Cortona
Category: Travel
Giglio Island
Photo tour of Giglio Island (Isola del Giglio) in Tuscan Archipelago (Italy).
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM, Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is an UNESCO World Heritage site in the Northern Ireland.
It’s a remarkable natural rock formation, result of an ancient volcanic eruption that created about 40,000 basalt columns by cooling lava millions of years ago.
According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by the Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill involving a fight between giants from Ireland and Scotland.
Gear: Canon Eos 5D mark IV, Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction: rugged cliffs into an inspiring view stretch for 8km along the Atlantic coast of County Clare.
Gear: Canon Eos 5D mark IV, Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Glendalough
Glendalough (County Wicklow -Ireland) is a remarkable and scenic place with rich history and archaeology.
In this gallery the Monastic City with the Round Tower, the Cathedral and the remains of several Churchs of the 10th-13th century AD.
Gear: Canon Eos 5D Mark IV – Canon EF 11-24mm F/4L USM and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
The “ancient” Spoleto – Part #2
Second and last part of Spoleto photo gallery.
One of the most fascinating monuments of the city is the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunta): at sunset, the colors are stunning and it is the best place for a romantic evening and dinner. This site is the location of the Festival dei due Mondi (Festival of the two worlds): since 1958, in June, is held this important event, dedicated to arts and music. It is famous worldwide, in the US the Spoleto Festival USA is scheduled every year as well.
Ponte delle Torri, a 13th-century aqueduct, possibly on Roman foundations.with its 230 ms. lenght, it is the real symbol of the city.
The magnificient Rocca Albornoziana fortress, it was built in the middle of the 14th-century for the Cardinal ALbornoz. The “Rocca” is made of 6 towers, dividing the fortress in two buildings: the Cortile delle Armi, for the troops, and the Cortile d’onore for the use of the governor. The latter courtyard is surrounded by a two-floor porch. Not to be miss: the Camera Pinta (“Painted Room”) with 15thcentury frescoes.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
The “ancient” Spoleto – Part #1
Spoleto is a beautiful village in the Umbria Region, a country famous for its landscapes, the upper quality food (first of all the truffles, the most precious selctions are growing in these lands) and the magnificient monuments and architecture.
The town is a ancient city in the province of Perugia, a great example of the Roman civilization, still tangible in the many monuments for which the city is famous. Spoleto is the location of a record audience tv movie: “Don Matteo”, the story of a priest with the passion for investigation, which with his bicicle, runs all the city helping the local police fightining the crime. The fiction has a great success worldwide.
Not only arts and music, the city is a very popular destination for the tourists.
The Roman age is still present in the architecture of the city: the Roman theater has been mainly rebuilt, but it is still a spectacural seen. It is linked with the National Archaeological Museum, housed in the former monastery of Sant’Agata.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
Cuenca
Cuenca: a journey in Spain, searching for great emotions
Cuenca is a tiny village in the Castilla-La Mancha Region, a site almost famous for “El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha”, the book narrating the adventures of a horseman tilting at windmills, that are copious in this area.
The old village, declaired Unesco World Heritage, is castled on a steep mountain; at the top, you will be lost in amezement, looking at the unique Casas Colgadas, “suspended houses” built in the XIV century which are clinging to the rock and supported by wooden beams.
The village is almost colored and full of history: because of the presence of the Bishop, there are many important buildings and monuments to look to: the Bishop Palace, the Cathedral of St. Maria and St. Julian, the Alcazar (the castle) and the ancient tower, symbols of the arabic presence in the town.
Gear: Canon Eos 1000D, Canon EF-S 18-55 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Grotte di Frasassi (Frasassi Caves)
A not-to-be missed tour: Grotte di Frasassi (Frasassi Caves).
The visit to the Grotte di Frasassi is a must when you are travelling in the Marche region: situated in the Genga area, in Ancona, the karst caves system is composed by different halls (the Abisso, the biggest one is 180 meters lenght, 120 meters large and 200 meters high), all of them featuring magnificient stalactites and stalagmites, beautiful natural sculptures that are karst stratification created by the 190 milion years of water work.
The caves were discovered in 1948 by a group of speleologists from Ancona; at the beginning of the tour, just entering in the complex, a real breath-taking sight hits your eyes: the Abyss Ancona is the biggest hall, probably the biggest cave in Europe and it was the first part of the complex discoverd by the speleologists.
The other underground rooms, 9 in total but only 5 of them can be visited, are as beatiful and spectacular as the first one: the Crystallized Lake, the Niagara, the Little Fairy’s Castle, the Giants, the 200 Hall, the Grand Canyon, the Ursa’s hall, the Neverending Hall.
Don’t miss to visit this amazing and natural spectacle.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
The wonderful Copenaghen
Copenaghen is one of the most liveable capitals in Europe, because of the danish people, that are really friendly, because of the food (in Copenaghen are based some restaurants worldwide famous: the danish cuisine is mainly organic and effectively innovative), because it is a sustainable cycle-friendly city and its architecture and design are modern and unique.
In these photo galleries you can have a look at some of the must see attractions of the city.
Nyhavn is a picturesque canal, where the ferries leave to sail the city; it is the best place where to have dinner or a drink at the sunset hour.
Amalienborg is the winter residence of the Danish Royal Family, where you can see the the Royal Guard, an elite force of the Danish Army for the security of the Queen.Royal Guards are in their everyday uniform, with the dark blue jacket and dark blue trousers with the Bear – the bear skin head garment. The red jackets and bright blue trousers is the gala uniform for few specific times.
The Royal Danish Naval Museum and the Royal Yacht Dannebrog. The Royal Yacht serves as the official and private residence for the Royal Couple and other members of the Royal Family when they are on official visits overseas or on summer cruises in home waters.
The Rosemborg Castle.Royal hermitage set in the King’s Garden in the heart of Copenhagen, built by the most famous Scandinavian king, Christian IV.
In this gallery also a shot of the Øresund, the longest cable-stayed bridge of Europe.
Check them out!
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II
Sant’Emidio alle Grotte (Temple of Sant’Emidio)
The Baroque church of Sant’Emidio in Ascoli Piceno consists of a travertine frontage which precedes three grottoes housing the saint’s sepulture and a necropolis with arcosolias were carved out of the living rock in catacombs.
It was built in 1721 by commission of bishop Giovanni Gambi, a relative of Pope Clement XI. The Bishop and Pope symbols are on the dome of the church.
Its name refers to Saint Emygdius (Emidius). According to legend, after having been beheaded in 309 near the current church of Sant’Emidio Rosso in Ascoli Piceno, the saint walked here with his head in his hands to be buried.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
Old and modern architecture in Copenaghen (Part #2)
The second and last part of Copenaghen city architecture photo gallery. As in the first part of gallery, I’ve blended together old buildings with modern buildings photos, palaces that you can admire walking in this beautiful city. Read More
London in 3 days – #day2
The second day of London trip. In this gallery some typical places and classic London’s icons.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
London in 3 days – #day1
First part of a three days trip in London.
In this photo gallery some of most interesting sites on the Queen ‘s Walk: the famous Tower Bridge and the Shakespeare’s Globe, the reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, the William Shakespeare’s theatre. Read More
Canazei (Dolomites)
Dolomites landscapes in Canazei – Trentino region (Italy).
Gear: Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF 70-200mm F/2,8L IS II USM and Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM
Spots of Spain in black and white
A small photo gallery of peculiar spot in Spain, in black and white.
Various Gear.
Dolomites snow
Winter Dolomites landscapes in Trentino region (Italy).
Various gear.
Santorini Trip – Part#2
New photos of Santorini island trip : beaches, sunsets and nice places to see.
More details in photo captions.
Other Santorini’s photos here.
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
In Black and white – Gallery #1
A photo gallery of pictures in black and white taken around in Europe.
In this gallery:
The Pont Du Gard in France, the highest (50 mt.) Roman aqueduct.
The statue of Marquis De Sade in the Château de Lacoste (France).
Two pictures of Jaume Plensa’s sculpture. The Nomade (the biggest one) in harbour of Antibes, and one of the seven Figures, an installation in Place Massena in Nice (France), representing the seven continents.
Some shots in Netherlands and Bruges (Belgium).
A shot of a frozen day in Campitello di Fassa (Italy).
Various gear.
Santorini Trip – Part#1
New photo gallery of beautiful greek island Santorini.
All galleries of Santorini here.
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
Pallotta Castle – Caldarola (Italy)
Caldarola is a small town in the Italian region Marche. The town includes the Castello Pallotta and the Pallotta Palace.
The castle is in remarkable condition both inside and out. It still contains the original paintings, furnishings, clothing, and early transportation vehicles, and also has a small private collection of medieval arms.
The castle is family owned and was lived in until comparatively recently so has warm feel.
Gear: Canon Eos 7D with Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Wandering in Brussels
Wander the city of Brussels it’s really an experience.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, but playing an important role in Europe, may be considered as the capital of the European Union: Brussels fits the definition of “melting pot”, but still retains its own unique character.
In this gallery I’ve report some of the most interesting attractives of Brussels.
The beautiful Grand Place (Grote Markt in Flemish) with its main buildings, the Mason du Roi and the Gotic Hotel de Ville, with the Tour Inimitable.
Some shots of the Atomium, one of the most popular building in Brussels, with the shape of a cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. In one of this shots you can see an tightrope walker on the top of Atomium at 102 mt!
If you like beer I still recommend the well-known Delirium cafè: it is recorded in the The Guinness Book of Records for standing at 2000 different brands of beer.
Brussels is also the paradise for the chocolate lovers, so, you can found chocolate shops throughout the city.
Another great attraction of Brussels is the Comic Strip Center Museum: the city is known as the Capital of comics. You can found here other two galleries:
Comic Strip Center Museum and Brussels Capital of comics of Brussels.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
Hell’s gorge and hermatage of St. Leonardo
The Hell’s gorge, in italian “Gole dell’Infernaccio” in the Marche region (Italy) earned their name in the days when this was one of the few routes through the Apennine mountains between Adriatic coast and Rome.
With long steep-sided gorges and wild mountains around, it was famous for brigands waiting to ambush travellers.
Today it’s a beautiful, peaceful and easy walk through deep wooded ravines, alongside a stream with wildflowers and dragonflies, which opens finally into cattle pastures leading up to the Passo Cattivo (Evil Pass).
There is an optional pathway to a small church, the hermatage of St. Leonardo (eremo di San Leonardo).
The church was built almost single handed by a monk named Padre Pietro, well-known as “The bricklayer of God”, who began the work in 1971.
He lived up there in total solitude, and unfortunately, Padre Pietro is deceased on august the 9th of 2015, at 88 year old.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D
Achilleion – Princess Sissi’s Palace
Achilleion Palace was built in Gastouri, Corfu, in 1890 by Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Princess Sissi, and was her favourite vacation place.
The story of Achilles became an obsession of the Princess Elizabeth, so the palace was designed with the mythical hero Achilles as its central theme. There are many statues of Achilles around the grounds and paintings of him inside the house. The most impressive statue is the Dying of Achilles, a colossal bronze work that dominates the far end of the gardens.
During the First and Second World War the palace was abandoned and used as hospital and school. Today, after years of rebuilding, the palace is finally restored to its former beauty.
For the cinemaddicts: the Achilleion having been used as a location for the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.
Gear: Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM
Positano – Part #2
This is the second (and last) photo gallery of the picturesque village of Positano on the famous Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy.
Here the first part of photo gallery.
Gear: Canon Eos 1000D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, Canon EOS 6D
Arquà Petrarca (House of poet Petrarch)
Arquà Petrarca is a small medieval town in Veneto region (Italy). The name derives as an homage to the poet Francesco Petrarca who spent there the last five years of his life, until 1374.
The town is part of the club “The most beautiful villages in Italy” and you can enjoy this small village, especially his beautiful church, the medioeval buildings and, of course, the house of poet Francesco Petrarca.
Gear: Canon Eos 7D with Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Positano – Part #1
Positano is a small picturesque village on the famous Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy.
Seen from the sea, Positano is set in a vertical panorama of colors in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast.
Gear: Canon Eos 1000D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, Canon EOS 6D
Santorini sunset #3
Another photo gallery of sunsets in Santorini island. I never get bored by this kind of photography, so… enjoy!
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
Santorini sunset #2
Second photo gallery (not the last…) of the “best sunsets in the world” of Santorini island.
Gear: Canon Eos 6D, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
