Tuscany

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 pastoral landscapes that are some of the most photogenic in the world. And, in early autumn, when wine grapes reach their perfect balance of sugar and acidity, colorful harvest festivals celebrate the rhythm of the seasons.

In September, following a summer of brilliant sunshine, the light softens again and vineyards burst with grape clusters so deeply purple they appear nearly black among broad leaves of vivid green—the renowned Sangiovese varietal, grown in Tuscany since the 1600s. Row upon endless row of trellised grapevines flow across the rolling hills in parallel lines—and create a photogenic pattern of rough brown trunks beneath green-leaf “canopies” luminous in the morning sun. Bright red harvest buckets appear in vineyards and carts brimming with ripe fruit travel along the narrow country lanes.

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 12th Century overhanging shops, reflect in the Arno River. The colorful Duomo and nearby Campanile tower rise above the city—an eternal landmark and 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. On the softly-rounded hilltops, fortress-walled villages and towns seem to float in the sunlight. Ancient olive groves hug undulating hillsides, and newly turned-over autumn fields create textured landscapes of warmly-colored earth of umber and ochre. Patterns created by terraced fields, walls of stucco and brick, and tiers of tiled rooftops inspire abstract compositions.

To the north we explore the hilly Chianti region, where meandering country roads wind through a varied and richly-photogenic tapestry of carefully-manicured grapevines laden with grapes, silver-green olive groves and medieval hilltop towns. Siena, with a skyline dominated by the Duomo, one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals, is graced with the country’s finest public square—the Piazza del Camp—with its surrounding serpentine maze of narrow streets leading to countless unexpected views. 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.

Local grape harvest festivals abound. During the Festa dell 'Uva in Vagliagi, a parade featuring oxen-pulled wagons overflowing with ripe grapes and accompanied by traditionally-attired villagers celebrates the excellent Chianti wine of the area.

We take time to enjoy a Chianti Classico or a Brunello di Montalcino and sample the farm-fresh cuisine of this fertile region where the harmonious blend of sun-bathed townscapes and pastoral autumn landscapes constantly inspires our photography. In Tuscany, exceptional photographic imagery is always close at hand.