Tuscany


		Tuscany Photography Tour Details
		Dates	May 13–23, 2009
		Leaders	Terry Eggers and Adam Jones
		Fee	$4,895 from Florence, Italy
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	12
			Special Terms and Conditions Apply

Tuscany is a land of warm honey-toned light where countryside and cityscape blend in an idyllic setting. This premier region of central Italy has remained virtually unchanged for centuries—blessed by nature, and renowned for its art and history, picturesque medieval villages, and ethereal landscapes that are some of the most photogenic in the world. In Tuscany, exceptional photographic imagery is always close at hand, with timeless vistas enveloped by the celebrated gossamer light that falls on this land.

We begin in the historic heart of Florence—the cultural center of Tuscany. Centuries-old Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine political life, features an open air gallery of lens-catching statues and the impressive medieval town hall, Palazzo Vecchio. Images of the Ponte Vecchio, with its characteristic 12^th-century overhanging shops, reflect in the Arno River. The colorful Duomo and nearby Campanile tower rise above the city—an eternal landmark. We capture panoramic images of the city from the high overlook of the Piazzale Michelangelo in morning and evening light.

From our convenient base in San Quirico d’Orcia we explore southern Tuscany with our cameras. Here, deep-green cypress trees pierce the blue Tuscan skies, line meandering rural roadways, and stand as sentinels beside isolated

rustic sunlit stone farmhouses. Ancient olive groves hug undulating hillsides, and green fields are punctuated with brilliant red poppies in springtime. On the softly-rounded hilltops, fortress-walled villages and towns seem to float in the sunlight. Patterns created by terraced fields, walls of stucco and brick, and tiers of tiled rooftops inspire abstract compositions.

We visit Siena, a perfectly-preserved Etruscan town. Built on three hills with a skyline dominated by the Duomo, one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals, the city is graced with Italy’s finest public square—the Piazza del Campo—with its surrounding serpentine maze of narrow streets leading to countless unexpected views. At the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, we climb its graceful bell tower, Torre del Mangia, for an unparalleled 360-degree view of the burnt sienna-colored buildings radiating out from the brick-paved Piazza del Campo below.

To the north we explore the hilly Chianti region, where meandering country roads wind through a varied and richly photogenic tapestry of woodlands, manicured vineyards, silver-green olive groves and medieval hilltop towns. The thirteen

prominent stone towers rising high above the skyline of San Gimignano, and the beautifully-preserved walled city of Monteriggioni set amidst carefully-cultivated fields, yield striking images of this timeless land. Each day will bring a new town to discover with winding alleys, picture perfect window boxes and vistas that take your breath away.

We take time to enjoy a Brunello di Montalcino or a Chianti Classico and sample the farm-fresh cuisine of this fertile region where the harmonious blend of sun-bathed townscapes and pastoral landscapes constantly inspires our photography.

Day 1
Depart on flights from the US.

Day 2 (May 14)
Arrive in Florence and enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation. (D)

Day 3
We explore the city of Florence and its many photogenic delights. (BLD)

Day 4
We travel to San Quirico d’Orcia, with afternoon photography following our hotel check-in. (BLD)

Days 5–6
For the next two days we photograph a Tuscan countryside filled with olive groves and wildflowers, and explore the towns of Asciano, Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano. We travel along cypress tree-lined roads photographing the many icons of the Tuscan landscape. (BLD)

Day 7
The town of Siena and its superlative Piazza del Campo is our photographic highlight as we shoot the environs of central Tuscany. (BLD)

Days 8–9
For these two days, we focus on the Chianti Region to the north, visiting the castle and town of San Gimignano and the walled town of Monteriggioni. We travel to the hillside towns of Radda, Greve and Gaiole. This area has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, with rolling hills graced with the fresh greens of spring punctuated by red poppies and mustard growing wild among the gnarled grapevines. We explore the less-traveled back roads to find the true flavor of the Italian countryside. (BLD)

Day 10
We photograph the Castello Banfi wine estate and surrounding area before returning to our Florence hotel later today. (BLD)

Day 11 (May 23)
Depart for home. (B)



	Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070 Phone: (206) 463-5383 Fax: (206) 463-5484 Email: info@photosafaris.com Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.

Tuscany

Tuscany Photography Tour Details