Florence and Paris - as seen without us, the tourists

Robert,

Great pictures of Varenna! Makes me want to go back.

Stunning! Do you sell your work? I had to pause my viewing while Andrea was singing in Florence-can't wait to look at the remaining photos! Thank you for sharing....

Amazing artistry!
Thanks for sharing Robert!

What time did you wake up to take all of those beautiful photos?

Fixed it. Let's say the Varenna was a bonus.

I do get up and out early, 6 or 7 AM usually does it.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Robert!

Fantastic!
I loved watching your videos, especially because I felt as though I was transported to Florence & Paris once again!
You're an amazing photographer!
Won't you share your secret?

There's no real secret. Get up early each day for a week, and the streets are yours. There are street sweepers, taxis and ambulances, but they always disappear. Patiently waiting for others to move works. Being among the first to enter a site has its rewards, too. That's about it. There is nothing quite like being on the Ponte Vecchio without a soul. One gets to feel the real age of a place without the distraction of the modern and the multitude. Now, this is my way to vacation, and I understand others have theirs. One is not intrinsically more correct than the other.

I want to add one more thought: Before I go abroad, I read as much as I can about a locale, the history, the people, learn a little of the language, study the art and architecture. For me, at least, it adds immeasurably to the pleasure of being in a places like Italy and France. Not everyone has this luxury. Indeed, I take about a year to plan a trip. This time is spent researching not only the popular sites but uncovering the hidden ones, as well. Some of the photos presented here are known to very few tourists.

(sorry - I got carried away)

Robert,
When I click on your link, I keep getting the message that this video is not available. Any suggestions?

I just checked and it works. I thought it might be because some of the music makes them unavailable in certain countries, but we're actually neighbors.

You might try this link to begin at the start of the playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCXTgNFrRJs&index=1&list=PLEKbOjEZRNfillEz0uMNkbcY73QGqoDMM

Robert, we try to prepare for a trip the way you do. You're right; it adds so much to the experience. We're hoping to go back to Italy next year, and right now I'm reading a light history of the development of the Renaissance, stressing the political aspects. In a few months, we'll start brushing up on our Italian. More than once, fellow travelers have said to us, "I wish I had prepared the way you did" or "Next time I'm going to prepare the way you do." It does make a difference. Although we had one tour-mate this last spring who said "I'd rather be surprised." She was enchanted - and surprised - to learn who had won the Battle of Hastings.

EDIT: We just watched the Florence videos. Great work! Now we know we have to go back soon.

Wow these are great. Love the pictures and the music. Thanks for posting.

Robert,

Thanks for sharing your secret, but how do you achieve the painterly look?
What camera do you use?

Get up early each day for a week, and the streets are yours.

And stay late in the afternoons after all the tour buses are gone. For day trip locations, stay the night as suggested by Rick. Places taken back by the locals without the tourists have totally different moods and atmospheres.

What camera do you use?

See what I meant :-)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/italy-and-paris-photo-results