Pictures of Tuscany
Villas-Vineyards-Countryside in Italy

It's because I recently went there, rented a villa in Tuscany and the landscape is breathtaking. So of course I had to take lots of photos. Out of over 500 pictures that I took of the Tuscan countryside, villas, and wineries, here are my favorite photos of Italy.

At times I felt I was in a painting. The rolling Tuscan hills, geometric vineyards (how DO they manage to create such straight rows?), and masses of olive trees can all be seen in Italy at one glance. Yes, the olive trees actually had olives on them, almost ready to be taken off the trees to be used as olives and olive oil. The owner of the villa we stayed in had 400 olive trees on her property.

Here are the famouns Italian Cypress trees. They dot the landscape all over Tuscany and in the Chianti country like soldiers claiming their land. Dare I have a new appreciattion for Arborvitae?!!

This isn't exactly the villa I stayed in. It's only the poor relative...the cottage on the property that is also a rental. Sigh. However, it was part of the wonderful view I had from my villa bedroom window....the rolling hills were to the right along with those magical Cypress trees which were an intriguing part of the landscape and in many of my pictures of Tuscany, Italy.

Now for a little fun. We went to the indoor food market in Florence, Italy. What foods! What colors! Amazing. I bought a very special (not too expensive at all) balsamic vinegar which I have been using. It's wonderful.

What a casual way of displaying potted plants along a small streetway that led to a sitting area. Alhtough a little different than the other pictures of Tuscany, it still has the feel of the area.

Another one of my favorite pictures of Tuscany. The Cypress trees are in the center with the lovely rolling hills and vineyards towards the back. I am sure the olive trees are there too, but we just can't see them. Looks like a nice villa too!

And finally....the grapes in a vineyard ready to be picked. This was in the Chianti country. (They tasted delicious too!) Wine, wine, wine...

Note: Thes pictures were taken with the very compact Canon A3100IS. I bought this camera on impulse (not like me at all) prior to the trip. With some tweaking in Adobe Photoshop Elements, I improved them but was not really satisfied with this camera. I have since replaced it with the Canon S95.

In all fairness, I discovered some hidden settings for the Canon A3100Is upon my return. I took some test photos and they were much improved. If you have this camera (or are thinking of buying it), set the camera to Program and go to the menu button. His the display button and here you will find choices for improving the saturation and contrast.