Dates May 14–23, 2008
Leaders Terry Eggers and Adam Jones
Fee $4,395 from Florence, Italy
Deposit $400
Limit 12
Special Terms and Conditions

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.

Deep-green cypress trees pierce the Tuscan blue skies, line meandering rural roadways, and stand as sentinels beside isolated rustic sunlit stone farmhouses. Vineyards and ancient olive groves hug undulating hillsides, and green fields are punctuated with brilliant red poppy bloom 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.

Siena, a perfectly-preserved town in the medieval heart of Tuscany, is our convenient base. 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 siennacolored buildings radiating out from the brick-paved Piazza del Campo below.

From Siena, we make daily excursions into the celebrated Tuscan landscape. To the south, the hilltop town of Pienza, a jewel of Renaissance architecture, offers panoramic views of tiled rooflines and rolling countryside. We will have time to sample the town’s specialty—fresh and pungent pecorino cheese. The highest of Tuscany’s hill towns, Montepulciano, situated on a limestone ridge and encircled by sixteenth-century walls and carefully-cultivated vineyards, offers unrestricted views. We capture images of the fortress town of Montalcino—surrounded by terraced vineyards and famed for its red wine—set against a layered backdrop of never-ending rolling hills fading into the distance at sunset.

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 beautifullypreserved walled city of Monteriggioni set amidst carefully-cultivated fields, yield striking images of this timeless land.

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. Extend your stay in magical Italy and join our tour to Venice, May 7–15, 2008, immediately preceding this tour. 1br>


Day 1
Depart on flights from the US.

Day 2 (May 15)
Arrive in Florence and enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation. (D)

Day 3
Drive to our hotel in Siena and explore the city with its ensemble of medieval towers and buildings cast in sienna- toned bricks. (BLD)

Days 4–6
For the next three days we photograph a Tuscan countryside filled with vineyards, 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)

Days 7–9
For the next three 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 vineyards in the world, with rolling hills graced with the fresh greens of spring. Red poppies and mustard grow wild among the gnarled vineyards. We explore the less-traveled back roads to find the true flavor of the Italian countryside. (BLD)

Day 10 (May 23)
We return to Florence for departures home. (B)





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