Unforgettable Tuscany & Florence (excerpt)

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:cover

9/20/10

9:09 AM

Page 1

GEORGE FISCHER UNFORGETTABLE

Tuscany & Florence

Through his artistry, George has captured life in an area steeped in history and culture.

He immortalizes Tuscany’s stunning landscapes, rich artistic legacy and delightful people, finding beauty and inspiration around every corner. He takes you to places where you can absorb hundreds of years of history and culture—or simply bask in the vibrant colours and varying moods.

Whether your tastes run to elegant or rustic, classic or modern, you’ll savour the journey.

$ 29.95

NIMBUS

Step into central Italy’s region of Tuscany and its capital city of Florence with George Fischer—one of Canada’s most celebrated and prolific landscape photographers.

smo

photos and text by

GEORGE FISCHER

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:18 PM

Page 2

copyright © 2010 George Fischer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the photographer, George Fischer.

Nimbus Publishing Limited PO Box 9166 Halifax, NS Canada B3K 5MB Tel: 902-455-4286 Printed in China Design: Catharine Barker, National Graphics, Toronto, ON, Canada Photos and text by George Fischer

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Fischer, George, 1954Unforgettable Tuscany / George Fischer.

ISBN 978-1-55109-765-7 1. Tuscany (Italy)--Pictorial works. I. Title.

DG734.4.F57 2010

914.5'500222

C2010-900115-X

Dedicated to Don King…next year in Tuscany !

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My sincere appreciation to the following individuals for their involvement in this project: Stéphanie Baudouin of Transat Tours Canada, Andrea Bargigli of Hilton Hotels International and the staff of the Hilton Florence Metropole. A special thank you goes to Catharine Barker for her creativity and design, and to E. Lisa Moses for her editing expertise. I am also grateful to Jean Lepage for his tremendous help during my travels.

—George Fischer

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:18 PM

Page 3

W c H

photos and text by

GEORGE FISCHER

travel partner

2 2 1

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:18 PM

Page 4

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

F

9/20/10

9:19 PM

Page 5

or hundreds of years, Tuscany’s beauty and charm have inspired artists and architects, poets and musicians, designers and chefs. They gave birth to the Italian Renaissance, producing geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo and others.

Throughout the ages, cathedrals, palaces, galleries and museums in Tuscany and its capital, Florence, have been home to many of the world’s priceless works of art. Today, the region boasts six World Heritage Sites along with well-preserved cultural highlights. But it is not just these formal backdrops that showcase the heart of Tuscany: around every corner in every town visual delights await.

Modern Tuscany is alive with charming villages tucked into verdant hillsides and old-world piazzas dotting towns and cities. It is defined by warm hospitality, aromatic wines, world-class cuisine and exceptional style. It’s a place where visitors are encouraged to partake of the music, art, literature, fashion and sports. And to join the locals in their celebration of life.

As a photographer, I succumbed to the region’s charms, finding inspiration everywhere—in hidden enclaves, winding streets, misty mornings and historical treasures. Through the lens of my camera in uncommon settings and popular centres, I offer you a unique sense of place. It is my privilege, in the images on these pages, to share with you these gifts of warmth and beauty.

Please join me in celebrating Tuscany’s history, culture and people. And let this book be your “room with a view.”

–5–

—George Fischer

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:19 PM

Page 6

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:19 PM

Page 7

Tuscany

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:19 PM

Page 8

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:19 PM

Page 9

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:20 PM

Page 24

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:20 PM

Page 25

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:22 PM

Page 40

– 40 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:22 PM

Page 41

– 41 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:24 PM

Page 56

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:24 PM

Page 57

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:30 PM

Page 102

– 102 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:30 PM

Page 103

– 103 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 168

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 169

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 170

– 170 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 171

Florence

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 172

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:37 PM

Page 173

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:39 PM

Page 188

– 188 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:39 PM

Page 189

– 189 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:46 PM

Page 244

– 244 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:46 PM

Page 245

– 245 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:48 PM

Page 272

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:48 PM

Page 273

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:48 PM

Page 276

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:48 PM

Page 277

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:50 PM

Page 292

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:50 PM

Page 293

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:50 PM

Page 298

– 298 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:50 PM

Page 299

– 299 –

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:51 PM

Page 302

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:guts

9/20/10

9:51 PM

Page 303

Fischer-TuscanyBook09-10:cover

9/20/10

9:09 AM

Page 1

GEORGE FISCHER UNFORGETTABLE

Tuscany & Florence

Through his artistry, George has captured life in an area steeped in history and culture.

He immortalizes Tuscany’s stunning landscapes, rich artistic legacy and delightful people, finding beauty and inspiration around every corner. He takes you to places where you can absorb hundreds of years of history and culture—or simply bask in the vibrant colours and varying moods.

Whether your tastes run to elegant or rustic, classic or modern, you’ll savour the journey.

$ 29.95

NIMBUS

Step into central Italy’s region of Tuscany and its capital city of Florence with George Fischer—one of Canada’s most celebrated and prolific landscape photographers.

smo

photos and text by

GEORGE FISCHER