• On our Tuscany Photo Tour based out of charming Pienza. We have reserved all seven of the view rooms overlooking the Val d’Orcia, which are assigned on a first-signup basis.  Some of the destinations we will visit include the medieval hill towns of Montepulciano, Montalcino, Monticchiello, San Quirico d’Orcia, Sorano, and Pitigliano.

• On some days, you will have the option to rise early to capture images such as a quintessential Tuscan farmhouse at blue hour and in the early morning light with mist rising in the valley before enjoying your first well-deserved cappuccino.

• Our lovely hotel in the heart of the charming medieval town of Pienza offers a wonderful buffet breakfast.

• At night, when all the tourists have gone back to Florence or continued on to Rome, our small photo tour group will have the tranquil car-free lanes all to ourselves. It doesn’t get any more romantic than the tiny “Via dell’Amore” (love street) and “Via del Bacio” (kiss street). We like to think of ourselves as travelers rather than tourists and our approach to this photo tour reflects our slow travel philosophy. By spending seven nights based in one location, we will be able to experience the daily rhythms of life in a small Tuscan town.

• In addition to great photo opportunities on our Tuscany Photo Tour, we will be lecturing (mostly in the field) on photographic topics including:

• • Composition
  • Digital Workflow
  • Panoramic Photography
  • Depth of Field calculation
  • Focal Blending
  • Blue Hour Photography
  • Filters, Neutral Density, and Neutral Density Grads
  • Photoshop & Lightroom Tips and Tricks
  • Nik Software

This sample itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and other circumstances beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide the best possible experience for our clients. 

May 9, 2025

Plan on spending this evening in Pisa. This will allow you time to get some rest before the tour begins and also ensure that you arrive on time for the following day’s departure for our Tuscany Photo Tour. Or treat yourself to a few nights before the tour to adjust to jetlag. There are many places to explore outside of Pisa, including Florence and Lucca.

May 10

Our Tuscany Photo Tour group meets at the Hotel NH Pisa at 10 am for departure to Pienza, which takes approximately 3 hours. After checking into our B&B, we will have a group meeting before heading out to explore Pienza and photograph our first sunset at the nearby “Terrapille” farmhouse. This is one of the most photogenic scenes in Tuscany and was even featured in the movie Gladiator.

May 11 – 15

We have five full days to explore the magical Val d’Orcia region and beyond with our van.

May 16

Our Tuscany Photo Tour group will depart Pienza at 10 am for the journey back to Pisa, arriving no later than 4 pm. We may stop along the way for some photography. You also have the option of not returning to Pisa with the group if you want to continue on your own, for example, to Rome. In that case, taxi transport can be arranged to the nearby town of Chiusi, where one can catch trains north to Florence or south to Rome.

Dates:  May 10 – 16, 2025 (6 nights in Pienza) 

Cost: $3,975 | single supplement $595

A 5% discount will apply to those also attending the Cinque Terre Photo Tour and or the

Venice Photo Tour.

A $500 deposit will secure your spot.

Click here to make your deposit for 2025 »

What is included in the Tuscany Photo Tour?

• 6 nights lodging
• All breakfasts
• Daily van transportation to photo locations
• All entrance fees and tolls, as well as ground transportation, except for transport to and from the airport.
• Jim & Magrit’s expertise in guiding and photographic instruction

Tuscany Photo Tour level of physical difficulty: 2 out of 5

Involves some walking on steep hills and uneven surfaces.

We will be traveling in  9-passenger vans, and you must be physically able to step in and out of the van on your own. The step-up into the van is higher than a typical home stair-step.

For Terms & Conditions and insurance recommendations, please click here »

Join us before your Tuscany Photo Tour, after,  on the picturesque Cinque Terre Photo Tour, or before on the Venice Photo  Tour. A 5% discount will apply to all tours!

Cinque Terre | Timeless Italy Photo Tour

May 4 to 8 | 2025(4 nights)

Venice Photo | The Magic of the Serenissima

May 18 to 22 | 2025(4 nights)

Personal Items, Camera Equipment, and Weather Conditions | Tuscany Photo Tour

Temperature range for this time of year: 54 to 66º F

Average monthly rainfall for this time of year: 3 ”

Please pack light, as we will not have room in the van for more than one piece of luggage plus a camera bag for each of us. Please restrict your main piece of luggage to no more than 26 inches. Magrit & I both travel for 4-5 months with 25-26 inch Travel Pro Max Lite luggage. Most airlines are now charging for more than one piece of checked baggage. Keep in mind that laundry service is available in Pienza.

Long pants and socks so that you can tuck your pants into your socks to avoid tick exposure while in the field. Short, lightweight gaiters are useful. Here is a fun brand, $20….you need to attach the included piece of self-stick velcro to the back of your shoe.

Tick repellent.

Headlamp with Red Light Mode.

Two pairs of shoes: One sturdy pair for in the field that you can get wet and muddy. One pair for evenings.

Lightweight rain jacket and rain pants. You don’t have to go all out here, but if we have some wet weather and it is not raining too hard, we can still go out and get some good photos.   I suggest a rain jacket if nothing else. We have worn cut-open Hefty bags as skirts, and they work great when we did not have rain pants. The rain gear will keep you dry when walking in tall, wet grass.

Small umbrella for rain and shade. I use an umbrella often to block the sun from hitting the front element of my lens. Black is best. I like this one.

Sweater or light jacket for a possible chill on early morning shoots. A light layer underneath a rain jacket can be surprisingly warm. Magrit & I both travel with lightweight down vests and jackets.

Hat for sun and rain protection.

Camera Equipment. On this Tuscany Photo Tour, a long lens is recommended. I suggest at least up to 300 mm on a full-frame. I now travel with a full-frame Sony system and carry a 16-35, 24-105, and 70-200. A sturdy tripod is essential.

For equipment recommendations, please click here »