Even though I’ve been to Italy a few times already, this was by far the most memorable experience of them all. The wondrous country with its striking architecture, delicious wine, and friendly locals makes it hard not to fall in love with the South European gem, over and over again. Walking along the cobblestone streets you are soon overtaken by the beauty of historic buildings, rich culture and true Italian flair, and when stepping outside the ancient city streets and into the the green countryside, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it is clear why Italy is such a popular travel destination.
We embraced the authentic Italian style and decided to explore the country in a cute little Fiat 500, and what a blast we had! We made use of Air B&B and stayed with a wonderful family in Florence, which were so helpful in planning our day trips. In gorgeous Valdirose just a few minutes drive away, I met up with talented photographer, Nadia Meli, for a glass of wine and good chat. It was great to share some stories with a fellow traveler and industry acquaintance in a such a beautiful spot.
“One of the great joys of traveling through Italy is discovering firsthand that it is, indeed, a dream destination”. -Debra Lavinson
In the famous Chianti wine area we stayed in Hotel Radda and enjoyed a fantastic wine tasting at Castellp D’albola winery. We also visited the picturesque Monteriggioni comune, famous for its Renaissance influenced architecture and enclosed walls. One of the highlights of our trip was staying with an old lady on their family farm. She treated us to a true al fresco dinner with the Tuscan sunset setting the mood for a delightful evening. This gave us a glimpse into the real Italian lifestyle.
Even though it might sound like we visited Italy just for leisure, the main reason for our stay was to photograph a gorgeous wedding in Montecatini Therme. This is indeed a luxurious town, centred around its natural spa, perfect for a relaxing wedding weekend. It was such a pleasure to capture the charming couple and their loved ones against the breathtaking Italian landscapes, and it certainly didn’t feel like work.
