Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

Villa Reale di Marlia is a stunning 17th century villa and estate with extensive and impressive gardens, located a short distance from Lucca, at the foot of the Pizzorne hills. Once home to Napoleon’s sister and Duchess of Lucca Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, it is considered one of the most important historic properties in Italy and is made up of a sixteen hectare estate that features incredible works of art, works of nature and flights of fancy. While the house is currently closed for renovations, the gardens remain open to the public for visits and make for the perfect place to spend a pleasant afternoon strolling around. Just find a luxury villa in Lucca and pay a visit to this extraordinary estate for yourself.

Pack a picnic and set aside a few hours because wandering this estate will occupy you for that long – there is so much to see and do and you'll need snacks to keep you going.

Tuscany really is impossibly beautiful. There is just so much to see and do and so much of it is made up of some of the most beautiful galleries, buildings, works of art and views in the world. Of course, there really are endless lists of excellent things to see and do so, in order to help you out, here are more of this author's picks of the most photogenic sights in Tuscany that you'll want to visit and then capture forever.

7. The Uffizi

The Uffizi is one of the leading art galleries in the world and for good reason. It is a must-see for the countless masterpieces that are housed inside of it but it is also quite the photogenic beauty in its own right. There is almost too much to see, which can lead to a bit of sensory overload. When I took a moment to just wander and not try and see everything for a second, I found myself strolling around behind my parents and I got this photograph.

There are lots of fascinating sights and attractions all around Tuscany and there could never be enough time to see or do it all. However, if you are particularly interested in photography, commemorating your trip and picture-perfect scenery, there are some suggestions that we would like to make of places that you should add into your itinerary. Here are more of this author's picks of the most photogenic sights in Tuscany…

5. Haring's mural in Pisa: the ultimate backdrop

Keith Haring's “Tuttomondo” mural, located in the Tuscan town of Pisa, near the station in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, is his last public work. Painted in 1989, just before the artist died prematurely in 1990, when he was already beginning to fall sick due to HIV-related complications, it was produced in collaboration with the students of Caparol Center.

Tuscany is home to some of the most extraordinary buildings, works of art, views and attractions in the world. You are really spoiled when it comes to things to see and do. However, there are some things that are more unusual, special and picturesque than others. Again, many things could have made this list but these are this author's picks of the most photogenic sights in Tuscany. Just bring your camera and capture these attractions and the memories that you make there to have and to keep forever.

3. The concentrated wonder of the Piazza della Signoria

The Piazza della Signoria in Florence is a focal point of the historical part of the city and a place where all tourists will inevitably end up there at some point during their time exploring the city. It is home to the Palazzo Vecchio (the old town hall), the iconic Fountain of Neptune, and the Loggia del Lanzi, a building that is open on two sides and has open arches on its facade that contains important examples of ancient and Renaissance sculptures.

Tuscany is a photogenic place with picture-perfect views and attractions around every corner. From the rolling hills topped by medieval villages and the valleys filled with vineyards, to the ideal Renaissance town of Pienza and staggering architectural gems of Florence, there are all sorts of must-see sights that you'll want to see with you own eyes and then capture on film forever.

Some of these things are well-known and obvious but there are some that you might never heard of before. This author has chosen some of her favourites to share with you; some of Tuscany's most photogenic sights and picturesque spots that you must track down!

1. The hills surrounding Dicomano

I recently wrote about the excellent Agriturismo Frascole, a winery in the Tuscan Apennines, where I had a wonderful day tasting wine with my family.