An Epic European Road Trip: A Photographer's Guide to 5 Weeks of Nature & City Adventures through Ireland, Portugal, France & Italy
This blog post documents our 5-week European summer road trip, a sensational journey for my photography business. As a photographer, documenting travel is essential, not just for my own memories, but to showcase a portfolio of work and to provide inspiration and guidance for other travelers. All images from this trip are available for sale, so please reach out via my contact page for print and digital inquiries.
My husband, Corey, and I embarked on a journey that took us from the rolling green hills of Ireland to the rugged peaks of the Italian Dolomites, all while capturing the essence of each unique culture. From intricate city streets to wide-open mountain landscapes, this trip was an incredible visual adventure.
Here is our complete day-by-day itinerary with all the details, including our favorite hikes, delicious food, and essential travel tips for photographers.
🍀 Part 1: Ireland - Dublin & The Wild Atlantic Way 🇮🇪
Dates: Tuesday, July 22nd - Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 (6 Nights)
Our Irish adventure was the perfect start, beginning with family wedding celebrations and ending with a breathtaking road trip to the Wild Atlantic Way on the West Coast of Ireland. The dramatic cliffs and vibrant pub culture were a photographer's dream.
Wed, July 23rd: Dublin City Exploration
Arrival: We landed in Dublin at 6:45 AM after a long journey (Qatar flight). We dropped our bags at the Staycity Aparthotels Dublin Augustine and immediately set out to explore the city.
Activities: We spent the day exploring some of Dublin's most iconic sites. To beat the crowds, we set off on foot straight to The Guinness Storehouse for its opening at 9am, offered a fascinating tour of it’s history, a pouring experience and ended with a perfect pint and a 360-degree view of the city. All the Guinness drinking worked up a hunger haha so we visited Dublin’s oldest pub, the Brazen Head established in 1198, for a traditional Irish lunch. We finished the day by experiencing the lively atmosphere of the famous Temple Bar Pub and dublin streets.
Photography Notes: The rooftop of the Guinness Storehouse provides an excellent vantage point for wide-angle city shots.
Traveler's Tip: Book your Guinness Storehouse tickets online in advance to skip the long queues.
Thur, July 24th: Dublin to Blackrock & Wedding Event
Car Hire: Picked up our hire car SUV from Enterprise Car Hire at 10:00 AM to fit the whole family in. The freedom of having a car was essential for the rest of our time in Ireland.
Accommodation: We drove about an hour to Blackrock, Dundalk, to stay with family for a pre-wedding event and ready for the wedding weekend for my cousin, Caoimhe.
Fri, July 25th: Cliffs of Moher & West Coast
Scenic Drive: A 4-hour drive from Dundalk took us to the spectacular West Coast. The journey itself was a feast for the eyes, with stunning landscapes all around.
Activities: To break up the 4 hour drive we called in at Belvedere House Gardens & Park. Before visiting the Cliffs of Moher, we visited the local pub, stopping for a pint at Gus O'Connor's Pub, a legendary spot for traditional Irish music. We then continued on for an afternoon at the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. This is a must-see for any photographer, with dramatic sea cliffs plummeting into the Atlantic Ocean.
Accommodation: Booking.com the Atlantic Coast Lodge, with a great pool table!
Photography Notes: The light during afternoon golden hour and sunset at the Cliffs of Moher is truly magical for capturing the scale and drama of the landscape.
Sat, July 26th - Mon, July 28th: West Coast & Return to Dundalk, Wedding at Cabra Castle, Kingscourt
Return: We drove back to Dundalk in the afternoon, ready for more family events.
Celebration: We celebrated a beautiful wedding at Cabra Castle, a historic and stunning venue. The architecture, grounds, and atmosphere were a photographer’s dream.
Accommodation: We stayed overnight at the castle with the family. This was a perfect end to our time in Ireland.
🇵🇹 Part 2: Portugal - Lisbon & Madeira ☀️
Dates: Tuesday, July 29th - Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 (7 Nights)
Portugal was a whirlwind of historic cities, delicious food, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. From the historic trams of Lisbon to the mountainous beauty of Madeira, every day offered new photo opportunities and breathtaking hikes.
Tue, July 29th - Wed, July 30th: Dublin to Lisbon & Lisbon City Deep Dive
Travel: Dropped off our hire car in Dublin at 4:00 AM and caught a Ryanair flight to Lisbon, where we arrived at 9:10 AM. We checked into the EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel.
Activities: Even though it was a sweltering 36 degrees, we took to the streets on foot to explore this beautiful city. We watched the iconic Tram 28 through the streets, strolled down the vibrant Pink Street, explored the grand Praça do Comércio riverside square and the impressive Arco da Rua Augusta. We walked to the top of the city to see the Castelo de S. Jorge Castle (the must visit for city views) and Lisbon Cathedral. We watched the sunset at the boardwalk here, it was beautiful, a great photo spot.
We dedicated a day to immersing ourselves in Lisbon’s culture. We explored the Alfama area with its narrow streets and visited the stunning Miradouro de Santa Luzia lookout with its famous azulejo tiles. Later, we checked out the modern side of Lisbon at the MAAT Museum and the creative LX Factory.
Food: For lunch, we had sandwiches from DUÍCHE and then a snack at Manteigaria for pastéis de nata at Time Out Market, and for dinner, we enjoyed delicious seafood at Lisboa Tu e Eu 2. The second night we had a traditional Portuguese chicken dinner at Bonjardim.
Drink: We enjoyed a local beer at BREW Chiado and a beer at Outro Lado Craft Beer before dinner.
Photography Notes: There are photo opportunities everywhere you look! The bougainvilleas, the beautiful Portuguese tiles, or Azulejos, are handmade, handpainted, and integral to Portuguese culture. Being summer, the sunset is around 9pm and gorgeous over the water. The narrow streets of Alfama are perfect for detailed shots.
Thur, July 31st: Day Trip to Sintra
Travel: We took a Bolt (ride share, please download) to Sintra for a magical day trip, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a fairy-tale town that was a sanctuary for Portuguese royalty
Activities: We went straight to the top of the colorful National Palace of Pena to walk down, exploring the park and palace. We also walked the ancient fortress walls of the Moorish Castle.
Its history is a captivating blend of Moorish and Romantic architecture, all in one breathtaking landscape. Give yourself a full day to explore!
🏰 National Palace of Pena: Go to the top and walk down from here. There are so many beautiful things to see within the park. NOTE - book the interior tickets online to save your spot. If you don’t you can just explore the park not the internal of the castle.
🏯 The Moorish Castle: Explore the ancient fortress walls.
🍻 Villa Craft Beer & Bread: Enjoy local craft beer and wood fired snacks!
Food: In the Sintra township, we found a great spot for craft beer and wood-fired snacks at Villa Craft Beer & Bread after a long day of exploring.
Traveler's Tip: Book Pena Palace tickets online in advance to save your spot for the interior.
Fri, Aug 1st: Lisbon to Madeira & Funchal Exploration
Travel: Flew from Lisbon to Madeira on a EasyJet flight. We picked up a hire car from Justdrivemadeira.com. We drove to the hotel, stopping at Cristo Rei lookout along the way.
Accommodation: We checked into the ARTS IN Hotel Conde Carvalhal and dropped our bags, ready to explore the city.
Activities: We spent the afternoon with a walk through the township and had a beer at FugaCidade.
Food: We had an amazing dinner with fresh seafood at Snack Bar Bella 5 and a traditional Poncha drink at Rei da Poncha.
Sat, Aug 2nd: Madeira Central Day Trip (PR1 Hike)
Activities: We did the famous PR1 hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, a trail known as the "Stairway to Heaven." The views were over the clouds and gave a feeling of being on top of the world. In the afternoon we travelled to the cute Câmara de Lobos fishing village and did the Praia walk then Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools and Túnel das Poças do Gomes cave walk.
Hike Stats:
Distance: 5.2km | Ascent: 375m | Time: 2h 10m (with stops)
All Trails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/madeira--2/pr1-pico-do-arieiro-pico-ruivo
Photography Notes: The best time for this hike is at sunrise or sunset to capture the famous cloud inversions.
Food: Dinner at Tradicional Restaurant - good seafood!
Traveler's Tip: Start this hike early to avoid crowds and afternoon clouds.
Sun, Aug 3rd: Madeira West/North Trip
Activities: We did a Levada walk at Levada do Moinho and saw two hidden waterfalls. We also visited the Cascata dos Anjos drive-through waterfall and Praia da Ponta do Sol beach for a relax and drink. We finished the day with a trip to the mystical Fanal Forest and the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.
Accommodation: We checked out of our hotel and drove to the northern part of the island, staying at the Casa da Capelinha apartment.
Mon, Aug 4th: Madeira East Day Trip (PR8 Hike)
Activities: After coffee and bakery at Padaria do Calhau, we did the breathtaking PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike on the eastern peninsula. This trail offers a dramatic volcanic landscape and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. We also hiked the PR1.2 hike.
Hike Stats:
Distance: 9.7km | Ascent: 522m | Time: 3.5 hours
All Trails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/madeira--2/miradouro-de-sao-lourenco-cais-do-sardinha-pico-do-furado
Bring your swimmers for a swim along the way! It was the most beautiful water.
Photography Notes: The harsh, volcanic landscape and dramatic coastal light are perfect for high-contrast images.
Accommodation: Casa da Capelinha - breathtaking views over the ocean from our deck.
🇫🇷 Part 3: France - Lyon, Annecy & Chamonix ⛰️
Dates: Tuesday, August 5th - Wednesday, August 13th, 2025 (9 Nights)
The French leg of our journey was a perfect blend of city gastronomy in Lyon, lakeside charm in Annecy, and world-class mountain adventures in Chamonix.
Tue, Aug 5th - Thur, Aug 7th: Madeira to Lyon & Lyon City Exploration
Travel: We returned our car in Madeira and flew to Lyon on EasyJet. We checked into HONORÊ - Suite Carnot, right next to the train station.
Activities: We picked up our key down the street and dropped our bags off at the hotel. We then explored Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux in the Presqu'île and enjoyed a delicious Moroccan dinner at Le Touareg.
The following day, we started our day at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, enjoying a wine and cheese tasting plate. We then explored the Croix-Rousse area and the Parc de la Tête d'Or, which has a free zoo and a botanical garden. We took the funicular up Fourvière Hill to see the Basilica of Notre Dame and the Théâtre Gallo Romain.
Food: TIP, use the ‘Fork’ app for discounted restaurants in the city. Our first meal was at a traditional "Bouchon," Comptoir Brunet (4.5 stars), for a taste of authentic Lyonnaise cuisine and another Dinner was at Bouchon Rouge. During the day we purchased bread, meat and cheese from grocery stores and made our own lunch.
Fri, Aug 8th: Travel to Annecy & Lake Exploration
We absolutely loved our time in Annecy. Lake Annecy is widely considered the cleanest lake in Europe. This is due to strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s to protect the water from glacial melt.
Travel: We took an early morning BlaBlaCar Bus (booked ahead of time online) from Lyon to Annecy, 1 hour 40 mins, arriving at 8:45 AM, we booked our luggage into a luggage holding site (there are many of these in Europe, you can book online or on an app and leave your luggage for a small fee in a locked space). This allowed us to explore without bags, checking into our accommodation, Studio Ladrillo, later that afternoon.
Activities: There was a beautiful market in the main town centre, we purchased some fresh produce, meat, Saucisson Brioché (A high-quality pork sausage baked inside a soft brioche loaf) and cheese and took our goodies down for a picnic at Jardins de l'Europe park. We sat here enjoying the views over the lake and listened to music. We then explored the picturesque streets of Annecy and admired the iconic Palais de l'Isle and Pont des Amours bridge.
Food: We enjoyed a traditional Savoyard fondue at Le Freti.
Sat, Aug 9th: Annecy Hike & Castle Views
Activities: A must do - hiring an e-bike and completing the Lac d'Annecy Circular bike route, which was 40km. There are so many stops along the route for swims and beautiful views over the lake - we stopped for a cocktail and swim at Le Walpole.
Cycling Stats:
Length 40.80 km, Elev. gain 260 m, Total time with stops 5:45:46
All Trails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/haute-savoie/tour-du-lac-d-annecy
Photography Notes: The soft morning light is perfect for capturing the canals, and the afternoon sun over the lake makes for great landscape photos.
Traveler's Tip: Bike riding around the lake is a must!
Sun, Aug 10th: Travel to Chamonix & Arrival
Travel: Our BlaBlaCar Bus took us from Annecy to Chamonix (1 hour 20 mins), arriving at 10:25 AM. We checked into our Airbnb close to the town centre walking distance to everything. Airbnb was the best option as we wanted to be able to cook, staying there for 5 days. Staying in the town centre makes transport very easy as you can just walk to everything to catch public transport.
Activities: We spent the afternoon getting oriented, walking through the town center, and picking up our Mont Blanc 3-day MultiPass at the Office du Tourisme. We thought we’d get out for an afternoon hike and did the Cascade du Dard hike. You can order your Mont Blanc summer pass online HERE.
Hike Stats walking from town
9.3km Length, 434 m Elevation gain, 3hrs Estimated time
All Trails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/haute-savoie/cascade-du-dard
Mon, Aug 11th: High Peaks and Glaciers
Activities: Morning: 8.30am booking for Aiguille du Midi cable car (ENSURE you book this a few days before when they open, as they fill up immediately, this can be booked HERE). Buying the Mont Blanc multi pass 3 consecutive days and booking online 48 hours at 5pm before the day to secure a spot.
🚠 Aiguille du Midi Cable Car 🚠
The adventure began with a breathtaking ride on the Aiguille du Midi cable car. When this was built in 1955, it held the record for the highest cable car in the world. We experienced the "Step into the Void" glass box at 4,806 meters and out to the viewing deck, offering incredible compositions of the Mont Blanc massif.
Fun fact: The famous Aiguille du Midi gets its name, "Needle of the Midday," because from a church in Chamonix, the sun passes over the peak at noon.
At 11am we came back to the mid point to de l'Aiguille intermediate station, and started the hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail with side trip of Lac Bleu toward the Montenvers site. Views back at Mont Blanc and the valley.
Hiking Stats de l'Aiguille - Ice cave
9km 3hrs 40 mins
AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/france/haute-savoie/plan-de-l-aiguille-grotte-de-glace-caillet?sh=a1qwdv&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
🧊Mer de Glace & Ice Grotto 🧊
We then took the historic cogwheel train and cable cart down to the Mer de Glace and explored the stunning Ice Grotto. Stepping inside a glacier was unreal! The blue hues inside the glacier are truly remarkable.
Afterward, take the historic cogwheel train back down to Chamonix (inlcuded in your pass). Down by 4.30pm, we literally ran across to Brevete cable cart and went up to the top to see the views for when the sun set (summer sunsets are the best). Unreal! Last cart 5.45pm!
Tue, Aug 12th: Planpraz - Lac Cornu Lake - Lac Noir Lookout - L’Index - La Flegere Hike
Today was a jam packed hiking day! We put some kms into the feet today and saw some of the most spectacular views. Having the Mont Blanc Summer pass meant we had the freedom to go up and down the gondolas and chair lifts where ever we liked. So towards the later part of the day we pushed for a further away chairlift to get a few more kms.
Activities: We took the Planpraz gondola up the mountain and started our big hike across the mountain. The hike was 17.5km and offered a variety of scenery and views. These chair lifts were all included in our 3 day multi pass.
Food: We filled up our water bottles at the cold town tap in town before heading out and packed snacks in our bags. There are refuge’s to eat at along the route too.
Hike Stats: 17.5km, 1000m elevation gain, 7 hours with stops. All Trails link - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/haute-savoie/planpraz-col-cornu-l-index-lac-blanc-et-flegere
Wed, Aug 13th: Tramway du Mont Blanc & Relaxation
Travel: We took the 8:00 AM bus to Le Fayet station for our pre-booked 9:00 AM tram. This was also included as part of the
Activities: We boarded the Tramway du Mont Blanc, France's highest cogwheel train, for a scenic journey. The last stop was closed so we went to the end area, got out and then hiked up the mountain. This was a hidden gem with views to die for. We then had a relaxing afternoon to recover from our hiking
Afternoon: From the Tramway's stops, you can access the Les Houches area for a hike or a leisurely stroll, enjoying a different perspective of the Mont Blanc massif We loved exploring up the mountain here at the end of the track, unreal views of the valley.
🇮🇹 Part 4: Italy - Verona, Lake Garda, Dolomites, Venice, Florence & Milan! 🍕
Dates: Thursday, August 14th - Thursday, August 28th, 2025 (14 Nights)
Our final leg was a grand tour of Italy's most iconic destinations. We went from the romance of Verona to the rugged beauty of the Dolomites, and finished with the art and fashion capitals of Florence and Milan.
Thur, Aug 14th: Chamonix to Verona Travel Day
Travel: A FlixBus took us on a 6h 20m journey from Chamonix to Verona. This was a great time to get on top of some photo editing and reading.
Activities: We arrived at Veronia, checking into the Residenza Locatelli Apartment, we immediately headed to Piazza Bra to see the magnificent Verona Arena. We walked around the city exploring.
Food: Dinner was at Osteria del Bugiardo (4.5 stars), a great choice for traditional Veronese cuisine.
Must try food:
First course Primi: Risotto all’Amarone, Risotto al tastasal, Gnocchi, Tortellini Di valeggio
Main course Second Piatti: Pastissada de Caval (horse meat), Bolitto con la peara (boiled meats and broth)
Fri, Aug 15th: Verona City & Gardens
Activities: We started our day by exploring the city on foot, taking in the unique atmosphere of the Ferragosto public holiday. We visited the Romanesque masterpiece, the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, and the Castelvecchio Bridge. We also went to see the Giardino Giusti, a beautiful Renaissance garden with a hedge maze. We finished the day by taking the Funicolare di Castel San Pietro up to the top for sunset views.
Food: We had a great dinner at Osteria al Duca, which was a favourite.
Night: 9.30pm Carmina Burana Concert 2025 Carl Orff at the Arena Di Verona for the 2025 102nd Arena Di Verona Opera Festival. We purchased tickets to the Carmina Burana Concert at the Verona Arena, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. An open air theatre like the colosseum witnessing opera and a orchestra! It gave us chills.
Sat, Aug 16th: Verona to Lake Garda & Southern Exploration
Car Hire: Picked up our Hertz car in Verona our accommodation was walking distance (planned on purpose!)
Activities: We drove to the southern part of Lake Garda to explore before driving North. We stopped in Sirmione, we saw the Scaligero Castle and walked to the Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo. We then drove north to our accommodation.
TIP PARKING: Park at Parcheggio gratuito or further out for Sirmione township (it’s insanely busy), it’s free parking further out and you just walk to town centre (40 mins but great views).Food: We had a swim and a drink at Cento, a perfect spot to relax and watch the windsurfers.
Accommodation: We drove along the beautiful lakeside North to the Riva del Garda area, we suggest staying here! We checked into the Locanda Restel De Fer Hotel unreal hospitality and breakfast included, they went out of their way for us. Walked down to beach Spiaggia Sabbioni and watched the sunset, WOW!
Sun, Aug 17th: The town of lemone
Activities: From We took the ferry from Riva Del Garda to Limone sul Garda (20 Euro total return). We explored the town, had a famous lemon sorbet inside a lemon, purchased limoncello and poured it in our lemon haha, dipped our feet in the water and came back on the Ferry. A picturesque town.
Food: We had pizza for an early dinner at Go Pizza Ristorante Disciplini 31.
Afternoon: We walked down to the water again and watched the sunset. The views from Riva del Garda are unreal!
Mon, Aug 18th: golf day in the french alps
We had a day where we had nothing planned in Riva Del Garda, so we decided to go for a drive to Golf Ca 'Degli Ulivi and play 18 holes of golf. It was positioned high up over the lake and had beautiful rolling hills and unreal views. If you’re a golfer this is a great activity for the day! After the game we went to the restaurant at the top and had a drink looking over the lake, WOW. The gardens and atmosphere were breathtaking.
Tue, Aug 19th: Dolomites - Lake Garda to Val Gardena
Stayed in val gardena area 19-21 aug
Morning Drive: To make the most of our first day, we left at 5.30am driving from our Lake Val Garda Accommodation to Val Gardena (2 hours with tolls)
8am: We requested early check in to drop our things and the car at Diamant Spa Resort - (5 swimming pools, Spa and wellness centre, Private parking, Breakfast included, UNREAL accommodation) so we could catch the bus from out the front of our hotel to township of Ortisel.
9.30am: We had already pre purchased our tickets to the Seceda Lift online, we we could start our day early and get up the mountain. The weather was very cloudy with no visibility, even when we arrived at the top of the mountain, however as the day went on we knew it would clear. The lift is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, so it’s best to get there early due to how busy Seceda gets. As there was no visibility when we started, we did the route where we finished with the Seceda ridgeline, well worth it!
All Trails Seceda Ridgeline hike Seceda - Rifugio Firenze - Col Raiser on AllTrails: Length
12.18 km, Elev. gain 659 m, 6 hours with stops and a nap on the mountain https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/italy/south-tyrol/seceda-rifugio-firenze-col-raiser-2?sh=a1qwdv&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_
Huge day on the mountain, we even had a nap in the field, listening to the cow bells, fresh air and watching the clouds. Back down and dinner at Wirtshaus Osteria Traube. A great day!
Wed, Aug 20th: Dolomites - Val Gardena relax day
We had a rain day, so we used it to relax in our hotel, 4 start, Diamant Spa Resort. They had a spa facility with a range of saunas, steam rooms, medication rooms and pools, it was a great way to relax the muscles.
To continue our walking each day, we popped on the rain jackets and walked in the rain to Cascata Tervela waterfall at Val Gardena (8.2km).
Thur, Aug 21st: Dolomites - Cortina & Lake Sorapis
STAYED IN CORTINA 21 - 23 AUG
We enjoyed our last buffet breakfast at the hotel before hitting the road to to Cinque Torri, 2 hours away. The Cinque Torri ("Five Towers") are a famous group of dolomite rock formations in the Italian Dolomites, located near Cortina d'Ampezzo at an elevation of up to 2,361 meters - this spot turned out to be one of the highlights of the Dolomites!
Parking was easy at the bottom as it wasn’t as ‘instagrammed’ as other spots - We took the cable cart up for the hiking trail: Cinque Torri - Rifugio Averau - Rifugio Nuvolau - 5 summit towers (27 euro each return).
HIKING: Cinque Torri - Rifugio Averau - Rifugio Nuvolau on AllTrails: We did the loop trail visiting the open air museum on WW1 and also hiked through the peaks - Length 2.67 km, Elev. gain 87 m, 2 hours with stops to read the museum https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/giro-cinque-torri
We then continued onto Cortina to our Hotel Tofana Cortina + we were upgraded to a deluxe room with views of the mountains! This hotel also had a spa which we spent the afternoon in, the best way to relax after your big holiday days.
Fri, Aug 22nd: Dolomites - Tre Cime Di Laverdo, Iconic Peaks & Lakes
Morning: We made the most of the early buffet breakfast at the hotel, fueling ourselves for our big hiking days and packing a sandwich and fruit (good way to save money!).
Today was a big day that had to be planned in advance…. 8am we drove to the Lake Misurina area and found a park there near the bus station Misurina Genzianella. There are limited parks on the mountain that need to be booked well in advance and we missed our spot, so we pre purchased a bus ticket and parked up near this bus station so we can easy access to the bus. The bus starts at 9am and contineues througout the day. As this is one of the most renowned peaks on social media, even the first pus had a line we had to wait 1 hour to get on the bus. Be ready for this!
NOTE: 9.05am bus 50 at Misurina, Genzianella to Refugio Auronza (25 mins) is the first option to get up to Tre Cime Di Laverdo. The bus ticket also gets you back down on bus 50 that day.
HIKE: Tre Cime Di Laverdo Loop
All trails Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Length 9.87 km, Elev. gain 449 m, 3 hours with stops https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/tre-cime-di-lavaredo-drei-zinnen
Afternoon: Park at Passo Tre Croci parking for the Lake Sorapis track, this was an insane hike with some fun ‘all fours’ bouldering style and climbing (nothing too hard though). However it is veryyyyy busy making it a long hike if you’re waiting for people.
HIKE: Lake Sorapis via Passo Tre Croci - Length 11.61 km, Elev. gain 600 m, 3 hours
All trails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/passo-tre-croci-lago-sorapis
Spa night and then 4 course dinner at the hotel, what a way to end the day.
Sat, Aug 23rd: Dolomites to Venice & City Exploration
Travel: We drove to Venice Marco Polo Airport, dropped off our car, and took the ATVO bus into Venice.
Activities: We checked into our apartment, Isa Sweet Home, and began exploring the magical city. We saw the Rialto Bridge and the famous St. Mark's Square.
Food: Dinner we made in our apartment, bought pork from a local butcher and made pork ragu
Sun, Aug 24th: Venice RELAX
Activities: A full day of Venice exploration included a visit to the magnificent Doge's Palace, walking along the waterfront, relaxing in the park a day for reflection. We finished the day by wandering through the labyrinthine streets of the Dorsoduro district and making a nice home cooked pasta in our apartment with catching up on washing!
Mon, Aug 25th: Travel Venice to Florence & City Exploration
We were excited about our next adventure to Florence as we’ve been told by many friends this was their favourtie place in Italy. Exploring the cobblestone causeways, drinking wine from windows, cooking classes and we experienced it all!
Travel: We took the Frecciarossa train from Venice to Florence. Train and buses are such an affordable way to get around Europe.
Activities: After checking into The Black Sheep B&B, we went straight to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see the Statue of David. We also walked past the Florence Duomo and the famous Ponte Vecchio.
MUST DO: Florence’s "buchette del vino" (wine windows) are small, 16th-century, arched holes in noble palace walls used for selling wine directly from producers to customers. Originally created by the Medici family to bypass taxes, they became popular as "plague windows" during the 1630s to allow, safe, contactless transactions. Recently, these historic, often, forgotten, features have been revived to sell wine and coffee. There are many of them throughout the city and a bit of a fun game finding them.
Night: We booked in for a Florence Pasta Cooking Class called Cooking Art Brunelleschi with our teacher Lorenzo. We booked the experience through Viator for $108 Euro total (just under $200 AUS) which was great value for the experience, dinner and unlimited wine)
FOOD:
Ice cream Affogarto - Gelateria La Carraia
Sandwich - Antica Porchetteria Granieri 1916, I' Girone De' Ghiotti Sandwiches, Pino's Sandwiches, Panetteria e Stuzzicheria De Neri Sandwiches
Coffee drink: Vivoli Affogarto
Tue, Aug 26th: FLORENCE FOOD EXPLORATION
Relax morning (after a big night after the cooking class haha), walking day with lunch at La Grotta Toscana for the famous florentine steak. We used ‘The Fork’ app to book with 50% off which makes a huge difference when eating out in Europe.
We also tried the famous Florentine tripe & lampredotto beef sandwiches for dinner. from a street store called L’Antico Trippaio. We sat and listened to a couple singing opera as we watched the replica statue of David in Piazza della Signoria is Florence's iconic main square and historical political center.
We explored some of the many wine windows.
Wed, Aug 27th: Florence to Milan & City Exploration
Travel: An Italo Train took us from Florence to Milan.
Activities: We checked into the Copernico Apartment and immediately went to see the magnificent Milan Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade.
Milan Natural History Museum Day
Brewery and dinner: La Buttiga Beer Room Martesana was a busy and high atmosphere Brewery where we spent the afternoon
Thur, Aug 28th: Milan to Brisbane (Travel Day HOME)
Travel: A taxi took us from our apartment to Milan Malpensa Airport for our Cathay Pacific flight home to Brisbane.
A Photographer's Travel Tips & Summary
This trip was a perfect blend of high-altitude hiking, charming city exploration, and deep cultural immersion, making it a fantastic itinerary for any photographer.
Key Takeaways:
Book Major Attractions in Advance: For places like the Aiguille du Midi, David's Statue in Florence, and any Michelin-starred restaurants, booking online well in advance is essential.
Invest in a MultiPass: A pass like the Mont Blanc MultiPass saves money and is incredibly convenient for spontaneous trips in the Chamonix valley.
Embrace Public Transport: While we had a car for parts of the trip, trains and buses were often the most efficient way to get between cities, especially in Italy.
Plan for Flexibility: Weather can change quickly in the mountains. We kept our itinerary flexible to adjust our plans for hiking.
All-Day Hikes: Our most memorable hikes were full-day commitments. Plan accordingly with plenty of water, food, and good hiking gear.
Photography as a Business: Documenting our entire journey with a daily log and capturing a wide range of images allows us to build a portfolio for our photography business. This blog post serves as a record of our travels, and all photos from this trip are available for purchase.
This journey was truly unforgettable, and I hope this guide inspires you to plan your own European adventure. Please contact me for image sales or any more information.