There are so many accurate details in the country pavilions around Epcot's World Showcase that it's easy to forget you're in central Florida. Even if just for a second, that transformative affect is what makes Epcot so special. This obelisk is, of course, from the Italian Pavilion.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Santo Stefano is a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany. We rented a little Renault convertible and took a day trip from Florence (Firenze) to Siena.
I learned three things that day:
1) Siena is amazing and I need to go back to experience the Palio di Siena (if anybody out there can hook me up, please let me know!)
2) Vineyards in Tuscany don't have giant "VINEYARD" signs out front — at least they didn't back when we went. Instead, they have a hand-painted sign of a rooster. So, if you are driving through Tuscany looking for a nice vineyard to visit, go to the places advertising roosters and you'll be good to go. Wait for a "Vineyard" sign and you might miss all the good stuff!
3) Regular people aren't allowed to drive on a lot of the streets in the historic district (pretty much all) of Florence. You can get in but you're going to have a hard time getting out as you back your car hundreds of feet down alleys lined with Vespas and motorcycles. Don't ask how I know.
Epcot's World Showcase countries take on an entirely new perspective when seen through a telephoto lens from across the lagoon. None seem more at home at the water's edge than Italy, with the Campanile di San Marco rising high above the water and the trademark black gondolas lined up for service.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
This pretty much sums up navigating Venice. Turn left or turn right, just keep on going. Sooner or later, you're going to end up in Piazza San Marco or on the Rialto Bridge and you can find your way home. Just keep on wandering. The more narrow the thoroughfare the better. You'll be fine and you'll encounter some spectacular sights along the way.
This photograph was captured with one of the first Sony Cybershot digital cameras and was edited in Adobe Lightroom.
Italy or Orlando? The Italy World Showcase transports you straight to Venice's Piazza San Marco. The iconic buildings and bell tower are scaled down a bit but are otherwise spot on. Epcot wins again!
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
You can purchase this photograph at Smugmug
Positano is one of my favorite villages in Europe. The movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, tried hard to ruin it and certainly did introduce a whole lot more tourists from the UK and USA but it is still a fantastic place to spend a little downtime.
The beach is made up of giant pebbles (like in Nice), which is a totally different experience for those who are accustomed to sandy beaches. Laying on the beach can be like a hot stone session at a spa. There are bars and restaurants in caves and on mountaintops. There are even small castle-like watchtowers with giant fire pits on their roofs that were once used to warn neighboring villages of pirate attacks Lord of the Rings-style.
When we first visited back in 2001, nobody in town spoke English. In the post Under the Tuscan Sun era, every other local speaks at least some English so it's even more approachable now than ever. I'd still recommend learning a little Italian before setting off, though, the locals will certainly appreciate it.