Heart of Tuscany II
REGISTER: Visionary Wild Workshops
There are few better destinations than Tuscany for lovers of pastoral landscapes, art, history, fine wine, and authentic Italian cuisine. From October 14 to 24, 2026, fine art photographer Tillman Crane will host a photography workshop limited to seven participants. The workshop will begin with three nights at a superb and perfectly located boutique hotel in the city center of Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance.
We will set out on guided photo walks each morning and afternoon/evening to capture the incredible historic charm of the city and its inhabitants. Tillman will share his favorite locations, personalized photographic instruction (including for those choosing to go light with just an iPhone), and perspectives and insights on Florence and its history gained on his prior visits. The culinary experience of the incredible local restaurant scene is an essential aspect of any visit to Florence as well, and Tillman will share a few of his favorites with you.
We will then move on for a seven-night stay in the hilly countryside of the Chianti region at Borgo San Fedele, an 11th-century Romanesque church and monastery that was continuously active until the 1980s (most recently as a nunnery) and is the very last piece of property that the Catholic Church in Italy sold to a private buyer. Owners Nicolò and Renata left corporate jobs in Milan to pour their passion and considerable resources into renovating and upgrading the buildings and property and transforming it into a rustic lodge with modern amenities. In the Chianti D.O.C. wine region right between Florence and Siena, San Fedele is surrounded by vineyards, medieval hill towns, castles, and more.
Nicolò and Renata specialize in hosting fine arts workshops, and they know all the best scenic locations, historic sites, ancient weekly markets, local winemakers, artisanal farmers who raise cashmere goats and make wool products, grow ancient grains, etc. The subject matter is endless, and particularly vibrant with the colors of autumn.
Photography excursions from Borgo San Fedele will be in our group’s private van. Nicolò and Renata themselves will be our guides and drivers. Both speak excellent English.
Though we will prioritize time spent in the field photographing, we will also allocate time for two constructive image critique sessions, as well as some time to relax, get a massage, etc.
To make your stay feel like a visit to the home of a dear friend, Borgo San Fedele is essentially all-inclusive, with an open bar policy and snacks included. Renata makes breakfast, and a skilled chef prepares dinners. Most lunches will be enjoyed during excursions at our favorite restaurants or as gourmet picnics.
As our stay at Borgo San Fedele draws to an end, our group will be transported back to Florence to catch flights home or trains to your next destination.
Note: A second Visionary Wild Heart of Tuscany workshop with Justin Black (also limited to seven guests) will operate simultaneously but largely independently to this one, in order that we can take over the entire property at Borgo San Fedele, enabling the owners and staff to focus exclusively on supporting our activities and photographic agenda. Each group will go its own way during excursions and many meals, though we will dine together for breakfasts and dinners at Borgo San Fedele. Both Justin and Tillman will provide instruction on composition, light, visual storytelling, and techniques for street photography, architecture, and landscapes. For those interested in traveling light with an iPhone as their primary camera, we recommend Tillman’s workshop, as he has become a rather knowledgeable iPhone photographer, and has taught a number of workshops on the subject. Of course, he is also a master fine art photographer specializing in platinum-palladium printmaking, having worked with large format film and medium format digital cameras over the course of his career.
ITINERARY
October 14 – ARRIVAL DAY IN FLORENCE, CAPITAL OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
Guests are greeted and picked up after arrival at either the airport or train station in Florence, and transferred to Hotel Calimala in the city center. We will gather in late afternoon to set out for our first photo walk, followed by a celebratory first group dinner at one of Florence’s fine restaurants. Flights to Florence are available from various European hubs, and the city is also easily reached by train from the main Italian airports in Rome and Milan.
Overnight at Hotel Calimala. (D)
October 15 – 16 – FLORENCE
Photographing around our favorite locations in Florence’s city center and the Oltrarno (the part of Florence on the other side of the river), with guided morning and afternoon/evening photo walks. There will be some free time each day to pursue individual interests, such as shopping or visits to the art museums.
Overnight at Hotel Calimala. (B,L,D)
October 17 – TO CHIANTI AND BORGO SAN FEDELE
Following a morning photo excursion and lunch, we will be picked up and transferred to Borgo San Fedele, in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. We will be welcomed by Nicolò and Renata for an introductory orientation session, a tour of the grounds, and a gourmet Tuscan dinner.
Overnight at Borgo San Fedele (B,L,D)
October 18-23 – EXPLORING TUSCANY
Daily photo excursions, mostly to locations within a half-hour drive of Borgo San Fedele: Scenic vistas over Tuscan hills, vineyards, villages, etc.; visits to historic churches, castles, villages, markets, etc.; specially arranged visits with local artisans and boutique farmers. We plan a day trip to Siena as well. Breakfast and dinners are included at Borgo San Fedele (timing will be flexible in response to our photographic priorities). We will generally eat lunch during excursions to nearby towns and villages. The focus will be on photography in the field rather than classroom time, though we will host at least two group image review sessions to provide constructive feedback and critique, and Tillman will be available to assist guests one-on-one with image editing and processing.
Overnight at Borgo San Fedele. (B,L,D)
October 24 – DEPARTURE DAY
After breakfast, transfer provided to the airport or train station in Florence as necessary. (B)