Photography Tours
THE HEART OF RENAISSANCE ITALY
A highly seductive medley of Renaissance cities, rolling hills, scattered with villas, castles nestled deep in the heart of the rural countryside, with terraced vineyards and olive groves, Tuscany offers the quintessential Italian experience. From the olive groves and cypress alleys to the romantic villages perched on rocky outcrops, the landscape here has become the symbol of the country as a whole. Its truffles, olives, wines, and cheeses combine in a rich culinary tradition that makes dining a pleasure all of its own. Yet, the region’s greatest treasures are the medieval masterpieces of Florence, Montalcino, Pienza and San Gimignano.
Panoramic View of Florence at Sunset
**For two (2) full days we will visit the best of Florence
Day 1- September 30, 2021 (Thursday)- Arrive in Florence, Italy.
Private transfer to your hotel. The hotel is situated in the city center of Florence, strategically located in the heart of Florence. Meet and greet with the group for dinner.
Accommodations:
Hotel Laurus al Duomo or similar
Dinner included
Day 2-October 1, 2021 (Friday)- Walking Tour with a Professional Guide of Florence
Surrounded by rolling Tuscan Hills, the beautiful city of Florence is one of Europe’s most enchanting and historically influential cities. If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos. The world’s greatest Renaissance artworks and sculptures can be found at every turn in the historical center.
After a leisure breakfast, we will begin our personalized guided walking tour of the city that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance, home to Michelangelo’s “David”.
We will visit the following the following destinations to name a few:
- The Academia Gallery home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’, one of the finest sculptures ever created.
- We will visit the church of Santa Maria del Fiore-visit the splendor of Duomo—the dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral remains the largest unreinforced, brick dome in the world, standing 376 ft tall. to view Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome—
- Campanile of Giotto (bell tower)
- Ghiberti’s enchanting ‘Gates of Paradise’. The door to the Baptistry.
Shopping, architecture and history will collide as you stroll over the Ponte Vecchio.
Accommodations: Hotel Laurus al Duomo or similar Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 3-October 2, 2021 (Saturday)- Walking Tour of Florence
After a leisure breakfast, we will embark in a private guided tour of Florence. In the afternoon, we will visit the best location to capture the panoramic sunset view of Florence.
Accommodations: Hotel Laurus al Duomo or similar
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 4- October 3, 2021 (Sunday)-Private transfer to San Gimignano,Tuscan Region (1.5 hour drive) After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive to the beautiful Tuscan Region of San Gimignano. We will be staying inside the historical city center of San Gimignano. San Gimignano is famous across the world; the town boasts fourteen of the imposing towers that the aristocracy built as their homes in the Medieval and Renaissance periods; not only do they lend an extra touch of magic to the town’s atmosphere, they also provide incredible views on the valley and the town.
Our Beautiful Hotel..It is Mohan and my favorite hotel ever! Our rooms will be overlooking the vineyards ‘Albergo La Cisterna’ Hotel.
Upon checking-in, we will have lunch and start our sightseeing of the beautiful Tuscany Region.
Accommodations: Albergo La Cisterna
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5-October 4, 2021, (Monday)
Wine Tasting in the famous Chianti Region
After a leisure breakfast, we will embark in an amazing day visiting the famous Chianti Region in Tuscany. We will indulge in wine tasting and feast our eyes with one of the most beautiful vineyards in the world.
Accommodations: Albergo La Cisterna
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6-October 5, 2021, (Tuesday) Private transfer to visit Val d’Orcia Wine Region and UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Site of Pienza
In 1996, UNESCO decided to make the centre of Pienza into a World Heritage Site “considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as it represents the first application of the Renaissance Humanist concept of urban design, and as such occupies a seminal position in the development of the concept of the planned "ideal town" which was to play a significant role in subsequent urban development in Italy and beyond.”. In 2004, the entire Val d'Orcia was included on the list of UNESCO's World Cultural Landscapes.
You will love this quaint and beautiful fortress. We will enjoy a nice lunch overlooking the Pienza vineyards and valleys.
This is exactly our view as we are having our lunch
Accommodations: Albergo La Cisterna
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Include
Venice
Within a shallow lagoon between the mouths of Po and Piave rivers, Venice is formed of 118 islands formed by some 170 canals connected by over 400 bridges. The entire city is considered a World Heritage Site, an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building may contain works by some of the Europe’s greatest artists
Day 7-October 6, 2021- (Wednesday) Scenic First-Class Train Ride from Florence to Venice, Italy (2.5 hour Train Ride)
After an early breakfast, we will depart the Tuscan region and return to Florence to capture our first-class train ride to Venice. The train is considered a very scenic experience!
Upon arriving in Venice, we will transfer to our accommodations at the city center in Venice San Marcus Square. Leisurely afternoon for shopping. We will meet for dinner.
Accommodations: Bonvecchiati Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 8- October 7, 2021 (Thursday) Private Guided Tour of Venice
After a leisure breakfast, we will embark in a private guided tour of Venice.
Accommodation: Bonvechiate Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 9- October 8, 2021 (Friday)—Private Guided Tour of Burano and Murano Islands
After a leisure breakfast, we will embark in a private guided tour of Burano and Murano Islands in a private boat. In the afternoon enjoy a private gondola ride in the enchanting water channels of Venice.
Accommodation: Bonvechiate Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 10-October 9, 2021-(Saturday) Transfer to Venice International airport.
Wish You a Safe Flight home!
Terms & Conditions
Tour Cost
$5,600.00 based on double occupancy
$700.00 Single supplement
Payment Plan: To reserve your place, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of reservation. Receipt of your initial payment indicates your acceptance of our terms and conditions.
- $1,400.00 non-refundable deposit to hold reservation
- $4,200.00 payment due July 1, 2021
Type of Payment:
- Check payable to:
Photography Expeditions, LLC
Mailing Address:
Mohan Bhasker
22 Caballeros Road, Rolling Hills, CA, USA
- Credit cards are accepted
Cost is all inclusive of the following:
- All transfers
- 5-Star***** Accommodations
- All meals—Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner as per itinerary
- Private wine experience, tasting and lunch in exclusive winery in the Chianti Region.
- All tour excursions as indicated in the entire itinerary
- Private English-Speaking Guide at all times
- First Class Train Ticket from Florence to Venice, Italy
Exclusion of Cost
- International Air Fare
- Travel Protection Plan and medical insurance
- Any personal kind of expenses like laundry, tips, telephone bills, etc
- Meals unless specified
- Room service to be paid directly at the time of checkout
- Tips to the guides and driver
Contact Information:
Mohan Bhasker (Photographer) or Michelle Parra (Tour Operator)
(310) 944-2625 (818) 281-9991
tennismohan@aol.com bhaskergallery@yahoo.com
M & M Team is extremely proud to share this experience with you!