Florence

[Brian Gatien]

I am at the airport and heading to Rome (for a conference) and then to Florence for a week. At the last minute I decided to lug my older 5x7 along. I would appreciate any suggestions for some interesting locations in the area. We are staying in a villa in Borgo San Lorenzo.
Thanks

 

[Pinholemaster]

When in Florence go to Siena and all the little hill town around the Siena area. You can spend a life time there with your 5x7.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

While in Florence, see if Alinari has re-opened their photo museum. They used to have a sizeable collection of photographs on display in a palazzo on a side street parallel to the Arno. When I was there last in 1999, it was closed. They may have re-opened, or re-located.

 

[Ole]

Tuscany is an interesting location in itself. All of it. Most of the rest of Italy, too.

The problem isn't in finding interesting things to take pictures of, it's in deciding what not to take pictures of. The amount of available time and film is the limitation.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I haven't been there in over 20 years, however...I suspect that the crowds in Florence and Siena will be too much to comfortable use a 5X7, at least for me. If you have time, I do suggest getting out of town for a spell and going to whatever small town seems to be less popular. They will all be spectacular, but if less crowded, you will end up with fewer tourists in your photos and you will probably be more comfortable taking them. Also, just getting out in the countryside, anywhere, really, will be incredible.

 

[Prospero]

You will be spoiled for choice. The best time to take a wide-angle shot of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo is at dawn:

http://www.netspeed.com.au/sgskelt/italy1.html

 

[Renato Tonelli]

What Stuart said, above. From Piazzale Michelangelo you get a view of the whole city. It is not far from the center of the city: you can walk (30 minutes?) up to it or take a cab. This location is best at dawn and late afternoon and early evening as the city is bathed in beautiful light with the distant mountains as a backdrop. For some nice views in the morning, go to the nearby hilltown of Fiesole, about 20 minutes away by car/bus. Fiesole is actually older than Florence haven been founded by the Etruscans.
Last but not least, if you like steak try bistecca fiornetina and a bottle of Chianti.
Buon viaggio.

 

[Brian Gatien]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Just back from the trip which was wonderful, except for the little rental-van-door-scraping incident near Palazzo Vecchio. Our villa was up in the hills near Grizzano and we took a day to do a circuit around the small towns in the area. Did not get to Fiesole or Siena - next trip.
I just need to find a better way to lug the 5x7 and tripod through airports and airplanes.