Tuscany & Cinque Terre

Cradle of Renaissance, drenched with inspiring rolling landscapes, ancient Etruscan towns and idyllic roads lined with cypress trees. Tuscany is all this and much more. A world-renowned region where life goes on a slower pace among vineyards, rolling hills and medieval villages. We’re going to experience the essence of Tuscany through the senses, from the sight of awe-inspiring landscapes to the taste of local cuisine and world-class wines.

We’ll wait for the first rays of the day in Val d’Orcia, enjoy the majestic beauty of Pitigliano and Pienza, drive among cypress roads and finally rest in the warm thermal waters of Saturnia.

This tour is an incredible opportunity to immerse in the fairytale atmosphere of this land and grab unique photographs of its finest glimpses.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Rome *

After arriving at Rome airport, we’ll personally meet you before setting off to explore the captivating Val d’Orcia. Upon arrival at our charming villa, we venture out to discover hidden gems of the picturesque surroundings and capture the enchanting play of light and shadow at Podere Baccoleno as the sun sets over the Tuscan countryside. We return to our villa to relax and reminisce about the day’s adventures, looking forward to what the next few days hold.  

Day 2 : Val d'Orcia

Today we wake up early to capture the beauty of Podere Belvedere, an old stone country house framed by lush green hills and wrapped in a misty blanket. We continue our journey to photograph the iconic “cypress loops” of Monticchiello in the soft morning light, a picture-perfect village with medieval quarters and breathtaking landscapes. Later, we visit the charming town of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a harmonious Renaissance square and magnificent monuments. As the day draws to a close, we visit the iconic “Villa Gladiatore”, made famous by the film of the same name, to capture the stunning sunset views. We end the day with a delicious meal, discussing our photography and gaining new insights.

Day 3 : Val d'Orcia and Crete Senesi

Today, we head to the picturesque farm ‘Poggio Covilli’ atop a hill in the Val d’Orcia, for a breathtaking sunrise shoot. The panoramic views of the surrounding olive trees, vineyards and wheat fields are sure to enchant us in the soft morning light. After a satisfying breakfast at our accommodation, we have some free time to relax, edit our pictures or attend a post-processing workshop with our coach. Later, we head to the surreal ‘Crete Senesi’ between Siena and Montepulciano for a unique photographic experience. The barren landscape with its strange clay hills, gorges and farms on hilltops is a stark contrast to the gentle Tuscany. We drive through empty roads and capture the endless creative possibilities of this desert-like scenery, bathed in the soft light of the sunset. We return to our hotel for a cozy evening, reminiscing about our day and looking forward to more adventures to come.

Day 4 : Val d'Orcia

Early rise is the theme of the trip as we head to the picturesque Chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands in a gentle green hill surrounded by cypresses, creating an ethereal atmosphere that’s perfect for photography. After a long rest, we take a slow photographic walk in the charming Etruscan village of San Quirico d’Orcia, whose medieval streets wind among Romanesque churches and old buildings. The late evening shoot takes us to the iconic cypress grove of Torrenieri, where the sun sets picturesquely over the hills and transforms the Val d’Orcia into a sea of colors. We capture the sublime sight of this stunning location in all its glory.

Day 5 : Cinque Terre

We leave Val d’Orcia and head to the Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast. After checking into our hotel in La Spezia, we head to the charming village of Manarola. This colorful town is known for its picturesque harbor, narrow streets, and stunning views of the Mediterranean. We capture the beauty of the rugged coastline on our way there and explore the village during the afternoon, with plenty of time to photograph the warm sunset hues. Manarola offers endless photographic possibilities, from its iconic harbor to the quaint houses perched on the cliff. As we wander through the streets, we discover hidden corners and charming details that make this village truly unique.

Day 6 : Cinque Terre​

Early rise for an adventure to Vernazza, one of Italy’s most charming harbors. We’ll take a hike to a viewpoint and capture the sunrise over the pastel houses and azure sea, creating stunning landscape photographs. Enjoy breakfast at a local café and experience an exclusive private boat trip (subject to availability) around Cinque Terre, capturing unique angles of the coastline and turquoise waters. In the afternoon, we head to the Gulf of Poets and capture Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its pastel-colored houses, medieval castle, and ancient church perched on the cliffs at sunset. The enchanting village and stunning views of the Ligurian Sea and nearby island of Palmaria make for more unforgettable landscape photography. 

Day 7 : Pitigliano - "Little Jerusalem" in Tuff / Sorano

We’ll start our day with a final sunrise session in Cinque Terre heading to the colorful village of Riomaggiore, before return to our hotel for breakfast and leave the Cinque Terre heading south to the ancient tuff stone towns of Pitigliano and Sorano. Pitigliano’s silhouette rises above a steep tuff plateau, surrounded by lush green valleys and rivers. Countless cube-shaped houses nestle together underneath a cathedral and look like they were hewn from rock. Sorano, like Pitigliano, is situated on a tuff rock and is called the ‘Matera of Tuscany.’ We’ll have time to gather strength and start our evening photo session after checking in at the hotel. We’ll enjoy our last sunset in Tuscany, waiting for the magical moment when natural and artificial light blend together to create a beautiful scene. We’ll end our day with dinner and delicious regional specialties in the city.

Day 8 : Departure**

We wake up early to catch the sunrise over Pitigliano, then pack up and leave the Tuscan countryside behind as we make our way back to Rome. Each of us departs for our respective homes, reflecting on the bonds we’ve formed and the unique moments captured during our adventure. Although we part ways, the memories of our time exploring Italy’s awe-inspiring landscapes and historic towns will stay with us forever, and we eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to embark on new photographic journeys.

* (DAY1) Arriving flights must be scheduled in the morning, ideally before 12am, to guarantee enough transferring time to Val d’Orcia.

** (DAY 8) To guarantee enough time for transferring to the Rome airport, departing flights must be scheduled after 2pm.

Tuscany & Cinque Terre

Days: 8
Dates: May 2024
Price: Contact us
Language: English
Tour Leader: Marco Bottigelli

To book this tour send an email to mail@marcobottigelli.com or fill the form below

Included in the price
  • Constant assistance and tutoring by professional photographer
  • Comfortable accommodations in hotels and guesthouses in double room shared
  • Cars and fuel
  • Entrance fees
  • Basic travel insurance
Excluded from the price
  • International flights
  • Visa (if requested)
  • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • Optional excursions and activities 
  • Single room occupancy
  • Personal expenses 
  • Optional insurances 
  • Whatever not listed in “Included in the price”

Tour Operator: Brockmann Photo & Travel

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