Italy Photography Tour

Itinerary

Looking down on to the rocky coast of Positano, Italy.

Tuesday, May 27

Depart U.S. or Canada and fly to Florence, Italy.

Wednesday, May 28

Arrive Florence, Italy any time of day. Overnight  San Gallo Palace. This 4 star hotel is only a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral of Florence, Michelangelo’s David, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi gallery and the romantic Ponte Vecchio, the unquestioned symbol of the capital of the Italian Renaissance.

Thursday, May 29 (B, D)

This morning we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast in the jewel of the Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany before departing for Cinque Terre, about a two-hour drive in our private Mercedes minibus. Along the way, we’ll stop in Pisa and visit its famous leaning tower and nearby area. Once we get settled into our rooms, we’ll have a little time to freshen up and explore the the nearby area before our group welcome dinner. Overnight Hotel Porto Roca

Friday, May 30 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we head out on an all day guided photography tour. We’ll explore and photograph the five villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. We’ll also learn about the history of this picturesque area known as the Italian Riviera. We’ll scout locations for the best photography view points and for this evening’s sunset shoot. As we hike through the villages we will truly experience the magic of the Cinque Terre, wandering through vineyards and olive groves, over stone walls and along a spectacular coastline. Each village has distinct character, and all share alleys, arches, and steep stone steps, are best explored on foot. An idyllic snapshot of old-world Italy, the villages are surrounded by sunny beaches, narrow lanes lined with shops and stalls, brightly colored fishing boats, seaside promenades, and sleepy piazzas. Cinque Terre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site  in 1997 and includes a protected marine park and national park. As the sun begins to drop, we’ll set up for our sunset shoot and capture Cinque Terre in the alluring light. We have included a pesto demonstration before dinner. The Ligurian region is famous for their pesto and you can enjoy an aperitivo while watching and then a dinner of local products/ingredients. Overnight at Hotel Porto Roca.

Saturday, May 31 (B)

The day is yours to explore local hiking trails, ramble along the beach, or wet your whistle with wine tasting. Wander through local shops or spend the day taking in the view. Sample some of Italy’s finest food for lunch and dinner. We’ll have a lot of suggestions for you or feel free to blaze your own path. A sunset cruise on small traditional style boats from the village of Vernazza will take us along the coastline past the five villages. Drinks, snacks, and music add to the ambiance as we photograph the cliffside villages. Overnight Hotel Porto Roca

Sunday, June 1 (B, L, D)

We bid goodbye to Cinque Terre and take a three-hour drive through the rolling hills of Tuscany to Siena. The historic center of Siena has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Italy’s most visited tourist attractions and famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. We’ll take a two-hour walking tour of the city and have lunch in a scenic café. For those interested, we’ll climb up the Mangia Tower (400 feet)for an over all bird’s eye view of this beautiful area. After lunch it’s just an hour to Montepulciano, a medieval and Renaissance hill town in southern Tuscany. It sits high on a limestone ridge, 1,985 feet above its surroundings. A private chef prepares our BBQ dinner at the villa estate where we’ll spend the night, Relais San Bruno.

Monday, June 2 (B, L)

Today is a full day photography tour. Have your camera ready for our first stop in Pienza. Here we will give have the opportunity to taste pecorino cheese. The pecorino cheese of Pienza is one of the best in Italy, especially the version “sotto cenere” or “under ashes.” Pecorino cheese is thought to have been produced in the area since people first settled here. Our next stop is the town of Montalcino. The town takes its name from a variety of oak tree that once covered the terrain. High on a hill, the town offers stunning views over the Asso, Ombrone and Arbia valleys of Tuscany, dotted with silvery olive orchards, vineyards, fields and villages. The lower slopes of the Montalcino hill are dominated by highly productive vines and olive orchards. We’ll stop in at one of the wineries to taste the local varietals. Onwards to the Val d’Orcia valley, one of Tuscany’s most iconic photographed regions. Cypress lined roads. The day will finish with a wine cellar photo shoot. Dinner is on your own and we’ll spend another night at Relais San Bruno.

Tuesday, June 3 (B, D)

We leave mid morning to travel from Montepulciano to Sorrento. After a scenic four-hour drive we stop in the Pompeii area for a quick lunch on your own. We’ll take a private, guided tour of Pompeii. On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the nearby town of Pompeii in ash and soot. About 3,000 people died, but the rest of the population of 20,000 had already fled. The city was preserved just how it was, everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time. Pompeii is now an excavation site and outdoor museum. After our tour, it a 30-minute jaunt to Sorrento. We’ll reminisce about the day in the ancient Roman city with a welcome drink on the rooftop terrace of the Plaza Hotel.

Wednesday, June 4 (B, L)

Sleep in this morning or get in a sunrise photo shoot before our 10:30 am “Food and Culture” walking tour. This tour will tantalize your taste buds and expand your culinary horizons. Enjoy the old world charm of Sorrento, a cliffside city dotted with lemon and olive groves with majestic Mt. Vesuvius as the backdrop. On this fun culinary adventure we’ll experience life like a Sorrentine, savor authentic dishes, sip local libations, and visit specialty food shops and family owned favorites. Dan will lead us in an evening photo shoot at the picturesque Port of Marina Grande.  There is a photographer guide for this portion as well We’ll spend a second night at the Plaza Hotel.

Thursday, June 5 (B, D)

We’ll start early with a sunrise photo shoot, then you can spend the rest of the day on your own. Take a cooking class, admire the history and architecture of Sorrento, or take a ferryboat to the Isle of Capri. We’ll meet up for a four-course dinner with wine at  Buco Ristorante,  a Michelin starred restaurant. The Plaza Hotel is our home for the night.

Friday, June 6 (B, L)

Our last full day in Italy! Our day will be enjoyed with a driving tour along one of the most scenic drives in the world. The Amalfi Drive is a narrow road that threads along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian, and of course, we’ll be stopping to take photos along the Amalfi Coast, as well as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, three of the most beautiful towns in southern Italy. These towns are world-famous for their charm and colorful architecture. The charm lies not only in the towns themselves but also in their history and rich legacy of fine churches, villas and monasteries. Photography stops throughout the day. Overnight at the Eden Roc Hotel  in Positano

Saturday June 7

Transfers to Naples as a group early AM. Depart for home.