What is your most beautiful vantage point (or photo op) in all of Italy?
 

Please describe the most beautiful scene you have ever experienced in Italy? Be as specific as you can and include time of year and time of day if those things had a bearing on the beauty of the moment. I am particularly interested (personally) in the areas of Tuscany, Umbria, and cities of Florence, Siena, Lucca, Orvieto, Spello, Assisi, Verona, and Venice--at least for my upcoming trip. But please feel free to mention ANY sites in Italy.<BR><BR>I know, there is nothing like coming upon a drop-dead site when you least expect it (well...in Italy, you come to expect it!)--but I would love to capture some of your splendor-shock moments while I'm there.<BR><BR>Dog_Mother

Not great with names and such but last June in Venice I took a picture of the major bridge a single gondola was passing underneath, on the bridge was a huge banner for an exhibit with an elephant on it and a lone couple huddled together on the bridge. Great shot. Blew it up poster size, along with others for my son's dorm room.

It's difficult to pick just one. Some here is mulitple response (in no particular order):<BR>1. Emerging from the stazzione in Venice and experiencing that first view of the Grand Canal in all its glory.<BR>2. Standing on the Rialto Bridge in Venice and watching the sun go down over the Grand Canal.<BR>3. Going to the window of our Tuscany villa on the first morning and viewing sn incredible sunrise of pink and blue.<BR>4. Climbing to the top of the Duomo in Florence and seeing the city spread out before us.<BR>5. Emerging from a cab onto Piazza Maggiore and viewing the exciting pulse of Bologna.<BR>6. Approaching Varenna in a ferry on Lake Como.

While in Assisi, stand at the front porch of the Hotel Windor Savoia, you will have the Umbrian countryside as the backdrop of the St. Francis Basilica in full view in front of you. Wait for a sunny day, or early misty morning for added &quot;special effects&quot;. Have a wonderful time in Italy!!

Sharon,<BR>We were in Venice last June, too--so I just pulled up all my pictures to see if I had a picture of that elephant poster--and I DO!!!<BR><BR>Is your photo in digital form? If so, would you mind sharing it with me? I would dearly love to see it.<BR><BR>Howard, I absolutely, viscerally know what you are describing re: emerging from the train station in Venice. Both my husband and I just melted emotionally with the splendor of that unexpected site. Wish I had taken a picture of it--but I was so absorbed in the beauty, I forgot all about my camera.<BR><BR>Also, Howard, this will be our third time in Florence--and I keep saying I WILL climb to the top of the Duomo. Your posting has convinced me to do it THIS TIME. ;0) Knowing, however, that it is unlikely that I will go to the top of both the Duomo and the campanile, which one do you think would make the best photo op? Obviously, from the campanile, I can get a great shot of the dome.<BR><BR>Maira, I will definitely go to the Hotel Windor Savoia and capture that view. <BR><BR>Thanks to all. I hope others will keep this thread going for awhile.<BR>

DogMother, we've only climbed to the top of the Duomo, so I can't offer a comparison. But, I will add that climbing the 463 steps (yes, 463!) does have another advantage: About halfway up you have the opportunity to view the magnificent mural that adorns the dome interior. (By the way, the area resting spots along the way, so that you can stop and not impede the healthier climbers!)<BR>PS: I must confess that we, too, were dazzled by the first view of the Grand Canal and I never took a photo there. (However, I more than made up for that omission, photowise, during our stay.)

Howard,<BR>Good point!!! I had read about that view across the dome. I wondered about impeding others' progress when I become winded. Thanks so much for the tip about rest stops. <BR><BR>Another reason I really want to climb the dome--I want to see the architectural/structural design between the walls of the dome. Have you read the book, &quot;Brunelleschi's Dome&quot;? You must read it, especially since you know exactly what he is describing.<BR><BR>I better start working out on the stairstepper machine!<BR><BR>DM

My favorites were:<BR><BR>1) the view from our room at CastelBigozzi looking over the rolling ountryside with sheep dotting pastures, and red poppies scattered around the green, bright blue skies...just as I'd imagined Tuscany might look. (May 2001)<BR><BR>2) views of sunset over the Alto Adige river in Verona, from one of the amazing bridges -- this one the red brick beauty by CastelVecchio<BR><BR>3) views as we drove through the Dolomites -- snowy jagged peaks and deep green valleys <BR><BR>4) (later the same day) Coming down the Grand Canal on Vaporetto #1 at sunset to our hotel near the Rialto stop.<BR>

hmm -looks like all my edits didn't make that last post -- anyway, one of the pictures in Verona I was thinking of was of a bridal party being posed in front of a &quot;window&quot; of that bridge -- I got the photographer arranging the bride and groom so the sunset was visible through the window -- it was really romantic.

In the Cinque Terre, from the hiking trail above Vernazza. The picture of the town jutting out toward the sea never ceases to amaze me. <BR><BR>Taking a picture of Neuschwanstein from the Marienbrucke<BR><BR>The Rue Cler at dawn with the vendors assembling their produce.<BR><BR>The Arno at sunset with the Ponte Vecchio and pink skies as your backdrop. <BR><BR>Well, that's enough for now.

I'd have to say that the most incredible light for photography is in the Tuscan region.<BR><BR>The best times to shoot are after it rains, and of course early in the morning, or late in the afternoon.<BR><BR>If you follow the link below, it takes you to a shot I made in Siena, in September, in the late afternoon, just as a storm had passed.<BR><BR>http://www.jimtardio.com/siena-2001-glows-big.html<BR><BR>My other favorite, again just after a storm, again in September, on the the Amalfi Coast in Positano...here:<BR><BR>http://www.jimtardio.com/positano-big.html

Well, Jim is the expert and I am just a much traveled want-to-be. However, I have taken a few thousand shots in my travels in Italy and the best ones are typically in 5 areas--and always early or late in the day:<BR>The Amalfi coast--the Ligurian coast--the Dolomites--Val d'Orcia[Tuscany]--and Venice. If I had to pick one it was from the hill above Portofino just after a storm had passed. I have it on CD if you want to see it.

By all means post a link to your shot, Bob, or send it along.<BR><BR>I plan to visit Portofino and the Cinque Terre in about 11 months. Any suggestions about hotels, neighboring cities, etc...would be helpful, as well as any itinerary suggestions...but I'll make a separate post for that.

I've also photographed a single gondola on the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge. I photo I took from the breakfast room of Locanda Sturion is centered on a boat filled with fresh (and very colorful) produce, going down the Grand Canal early on a Saturday morning, headed to &quot;farmers' market&quot; there. My favorite photos of the Roman skyline were taken from the top of Castel Sant'Angelo, as the sun was beginning to set. On this last trip (just returned on Wednesday), I was headed out of the Parco Borghese toward the Spanish Steps, when I realized I was at a terrific vantage point to shoot a photo of the Monument Vittorio Emmanuelle (aka &quot;the wedding cake&quot;). Haven't had the film developed yet, but am hoping it turns out!<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio,<BR>BC

Ooops, I forgot mention one of my all-time favorites. While getting lost in the maze of little streets, narrow alleys and small canals in Venice, we came upon the setting of a collection of gondolas that apparently were being stored for the winter. It made for a memorable photo. (To see the picture, go to Sally Fowler's website <BR>http://traveurope.net/fodorite.fodor.htm<BR>Then, click on &quot;Fodorite's pictures on this site,&quot; then &quot;Italy,&quot; then in the &quot;Howard in Italy&quot; section click on &quot;Gondolas stored for the winter.)

I cant access that site Howard

I cant access that site Howard

Jim, I do not know how to post a link, but I will send it to you via email.

Sorry, jamikins, I made a typo. It should be:<BR>http://traveurope.net/fodorite/fodor.htm<BR>That one should work.

B the N,<BR><BR>We all want to see your picture!!<BR><BR>Jim, your pictures are stunning.<BR><BR>Howard, I'm going to see yours now.<BR><BR>DM

Sorry don't shoot digital. Was browsing my Italy shots again and another favorite is a VERY close up of a fountain actually just a piece of the fountain. A cherub holding a fish with water shooting out of the fish's mouth. Set your shutter speed high and get close - interesting.

Thanks for sending the photos, Bob. Portofino looks like a great place.

Thank you so much for a great post...Howard, taht site is awesome! Maybe my hubby and I will send you some pics from our honeymoon April 16-May 10 :)<BR><BR>Jamie

When I was in Siena (July of 2001)I decided to get away from all of the day trippers and venture outside town.<BR>Its amazing how quickly you are in the Tuscan countryside - it was beautiful.<BR>I wandered for about an hour and took a ton of pictures, I was there around noonish.<BR><BR>I would also have to agree with Howard - no matter how much planning you've put into a trip, I don't think you could ever fully anticipate how beautiful Venice is as soon as you step out of the train station.

From the top of the campanile on Torcello, Venice in November we took a stunning picture looking back across the lagoon to Venice

The crete senese, south of Siena: the rolling hills with their white/grey/yellow/brownish soil, a farmhouse with a long driveway and a few cypresses in the front. Magnificent.

Hi Dog Mother, I am a dog mother too! <BR><BR>Some of my most beautiful pictures were taken on the grounds of La Foce in Val d' Orcia in Tuscany. <BR>It is the home and land of the author Iris Origo who wrote War in Val d'Orcia and other books. <BR><BR>You can take photos of the outside of the house, all of the gardens and the rolling hillsides surrounding it. There are guided tours certain days of the week. It was the highlight of my trip two years ago.<BR><BR>

What might be the easiest way all of us could put our best photo of Italy on one web page? Wouldn't that be one terrific site?!!!!<BR><BR>

In Portovenere in the castle, looking thru one of the stone arches toward the coastline and sea, with the arch framing the view. I framed my photo and have it on my wall. An Italian friend saw it and said &quot;Ah, from the castle in Portovenere, right?&quot; Apparently it is a very famous view. And I thought I was being original!

Nocinonut, what time of year did you go to LaFoce? We're renting there in three weeks. The web site looks lovely but it always reassuring to hear from someone who's been there.

Nutella, I too have that shot at Portovenere, but I also like the one thru the arches at San Pietro church at sunset. Another fav is that church taken from the water. Portovenere is one big photo op for me.

The hill overlooking the harbor at Portofino. Lovely yachts, colorful houses, beautiful water. Also, Cinque Terra for same photo ops. Also got nice pictures at Lake Carezza in the Dolomites. Have fun.

Hi Judy, we were there in late May, I guess it varies every year and I dont know about the blooms this year, but it will be Spring anyway. <BR><BR>I know you will love it, we spoke to a couple from the US who were renting one of the farm houses and they come back every year. It is a really beautiful area, we got a little lost trying to find it so bring a good map.

I'll jump in as well! I am only recently shooting digital, so most of my favorites have been in 35mm. There are so many:<BR>Dawn from the wall of San Gimignano;<BR>Late afternoon in the fall on the wall of Lucca, leaves falling in that light, people playing chess and strolling;<BR>Florence just before a big rain from Piazzale Michelangelo;<BR>A fisherman repairing nets and teaching me in Burano;<BR>Some tiny campos you just happen upon in Venice;<BR>From the tip of the dogana looking out toward San Giorgio in Venice;<BR>Looking down at Gubbio from the one person cable car up to San Ubaldo; and my favorites--women in windows!<BR>And all the people in Italy who've shared stories, wine and pictures with me in the past 9 years of travelling there! It's an amazing place-every one of the suggestions fodorfolk made that I knew made me smile!<BR>

My favorites:<BR><BR>Taken from under the Accademia Bridge, right where you can see the dome of Santa Maria della Salute and the barber-stripped gondola poles on the left, with a gondola on the canal of course!<BR><BR>The two of us standing on the rooftop of my boyfriend's cousin's house in Praiano, at sunset with storm clouds and Positano in the background.<BR><BR>A distant shot of Civita di Bagnoreggio seemingly floating on the clouds and sun shining.<BR><BR> A close up of a St. Bernard sleeping on the stairs of a refugio where we stopped for lunch while skiing the Sella Ronda route near Cortina.<BR><BR>Priceless!<BR><BR>

For those who love Tuscany, check out this excellent site: www.terraditoscana.com<BR><BR>For those who appreciate fine photography, follow the link to Sandro Santiollo's fabulous work!

Bob, Great minds think alike : )

Dog Mother<BR><BR>•I too agree with Rex (et al) that nothing prepares you for your very first experience of Venice as you leave the train station. Nothing. Nothing will compare with that &quot;this can't be real, but it IS moment.&quot;<BR><BR>•For our big splurge gondola ride, we'd brought a bottle of Prosecco with us and a walkman of Puccini arias. It was sunset just as we bobbed out onto the Grand Canal and the entire Salute was bathed in peach and rose. My husband took a picture of me and I'm smiling serenely (Serenisma-ly?) with tears running down my cheeks.<BR><BR>•Our first visit to San Miniato in Florence was just as the organist began to practice. Our visit was accompanied by the most beautiful sacred music.<BR><BR>•We fell in love with Santantimo and returned a few days later to attend a late afternoon concert. The program was Mozart and as the afternoon sun changed, a bird was silhouetted in the rear window, fluttering. The whole audience gasped &quot;ah, que bella.. il dove!&quot; (or something like that.) No photos of that moment, but many of the church and it's wonderful gargoyles.<BR><BR>•We rented a wonderful apartment in the Castello section of Montisi (a little hilltown in Tuscany, not on many maps). It was Ferragusto eve. The landlady invited us (for something like $20 ea) to the neighbohood dinner later that night. We went inside to unpack. She knocked on our door at 8pm and the street been transformed into a long table stretching up and out of sight around the corner, set with white linens, candles, strings of overhead lights, neighborhood flags and the entire neighborhood was seated and waiting for us. Speaking very little Italian, we took seats of honor next to the mayor and then had a six course homemade dinner with never-ending homemade wine and homemade olive oil... got very drunk, shared photos of our wooden New England home (&quot;ah, Ingleses Garden!&quot;), suddenly spoke Italian or they spoke English, and saved the day by having the only film left for the ceremonial presentation of the neighborhood plate to the mayor. I have that photo!<BR>•Checking into our room at the Punta Tragara, Capri (we'd won three nights in a raffle), we discovered our balcony was directly over the Faraglioni. Breathtaking.<BR>•Driving through the hills over a dirt road to the Abazzia Monte Oliveto Maggiore... the farmers were burning the fields, and the old stone farmhouses and the tall cypresses were all surrounded by this golden glow.<BR><BR>OMIGOD, I want to go back NOW.<BR>

I am not a professional photographer and have always travelled with my wife.<BR><BR>Having said that I have a few rules that I go by. It would not be fair to circle an object endlessly looking for just the right angle or light. I don't usually carry my camera in the evening (though I probably should) while going out to dinner.<BR><BR>I take some scenery but usually just things I see, street corners, etc.<BR><BR>You can see some photos at <BR><BR>www.travelwalks.com <BR><BR>and go to the 2002 trip (you can go to others but not as many photos).<BR><BR>Hope you enjoy.<BR>

Dog Mother -- um, I think I got carried away remembering my wonderful moments. Sorry.