April 16, 2027 - April 19, 2027
Tuscany Photography Tour
Photography Tour of Tuscany and the Val D’Orcia
Early Bird reservation until Feb 15th starts from 1190 EUR per person
April 16, 2027 - April 19, 2027
The Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany is a UNESCO World Heritage site — and one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. Rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, medieval villages and the famous golden Tuscan light await you.
On this photo trip, you learn how to photograph landscapes with depth and emotion. You shoot at sunrise over the hills of Pienza, explore the old town of Siena and discover hidden wineries and olive groves off the tourist routes.
Your coach shows you the best viewpoints, the perfect times of day and techniques for dramatic landscape images. Small group, personal feedback, Italian joie de vivre included.
This trip will be led by: Riccardo Galardi who speaks French, Italian, English
The Val d’Orcia is one of Tuscany’s six World Heritage sites. The valley’s landscape of gentle, rolling hills was the subject of many Renaissance paintings, especially by the painters of the Scuola Senese, or The Siena School, mentioned in the Val d’ Orcia’s UNESCO nomination.
This region has everything that visitors to Tuscany come to see and experience, from the powerhouse DOCG wines of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile to spa towns like Bagno Vignoni, whose “baths” in the public square are fed by springs of Monte Amiata, which marks the southern boundary of the territory. There are abbeys and gardens–and that zig-zagged strada bianca lined with cypresses that has come to be a symbol of this territory. It's no wonder the region achieved UNESCO nomination: “The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance times to reflect the ideals of good governance and to create aesthetically pleasing pictures.
During this photography tour of Tuscany, we will stop to photograph the magnificent medieval village of San Gimignano, called “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” with its towers and exceptional views. Next, we’ll go to Monteriggioni, a medieval walled city, where we will stay in a typical farmhouse. Finally, at the end of the tour on Sunday, we will focus our lenses on the majesty of Florence, discovering secrets, stories and contrasts until evening.
Starting from the Florence airport, we will drive in our minivan to Siena: the “main door” of Valdorcia.
After a briefing in the central Piazza del Campo, famous for the Palio di Siena, we will go together to discover the fabulous Senese architecture including the cloister of the Mangia tower and the cathedral. We will have our lunch in Siena and leave for the vault of the abbey of San Galgano, famous for its roofless architecture full of perspectives and for the sword in the stone of the hermitage nearby.
We will return in the evening to Monteriggioni, a medieval city perched on a hill, where we will be able to dine and take fabulous night photos.
Finally, you'll enjoy a wonderful evening in a fantastic farmhouse where we will stay overnight and taste typical local dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
Welcome to the heart of Tuscany. We will enjoy the colors of nature’s explosions with its strong contrasts and inebriating aromas, and we will transform these sensations into unique images captured by your cameras. The villages and landscapes that we will visit are beautiful like a postcard: we will be in the heart of the Val d'Orcia all day long, swinging between soft hilly landscapes, strong contrasts between the green of the trees and the brown earth.
We will stop in Pienza for lunch, famous for its typical handicrafts and the downhill cathedral. After that we will take a nice ride through the Tuscan hills and landscapes stopping in strategic places with breathtaking views like Vitaleta Chapel & Cypress roads.
During this morning there will be the possibility of taking a photographic excursion in a hot air balloon over Siena. In case of bad weather or adverse conditions, the excursion may be postponed to the following morning. The balloon flight is optional and has an extra cost and includes a rich banquet with a toast at the end of the flight.
After touring the Ghibelline lands of Siena far and wide, it is time to move on to the lands of the Florentine Guelphs passing through one of the first bulwarks of the domination of the Medici family: San Gimignano: also called "the Manhattan of the Middle Ages" with the its tall and numerous towers.
We will take fabulous photos in the city center and have our lunch and then descend gently to Florence in the early afternoon to dive into the narrow streets full of history and unique views including the famous old bridge and the Uffizi.
The magical sunset of Florence awaits us from Piazzale Michelangiolo: get your tripods and cameras ready, the view at nightfall will be amazing!
We will have dinner in a typical restaurant in Florence enjoying the city in the evening and we will stay overnight in Florence.
In case the balloon tour could not have been done yesterday, this morning will be the backup day.
Most of the flights will be leaving in the morning, so we plan to wake up early for a breakfast and transportation to the Florence airport. Thank You!
During your photography tour of Tuscany, you’ll be accommodated in 4-star hotels, in either private or double occupancy depending on your booking. Each places will be located near these sites: San Gimignano, Val d’Orcia and Florence. Diner & Breakfast are always included. You are welcome to follow us with your car or motorbike if you prefer that instead of the group minivan.
Note: Shared rooms can be shared with a partner or friend. Please let us know your roommate request as soon as you book.
Language: French, Italian, English
"Born in Florence (ITALY) in 1981, Riccardo has been passionate about science, physics and photography since childhood. His father taught him how to use an old-fashioned film camera, and since then Riccardo has never stopped applying his creativity to his images and which he takes along as a second camera on his travels, because the charm of analog photography always stays with him.
In 2017, Riccardo had the innovative idea of creating the first photography school based on Silversea's luxury cruise ships, sailing the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. He has designed and run courses in collaboration with specialist photographers in polar regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Arctic Circle and South Georgia. In addition, he has shared unique photographic experiences in non-polar destinations such as South Africa, Europe and the USA.
His photographic experience extends to unusual conditions, reflecting his spirit of safe adventure. He also shares his passion for the pursuit of good food and conviviality around a table with good friends, which is one of his strengths.