Homan

We are going to be getting a Train from Rome to Montepulciano in September, then hiring a car and heading to Florence. We only have about 6 days. Where would be the best places to stay as a base for looking around. We thought maybe 2 nights in Montepulciano and visiting San Quirico, then 2 nights in Sienna and visiting Chianti and San Giovanni, then 2 nights in Florence. Would these be the best places to go to take stunning photos of the countryside?

Michael

Florence offers stunning possibilities for photographs, but not of the countryside. Stunning photographs depend on the photographer--good luck.

Homan

Looking more at getting great landscapes of tuscan villas and cyprus trees and sunsets

mama_mia

Just outside of the Montepulciano is San Biagio, a Renaissance church that makes for good shots when viewed from the town.

Sant'Antimo Abbey, near Montalcino, is often photographed.

Any of the approaches to the hill towns would yield great photos. Probably best to get in car and explore.

Homan

Are they good places to stay as a base for travelling around though?
Montepulciano, Siena and Florence

or are there better ones between Rome and Florence

julia1

I took a group of photographers to Tuscany a couple of years ago and we stayed just a two-minute walk outside the walls of San Quirico d'Orcia. It was a comfortable place to stay, but particularly good for early morning access to some of the best and most iconic photo locations in southern Tuscany, as well as Montepulciano, Siena, Pienza, Abbazia di Sant' Antimo, Capella Vitaleta, etc.

Here is a link to some photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=ed5b7148dc

A_Brit_In_Ischia

These people have been running themed photo competitions for some years now - and you might do well to have a look back through some of the entries from Tuscany?

2012 - Piazzas and bridges...
http://rete.comuni-italiani.it/foto/2012/geo/09

2009 - Castles etc, and panoramas...
http://rete.comuni-italiani.it/foto/2009/geo/09

2008 - Religious buildings and fountains...
http://rete.comuni-italiani.it/foto/2008/geo/09

To narrow down the selections, first go to "Elenco Province" for that region's individual provinces, and then the "Elenco Comuni" for each featured city, town or village.

Happy window-shopping!
Peter

bobthenavigator

Wow Julia, Your La Foce shot is to die for. I have that shot sans the wisteria.

TPAYT

Julia---stunning photographs
It's all about the lighting and you sure get it right.
My favorite is #1--Early morning mist over Belvedere.

Jean

Homan, I don't believe you can rent a car at Montepulciano. As far as I know, your closest option to Montepulciano is Chiusi.

Returning the car in Florence can be tricky due to the traffic restrictions. You should research the city's "ZTL" (Zona Traffico Limitato) to avoid a fine. Or return the car in Siena after your time there.

If you're most interested in "great landscapes of tuscan villas and cyprus trees and sunsets," consider not staying IN Siena which also has a ZTL and lots of rush hour traffic. Maybe stay somewhere in Chianti instead?

Rachel89

Hello!! I'm italian and I went a lot of times to Tuscany. There are so many interesting things to visiter there... I think the places you are going to visit are very nice. I suggest you also to visit Volterra (a small Etruscan city) and Monteriggioni ( a small but delightful village). If you nees any information, I'm here

Tuscany_Advisor

Hi Homan

My first reaction is you're moving around too much and wasting too much time packing/unpacking your bags. Tuscany is not that large. From where I live in Chianti you can drive to most places in 90 minutes. Admittedly, this isn't much good if you want to get sun-rise shots in Montepulciano, so maybe spend a couple of nights there to get some good morning shots, and then find somewhere you like in Chianti, where we have vineyards and castles and a million rows of cypress trees, plus easy access to Siena, Florence (without having to put up with the city noise at night). Find a nice base and do your trips in every direction from there. IMO, you'll get some of your best shots in some of the tiny Chianti towns like Gaiole, Volpaia etc, but that's not my area, it's yours, so just do your homework. BTW, Volterra is indeed worth the drive.