kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

Going to be spending five days in the Florence area. Never traveled there and would like suggestions for areas to get good landscape and architectural photos.

Thanks,

Karl

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Cinque Terre was unforgettable. Don't miss it!

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

San Gimiano, a town sw of Florence a few miles. Beautiful!.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Cathedral of Santa Maria, Ponte Vecchio stretching over the Arno River and Palazzo Vecchio are musts for architecture. There is a bluff overlooking Florence (can't think of name but everyone will know it) that gives amazing view of Florence around sunset, especially if you also have a telephoto lens.

Outside of city is heavy wine and olive/olive oil area so also lots of scenic opportunities.

daldds Loc: NYC

Piazzele Michelangelo (not sure of spelling), or Michelangelo Plaza gives a panoramic view of Florence because of its height. 1st time I was there I used one 36 exposure Kodachrome roll just turning 360 degrees. Look at weather reports and try for dawn or sunset. Can be foggy.

mitrecon

Fiesole is the town just up a hill from Florence. Nice sunsets. If I remember a somewhat picturesque Abby.

11bravo

Ufezzi gallery museum and the Museo Galileo (science museum).

Besides Florence, take a day trip to Siena (bus), the Siena Duomo and the Piazza del Campo. See the Palio at least once in your life, buy a ticket for bleachers at the San Martino turn.

https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pista_del_Palio_di_Siena

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

Great place to visit. So many great vistas and places.
Go up to the top of the Duomo as well as the Campanile. Great views of the city as well as of each other.
Read up on some of the history...remarkable city.

The David is very photogenic of course and across the street from the Academia (David ) is the Monastery San Marco.. home to Savonarola and where his famous cape still resides. All the monks cells had paintings by Fra Angelico.

There is a nice indoor marketplace for eating and checking out. Beautiful walking city. The Boboli Gardens are worth a visit as well as the Pitti Palace... They are he Oltrano section( across the river ).. you cross the Ponte Vecchio and you are there.
The Uffizi has a giant collection of Italian Renaissance painting and is a must visit.
The Bargello is a wonderful small museum in an old jail ( if I remember correctly ). It is near the Duomo.. Sculptures as well as painting.
So many beautiful things to see in Florence. Have a great trip.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

Definitely Cinque Terre, but also Montecatini. Take the Feniculare to Montecatini Alto for amazing views and dining. Also, the town of Vinci, Leonardo DaVinci's birthplace. Castle Verrazzano is another fine place for photography.

LoStrunzo

If youre driving suggest visiting San Gimignano and Siena. San Gimignano is a beautiful old walled town which sits on a hill over looking the surrounding countryside; great photo opportunities. Has about 12 towers built to display personal wealth. Lot of the walking is up hill so be prepared. Ponte Vecchio in Florence offers some interesting shots. Crowded, close quarters so wide angle best. Do not trust the drivers!!! Pedestrian crosswalks are free fire zones!! Siena is another beautiful walled town built on a hill. Great vistas as well as some very old, interesting buildings. Again every thing is close together, streets are narrow so a 18-105 lens is suggested unless you have another wide angle. Have fun!

JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Stay alert for the unexpected. While driving, we spotted a very small traffic sign that simply said "Aquaduct." It was out in the middle of nowhere, but we weren't in a hurry so we took the turn. We spent the next two hours photographing and walking along miles of the ruins of an ancient Roman aquaduct.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

So much to see and do, so little time.

If you do not have a car Fiesole is definite a good choice. Buses run from the square near the Duomo to Fiesole all day and evening. It costs about 3 euros and is a beautiful 20 minute ride up the mountain to town. Fiesole is a charming town with great views and photo ops, loads of history, very good restaurants, and an incredible bakery.

Another option is taking a scenic, not long, train ride to Lucca. It is a walled city with shopping, photo ops, the opportunity to walk or bike along the wall around the city. Definitely worth the trip.

With a car there are lots and lots of charming towns all loaded with scenery and architecture. Along with the aforementioned Siena and San Gimignano consider Montepulciano (try the wine!), Orvieto, Cortana, Pienza- my favorite and a photographer's paradise, Montalcino (try their famous Brunello wine too!). They are all mountain towns and all a little different.

Before you go, watch the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun". Then watch it again after you return and you'll be saying "Hey, I was there!!!" over and over. Enjoy your trip.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

tripadvisor.com

tripsy76 Loc: Northshore, MA

If you’re looking for some good food while you’re there you should try La Buchetta if it’s still around! Their gnocchi is awesome! That whole area provides so many things to see and shoot!

cdayton

Siena is about 100km away and worth the trip to see the fabulous plaza. You can climb the bell tower for great shots. Don’t miss Galileo’s finger that can be viewed in the science museum.