Pictures of Italy: A Guided Photography Tour of Genoa & Cinque Terre

Genoa has an incredible history of maritime power along the Ligurian coast and the Mediterranean Sea. The Navy overtook Pisa for supremacy of the waters and fought established powerhouses such as Venice as well. The city itself contains a nuanced atmosphere that emanates from the large seaport and sparkling shoreline, and the opulent architecture speaks to the republic’s former glory. Your private transfer will meet you at the Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport upon your arrival to escort you through the tightly twisting laneways that give a compelling welcome.

The seaside promenade contains Europe’s largest aquarium and the scent of grilled octopus with lemon and garlic drifts out of the chic restaurants. Your guide will meet you in the elegant lobby of your lavish hotel ready to lead you on an introductory tour of Genoa and the photographic techniques you will utilize during your time of exploring the treasures of Liguria. Venture to Santa Maria di Castello, located on Castello Hill, one of the most ancient sites in the city. The port allowed settlements in the region to trade with Phoenicians and Etruscans.

Numerous churches and convents grew around the area between the 12th and 16th-centuries, at the heart of which lies the 12th-century Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Castello. Dominicans converted the church into a convent in the 15th-century and added a beautiful three-story cloister to offer a remarkable view of the water. The frescoed ceilings add another layer of charm to the already enchanting edifice. You will line up your shot in an attempt to frame both the sea and the frescoes for a glorious photo.

Before breakfast, visit the Palazzo Rosso on Via Garibaldi, a boulevard lined with stunning 16th and 17th-century palaces, home to the historically rich and powerful families of the Genoa. The sunlight washes over the red window frames and white shutters to highlight the connecting hues of the façade as the Italian flag waves above the doorway. After breakfast, your private transfer will escort you south to the seaside town of Rapallo where you will settle into your palatial accommodation that overlooks the small marina. The boats wade in the water’s gentle current and hold masts that rise like trees.

Small, blue cabins line the sandy beaches, and the 16th-century castle watches over the palm-fringed promenade. Board your boat in the marina and venture out along the Mediterranean for a pristine and panoramic view of Rapallo and the coastline that leads to Santa Margherita. Your camera will capture the splendor of the seaside that inspired authors and artists, such as Ezra Pound and WB Yeats. The Italian Riviera radiates a relaxed but elegant atmosphere as the boat weighs anchor at the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a religious structure reachable by boat or by walking trails.

The 12th-century Romanesque façade contains an open-arched base where boats once moored in the cellar before the waters receded. Verdant forests overtake the undulating promontories that enclose the abbey, and you will have a perfect shot of the white stone encircled by greenery with the turquoise water of the Ligurian Sea shimmering near the foot of the abbey. The breeze has the scent of refreshing salt water and the hot sand of the beach. Once on the shore, you can walk through the cloisters of the grounds or search for a perfect photo of the landscape from the tower erected to protect the monastery from pirates.

In the morning, wake up to the refreshing aroma of espresso that emanates from the cafes along the seaside promenade. Umbrellas cast shade over the café tables and provide patrons a view to the horizon. After breakfast, travel by ferry to the village of Camogli, home to tranquil streets that are surrounded by hillsides filled with thyme. The herbaceous aroma overtakes the seaside scent and palazzos glow with pinks and yellows that rise above the shoreline. Green shutters provide accent to terra cotta homes, and small fishing boats line the harbor; each one painted an elegant, bright color for luck. The streets wind up the hillsides on terraces that lead to pine trees and olive groves.

Bakers cook savory focaccia with thyme to add to the incredible flavor and aromatic quality to the crusted edges. Your guide will help you to explore it organically, to photograph Camogli as it stands and not as you stage it. Fishermen return from the sea with nets bursting with seafood to make their way to the markets to sell the prawns, swordfish, and clams. Locals sit at seaside cafes and sip their espresso in the warm sunlight and bask in the dolce far niente, the pleasure of doing nothing. Venture up to the point of San Rocco for a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside and peer through the open trees for a glimpse of sailboats that glide across the glassy turquoise water as beach-goers relax on the sand.

The pleasures of Rapallo return in the morning, from the view of the shimmering sea to the palm trees that rustle in the breeze. After breakfast, board a local train to Monterosso, the northernmost town of the famous Cinque Terre. The scenic ride opens to pristine views of the cliffs that slope downwards and into the Ligurian Sea. The mountain divides the town of Monterosso in half with the contemporary neighborhood reachable through a tunnel on the opposite side of the hill.

The old neighborhood winds through the narrowing cliff and touches the beach. Settle easily into the comfort of your hotel with its boutique atmosphere full of antique furniture and locally made pottery. Cinque Terre encompasses 4,300 acres of hillsides meandering along the coast. A series of trails connects the five villages, and each village contains its own unique character. The historic neighborhoods hold a maze of narrow streets that date back to the Middle Ages.

The Church of St. John the Baptist was constructed in the early 14th-century and features a white marble rose window. The bell tower was originally connected to the 13th-century fortress built by the Genoese to protect the town from pirates and rivals. Your camera becomes a third-eye in Cinque Terre as you barely set it down.  Every moment is overflowing with reasons to pick it right back up after having found a new antique doorway, flourishing tree, or medieval lane to photograph.

The Mediterranean brushes at the finely pebbled beach of Monterosso. On the outskirts of town, the water splashes against the giant boulders that form the base of the cliffs to the north. Surfers catch the unbroken waves and ride them until the break. After breakfast, board your ferry to the small port in the town of Portovenere, situated at the base of a cliff on the Gulf of La Spezia. The rich ambiance calls from the luxury yachts and glided promenade, but is offset by the warm and welcoming streets.

Continue by ferry to the most southernly town of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore. Disembark your boat to find the pastel painted homes that rise the cliffs and nestle into the narrowing promontories. The scent of pesto drifts out of the tavernas as you try to frame the entire city in a single shot.  However, no single photo could ever capture the complete majesty of Riomaggiore. Turn back to the small natural harbor to find the craggy rocks that protect the town from sea storms.

The upper part of the village houses the 14th-century church of Saint Giovanni Battista. Lancet windows and two Gothic doors adorn the façade as the castle grounds overlook the entire village near the church. The structure was erected in the 14th-century accented with two circular towers and history combines with the landscape with picturesque ease. The culture is equally as captivating whether through experience or the camera lens as you watch the locals tend to their boats and cuisine.

In the morning, the beauty of Monterosso returns with the daylight. The greenery of the mountains sweeps down the slopes and nearly touches the Mediterranean’s layers of blue water. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you outside of Monterosso and bring you to the famous city of Pisa, a historic university town known for its leaning tower. The university opened in the 14th-century and has called to people from all over Italy that yearn for an education. Bohemian cafes and rambunctious nightclubs add to the youthful atmosphere of the region.

The old-world ambiance emanates from the preserved history that is situated around town, beginning with the Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Republic of Pisa was once the maritime power of the Ligurian Sea. After winning decisive battles, they began to build the tower to commemorate their victories, beginning in the 12th-century. The Duomo contains elements of Pisan Gothic architecture in the thin parallel columns and horizontal blocks that decorate the façade. The tower stands adjacent to the back of the cathedral at a height of more than 180 feet tall.

Visitors can climb the 295 steps to the seventh floor, the top layer and look out on all of Pisa. Your skills as a photographer take you beyond the single photo of yourself posing with the tower but lets you embrace the variety of people that pose separately, each trying to capture their moment with the famous landmark. Beyond the piazza, your guide will take you to the overlooked monuments of the city to show you the true wonders that are often behind the obvious.

Florence is a city that embodies the Renaissance, filled with opulent palazzos that line the meandering streets and home to some of the Italy’s most prized artworks, in and out of the museums. After breakfast, your guide will lead you through the remarkable city where the passion of the Renaissance comes to life in the architecture and statues in the public piazzas. Begin in San Lorenzo, the square that surrounds the church of the Medici family. The vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace fills the streets as vendors showcase their sunglasses and leather bags, scarves and dress shirts. The lively marketplace contrasts the serene elegance of the San Lorenzo Church, with a brick façade and marvelous marble interior. The light filters in naturally through the upper windows in a perfect example of Renaissance architecture.

Corinthian columns support the broad arches that line the gallery. Delicate rosettes adorn the coffered ceiling as a pair of bronze pulpits designed by master artist Donatello frame the nave. Make your way along the rich cobblestone streets, to absorb the culture of the city and its ever-present historical facades. The ornate marble façade of Santa Croce borders the piazza of the same name as a regal statue of Dante stands to the side of the entrance to watch over the square with its piercing eyes. The exterior is as fascinating as the interior, which contains tombs of famous Florentines, from Michelangelo to Machiavelli. In Florence, your camera becomes a part of your hand, readily available at every moment.

In the morning, venture out one last time to enjoy the lifestyle of Florence and the quality of light that the rising sun provides. At the Arno River, photograph a group of students as they row against the current near the Ponte Vecchio. Continue across the bridge to the Oltrarno and follow the path to Piazzale Michelangelo, an open square that offers a panoramic view of Florence with the rolling hills in the background, and the quintessential Tuscan cypress trees in the foreground. The skyline of the city fills with red-tiled roofs and church spires, each dwarfed by the gravitas of the Duomo’s soaring dome. Soon your private transfer will meet you in your hotel lobby to travel with you to the Florence airport to meet your flight and venture home, but until then, you will hold onto your camera and continue to capture the postcard-perfect views.