After months of lockdowns and restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit hard our beautiful country, we are again ready to welcome travelers from many different countries.
These long months have changed a lot of things, but some have remained the way they used to be: our gorgeous landscapes, our inimitable art, our delicious food, but most of all our warm hospitality.
With travel restrictions still in place for many countries and fewer people wanting to travel, this is a great opportunity to enjoy all of the above without having to contend with huge throngs of tourists.
As of Oct. 5th:
- Travelers from EU countries (except for Romania) are allowed without the need of justification, therefore also for tourism, and without the obligation of isolation, provided they have not transited or stayed in other territories. This includes all the EU Countries (except Romania and with specific provisions for Croatia, France - limited to the regions Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, New Aquitaine, Occitania, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - Greece, Malta and Spain), Schengen, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Andorra, Principality of Monaco.
- Travelers from Croatia, France (limited to the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, New Aquitaine, Occitane, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) Greece, Malta, and Spain must also present a recent negative test or subject themselves to a swab upon arrival.
- Travelers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay can enter Italy for any reason, but have to undergo fiduciary isolation and health surveillance, to fill in a self-declaration and reach the final destination in Italy only by private vehicle.
- Travel to/from the rest of the world is allowed only for precise reasons, such as work, health or study reasons, absolute urgency, return to home, home, or residence.
What is the Covid-19 situation in Italy?
Oct 5th Update: The number of cases in Europe, including Italy, is again on the rise with the beginning of the cold season. The situation appears to be still very much under control, with no major alarms or restrictions. Stronger mask mandates are being established and enforced across the whole country and you can expect to see people wearing masks in public everywhere.
To put it simply, we didn't just flatten the curve, we squashed it!
Despite successive relaxations of lockdown measures, starting in May, we have seen no resurgences of cases, no second waves. Most new cases discovered are mild, asymptomatic, and scarcely contagious.
The Lombardy region, which was the epicenter of the epidemic, still sees the majority of cases daily, though that number is rapidly going down. Other regions have seen much fewer cases and now have more days with zero new cases than days with one or two. Basilicata, where the amazing city of Matera is located, has recorded no new cases for 17 consecutive days, as of June 28th.
Mask use is widespread and everybody seems to have learned good personal hygiene practices. Temperature controls are ubiquitous. Social distancing is still the norm and believe me, for a population that enjoys hugs and kisses like no other, that's difficult. Having been hit so hard meant we had to adapt or succumb.
While the national health care system was severely strained at the height of the crisis, we are now almost back to normal and foreign visitors are again able to enjoy one of the best-rated levels of medical assistance in the world, should the need arise. Hospitalizations due to Covid-19, which reached almost 30,000 at the peak, are now down to 1,120 (as of June 29th) and rapidly declining. If they keep going down at this rate, we expect hospitals to be virtually free of Covid-19 patients before the end of July.
I think today Italy is one of the safest places in the world, as far as Covid-19 is concerned. In some areas, it is probably easier to encounter a wild bear than a virus molecule.
What About Photo Tours?
EU citizens have been able to travel to Italy since June 3rd and visitors from many more countries will be allowed in starting July 1st, without having to undergo a period of quarantine on arrival. As I'm writing this, the list of such countries is still not known. As long as there is such uncertainty, it's difficult for me to plan long tours in the immediate future. In any case, feel free to browse this site and discover what's already planned.
My response to the current state of affairs is to be flexible and nimble.
What this means in practice is that I'm offering private, bespoke, short photo tours for singles and small groups.
If you love photography and are thinking of taking a vacation in Italy in the coming months, this might be right for you. Let’s say you are traveling to Italy and would like to include the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Venice, Rome, the Dolomites or some other beautiful destinations in your itinerary. You want to be sure you will be taking home the best photographs of those locations, for your personal collection or to show your friends.
This is what you will get from me. I will bring you to the best spots at the best times and teach you how to get those amazing photos you’ve always dreamed of taking.
Depending on the location and the number of days you have, we will design together the best program that works with your schedule.
Here are some of the locations I have visited many times and that I consider myself an expert of, but I would be happy to accompany you elsewhere. I have traveled across all of my home country, so there will be hardly a place I don't know well.
Cinque Terre
Five colorful villages on a beautiful stretch of pristine coastline. Ideal for a two-day tour. Options for hiking and boat excursions. Getting around by train or boat.
Tuscany
Medieval towns, enchanted landscapes, stunning works of art. Truly the heart of Italy. Ideal for one day or more. Getting around by car. Very accessible.
The Dolomites
One of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Tons of photo opportunities in a limited area. Green meadows in Spring and Summer, foliage in the Fall, snow in WInter. Very accessible. Ideal for two days or more.
Venice
Venice is a city with many well-known photo spots, but you should let me take you to some of its secret ones. Ideal for one day or more. Very accessible if you enjoy long walks.
Rome
All the roads lead to Rome, they say, and a visit to Italy wouldn't be complete with it. A photo tour of Rome could keep you busy for a week, but even one or two days will make you want come back for more.
Milan
Once considered a dreary industrial town, it actually has a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy modern architecture and always fashionable people. Ideal for a one or two day tour and very accessible.
I offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee on private tours. If for any reason you weren’t satisfied with my skills as a tour leader, I will refund 100% of my fees, as long as you provide a motivation and do it within 30 days from the end of the tour.
Interested? Use the form below or email me. I will get back to you as soon as possible with some proposals and we'll discuss them together.
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