The hardest thing about beauty hunting in an extravagantly beautiful place is choosing your favorite images after the hunt. I think I’ve finally done it! I started with 1200 images and am down to 800, with about 100 of those selected for sharing. Sometimes I miss the film days. We were more selective about our shots. Kind of like an archer with limited arrows. {It may surprise you to know that even the best photographers got only one or two really great shots out of every roll. No one hits the bullseye every time.}
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Today’s beauty was captured in small Tuscan villages, all day trips from Florence. I love the medieval hilltop towns that dot the Tuscan countryside. While Florence has lots to offer, I was happiest when we were rolling through green, open spaces. After 37 years of living in the heart of a big city, it turns out I’m really a country girl at heart. {Note: quaint and charming as they are, all of these tiny walled villages were packed with tourists. It’s a challenge to capture beauty with all those people and their selfie sticks!}
Cortona:
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PINITThe same flag throwing festival you’ll see in “Under The Tuscan Sun.”
Monteriggioni and San Gimignano:
My favorite: a private chianti tasting, tour and lunch at Fattoria Tregole.
PINITThe chapel.
PINITCan you believe this old beauty was once a working barn?
I hope some of today’s small town beauty inspires you right where you are. Because at the end of the day, where you are right now is what matters most. And wherever that is, I’m confident that you can find beauty just outside your window…and in the most unexpected places.
With a grateful heart,
Lorri - Great photos! You really captured the place. More please! 😉
Sherry - Absolutely gorgeous! I love all the architecture and wide open green countryside. So excited for you that you were able to take all of it in and experience all that beauty! Thinking of you, as my family will be driving through Nashville in a few days after visiting our daughter in Asheville for the weekend. Any fun places we should stop and check out while we are there?!? My husband has been to the area but I have not, so thought it might be fun to explore a little with our son.
Layne - You take the most beautiful photos. Thanks so much for sharing-I feel like I got to go on a visual vacation!
Gracia @ Gracious Offering - Linsey, beautiful photos of such a lovely country! Makes me want to hop on a plane and go to Italy again. Yes, I am a country girl too. I love to visit cities but have no desire to live there. Looking and searching for beauty today outside my door in what has been a terribly dark season of life. Thank you for your uplifting words.