Italy Through our Lens
Traveling through Italy is like stepping into a living canvas—rolling Tuscan hills, crowded Venetian canals, and the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Each region holds its own rhythm, and through the lens we sought not only images, but moments that felt timeless.
This series gathers our reflections, photographs, and behind-the-scenes stories from three very different corners of Italy: the countryside, the city, and the mountains.
Planning—Where to Start
Italy holds a special place in my heart—I’ve been lucky enough to explore it twice, and honestly, it still feels like I’ve only scratched the surface. Last year, when Randy mentioned he’d never been, I couldn’t resist turning it into a mission: Italy, here we come!
We started with AI—asked ChatGPT to plan a trip to Italy—but quickly realized we needed to give it some parameters. Did we want to explore the main cities (Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan), focus on Tuscany, see the Dolomites, explore Cinque Terre, go to the Amalfi Coast, or go south to Palermo. For a small country, there’s an amazing amount to see so had to narrow it down.
Our initial plan was a road trip: Rome > Amalfi Coast > Val d’Orcia > Venice > Cortina d’Ampezzo > Ortisei > Cinque Terre > Florence > Rome. Randy looked more closely and suggested we do less, see more, and make use of their excellent trains. We also had the excitement of a new pope and the associated crowds so decided to postpone Rome and Florence for another time.
Great suggestion! So in the end, we kept it simple:
Fly into Rome, pick up rental car
Spend time in Tuscany, drop off rental car in Siena
Take the train to Venice and explore the city and canals
Then another rental car to drive up to the Dolomites, train back to Rome for return flight
We’ll share our experiences in each of these locations. Where we were, what we saw, what we would do differently. Another time, we’d like to go south—see the Amalfi Coast, visit the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum and travel down to Palermo and ‘the boot’.
Our advice?
Jot down your must-haves: are you chasing art, indulging in food, diving into history, or just craving some sweet, sweet relaxation?
Use ChatGPT to hunt down wallet-friendly flights and trains, because why not zip between cities like a pro?
Ask about local customs, events and signature dishes—you’ve got to taste the soul of each region.
Finally, pack smart and book a place that matches your vibe—we love small apartments for the space, kitchen and laundry.
And presto! Your quirky, authentic Italian adventure is ready to take off.
Explore the Chapters
Val d’Orcia – Tuscany’s Timeless Countryside
A week in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by cypress-lined roads, medieval hill towns, and misty sunrise landscapes. San Quirico became our base, and the rolling hills offered endless photographic inspiration.
Venice – Beauty and the Crowds
Venice dazzles with canals and palazzos, yet for us, the charm was tempered by the sheer weight of tourism. We found moments of quiet and left with mixed reflections on one of the world’s most iconic cities.
The Dolomites – Between Cloud and Charm
From Olympic-ready Cortina to the alpine warmth of Ortisei, the Dolomites revealed both drama and gentleness. Overcast peaks, fleeting light, and painterly haze shaped our mountain photographs and memories.