Under the Tuscan Sun & Palio

Photography Workshop Travel Tour

The Palio Festival Under the Tuscan Sun

There's never a bad time to visit Tuscany, but August is one of the most sought time periods. Come along as we start this photographic journey from Florence deep into the heart of Tuscany, enjoying the great Palio festival held twice a year in this remarkable area. You won't want to miss the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the beautiful cathedral of Siena, the towers and bats of San Gimignano, and the heart of it all - Pienza.

Learn from a passionate professional

Our photographers are both passionate and knowledgeable about photography and the area. We take you to all the good spots and let you enjoy the journey along the way. We capture as many sunrises and sunsets as weather and the small group will allow, and after shooting, we return to the hotel for a couple post-editing tutorials.

Group size & Options

Not everyone runs at the same pace, and our tours are built to accommodate everyone. We keep group sizes small, so everyone will have some one on one time with the pro. We also will offer different options for everyone. Perhaps someone wants to work on astrophotography late at night, maybe someone else really wants sunrises. We try to be as flexible as possible, so you don't feel like you have to do everything, but you can still get as most out of the experience as you want.

Tour Price $4,400/person

Join us for a single supplement for $400. A single supplement is one full day of activities meeting in the town we will be in. It does not include room or board, but does include any transport during the day after your arrival in the town. We can help arrange your transport to the town for an additional price

Tour Dates

Aug 14 - 21, 2018

Day 1

The first day we pick you up at the airport or train station in Florence. From there, we take you to the hotel to drop off your things and relax and have some free time during the heat of the day. Towards evening, we'll take you out for dinner and to photograph the city from the top of the hill overlooking the city.

Day 2

The second day we take you to the David statue, and to the top of the Dome before heading south to Siena for the amazing Palio festival. The festival goes for four days, but the race can take place in just an instant. So it's good to arrive beforehand, enjoy the festivities and get ready for the main event.

Day 3

The next day we wake up with a nervous fever like the rest of the city. It's the day of the big Palio. One of the most famous and ilustrious horse races in the world. We'll spend our whole day here enjoying the festival and the race.

Day 4

We wake up and head south to the heart of Tuscany. We leaave our things in the hotel in PIenza and start our drive around the most amazing countryside with the beautiful Cypruses. You'll love this quiet little Tuscan city, and really get the flavor of Tuscany.

Day 5

The fifth day, we'll wake up early for sunrise in the fields, and then spend the rest of the day relaxing and going wherever you feel in the heart of Tuscany. We'll also do a post-processing workshop.

Day 6

We head out in the morning to San Gimignano and the even more stunning countryside around the city. We'll do a couple wine tastings and olive oil tastings in the countryside, and you'll just love this amazing medieval city with it's gigantic towers. At night, you'll get the surreal and totally unique experience of photographing the bats that come out and fly around the city at sunset. This experience alone makes the whole trip to Tuscany worthwhile.

Day 7

We wake up and catch a sunrise over the city before heading to our final destination of Pisa. Here we'll spend most of our day around the leaning tower, but we'll also go down to the river that flows through the town.

Day 8

We wake up, check out of our hotel, and drop you off at the train station in Pisa and say goodbye.

Additional Info

We will do some mild hiking in the fields around Pienza, be prepared with some somewhat sturdy shoes, although it is quite easy walking. Also beware of snakes.

Arrival

You will arrive in Florence at the airport or train station, and we'll pick you up and take you to the hotel.

Departure

After checkout from the hotel in Pisa, we'll take you to the airport.

Accommodations

We will stay at three and four star hotels in Florence, Siena, Pienza, San Gimignano, and Pisa.

Meals

Meals will be provided for you and will consist of breakfast lunch and dinner. If you have any health concerns or diet restrictions please let us know beforehand, so we can accommodate you the best that we can.

Included

7 nights in hotel rooms

Transport during the trip

Meals

Not included

Visas (if you need them)

Tickets into and out of Italy

Insurance