Roadtrip: Northern Italy - Part 1

A couple of years back I took some time through the summer to drive from the UK, through France, Northern Italy and Switzerland. In this little photography focused guide I'm going to briefly chat through my northern Italy ventures. So pack your camera gear, queue up your favourite road trip playlist, and let’s hit the winding roads of Northern Italy!

This guide is all about capturing the dreamy landscapes, colourful towns, ancient history, jaw-dropping vistas and pastel villages that make this region a photographer’s paradise. Part 1 will cover Cinque Terre, Rome and Florence and Part 2 see's us head even further north to Venice, The Dolomites and Lake Garda - so stay tuned. First stop...

Stop 1: Cinque Terre – Where Colour Meets Coastline

Cinque Terre is a postcard come to life. This cluster of five fishing villages clings to the rugged Ligurian cliffs, offering picture-perfect scenes everywhere you look. It takes a bit of planning to get the most out of your few days there but here are some tips.

Leave your car in La Spezia and hop on the Cinque Terre Express train to your first spot. Once in Cinque Terre you can either jump on the train between towns or hike the gorgeous mountain trails for unparalleled views.

We decided to stay in Manarola - a more central location with great restaurants, easy access to the water for swimming, buzzing night life and a good selection of cost effective accommodation. Now here are the hotspots in each town:

• Riomaggiore: Start here early in the morning. Head to the harbor for a perfect shot of the village rising up from the rocks, bathed in golden light. The pastel houses reflected in the water are a photographer’s dream.

• Manarola: Definitely the most iconic view of Cinque Terre. Find the little cliffside park or restaurant if you want to eat, just above the harbour for that classic sunset shot of the habour and it's fishing boats.

• Vernazza: Famous for its lively square and castle tower views. Climb up to the Doria Castle for a sweeping panorama of the coastline.

• Corniglia: Perched on a hill, this village offers quieter vibes and unique angles of the sea. We walked here from Monterosso and were ready for a drink.

• Monterosso al Mare: For beachy vibes and relaxed shooting, this is the spot. Perfect for long-exposure shots at sunrise, shots of the iconic sun parasols and a busy old town to explore.

As always, planning your trip around the lighting of morning or evening are key to grabbing that golden light but regardless, you're in for a treat in each village. Our favourite bites to eat were a fried seafood cone at the Manarola harbour, A Pié de Campu at the top of the Manarola hill for focaccia and take away pasta from Primo Platto in Riomaggiore.

Stop 2: Rome – The Ancient City

Rome is chaos in the best way—ancient ruins meet buzzing streets, and every corner holds a story. It’s a city for the curious, the hungry, and anyone who loves a good sunset shot over history. It blew my mind. Every corner you turned revealed a different, enormous, ancient piece of architecture.

Driving here is frankly a nightmare but with a bit of patience you'll find somewhere to abandon your car. Check out Parcheggio Villa Borghese or Parking Ludovisi. Once you’re parked, put on your comfy shoes and hit the cobblestones.

Essential photo stops include:

• The Colosseum: Start early to catch the morning light streaming through this ancient amphitheater. Shoot from the Via Nicola Salvi for a classic angle, or go inside for dramatic shots of the arches and shadows.

• The Roman Forum: Golden hour is your best friend here. Capture the ruins glowing in the soft evening light.

• Trevi Fountain: Go at sunrise if you want people-free photos. Throw a coin, make a wish, and get creative with reflections in the water.

• Pantheon: See if you can catch light beaming through the ceiling.

• Vatican City: The St. Peter’s Basilica Dome can be seen from the end of the street. I played with a slower shutter speed to drag passing vespas as seen below.

• Trastevere: Wander the cobbled streets of this bohemian neighbourhood for dreamy shots of ivy-covered buildings and quaint cafés.

Hot tip: Walk everywhere. Rome’s magic is in its alleys, fountains, and unexpected views. Also try and avoid travelling mid summer. Rising temperatures and the city being made entirely from stone means the temperatures can soar.

Stop 3: Home of the Renaissance

No Northern Italy road trip is complete without a visit to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. This city is a living museum, with world-class art, historic architecture, and streets brimming with timeless beauty. Whether you’re capturing iconic landmarks or candid street scenes, Florence is a photographer’s playground. In the car, it's an easy stop from Rome on the way to Venice but definitely worth staying for a few nights.

Florence’s city center is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), meaning you’ll need to park outside the restricted area. Use a lot like Piazzale Michelangelo Parking or Parcheggio Parterre, then explore on foot. Florence is compact, so walking is the way to go.

If you get your act together, you could visit all the following photo spots in a day but I'd recommend taking your time and soaking up all of Florence's historical art and foodie scene. There's so much more to Florence than meets the eye. Top spots for photography:

• Piazzale Michelangelo: Start your visit with a panoramic shot of Florence’s skyline. The view of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Arno River is especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. Extra points for heading further up the hill to the Basilica di San Miniato for a slightly different view. Pictured above.

• The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore): Climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower for unparalleled views of the city. From the ground, capture the intricate façade with a wide-angle lens. It's massive.

• Ponte Vecchio: This iconic medieval bridge is a must-shoot at golden hour, when the light reflects off the river and the bridge’s colourful buildings glow. Capture it from the next bridge.

• Uffizi Gallery Courtyard: The symmetrical columns and arches create a perfect frame for minimalist or architectural shots. Also an iconic spot for renaissance paintings and sculptures.

• Santa Croce Basilica: A peaceful spot for capturing Gothic beauty, with fewer crowds than the Duomo. The square out front is great for a coffee and people watching too.

• Hidden gems in the cities alleyways: From photo booths to bicycles, Florence is filled with little details for you to photograph.

Gelato Highlight - Sbrino - Gelatificio Contadino is definitely worth the visit!

That's it for part one of my Northern Italy road trip. From the cliffside magic of Cinque Terre, the timeless grandeur of Rome and the Renaissance brilliance of Florence, we've been to some of my favourite spots. In part two we'll head on to Venice, up into the mountains of the Dolomites and end in Lake Garda to wrap the Italian part of my road trip adventure.

Hope you've enjoyed the ride - see you next time.

Buon viaggio!