I have never seen so many towers in one place and I think there is no other city like this.
The towers were built during the Renaissance period by the wealthy families to show their power and unlike in other cities where such towers were brought down due to wars and urban renewals in San Gimignano the 14 towers are very well conserved. It is said that before there were around 70 towers! I can’t imagine how the city at that time looked like. With 14 towers it already looks like some kind of a medieval megapolis full with old skyscrapers.
The town itself is very cute and it’s nice to walk within it’s walls and around watching beautiful landscapes of Tuscany. We met a local guy and he told us that it looks even more beautiful in fall where everything around is colored in different bright colors. Yes, this place is definitely worth visiting for a second time.
From the gallery: beautiful cities in Tuscany
Categories: Italy, Panorama, Travel
Tags: beautiful, cityscape, Italy, old, San Gimignano, scenic, towers, travel, Tuscany
There is very little life in these villages at night. All visitors and citizens go back to their houses or have a nice dinner in one of the local restaurant. Only crazy photographer are still running around in search of interesting angles for their pictures. This time I was running around alone and it was even a little creepy to stay on a forest trail away from the people without any light.
So I had to leave some of the very good spots for pictures because of their complete darkness and move closer to the village. But even there the views got really impressive when the lights went on and the sky got darker.
From the gallery: professional photos of Italian cities
There are numerous trails in Cinque terre region and I hiked some of them. The hiking was a great please in spite of the difficult ascent for a several of hours. The surrounding views were just magnificent! And the more up I went the more impressive became the view below me. Tiny houses were magically holding on giant cliffs looking down at the blue blue sea…
From the gallery: professional photos of Italian cities
Categories: Italy, Travel
Tags: beautiful views, Cinque terre, from above, high angle, Italy, Liguria, professional photography, scenic views, summer, travel, vacation, villages
I’ve been to Italy many times but I have never visited these 5 wonderful villages on the rugged coast of Mediterranean. I was totally amazed by the local beauty both natural and man- made.
First I’ ve spent some time in Genoa and then took a regional train towards the villages. The train was slow and it stopped on every station. But the road was so beautiful! The train went right on the coast and from my window I could see the blue blue sea. The day was sunny and the sea was smiling to me.
As a place to stay I chose the most far away of the 5 villages – Riomagiore. My room turned out to be situated next to the local church and from my balcony I had a pretty view of the sunny streets of the village. I had a sunned wish to spend the rest of the day on this balcony bronzing and enjoying the view. But my time was already planned with hiking of nearby trails.
There are a lot of trails in Cinque terre region. The most popular one: the road of love (Via dell’Amore). This road was carved right in the cliff and is going though the coast tying all 5 villages together. I went the trails to the next village – Manarola with impossibly picturesque houses on the cliffs and let myself to relax there a little.
From the gallery: beautiful stock images of Italian cities
Categories: Italy, Travel
Tags: beautiful views, Cinque terre, cute towns in Italy, Italy, Manarola, places to vitis, professional photography, Riomaggiore, summer, sunshine, vacation
I am here again. But now I look at everything with different eyes. The thing that impresses me the most is that it’s not an artificial city made just for aesthetic enjoyment of public. No. It was founded like a real republic by real people! People were making making business, trading, making money and building castles for themselves and sponsoring art. So many things happened here! And this real past makes this place so exceptionally beautiful.
From the gallery: beautiful Italian cities
Categories: Italy, Travel
Tags: beautiful cities, beautiful views, famous places in Italy, images of Italy, landmarks, night images, picture from trip to Italy, professional photography, touris destination, travel, Venezia, Venice
It is so nice to meet a sunrise! Especially in winter, especially in Italy. An especially when I don’t need to go anywhere and can just look out of my window and enjoy how night beauty is changing to morning.
Still night
Already morning
From the series: beautiful pictures of Italy
City-inspiration. I adore Florence. And I will come back again and again.
From series: beautiful pictures of Italy and Florence
