Italy, with its variety in landscapes and rich cultural heritage and history, is a dream destination for any travel photographer. From the majestic Dolomites to the romantic canals of Venice, the picturesque towns of Cinque Terre, and the vibrant green hills of Tuscany, Italy is unique and beautiful and there’s loads to explore.
The Dolomites – some of Italy’s best hiking
Italy’s beauty starts all the way up north, right across the Swiss/Austrian border. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boast dramatic peaks, lush valleys, and serene alpine lakes that are like nowhere else in Europe. The sunrises and sunsets in this area are spectacular as the granite rocks of the Dolomites get lit up and turn purple. It’s a fairly undiscovered region of Italy, making it a perfect get-away from the crowds if you enjoy nature and serenity. As a travel photographer, you are guaranteed some amazing shots, no matter the weather or time of year you visit this place.
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Venice and its canals and gondolas
Not too far from the Dolomites is world-famous Venice with its canals and gondolas. The trick is to get up very early to experience the beauty of Venice and to avoid the midday heat. As I roamed the streets of Venice at sunrise, I truly appreciated the city with its beautiful squares and bridges, before it got busy. There’s something special about roaming across the Piazza San Marco without a person in sight.
Cinque Terre
Speaking of towns and cities, the area of The Cinque Terre is another highlight of my trip to Italy. This collection of five colorful villages perched along the Italian Riviera coastline offers spectacular views. Each village has its own vibe and different colored houses and they are connected by train, making it easy to hope from one village to the next. My favorite villages of Cinque Terre are Riomaggiore and Manarola. Perched on top of rocks, these colorful villages are picture perfect.
Tuscany – Italy’s most iconic region
And then there’s the star of the show: Tuscany. Picture iconic rolling hills, cypress-lined streets and vineyards, all basked in golden light. Especially the San Quirico d’Orcia valley and Asciano region in Tuscany are a must if you want to photograph these type of landscapes. Again, Tuscany is at its best at sunrise and sunset and the light just hits differently here and gives the valley a golden glow. But it’s not only the endless rolling hills thar make Tuscany so beautiful. The towns are something special as well. From the medieval town squares and old defense towers of San Gimignano and Volterra to the cliff towns of Pitigliano, Bagnoregio and Sorano, you feel like walking on a movie set in many of these towns. Time truly has stood still and the Italians do a good job in preserving the beauty of the region and take pride in their history. Combine this with good food and wine and you just found yourself the next destination on your travel wishlist!
