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Welcome to Tuscany, a land steeped in history and decorated with midieval architecture across its breathtaking landscape of green rolling hills and lush vineyards! Inspiration comes easily here, so it’s no wonder why its home to some of the world’s most recognizable Renaissance art and architecture. Tuscany is described as one of the most picturesque places to visit in a country identified as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. Here the diverse natural landscape encompasses the rugged Apennine Mountains, the island of Elba’s beaches on the Tyrrhenian Sea and Chianti’s olive groves and vineyards. The origins of Tuscan food, are rather rustic, but the world renowned, rich flavors and aromas are nothing short of extraordinary. Wine production is equally excellent for both variety and quality, in fact Tuscany produces the finest wines in all of Italy. Join us as we explore and photograph one of Europe’s greatest treasures! Far more than just a photography tour, our trip provides a balanced combination of photographic opportunities, Italian culture, delicious cuisine and a relaxing vacation all blended together. Photographic opportunities abound and we ensure you are positioned to capture the very best light of each day. Great care has also been taken to allow ample time to truly experience the essence of Tuscany by enjoying a leisurely meal with a glass of local wine, or sitting on a quiet patio listening to the bubbling of a nearby fountain. Our goal is to share with you the very best that Tuscany has to offer, while assisting you in capturing a portfolio of this region that you’ll never forget. Our exclusive tour is limited to only 8 participants ensuring you’ll have the very best experience. Join us for this premium tour and enjoy the true beauty of the Tuscan countryside without all the crowds!
* In order to provide participants with the best photographic opportunities the itinerary is subject to change based on weather, lighting and other variables.
DAY 1: April 27th, 2022 – FLORENCE
– No Meals Provided
After your arrival into Peretola International Airport you will transfer to the luxurious Hotel Santa Maria Novella Firenze. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of our hotel. I’ll have a Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours (NOWtours) sign on the table to help you locate our group. There we will get to know each other and discuss our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. Overnight in Florence.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 2: April 28th, 2022 – FLORENCE to CINQUE TERRE
– Breakfast & Dinner Provided
Today we will leave the ancient architecture of Florence and transfer to the striking coastline waters of the Italian Riviera. Our destination will be Cinque Terre, a string of centuries-old seaside villages along Italy’s rugged coastline. In each of the five towns colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces. Picturesque harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas. Our stops today will includes a visit to San Gimignano, the iconic city of Pisa. Once a maritime power to rivaling Genoa and Venice, Pisa now draws its fame from an architectural project gone terribly wrong. But the world-famous Leaning Tower is just one of many noteworthy sights in this compelling city. Finally we will also visit the village of Monterosso al Mare known for its lemon trees and anchovies. Split in two, its new and old halves are linked by an underground tunnel burrowed beneath the blustery San Cristoforo promontory. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 3: April 29th, 2022 – CINQUE TERRE
– Breakfast Provided
Our day’s itinerary will take us to Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre’s easternmost village. Riomaggiore is the largest of the five villages and acts as its unofficial headquarters. Its peeling pastel buildings march down a steep ravine to a tiny harbor, the region’s favorite postcard view that glows romantically at sunset! The village, dates from the early thirteenth century, and is known for its historic character and delicious wine, produced by the town’s vineyards. Traveling on we will also visit Manarola, it is the second-smallest of the famous settlements. Bequeathed with more grapevines than any other Cinque Terre village, Manarola is famous for its sweet Sciacchetrà wine. It’s also awash with priceless medieval relics, supporting claims that it is the oldest of the five villages. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 4: April 30th, 2022 – CINQUE TERRE
– Breakfast Provided
Today we will enjoy the sights in Corniglia, Cinque Terre’s ‘quiet’ middle village. Perched atop a 100m-high rocky promontory and surrounded by vineyards its the only Cinque Terre settlement with no direct sea access. Here steep steps lead one down to a rocky cove directly below the village. Narrow alleys and colorfully painted four-story houses characterize this unforgettable town. The town of Corniglia is surrounded by evocative and traditional fasce (terraced fields) where for centuries inhabitants have grown grapes and produced the typical local white wine dating back to Roman times. Continuing on we’ll travel on until we arrive in Vernazza. Perhaps the crowning jewel among the five, Vernazza has been named one of the most beautiful towns of Italy. This delightful, traffic free village with architecture characteristic of the area is lined with little cafes, shops and monuments. It is the steepest of the five villages, and the small harbor here is the only secure landing point on the Cinque Terre coast. Side streets lead to the village’s trademark Genoa-style caruggi (narrow lanes), where sea views pop at every turn. Overnight in Cinque Terre.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 5: May 1st, 2022 – CINQUE TERRE to SIENA
– Breakfast & Dinner Provided
Siena is a place extremely rich in history and art and with strong local traditions. This glorious destination is essentially an open-air museum celebrating its Gothic past. The monuments that one finds here reflect both its spiritual and secular history retained in their medieval forms and stunning art collections. It was here that their world-famous, bareback horse race, the Palio di Siena, was inaugurated. Within the city we’ll experience vibrant streets populated with artisanal boutiques, sweet-smelling pasticcerie (pastry shops) and tempting restaurants. This is truly a feast for the senses and an essential stop on any Tuscan itinerary. Our first day here will include a walking tour of city, local attractions to shoot and an epic sunset panorama over the city! Overnight in Siena.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 6: May 2nd, 2022 – SIENA
– Breakfast Provided
Siena is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, considered one of the finest examples of gothic, secular architecture. The city’s 17 historic “Contrade” (districts) extend outward from the Piazza, and are as close-knit and colorful today as they were in the 17th century. We will begin our day photographing sunrise in Piazza del Campo and enjoy some free time as well. Siena is also home to Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. Other plans for today also include a complimentary wine tasting and evening shoot of this iconic region. Overnight in Siena.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 7: May 3rd, 2022 – SIENA to VAL D’ORCIA
– Breakfast Provided
Following breakfast we will check out of our hotel and begin traveling on to Val d’Orcia. We will make numerous stops to shoot the stunning landscape that begs to be photographed. Along our route we will stop to photograph the historic San Galgano Abbey, its roofless, skeletal remains of this 13th-century gothic monastery are surrounded by vast farmlands and make for the perfect setting. We’ll stop for a pleasant afternoon lunch along the way. Our travels will also take us to San Quirico d’Orcia. This ancient, walled village is situated in the Val d’Orcia of southern Tuscany dates back to the 11th century. Most of San Quirico’s fortified walls are still standing and main street, via Dante Alighieri, crosses the center of this quaint village. Overnight in Val d’Orcia.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 8: May 4th, 2022 – VAL D’ORCIA
– Breakfast Provided
This area of Tuscany boasts of endless rolling hills covered with fertile grain and sunflowers fields. The surrounding rich, green valley which encompasses the Orcia river is the origin from which this region derives its name. Expansive vineyards dot the hillsides offering the perfect compliment to the big skies. It is of no surprise that this territory is protected as a World Heritage Site. Our morning will start with sunrise at Belvedere followed by a day filled with breathtaking landscapes. We will visit Pienza, a city that boasts the perfect mix of architecture, food and tradition built to represent the utopian city of its time. Overnight in Val d’Orcia.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 9: May 5th, 2022 – VAL D’ORCIA
– Breakfast & Dinner Provided
Our final day in Val d’Orcia will feature an abundance of some of the finest landscape scenes found in Italy. Tucked away among the rolling Italian landscape in the heart of the Val d’Orcia, is what many consider to be one of the most beautiful medieval villages in all of Tuscany, the town of Monticchiello. Today our travels will lead us to this magical destination! Thanks to the fact that it has been largely overlooked by tourists, Monticchiello has managed to retain both its physical and cultural history. The road leads us there is lined by cypress trees and the surrounding hillsides are dotted with vineyards, olive trees, fields and stands of trees that form a lovely patchwork highlighted by the warm rays of the sun. Further along we visit Montalcino, hillside town famous known globally as the home of one of the world’s great wines, Brunello di Montalcino. The attractive hilltop town of Montalcino has a remarkable number of enoteche (wine shops) lining its medieval streets, and is surrounded by picturesque vineyards. There’s history to explore too in the many well-preserved medieval buildings within this historic city’s walls. Overnight in Val d’Orcia.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 10: May 6th, 2022 – VAL D’ORCIA to FLORENCE – (DEPART ITALY)
– Breakfast Provided
A morning transfer by train will return you to Florence with a 3pm arrival into Santa Maria Novella Train Station. You’ll depart with a new group of friends, wonderful experiences and memory cards loaded full of image files to remember it all by. Upon arrival in Florence you can transfer on to Peretola International Airport to check in for your flight home, or continue on to your next destination. Bon Voyage!
This cancellation policy protects our business losses and as such is strictly adhered to. Exceptions will not be made. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip. At his discretion, Nathaniel may lead the tour even if it does not meet the minimum number of participants required.
1). Cancel more than one year prior to the original tour start date:
Full refund, minus any initial deposit and all PayPal transaction fees. Refunds will be paid via PayPal and processed within 72 hours of the request being approved.
2). Cancel less than one year prior to the original tour start date:
A refund will only be issued if the tour is sold out and your vacated spot filled by another participant signing up. This refund would exclude your initial deposit, single supplement payments and any PayPal transaction fees.
* Should you fail to complete the payments as scheduled for this tour you will forfeit your deposit, all payments and your spot on this tour.
** You’ll be promptly notified and provided a full refund (including your deposit) should the tour be cancelled by Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours.
• Participants must arrive in Florence, Italy prior to 6pm on April 27th, 2022!
• We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip.
• Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, over bookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.
* A late fee of $250 may be added to the balance for any payments not received by the due date.
1. Pick up in Florence
2. Accommodations for 10 Days and 9 Nights (Double Occupancy)
3. Reservations at best hotels available (Minimum ☆☆☆)
4. Meals in fine restaurants (wine included) as detailed in the itinerary
5. Pro Photographer Mentoring by Nathaniel Smalley
6. All ground transportation
7. Guiding by expert Italian guide
8. Tips and Techniques for creating stunning Landscape photographs
9. Dedicated driver exclusively for our group
10. Private vehicle for tour participants
11. Return to Florence
12. Great images and lifelong memories
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1. Airline Flights
2. Hotel accommodations night of May 6th, 2020
3. Airport transfers at the beginning or end of the trip
4. Meals not listed in daily itinerary
5. Snacks, Water, Beverages or additional Alcohol
6. Travel, Equipment or Health Insurance
7. Visas and passport fees (where applicable in preparation for your travel)
8. PayPal Transaction Fees
9. Gratuities for hotel staff and local guide/driver
10. Items of a personal nature
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1. Camera with manual mode capability
2. Extra camera batteries & charger
3.Wide Angle, Mid-Range Zoom and Short telephoto
4. Lens filters of your choice (ND, CPL, GRAD, etc.)
5. Sturdy tripod
6. Rain Jacket
7. Warm weather clothes (Highs can reach 70°F with low temperatures of 38°F)
8. Compact umbrella in case of an unexpected shower
9. Hiking Boots or shoes
10. Sunhat & Sunscreen
This is an outdoor nature photography tour, so being fit and in good health will allow you to enjoy the trip more comfortably. However, our planned activities should be within the ability of most people in moderate to good shape. Conditions can be cold and wet rocks can sometimes be unstable and slippery, so please pack appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Participants are required to sign a standard medical and waiver of liability form. Every effort is made to keep participants safe during all stages of the tour, but each person is solely responsible for avoiding personal injury or damaging their equipment during the trip.
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“Tuscany 2022 was my second trip with NOW Tours, which far exceeded my high expectations. The photographic experience offered was quite remarkable and diverse as it encompassed numerous opportunities for landscape, architectural, nature and street photography – combinations which were quite unique. But photography was only part of the overall experience on this trip. For me, it was also an unforgettable immersion in Tuscan history, culture and cuisine – a testament to Nathaniel Smalley’s ability to seek out the unusual and unexpected. The camaraderie of the participants was also a notable feature of the trip. Nathaniel is a born instructor and seasoned organizer who was careful to provide individual attention to everyone’s needs in the field. Based on my experience on that trip and on a previous NOW Photo Tour to Costa Rica, I have no hesitation in recommending Nathaniel and NOW Tours to anyone whose passion is photography.”
Elliot K. | Washington D.C., USA
“Tuscany 2022 was my third encounter with NOW Tours, so I was prepared to learn and experience only a top-notch Tuscany adventure. In 2019 my husband and I went to New Zealand with Nathaniel and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. So we knew we had to sign up for Nathaniel’s Tuscany 2022 tour. What an experience it was! This tour provided a variety of photo opportunities including Medieval villages, lush countryside and coastal hillside towns. Nathaniel is the most outstanding photo tour leader I have experienced. Since 2013 I have participated in many photo workshops with a variety of leaders and I can truly say that Nathaniel is at the top of the league for his organizational skills and photography expertise. He is a professional in every sense of the word. In addition he uses expert operators to help with the logistics of transportation and knowledge of the locales to photograph. He is caring of all participants and ensures everyone is comfortable not only with the photo location, but with the particular camera settings needed to capture the perfect image. I learned a lot on this trip from Nathaniel as well as from other participants. Thanks to Nathaniel we laughed, made new friends, ate great food and have amazing images. Thank you!”
Becky W. | California, USA
“I’m an old hand at photography-themed trips and have seen it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and so I consider myself a fair-minded judge of quality and value. I can say without hesitation that my trip to Tuscany (June 2019) with Nathaniel Smalley was hands-down my favorite photography trip to date. And the funny thing is that it wouldn’t matter if I were talking about a trip to Tuscany or a jaunt through my own state of Massachusetts. Nathaniel Smalley runs a company that, in my opinion, is the standard bearer that all other outfits should follow.
As a person, Nathaniel is extremely intelligent, organized, efficient, conscientious, not to mention clever and fun. As a trip organizer and leader, his knowledge and desire to create the best trips possible are incomparable. Finally, as photographer, he is truly gifted and serves not only as an exciting inspiration to have on a trip from a creative standpoint, but also as an extremely generous and patient mentor who doesn’t hold back when sharing his tips, tricks, and hard-won techniques, unlike other professionals, who might.
As for trip logistics, I never had to worry about a thing. Nathaniel is a true leader, who does a yeoman’s job of making sure that everything runs smoothly—and without being a parent-like task master, which can get annoying eventually. He does an outstanding job of looking after a group to ensure that everyone is set up to enjoy themselves. His uncanny ability to instill confidence in everyone, whether pro or amateur, to shoot at their best is what makes his trips stand out. The bottom line is that Nathaniel always puts his clients first—a real test of discipline, given how tour leaders can easily forget why they’re on a trip, wander off, and prioritize for themselves.
Under Nathaniel’s guidance, Tuscany, a first for me, was AMAZING. We were treated to so many special destinations, and every day was filled with fresh subject matter under an atmosphere of easy camaraderie and more than enough laughs to go around. (Although sometimes it’s the luck of the draw when it comes to the personalities of trip attendees, it’s ultimately the tour leader who sets the tone for how things go.) From the trip’s beginning to its end, I had the best, most memorable time, walking away not only with wonderful memories and newfound friendships, but with improved photography skills. This is why I’m looking forward to my next trip with Nathaniel. Please book quickly, because I’m right behind you!
Mary K. | Massachusetts, USA
“I have been looking for a photography professional that conducted workshops and/or tours of international locations that I have long had on my bucket list. I have been on a great number of workshops in North America with some of best professionals that I have met. Finding a ‘fresh face’ that measured up to my previous experiences was a concern, but Nathaniel met my high expectations with flying colors. His knowledge of photography is amazing and his interactions with the participants is outstanding. He creates a great camaraderie with his participants and does it while having a very fun atmosphere. I have been shooting for over 40 years and I still learned a lot from Nathaniel. The biggest testimony that I can give Nathaniel is that I will be attending more workshops of his in the future.”
~ Len S. | Connecticut, USA
“I just returned from discovering and photographing Tuscany with Nathaniel. In addition to being an absolute pleasure to be around, Nathaniel is a patient and thorough teacher, always there if anyone has a question or needs help. He’s very open and available. Everything on his trips is well planned and functions easily, but also leaves enough flexibility for the participants. I would definitely travel with him again, and recommend you do, too.”
~ Lisa T. | Washington, USA
“I am a veteran of dozens of photo trips. Â This was my first to include instruction. I was very pleased with the balance and field work provided by NOW tours. It was just perfect. The locations and accommodations were first rate. Nathaniel had it worked so we arrived at shooting spots at the exact best light. Most importantly, the people attracted to this type of trip were all experienced photographers, so we worked well together. I highly recommend Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours.”
~ Michael L. | Oklahoma, USA
“The 2019 Icelandic Summers Night Dream Workshop was a dream come true! It was my first international photo tour. Nathaniel demonstrated professionalism, provided a structured itinerary that included flexibility for weather conditions, gave hands on instruction for complete understanding for an inexperienced photographer, and exhibited contagious enthusiasm that motivated our group to engage in a meaningful and fun experience. I’ve already signed up for my next international Nature Odyssey Worldwide tour to Norway. Thank you, Nathaniel!”
~ Connie G. | Texas, USA
“I just got back from Iceland after attending Nathaniel Smalley’s summer workshop, what an incredible experience! He turned day to night, only shooting after 9pm and out until 4 or 5am, thanks to the midnight sunset and 3am sunrise – what sweet light we had!! We had the added bonus that no one else was there despite hundreds of tourists. We had every kind of weather from bright sun to “you can’t leave the hotel” 50mph wind gusts. However that day turned out to be a gift of extra sleep and editing time. We were rewarded for not whining with glorious weather and light the next day.
The beauty was overwhelming… miles and miles of lupine, a personal favorite, that has been planted to prevent erosion. It turns out the Vikings came and clear cut everything to plant crops – restoration will take decades, but is has begun. There were no trees until we moved farther north and east. Geothermal steam provides the majority of their power and it rises here and there all over the country with large pipes carrying it to where it’s needed. Sheep were very abundant and usually curious enough to stand still for photos. We saw Icelandic horses just outside Keflavik and again out far east – so beautiful! Churches are almost as abundant as the sheep.
We travelled many miles, moving almost every day to see it all. We ate delicious meals – they typically have two kinds of restaurants, gourmet and fast food, so of course we did gourmet and always dessert! I am jet lagged, but less than you would expect with a 7 hour time difference. My theory is that my body never knew what time it was! Of course, I’m exhausted, but still smiling from one of the best photography experiences I have ever had, and I have been blessed with many! Thank you Nathaniel!”
~ Joyce H. | California, USA
“Nathaniel combined his vast knowledge of photography with his experience in Iceland making this a trip of a lifetime one that did not disappoint. He is personable and professional. Upon review of my 5,000+ pictures, it was amazing to me how many shooting locations we visited. I felt like we really experienced the entire island. This was my second trip with Nathaniel and I already have another one on the books!”
~ Heathre B. | Texas, USA
“The Icelandic Summer Night’s Dream Photo Tour was fantastic! Nathaniel has built a balanced itinerary that has a lot of flexibility to adjust to weather and other factors. I sincerely appreciated the dedicated time and great coaching given to my son, who was participating in his first photo tour. The entire trip went very smoothly thanks to Nathaniel’s superb planning efforts and his passionate energy every day. I am sure it was a very memorable experience for everyone in our group. I look forward to another Nature Odyssey Photo Tour!”
~ Michael M. | Arizona, USA
Nathaniel’s Iceland workshop is one of the best I’ve ever taken. The trip was very well organized and with enough flexibility to modify our schedule to be at places when the light was beautiful and the crowds weren’t there. With Iceland being such a popular destination, the ‘must see‘ places get completely overrun with visitors. The times Nathaniel arranged for us to be at many of our spots was when we could capture images of these places looking pristine.
We also visited some more remote, off the beaten path locations, which I appreciated very much. Our accommodations were also good selections – from clean and comfortable to luxurious. I don’t think I could have had a more enjoyable experience with any one else and gotten the amazing images I took on this trip. Nathaniel is also very helpful with all levels of photographers and I believe that everyone improved their skills in his workshop. I plan to take another workshop with Nathaniel.”
~ Beverly H. | California, USA
“I recently returned from Nathaniel’s 2018 Icelandic Summer Night’s Dream Photo Workshop. What an adventure! Because of Nathaniel’s thorough knowledge and planning, we were able to experience Iceland in a very special way. There were no crowds to prevent our detailed photographic exploration of the island because we were out taking advantage of the gorgeous light at night! I started the trip as a novice. Thanks to Nathaniel’s skill and knowledge I now feel much more comfortable and capable as a photographer. I would highly recommend Nathaniel as a guide and instructor and this trip in particular as a very special experience.”
~ Lisa M. | Michigan, USA
“I would genuinely be surprised if there were anyone better equipped to lead this tour than Nathaniel. In addition to his endless technical and local knowledge, he’s a gifted teacher, dedicated guide, and a lot of fun to be around. The kind of person that can get along with anyone at all, and definitely the kind of person you want at the head of an intense trip like this.”
~ Sean M. | Arizona, USA
“If you want to see the classic Iceland locations without the usual crowds, then take the trip with Nature Odyssey Worldwide. We had easy access to all the photo opportunities with help from Nathaniel whenever we needed it. Glorious weather and an awesome group of people made it a fabulous trip, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!”
~ Jackie H. | Texas, USA
“The trip was well thought out without feeling rigid. The itinerary was great and the photo instructions were spot on. Nathaniel not only understands photography but communicates that understanding well to his participants. Truly enjoyable trip.”
~ Becky J. | Texas, USA
“My wife and I had a great time in Iceland and we definitely made the right choice to go with Nathaniel, not only for his insights and photographic knowledge, but also for his kindness and caring about his participants. I will forever treasure the photographs and life experiences from this Iceland tour!!!”
~ Gene N. | New Jersey, USA
“Wow, what a place!! I was delighted to be able to join one of Nathaniel’s tours for my first trip to Iceland. We got to photograph a variety of incredible places, including glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and the coastline, in the amazing Arctic light. Nathaniel is a well-organized, fun, creative and professional tour leader whose tours I highly recommend. Thanks Nathaniel!”
~ Arwen D. | Tasmania
“Despite challenging weather conditions we had many chances to create beautiful landscape photo during winter tour. It was really good tour, I felt lucky to meet all other lovely members. Nathaniel was really good to us. Thank you again.”
~ Keiko S. | Japan