary to safely take me to the best possible places available each day.

Federico has an excellent knowledge of the Dolomites, and throughout the trip I always felt safe, well guided, and fully supported despite the challenging conditions.

Thank you so much, Federico.

— Eleanor, Hong Kong

I joined Federico for a photography tour in the Dolomites together with my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and from the very beginning the experience felt smooth, relaxed and thoughtfully organized.

Federico picked us up at the train station in Bolzano, and within a short time we were already surrounded by the incredible landscapes of the Dolomites. The weather conditions during the trip were fantastic, and some of my favorite memories came from photographing the stars at Tre Cime and Seceda.

Throughout the tour, Federico generously shared photography techniques, creative ideas and practical advice, always with patience and enthusiasm. Beyond his technical knowledge, he is simply a kind, thoughtful and very approachable person to travel with.

What makes his tours special is that you can clearly feel his continuous artistic curiosity and personal evolution as a photographer. Years later, I had the chance to travel with him again in Patagonia, and it was wonderful to reconnect and share another adventure together.

— Avishek, Germany

Nuestro tour privado por los Dolomitas fue una experiencia increíble de principio a fin.

Federico nos recibió en el aeropuerto y desde ese momento todo fue muy fácil, relajado y bien organizado. Pasamos días inolvidables entre montañas espectaculares, pequeños pueblos y momentos muy especiales haciendo fotografías.

Además de conocer lugares increíbles, disfrutamos mucho de su compañía y de la forma tranquila y auténtica con la que comparte estos paisajes.

Volvimos a casa con muchísimas fotos hermosas y recuerdos que nunca vamos a olvidar. Los Dolomitas realmente nos van a hacer mucha falta.

— Leandro & Luciano, Argentina

Exploring Venice with Federico during the Carnival period was one of the highlights of my trip to Italy.

From the very beginning, the experience felt authentic, relaxed and far from the usual tourist routes. Federico showed me a side of Venice that I would have never discovered on my own, including beautiful hidden corners, quiet canals and lesser-known spots full of atmosphere and character.

What I appreciated most was the balance between iconic locations and more original places, always explored at the right time and with a very natural pace.

Walking through Venice during Carnival, surrounded by masks, reflections and incredible light, made the entire experience feel almost cinematic. I returned home with fantastic photographs and unforgettable memories of the city.

— Henry, Canada

Joining the Slovenia and Dolomites tour with Federico was a truly special experience for me.

Before the trip, I was a little nervous because it was my first time travelling alone without my partner, but from the very beginning I felt comfortable and welcomed by both Federico and the rest of the group. The atmosphere throughout the journey was relaxed, friendly and very genuine.

The landscapes, the hiking experiences and the time spent in nature completely exceeded my expectations. What I appreciated most was how the trip combined photography, adventure and human connection in such a natural way.

I returned to the United States with an even stronger desire to spend time outdoors, hike more often and continue exploring nature through travel and photography.

The Dolomites left a deep impression on me, and I truly hope to return one day for a much longer stay — there is still so much beauty left to discover there.

— Priyanka, United States

Our journey with Federico started at Venice Airport and quickly became one of the most enjoyable parts of our time in Italy.

We loved exploring Venice and Tuscany in such a relaxed and authentic way. Nothing ever felt rushed — it was more like travelling around Italy with a local mate who truly knows and loves these places.

We shared great conversations, fantastic pizza, a few proper spritz evenings and, bloody hell, some unforgettable Italian gelato.

We returned to Australia with beautiful memories, great photographs and an even deeper love for Italy.

— Peter & Carly, Australia

Travelling with Federico through the Lofoten Islands, Senja, Tromsø and Finnish Lapland was truly an unforgettable experience.

The entire journey was very well organized from beginning to end, and even before the trip started Federico was extremely helpful and thorough in answering questions about clothing, winter conditions and recommended photography gear, which made me feel much more prepared and confident for such a unique adventure.

Despite not being lucky enough to witness a strong northern lights display during the trip, the experience itself was absolutely incredible. The landscapes, Arctic atmosphere, road journeys and photographic opportunities made every day memorable in its own way.

I returned home with wonderful memories and a huge collection of photographs that will always remind me of this special journey through the north.

— Venkishek, India

Over the years, I have shared several journeys with Federico across different parts of the world — from the Dolomites and Slovenia to Venice during Carnival, Finnish Lapland and, most recently, Patagonia.

What started as a photography trip eventually turned into a genuine friendship built through travel, adventure, long conversations, shared meals and many unforgettable moments together. Federico has a unique way of making every experience feel personal, relaxed and authentic, whether you are photographing dramatic landscapes, exploring cities or simply enjoying a glass of Italian grappa after a long day outdoors.

One of the most meaningful experiences for me was Patagonia. I was initially quite concerned about the hiking and physical challenges involved, but Federico constantly encouraged me and helped me approach the journey with confidence. Back home in Oman, I started preparing physically and training seriously for the trip, and in the end I was able to fulfil one of my lifelong dreams — experiencing Patagonia with my own eyes.

Along the way, we also shared incredible experiences outside photography itself, including time spent together in Buenos Aires with local friends, evenings in Venice during Carnival and countless memorable moments across different countries and landscapes.

Today, Federico is still one of the very first people I contact whenever a new adventure or photography trip comes to mind.

— Ajayan, Oman