Directions
Tuscany is a region in Italy in which beautiful cities of Florence, Siena and Genoa are located. Best way to get to Tuscany is to fly to Rome or Milan and from there to one of the aforementioned cities.
Photo Spot Details
While traveling in Tuscany one must rent a car and go between Siena, Florence, and Genoa off-highway. This way you will be exposed to beautiful valleys, e.g. Val d’Orcia, meadows, cypress hills, etc. Tuscany is a dreamland for landscape photographers and therefore I recommend to take a tripod, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, and graduated-density filters.
“Grab a bite”. “Hop in the shower”. “Just a sec”. Modern life often feels rushed. Not so in Tuscany. They value good food, good company, and family life – all at a gentle pace. They truly understand – and fiercely protect – the ingredients of a life well-lived. It doesn’t hurt that they get to do it all in one of the most stunning landscapes on the planet.
Ancient farmhouses perched on rolling hills lined with cypress trees and surrounded by vineyards. Misty mornings. Flaming sunsets. They have it all.
The typical landscape is comprised of so many layers and textures that are constantly changing with the time of the day. What’s a photographer to do?
Medieval villages dot the countryside, often at an elevation, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Narrow streets and alleys pulse with life, offering tourists a glimpse of a way of life that has changed little over the centuries.
Drive a few hours east or west and behold the beauty of the Italian coastline.
The great Italian cities are never far. Firenze, to the north, is one of great cities of the world and a center of culture and art.
Piazzale Michelangelo is a square perched on a hill with spectacular panoramic views of this magnificent city (beware of the selfie-obsessed mobs though!)
To the east, one will find Bologna – an old city with a young population that is always bustling with life.
The great Italian lakes straddling the Italian Alps and the Dolomites are a few hours drive.
Not that one ever feels the urge to leave countryside. It is truly a magical place.
Have you ever been to Tuscany? If yes, please share your adventures below!
Have you ever been to Langhe area (from Alba to Torino).
Let me advise that area in autumn …unforgettable.
Dear Author,
I like to start off by saying AMAZING SHOTS and thanks for sharing! It has helped me immensely in trying to picture certain compositions that i want to achieve on an upcoming trip.
On my personal request; I would really like to ask where would 2) be; a hint on nearby city or village name would already be plenty helpful – Reasons for asking being me absolutely captivated by this landscape and probably my main reason having this trip and also as I will not be able to drive, Bus and Trains are probably my only modes of transports, in which advice on the locations would help a lot.
Appreciate your advice.
Best Regards,
Wayne
Beautiful photos Talha. I loved the perspective you were able to get using a telephoto lens. I was there two years ago with a singles travel group and the only lens I had at the time for my D750 was the 24-120 f4. I found that range to be very useful. The best vantage point I experienced in Tuscany was from the top of Torre Grossa in San Gimignano. I would absolutely love to go back and drive through Tuscany. Firenze and Sienna were also amazing!
Seriously, wonderful images….
My Nonna and Nonno were from Tuscany was fortunate got to go a lot when I was growing up, last went 2 years loved Florence and the small villages . I could live there but my kids and grandkids are all here
Your next photo trip to Italy: fly to Milan rent a car and drive to Venice. After that drive North through the vineyards to Bolzano. From Bolzano you have great access to the Dolomites. Stunning.
I did that exact drive but had to stop near Trento for various reasons. Went to Garda instead. Dolomiti are spectacular, want to drive from Bolzano to Bavaria, some day.
Stunning images, Thala. In my opinion, a 70-200 and a 35mm prime are mandatory for a visit to Tuscany. The other requirement is time! There is never enough of it. You bring back many happy memories. Thank you.
Thanks Graham. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hello from Italy, thank you very much for your words and pictures. I agree that Italy is the most stunning country in the world, from north to south, from east to west (Alps and Dolomites, lakes, coasts, culture, art, eating, dress and fashion, Sardinia, Sicily, Venice, Milan, Rome, and so on…). Come and visit Italy and you’ll leave a (big) piece of your heart here.
Ciao!
Why do you guys get to have all the fun? All that good stuff and then bistecca fiorentina on top of that!
Try fish cooked everywhere near the coasts, it’s mindblowing.
I had a mindblowing seafood Rissotto in Corniglia once — and I don’t even like seafood..
Beautiful photos and composition Talha. Nice article, I very much enjoyed reading it. I have never been to Italy myself even though my paternal grandparents are from Naples in the the Campania Region, and maternal grandparents are from the small village of Nicosia in the province of Enna in Sicily.
Mi piacerebbe andare lì un giorno.
Vinnie
Thank you.
My children also have Italian lineage from their mother’s side (somewhere south east of Rome).
And I hope that day comes for you very soon (a dio piacendo)
Hello. Your pictures are stunning.
You mentioned that you knew you would “need” the 70-200 the most on your travels. Can you please elaborate on that?
I would like your opinion on what lenses to carry for a holiday that is largely landscape and city (museums, architecture, street). I mainly do wildlife and I would like to try something different.
Thank-you.
I meant this particular trip, given the specific topography of Tuscany.
For the stuff you mentioned, I’d imagine a 24-70 range might be a better fit.